As the men’s and women’s NCAA tournament bracket takes shape, make sure you’ve capitalized on the best March Madness betting bonuses from our fully legal and licensed US sports betting sites. Though most bonuses will be available through the Final Four, you should jump on these offers as soon as possible. Below, we’ll delve into the different types of sportsbook bonuses, and then identify our preferred bonus for this year’s NCAA tournament action.
You’ll also find a complete list of valuable March Madness betting resources, plus links to our Final Four betting page.
| Bonus | |
|---|---|
 #1 BetMGMREVIEW | New Customers - Up to $1500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days One new customer offer/Add'l Terms Bet Now 21+ Playable in PA only Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
 #2 BetRiversREVIEW | New Customers - 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 - Code: SPORTS Bet Now 21+ Playable in PA only Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Table of Contents
Types of Bonuses
March Madness betting bonuses commonly fall into one of three categories depending on the customer’s relationship with the online sportsbook. For example, sportsbooks typically offer new customers a one-time bonus to get them through the door. Then, once they’ve been playing for a while, they’ll be able to claim bonuses targeted to existing customers.
Most sportsbooks release their March Madness promotions about 2 weeks after the Super Bowl, just in time for the college basketball conference tournaments and Selection Sunday.
Notes on March Madness Betting Bonuses
Though a new customer bonus may appear to be free cash, you should really treat it just like play money. The bonus’ terms and conditions, combined with the sportsbook’s house rules, make it near impossible to come out ahead. Additionally, state gaming regulators closely monitor promotional offers to ensure sportsbooks aren’t misleading customers or mispresenting the offer’s rules and limitations.
In fact, many state gaming agencies prescribe certain rules and restrictions for promotional offers. For example, an online sportsbook must clearly indicate that the bonus offer is not “risk free” if it involves a real money deposit and wager. Furthermore, sportsbooks must clearly disclose all other bonus terms and conditions.
If your bonus rewards you with free bets, make sure you know how the sportsbook will credit the bonus to your account and in what denominations. Often, a sports betting site will pay a $150 free bet as three separate $50 bets. Moreover, the free bets will expire within some preset time period, typically 7-14 days. You can’t recover these bets after expiration. Know the details in advance!
We generally advise customers to treat bonuses as a way to test drive a sportsbook. In the vast majority of cases, it’s unlikely you can beat a bonus and cash out ahead. If you’re reluctant to take the bonus, you don’t have to claim it. In fact, we actually advise you to contact customer service and refuse most offers, as they simply won’t work in your favor.
Common Types of March Madness Betting Bonuses
The following are different types of sports betting bonuses. Though the exact categories may vary depending on the particular sportsbook, these are the most common we’ve seen at various legal sports betting sites.
- New Customer Bonuses – Sportsbooks want to earn your business with a generous welcome offer. Note that the sportsbook’s rules will prohibit you from combining a new customer bonus with other offers.
- Existing Customer Bonuses – Commonly targeted to specific sports and wagers – like college basketball – with seasonal availability by sport or event.
- Free Play Contests – Available to all customers. Examples include March Madness bracket games, Pick’em games, novelty video games for prizes, etc.
- Customer Loyalty Programs – Though not technically a bonus, joining a loyalty program can lead to gifts, special offers, and other perks.
- VIP Benefits and Promotions – Special rewards, prizes, a dedicated host or concierge, and preferential treatment for high-end players.
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Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days
One new customer offer/Add'l Terms
Bet Now BetMGM Pennsylvania
March Madness Betting Bonuses
We love touting BetMGM as one of the best sports betting sites in the country. Note that the availability of bonuses can vary depending on your particular state and sportsbook. For example, an offer that’s available in one state might not be available in another.
For the most part, BetMGM keeps its bonus offerings consistent for US customers, with some differences observed depending on each state’s gaming laws and seasonal customer acquisition campaigns.
- First Bet Offer – If your very first wager loses, you’ll get bonus bets paid back equal to the amount of your first bet. The bonus bets will be credited in five parts equal to the dollar amount of the qualifying wager. For example, a $100 bonus bet would be awarded as 5 x $20 bonus bets.
- Odds Boosts – BetMGM periodically offers odds boosts on select sports leagues. Boosts allow you to potentially collect more money for a winning wager. Look for odds boosts during a league’s peak activity, typically towards the end of its regular season or during its postseason.
- Parlay Insurance Token – Get up to $25 back when one selection of a 4+ selection parlay bet loses. The parlay must have odds of +400 or longer to qualify.
- Same Game Parlay Boosts – BetMGM Boosts let you increase the winnings on a qualifying Same Game Parlay bet. SGP Boosts are most often available for select College Football and NFL games. BetMGM will also randomly credit your account with a SGP Boost from time to time.
- Sweepstakes Prizes – When you wager a qualifying amount each week for a specific league, you’ll be entered to win one of many prizes in one of BetMGM’s Sweepstakes drawings. For example, those who bet at least $100 a week on NFL football will be entered to win tickets to the next Super Bowl.
- Novelty Games for Bonus Bets – Play BetMGM’s unique novelty video games, like “8-Bit Barry”, for a chance to win a bonus bet each week. You can review a current list of novelty games on the promotions page.
- Refer a Friend Rewards – Earn a $100 bonus when your refer a friend to BetMGM, subject to availability in your state and the offer’s terms and conditions.
- Free Play Contests – BetMGM offers free-to-play contests throughout the year, including its famous $100,000 Football Survivor Pool in the fall. Be sure to review BetMGM’s contests for other major events, like the Super Bowl, March Madness, Stanley Cup Finals, and World Series.
BetMGM Signup Bonus
BetMGM’s new customer bonus makes it easy to test drive their sportsbook with little risk. A nominal wager amount returns a pile of bonus bets whether your bet wins or loses. Be sure to use any bonus bets right away, as their expiration date is limited.
Most importantly, note that bonus bets in the amount of $50 or higher are awarded in 1/5 (20%) denominations of the losing qualifying wager. This differs from competitors who award bonus bets in one whole amount equal to the amount of the losing wager.
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Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days
One new customer offer/Add'l Terms
Bet Now BetMGM Pennsylvania
BetMGM First Bet Welcome Offer
Important notes:
- Not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario and Puerto Rico.
- Puerto new customers qualify for the Bet $5, Get $150 bonus.
- This offer does not apply to customers during a state’s pre-registration period.
Keep the following in mind when it comes to BetMGM’s First Bet bonus offer. Additionally, please note that exact terms and conditions may vary from state to state.
- Minimum deposit is $10. No bonus code is required.
- Only the first $1,500 of a qualifying losing wager is eligible for bonus bets.
- The Bonus Bets will be credited to your account within 24 hours of when you place your qualifying losing wager.
- Bonus Bets will be awarded in 5 denominations equal to 20% of the qualifying wager. $1,000 would be awarded as 5 x $200.
- Bonus Bets must be used within 7 days, or else they expire.
Bonus Details
Don’t lose sight of the following regarding BetMGM’s First Bet welcome offer. Like other new customer bonuses, BetMGM does have a few rules and restrictions to remember:
- First deposit must be $10 or more.
- Only new BetMGM customers in select states can claim the bonus.
- Each bonus bet can only be wagered as a one straight bet, one parlay, or one Same Game Parlay and cannot be split or otherwise divided among multiple bets.
- Any customer claiming this offer will not be eligible to participate in any other new customer promotions. Customers are limited to 5 bonus bets per person, house, IP address, and computer.
- If you cash out the qualifying wager early, you will not be eligible for this promotion.
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Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days
One new customer offer/Add'l Terms
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How to Claim a March Madness Betting Bonus
Time needed: 2 minutes
The following steps explain how to claim a March Madness betting bonus.
- Access your sportsbook account.
Register a new account using one of our recommend sports betting sites or access your existing account.
- New customers must enter all their personal details to create a new account.
Be sure to enter your name, email address, cell phone number, and physical address. You’ll also need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number for identity protection purposes.
- Apply the bonus code to your account.
New customers must enter the code in the “promo” field on the new account form. Existing customers must select an offer from the promotions page to apply it to their account. Note that some bonuses don’t require a promo code.
- Deposit money if necessary.
Deposit funds to your account if the bonus requires an immediate deposit. Use your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit or debit card. You may also use your bank account to make an ACH deposit.
- Place qualifying wagers to meet the promotion’s requirements.
Some sports betting bonuses come with minimum wagering requirements, rollovers, and other terms and conditions. Make sure to place qualifying wagers to satisfy the promotion’s requirements.
| Bonus | |
|---|---|
| #1 BetMGM REVIEW | New Customers - Up to $1500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days One new customer offer/Add'l Terms Bet Now 21+ Playable in PA only Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
| #2 BetRivers REVIEW | New Customers - 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 - Code: SPORTS Bet Now 21+ Playable in PA only Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
FAQs About March Madness Betting Bonuses
Sports betting sites willy typically offer a new customer bonus or a March Madness bracket game promotion. The majority of bracket games are free to enter, with occasional exceptions for those offering substantial prize money for perfect or near-perfect brackets.
Though a new customer bonus may appear to be free cash, you should really treat it just like play money. The bonus’ terms and conditions, combined with the sportsbook’s house rules, make it near impossible to come out ahead. Additionally, state gaming regulators closely monitor promotional offers to ensure sportsbooks are not misleading their customers.
If you’re reluctant to take the bonus, you don’t have to claim it. In fact, we actually advise you to contact customer service and refuse most offers, as they simply won’t work in your favor. Customers should view sports betting bonuses as a way to test drive a sports betting site at minimal risk to their bankroll.
Earn a bonus bet when you place a qualifying March Madness wager that ends up losing. Example qualifying wagers include Same Game Parlays and legal prop bets for college basketball and other in-season sports, like the NBA, NHL, Premier League, and La Liga.
Current Odds to Win March Madness
|
Team |  BetMGM |
|---|---|
| Auburn | +400 Bet |
| Duke | +425 Bet |
| Alabama | +900 Bet |
| Houston | +900 Bet |
| Florida | +1100 Bet |
| Iowa State | +1600 Bet |
| Tennessee | +1600 Bet |
| Kansas | +3000 Bet |
| Kentucky | +3000 Bet |
| UConn | +3000 Bet |
| Arizona | +3500 Bet |
| Purdue | +3500 Bet |
| St. John's | +3500 Bet |
| Texas Tech | +3500 Bet |
| Texas A&M | +4000 Bet |
| Gonzaga | +5000 Bet |
| Illinois | +5000 Bet |
| Marquette | +5000 Bet |
| Michigan | +5000 Bet |
| Michigan State | +5000 Bet |
| Creighton | +6000 Bet |
| Wisconsin | +6000 Bet |
| Maryland | +8000 Bet |
| Missouri | +8000 Bet |
| Ole Miss | +8000 Bet |
| Clemson | +10000 Bet |
| Louisville | +10000 Bet |
| Memphis | +10000 Bet |
| Mississippi State | +10000 Bet |
| UCLA | +10000 Bet |
Tournament Resources
March Madness
- March Madness Betting Bonuses – See our recommendations for the best new and existing customer betting bonuses.
- March Madness Bracket Betting – Learn to bet on the March Madness tournament bracket, plus pick up some invaluable tournament betting strategies.
- March Madness Point Spreads – Review the latest point spreads for upcoming March Madness events.
- March Madness Moneylines – We’ve got the latest March Madness moneylines, plus a handy tutorial explaining how to place this simple bet.
- March Madness Prop Bets – We’ve got the latest March Madness prop bets and handy betting tutorial all in one article.
- March Madness Final Four Appearances – See which teams have made the most Final Four appearances in recent history.
- March Madness Over Under Trends – Our classic study looks at over-under total betting trends for the tournament broken down by seed and conference to identify unique betting opportunities.
Final Four
- Odds to Make the Final Four – See current futures odds to make the Final Four.
- Best Final Four Overtime Games – Review the best Final Four overtime games in history, including game results and summaries.