How to Attack Sportsbook Promotions for Maximum EV

Every new sportsbook account comes with a sign-up bonus. Most bettors open one account and move on. That's a mistake. The math says to open all of them — and to be strategic about how you fund each one.

This guide breaks down exactly how to extract maximum expected value from every sportsbook promotion available to you.

The Core Principle: Promos Are the Highest-EV Bets You'll Ever Make

A deposit match is not a gimmick. It is a direct transfer of expected value from the sportsbook to you. A "$1,000 deposit match at 1x rollover" is worth roughly $1,000 in EV. That's better than any individual bet you'll ever place.

Most bettors leave thousands of dollars in free value on the table because they stop at one sportsbook. Don't be most bettors.

Step 1: Open Every Book With a Sign-Up Bonus

The major US sportsbooks — DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN BET, and exchanges like Novig — all run sign-up promotions. The typical new-user offer ranges from $100 to $1,500 in bonus value.

If you sign up for 6 books with an average bonus of $200, that's $1,200 in expected value just for creating accounts and making deposits. You haven't even placed a bet yet.

Don't overthink which book is "best." Open all of them. Each bonus is independent EV.

Step 2: Deposit With a Cashback Credit Card

Here's where most people miss free money. Most sportsbooks accept Visa and Mastercard credit card deposits. That means every dollar you deposit to claim a bonus also earns credit card rewards.

The math on credit card stacking:

• Flat 2% cashback card: $1,000 deposit = $20 cashback
• 3x points travel card (at ~2¢/point): $1,000 deposit = $60 in travel value
• 5% rotating category card (if applicable): $1,000 deposit = $50 back

Across 6 sportsbooks at $1,000 each, a simple 2% cashback card nets you $120 in rewards — on top of all the promo bonuses.

Which sportsbooks accept credit cards?

Important notes:

• Some banks code sportsbook deposits as "gambling" or "cash advance" — which may not earn rewards and could carry fees. Test with a small deposit first.
• If a card is declined, try a different card or fall back to debit. Don't let one declined card stop you from claiming the promo.
• Debit cards from most banks work universally if credit doesn't.

Maximizing card rewards

The best approach is to use a card where sportsbook deposits code as regular purchases:

1. Flat-rate cashback cards — simplest option, 1.5-2% on everything. No category worries.
2. Travel points cards — if deposits code as purchases, 3-5x points can be worth 4-8% back when redeemed for travel transfers.
3. Rotating category cards — occasionally sportsbooks fall under bonus categories. Check quarterly.

The key insight: you're not spending this money. You're depositing it, using it to clear a rollover, and withdrawing it. The credit card rewards are pure profit on top.

Step 3: Max Out Every Deposit Match

If a book offers "100% match up to $1,000" — deposit the full $1,000. If it's "up to $500" — deposit $500.

Half-depositing a match is like finding a $100 bill and only picking up half. The match is guaranteed positive EV. The only question is the rollover requirement, and we'll handle that next.

Don't have $1,000 per book? Start with the books that have the lowest rollover requirements. Those give you access to the bonus money fastest. But even high-rollover bonuses are worth it — the EV is just realized over more bets.

Step 4: Clear Rollover With +EV Bets

Most bonuses require you to bet a certain multiple of the deposit (the "rollover") before you can withdraw. A 1x rollover on a $1,000 deposit means you need to place $1,000 in bets. A 5x rollover means $5,000 in total bets.

Here's the thing: you should be making +EV bets anyway. If you're using SickFade picks to find positive expected value bets, every bet you place during rollover is:

1. Satisfying the playthrough requirement
2. Generating positive expected value on its own

You're not grinding through rollover at a loss. You're building your bankroll while unlocking the bonus.

Rollover strategy tips:

• Bet normal amounts. Don't blow through rollover with max bets. Steady, +EV bets minimize variance.
• Track your progress. Most books show remaining rollover in your account settings.
• Don't rush. Rollover requirements usually don't expire for 30-90 days. Take your time and only bet when you see edge.

Step 5: Withdraw and Repeat

Once rollover is cleared, withdraw your profits and bonus. Move to the next book. The pipeline looks like:

1. Deposit at Book A with your cashback card
2. Clear rollover with +EV bets
3. Withdraw everything
4. Deposit at Book B with same card
5. Repeat

Some bettors can clear all their sign-up bonuses within a few weeks. Others take a month or two. Either way, the EV is locked in from the moment you deposit.

The Full Stack Math

Let's put it all together with conservative estimates:

That's over $1,500 in expected value from a strategy that requires nothing but signing up, depositing, and betting smart. No secret system. No risk-free guarantee. Just math.

Don't Stop at Sign-Up Bonuses

After you've cleared every new-user promo:

• Reload bonuses: Many books offer deposit matches to existing users, especially around major sporting events (Super Bowl, March Madness, NBA playoffs).
• Odds boosts: Free EV sprinkled into your account daily. Always check for these.
• Refer-a-friend bonuses: If someone you know is going to sign up anyway, both of you get free money.
• Loyalty programs: DraftKings Crowns, FanDuel rewards tiers — these add up over time.

The promo pipeline doesn't stop after sign-up. It just slows down.

Key Takeaways

1. Open every sportsbook that has a sign-up bonus. Each one is independent EV.
2. Deposit with a cashback credit card to double-dip on every dollar.
3. Max out every deposit match — half-deposits leave money on the table.
4. Clear rollover with +EV bets using SickFade picks — you're building bankroll, not grinding.
5. Withdraw and repeat across every available book.

This is the single highest-EV starting strategy in sports betting. It's not glamorous. It's not a secret. It's just disciplined execution of basic math — and most people never do it.