What is Site Credit? How It Differs From Bonus Bets
James Wilson
Sports Betting Analyst
In the competitive landscape of online sports betting, sportsbooks offer various promotional credits to attract and retain customers. Among these promotions, site credit stands out as one of the most valuable yet often misunderstood offers.
Unlike bonus bets (sometimes called free bets), site credit functions differently and typically provides more flexibility and value to bettors. Understanding these differences can significantly impact how you approach betting promotions and maximize their potential value.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain exactly what site credit is, how it compares to other promotional offers, and strategies to get the most out of these credits when they're offered by sportsbooks.
What is Site Credit?
Site credit is a form of promotional credit offered by sportsbooks that functions as a substitute for real money within the platform. It's a versatile type of credit that can be used to place wagers just like cash, but with certain restrictions that prevent immediate withdrawal.
Think of site credit as "play money" that you can use to place bets, but it must be wagered at least once before any winnings become eligible for withdrawal. While you can't immediately cash out site credit, it offers significant advantages over other promotional credits.
The key distinction that makes site credit particularly valuable is how it pays out when you win a bet:
Key Characteristic of Site Credit:
- When you win a bet placed with site credit: You receive both the profit AND the stake amount
Example: If you place a $100 site credit bet at +200 odds and win, you'll receive $300 (the $100 of site credit stake + $200 profit). This is identical to how a cash bet would pay out.
Site Credit vs. Bonus Bets: Key Differences
Understanding the differences between site credit and bonus bets is crucial for maximizing the value of sportsbook promotions. While they might seem similar at first glance, they function very differently when it comes to betting flexibility and payout structure.
Comparing Site Credit and Bonus Bets
| FEATURE | SITE CREDIT | BONUS BET |
|---|---|---|
| Payout on Win | Stake + Profit returned | Profit only (stake not returned) |
| Divisibility | Can usually be divided into multiple wagers | Typically must be used in a single wager |
| Effective Value | 100% of face value | Approximately 50-70% of face value |
| Bet Type Flexibility | Generally fewer restrictions | Often limited to certain bet types |
| Optimal Strategy | Similar to cash betting strategy | Best used on higher odds markets |
Key Insight: The most significant advantage of site credit over bonus bets is that you receive the stake amount back when you win. This makes site credit approximately twice as valuable as a bonus bet of the same amount, all else being equal.
Value Comparison Example
$100 Site Credit vs. $100 Bonus Bet on +150 Odds:
$100 Site Credit Bet
- If you win (40% chance): You get $250 ($100 stake + $150 profit)
- If you lose (60% chance): You get $0
- Expected value: $250 × 0.4 = $100
- This equals 100% of face value
$100 Bonus Bet
- If you win (40% chance): You get $150 (profit only)
- If you lose (60% chance): You get $0
- Expected value: $150 × 0.4 = $60
- This equals only 60% of face value
As this example demonstrates, site credit has a higher effective value because the $100 stake amount is returned on winning bets, making it equivalent to real money from an expected value perspective.
How Site Credit Works at Major Sportsbooks
While the general concept of site credit remains consistent across sportsbooks, each platform may have slightly different implementations and terminology. Here's how site credit works at some major sportsbooks:
FanDuel - "Site Credit"
- Can be divided into multiple wagers of any amount
- Returns both stake and winnings on successful bets
- Must be wagered once before becoming withdrawable
- Typically expires within 14 days
- Cannot be used on round robins or certain teaser bets
DraftKings - "DK Dollars"
- Functions like site credit (stake returned when winning)
- Can be used in any increment across multiple wagers
- Applies automatically to your bet slip in place of cash
- Usually expires within 7 days
- Cannot be used for cash out, live bets, or odds boosts
BetMGM - "BetMGM Rewards"
- Works similarly to site credit
- Stake is returned on winning bets
- Can be used in flexible increments
- Typically has a 14-day expiration period
- May have minimum odds requirements (-200 or longer)
Important Note: Always read the specific terms and conditions for site credit at each sportsbook. Terms can change over time, and understanding the precise rules will help you maximize the value of these promotional credits.
How to Maximize Site Credit Value
Because site credit returns both the stake and winnings (just like cash), the strategy for using it differs from bonus bets. Here are the most effective approaches to maximize site credit value:
1. Treat Site Credit Like Cash
The most straightforward approach is to use site credit just as you would use real money. Since the expected value of site credit is essentially 100% of its face value, you can apply your normal betting strategy without adjusting for special promotional considerations.
2. Look for +EV (Positive Expected Value) Bets
Use site credit on bets where you believe you have an edge or where there's positive expected value:
- Compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to find the best lines
- Look for pricing discrepancies where the odds may be more favorable than they should be
- Target promotions that can be paired with site credit for enhanced value
3. Take Advantage of Divisibility
One of the biggest advantages of site credit over bonus bets is the ability to split it into multiple wagers:
- Spread your site credit across several smaller bets rather than one large wager
- This diversification reduces variance and increases your chances of converting at least some site credit to cash
- Consider using different amounts based on your confidence level in each bet
4. Combine with Risk-Free Promotions
Some sportsbooks offer risk-free bet promotions that can be combined with site credit wagers:
Example Strategy: If a sportsbook offers "Get your stake back if your NFL first TD scorer bet loses but your player scores later," you can use site credit for this wager. If it loses but qualifies for the promo, you'll get your site credit stake back to use again.
Common Questions About Site Credit
Can I withdraw site credit directly?
No, site credit cannot be withdrawn directly. You must wager it at least once, and then any winnings from those wagers become eligible for withdrawal. This is a standard restriction for all promotional credits at sportsbooks.
Does site credit expire?
Yes, site credit typically has an expiration date that ranges from 7 to 30 days depending on the sportsbook. Always check the terms of your specific promotion to know the expiration timeline and plan your betting strategy accordingly.
What happens if I win a bet placed with site credit?
When you win a bet placed with site credit, you receive both the site credit stake amount and the profit from the bet. The winnings are typically converted to withdrawable cash, though some sportsbooks may have additional playthrough requirements on large promotions.
Can site credit be used for any bet type?
While site credit is generally more flexible than bonus bets, there may still be some restrictions on certain bet types. Common exclusions include round robins, teasers with specific odds, and sometimes certain futures markets. Check your sportsbook's specific terms for details.
What's better: a $100 bonus bet or $50 in site credit?
In most cases, $50 in site credit is more valuable than a $100 bonus bet. Since site credit returns both stake and winnings (like cash), while bonus bets only return the winnings, site credit has a significantly higher expected value. A $100 bonus bet typically has an effective value of $50-70 depending on how you use it.
Can I use cash and site credit in the same bet?
No, typically you cannot combine cash and site credit on the same wager. When placing a bet, you'll need to choose whether to use your site credit or your cash balance. However, you can place separate bets using each type of funds.