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“No strings attached” isn’t a message you’ll see often in sports betting. Many sportsbook promotions, including welcome bonuses, come with rollover requirements. And despite being so common, these restrictions are often misunderstood or poorly explained.
Below, we’ll clear up any confusion surrounding sportsbook rollovers to help you understand exactly what you’re getting into when you claim a bonus offer.
What is a Rollover Requirement?
A rollover requirement is a stipulation attached to a sportsbook promotion to ensure that you can’t simply get the bonus and walk away without risking some of your own money. These are also sometimes referred to as playthrough requirements, and they vary in size.
For example, let’s say that a $200 sportsbook promotion comes with a 5x rollover. In this case, you would need to wager five times your initial deposit amount – so, $1,000 – to clear the requirement and be able to withdraw any winnings you received from the bonus.
It doesn’t matter if your bets win or lose. The amount wagered is what chips away at the threshold. Once that’s been met, you’re free to use your bonus as you please.
If the rollover requirement isn’t mentioned specifically in the promotion headline, check the terms and conditions (or the sportsbook’s rules page) to see what they are. Rollovers vary by betting site – some are as low as 1x, while others reach as high as 10-20x.
It’s essential to know what the rollover is before you get started. Otherwise, you might find yourself involved in a deal that you’re unwilling to pay into. A $200 bonus for betting $200 is much different than one that rewards $200 for gambling $2,000.
Do All Bonuses Have Rollover Requirements?
As a general rule of thumb, all bonuses will at least carry a 1x rollover. Any bonus cannot be instantly withdrawn – the sportsbooks aren’t giving you cash, they’re lending you bonus funds that can be used in place of real money. The winnings are still yours to keep, but they’re essentially placing the bet for you, and you don’t get to keep the stake.
With that said, a 1x rollover is pretty much as good as it gets. Some sportsbooks are known for offering industry-low rollovers – BetOnline, for example, has a “no strings” welcome offer up to $250 – while others have 12-15x rollovers by default. It’s in your best interest to stick to reputable sportsbooks with smaller rollovers.
If there’s ever any confusion as to whether a bonus has a rollover requirement (and what it is), just look for the terms and conditions attached to the offer. If they aren’t listed, contact customer support for assistance. Any reputable sportsbook will do its part to make sure you’re informed.
What’s a Good Rollover Requirement?
The definition of a “good” rollover requirement varies by sportsbook, offer size, and your goals as a sports bettor.
For instance, if you’re a more casual gambler, you likely won’t have the patience – or the willingness – to wager 10x your initial deposit amount to claim your bonus. For a lot of people, gambling over $1,000 just isn’t worth it, especially when the rollover operates on a timer. Therefore, if the rollover dictates that you have to increase your monthly budget by a significant amount just to reach the bonus, it likely isn’t the best offer for you.
Folks will universally agree that a 1x is well worth it, regardless of what the bonus size is. This is essentially a 50% match on the sportsbook’s part.
Ultimately, though, a bonus is only as good as the betting site that offers it. Prospective bettors will be pleased with our list of the best offshore sportsbooks available thanks to their valuable bonuses and low rollovers.
