What bonuses do sports betting sites offer
Bookmakers use bonuses as a way to attract new players and retain active ones. Main types of sports betting bonuses:
- Welcome bonus on first deposit — the bookmaker adds a percentage or fixed amount to your deposit on the bonus balance. For example, a deposit of 1,000 hryvnias + 100% bonus gives you 2,000 hryvnias in your account: 1,000 real and 1,000 bonus.
- Freebet — a free bet that allows you to place a wager without risking your own funds. If the bet wins, only the net winnings are credited to the player, without the freebet nominal value.
- Parlay bonus — an additional percentage on your winnings if a parlay bet wins and meets the conditions (minimum number of events, minimum odds for each event).
- Cashback on lost bets — a refund of part of the lost funds over a certain period, usually in the form of bonus money with wagering requirements.
Each bookmaker sets the terms of each bonus, and they can differ significantly. Before activating a bonus, read the promotions rules section on the site.
How sports bonus wagering works
Bonus money cannot be withdrawn immediately — it needs to be wagered. Wagering rules describe how many bets and at what odds you need to place in order to convert bonus money into real money.
Wager is a multiplier that shows what amount you need to bet to meet the wagering requirements. For example, a x10 wager means you need to roll over the bonus amount ten times. Received a bonus of 2,000 hryvnias — you need to place bets totaling 20,000 hryvnias.
Minimum odds — this is a condition under which a bet counts toward wagering. Bookmakers set minimum odds for single bets (for example, no lower than 1.50) and for each event in a parlay (for example, each event must have odds no lower than 1.40). Bets with lower odds do not count toward completing the wager.
Wagering period — the time within which you need to meet the conditions. Usually from 7 to 30 days. If you don't make it — the bonus and winnings from it are forfeited.
Calculation example. You made a deposit of 10,000 hryvnias and received a bonus of 10,000 hryvnias with the following conditions: x10 wager, minimum single bet odds 1.80, each event in a parlay — 1.50, 14-day period. To wager the bonus, you need to place bets totaling 100,000 hryvnias (10,000 × 10) with odds no lower than specified. Only after meeting this condition can the money be withdrawn.
Freebet: how it works and why the winnings are smaller
A freebet is a free bet for a fixed amount that the bookmaker gives for meeting conditions (registration, deposit, series of losses). A freebet can be used instead of real money, but there is an important difference: if the bet wins, only the net winnings are credited to you, without the freebet nominal value.
For example, you received a freebet of 500 hryvnias and placed it on an event with odds of 2.00. A regular bet would bring 1,000 hryvnias (500 × 2.00), but with a freebet you will be credited only 500 hryvnias — winnings minus the freebet nominal value. The rules for using freebets vary among bookmakers: in some cases a freebet can be split into several bets, in others — only one bet in full. Read the rules section.
What to look for in bonus terms
Before activating a bonus, check the following points in the promotion rules:
- Maximum transfer to real balance — the bookmaker may limit the amount that can be withdrawn after wagering. For example, maximum winnings from a bonus — 50,000 hryvnias. If you win more, the rest will be written off.
- Which bets don't count — bets on obvious outcomes (odds below minimum), opposite bets on opposing outcomes of the same event, bets placed after the event ends, and returns (odds 1.00) usually do not count toward wagering.
- Order of deduction of real and bonus money — calculation rules vary among bookmakers. In some cases, real money is spent first, in others — bonus money, in others — proportionally. Check the rules section or contact customer support.
- Restrictions on bet types — some bonuses can be wagered only on single bets or only on parlays, some prohibit bets on certain sports or tournaments.
If a condition in the rules is unclear — ask customer support before activating the bonus. After activation, it may be impossible to decline the bonus.
Honestly about bonuses
Bonuses look attractive, but it's important to understand: they don't increase the probability of winning and don't make betting more profitable. Wagering conditions are designed so that most players don't fully complete them or lose the bonus in the process. High wager, short period, odds restrictions — all this makes withdrawing money more difficult.
A bonus can be useful if you were planning to place bets for a certain amount and the bonus allows you to increase your bankroll. But if you activate a bonus for the sake of the bonus itself and start betting more than usual to complete the wager — this increases the risk of losing all funds.
Calculation rules vary among bookmakers, read the specific promotion rules section in full. If in doubt — it's better to decline the bonus and play with real money that can be withdrawn at any time.
Legality of sports betting in Ukraine
Law No. 768-IX of July 14, 2020 legalized the gambling market in Ukraine, including online sports betting. As of April 1, 2025, the main part of Law No. 4116-IX came into effect, which transferred regulatory functions to the newly created State Agency of Ukraine "PlayCity", subordinate to the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Licensed operators are required to comply with the law's requirements: accept bets only from persons over 21 years of age with full identification, conduct settlements exclusively through current accounts in banks, set spending limits and mandatory breaks in play.
All bookmakers in the site's rating — SpinBetter, Pinnacle, Unibet and FS.CASINO — do not have a PlayCity license and are considered unlicensed in Ukraine. Their sites are subject to blocking, and the player does not receive protection from the Ukrainian regulator. In case of a dispute with an unlicensed operator, you will not receive protection from the Ukrainian regulator. Winnings from a foreign operator are subject to declaration by the player independently — tax rates and procedure should be clarified on the State Tax Service of Ukraine website.
Responsible gaming
Participation in gambling is allowed for persons aged 21 and over. Sports betting is entertainment with a risk of losing money, not a way to earn income. Before placing a bet, determine a budget that you can spend without harm to yourself and your family, and do not exceed it. Don't try to win back losses after a losing streak, take breaks, don't play on credit and don't borrow money for betting.
If you feel you are losing control over betting, use self-limitation tools. The law requires licensed operators to implement spending limits and mandatory breaks. You can submit a self-limitation application on the State Agency of Ukraine "PlayCity" website — the restriction is valid from 6 months to 3 years, and the application cannot be withdrawn early. Licensees do not have the right to allow such persons to play.
