Free Bet Sportsbook Bonuses

Out of nearly a dozen Michigan sportsbooks, only two currently offer new players a welcome bonus in the form of a free bet: DraftKings Michigan Sportsbook and Golden Nugget Michigan Sportsbook.

The advantage of a free bet is that it allows you to try out a sportsbook without putting down any of your own money. As such, you can use it as a test run to decide for yourself whether your want to stick with the app or join another.

When you join, the free bet will be automatically credited to your account for you to use within the app’s terms and conditions. Below, we outline the free bet offers currently available at Michigan sportsbooks.

Free Bet Offers At Michigan Online Sportsbooks

It’s less common for online sports betting sites to offer free bets than it is for online casinos to offer no deposit bonuses. Here are some of the free bets that top brands are offering in Michigan.

DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Free Bet Offer: $50 free bet with $5 deposit and up to $100 for referring a friend >> Claim here
  • Available Devices: iOS app, Android app, web browser
  • Partner: Bay Mills Resort & Casino
  • Why It’s Quality: DraftKings has one of the highest quality sports betting apps in Michigan. On an incredibly stable app, you’ll find competitive odds, a long list of events, and exciting promotions.

Use your friend referral code, and both of you will receive a $100 free bet when the friend makes a deposit of $100 or more. You’re also rewarded for lower deposit amounts. You have to use the full free bet on the bet on any wager (except teasers) with odds of -200 or longer. 

    Golden Nugget Sportsbook

    • Free Bet Offer: Free Bet up to $250 when you place any sports bet with minimum -200 odds >> Claim here
    • Available Devices: iOS app, Android app, web browser
    • Partner: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
    • Why It’s Quality: Unlike the standard risk-free bet offered by many of their competitors, the Golden Nugget Sportsbook in Michigan offers a free bet up to $250 that matches your first wager – whether it wins or loses.

    Offering a nice twist on the risk-free bet you’ll see at so many other Michigan sportsbooks, the Golden Nugget Michigan Sportsbook offers a free bet up to $250. To qualify, opt-in by going to the “Available Bonuses” section, place a wager up to $250 on any even with odds of at least -200, and they’ll send you a free bet of equal value.

    We understand this list is small, but Michigan Casino Review Bank will update the list when more free bets come online. In the meantime, check out our complete Guide To Michigan Sportsbook Bonus Offers for risk-free bet options.

      More Sports Betting Bonuses In Michigan

      Michigan will be an incredibly competitive market, with many online sportsbooks vying for deposits. And that benefits bettors more than anyone else because a key way they set themselves apart is with bonus offers.

      On top of the new member free bet offers, you’ll find deposit-matching bonuses, risk-free bet offers, bet-matching bonuses, odds boosters, and other free bet offers for established members.

      The list goes on, and the possibilities for free chances to win are only limited by a sportsbook marketing team’s imagination.

      What Is A No-Deposit Free Bet At A Michigan Sportsbook?

      When you’re exploring the different bonus offers at Michigan sportsbooks, you’ll notice that free bets fall into two different categories: no-deposit and deposit-match free bets.

      A no-deposit free bet is one that’s given to new members for simply creating and verifying their accounts. Follow the signup steps, use the promo code if one is required, and the free bet shows up in your account, no need to add money.

      A deposit-matching free bet is when the sports betting site or app matches your deposit in the form of a free bet. Usually, this is bonus money that must be used all at once. With a standard deposit bonus, you can split up the money across many different bets. But a free bet (usually) must be bet all at once, whether a deposit is required or not.

      Risk-Free Bets Vs. Free Bets Vs. Bet-Match Bonuses

      A free bet is an additional amount of money that you can use to bet without risking any of your own money. A risk-free bet is your money that will be refunded if the bet loses.

      For example, if you place a free bet and it loses, the full amount is lost, but you lost bonus money. If you place a risk-free bet and it loses, you receive your money back.

      A bet-match bonus is where you receive bonus money for placing a bet. For example, receiving $10 in bonus cash for betting $25 on an NFL game.

      Terms And Conditions For No-Deposit Free Bets In Michigan

      You Must Bet The Full Amount

      In the case of all free bets, you have to use the entire amount. You can choose whatever event you’d like (with odds -200 or longer), but you must bet the full free bet amount, you can’t split the bet into multiple wagers. If you’d like to split your bets, look for deposit-matching bonuses instead.

      You Must Use The Bet Within 7 Days

      Make sure you don’t join the sportsbook until you’re ready to bet. The sportsbook usually will not honor a free bet that sits in your account for more than seven days.

      Odds Must Be -200 Or Longer

      This is pretty universal as well. You can’t use free bets on odds of -201 or shorter; otherwise, people could easily play through the bonus and withdraw the money on near-certain wagers.

      You Only Receive Your Winnings

      When you place a regular bet, you receive both your wager and winnings. With a free bet, you only receive what you win, and the free bet itself disappears.

      How To Claim Free Bets At A Michigan Sportsbook

      Find The Michigan Version Of The Sportsbook App Or Website

      When you visit the sports betting site, make sure it’s specific to Michigan. When you search for the sports betting app in the App Store, make sure to check the description to see if it’s the platform Michigan uses. Because each state has different rules and regulations, some sportsbook apps separate their services by state.

      Google Play now lists gambling apps, so most are available to download on the platform. However, if you can’t find your app of choice, you can always download the Android app directly from the web browser version of the sportsbook.

      Register At The Sportsbook And Use The Code (If Applicable)

      When you’ve confirmed you’re in the right place, click the “register” or “sign up” button, which should be on the upper right-hand side of the website or app.

      The sportsbook will then walk you through the steps to create an account. You’ll need to provide your first and last name, email, phone number, address, and the last four digits of your SSN. Make sure to create a strong password too.

      You will also need to opt into the free bet offer. This may mean simply checking a box or inputting a promo code if one is needed.

      Satisfy All Terms And Conditions

      Bet the full amount on odds that are long enough and within seven days of creating an account. If you win the bet, the winnings should be withdrawable if you satisfy those (and any other) terms and conditions.

      FAQs About Free Bets At Michigan Sportsbooks

      What is the age requirement for online sports betting in Michigan?

      21. You must be at least 21 years old to create an account at a legal online sportsbook in Michigan. However, the age requirement for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and horse racing is 18 years old. That means an 18-year-old in Michigan could play DraftKings DFS but not DraftKings Sportsbook.

      Is it legal to claim the welcome bonuses at multiple online sportsbooks in Michigan?

      Yes. There is no law against someone in Michigan joining multiple sportsbooks to take advantage of multiple welcome bonuses and other promotional offers. It is a good idea to join more than one sportsbook to compare the odds before you place a bet and maximize your win potential. Why not get some bonuses along the way?

      What are the playthrough requirements for no-deposit free bets in Michigan?

      None. A free bet at an online sportsbook is just that: a free bet. It’s not bonus cash that needs to be played through a minimum number of times. Instead, you must wager the full free bet amount on an event with odds of -200 or longer. If the free bet wins, you receive the winnings only, not the free bet plus the winnings.

      How can you avoid bonus abuse at Michigan online sportsbooks?

      By satisfying the terms and conditions. Avoid bonus abuse at Michigan online sportsbooks by reading the terms and conditions before claiming the bonus. Then meet the bonus requirements, such as betting the entirety of a free bet or making sure the odds are long enough.

      Does FanDuel Michigan Sportsbook offer a no-deposit bonus?

      No, FanDuel Michigan Sportsbook does not offer a no-deposit bonus. Instead, they offer new members a risk-free bet up to $1,000. That means you have to deposit an amount first, then place a bet. If the bet wins, you win. If the bet loses, the wager is refunded to your account.

      Are free bet bonuses worth it at online sportsbooks in Michigan?

      Yes. There’s quite literally nothing to lose by taking advantage of a no-deposit free bet offer at a sports betting website or app in Michigan. You don’t risk any of your own money, and if the free bet wins, it’s free money that you can withdraw into your bank account. That’s what we call a win-win.

      About the Author

      Mike Epifani

      Mike Epifani is a Contributor and Editor at MichiganSharp. As an online gambling expert, he specializes in bonus offers, how-to's, and reviews of betting sites to help you keep more of your money while having fun and staying safe.