Cricket Betting Bonus Guide

If you are looking to get the best value at online sports betting sites then you have come to the right place! We take a look at the different welcome offers available to new customers. Matched deposits, free bets and special promotions but which one is best for cricket betting? Read on to find your perfect betting buddy!

*** You’ll be bowled over with 888’s welcome offer ***

Is there anything more English than cricket? Even the word itself conjures up images of a warm summer, beer in hand, watching the action unfold. Cricket however, has seen a major facelift in the last 15 years. The introduction of twenty20 (T20) cricket introduced a fast flowing, exciting version of the game which has really appealed to both the Xbox generation and even the more traditional cricket fan. Online betting sites bring you an unbelievable range of cricket opportunities with leagues all around the world available to bet on.

Cricket Sports Betting Welcome Bonus – Matched Deposit

The matched deposit welcome bonus is usually the most generous you will find when betting online. The intense competition between companies means bookies have to offer something special to attract your custom. However, are matched deposits too good to be true?

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Cricket Sports Betting Welcome Bonus – What can I get?

Although the amount you can receive will vary from site to site, generally the matched deposit offers range from £10 to a very healthy £200. The most common matched deposit rate is 100%, although some bookmakers offer a 50% matched deposit.

Example, if a bookmaker is offering 100% match up to £50 and I deposit £20, I will get £20 in bonus funds. If the bookmaker was offering the same deal but with 50% match, I would need to deposit £40 to get the same £20 in bonus funds.

Cricket Matched Deposit – What do I Need to Know?

Of all the new customer offers available at sportsbooks online, the matched deposit promotions usually come with the most terms and conditions. These are put in place to stop you “winning and running”, understanding these requirements can ensure you have an enjoyable experience betting online.

The first thing you would need to know is how big is the wagering requirement? This figure determines how many times over you need to play through your bonus amount before you can withdraw winnings. This figure will be stated as a number and you need to multiply this by your bonus amount to see how many settled bets you need to make. Sounds complicated? Let’s have a look at an example.

I see a betting site that has a great range of cricket markets, they are offering 100% match up to £100 with a wagering requirement of x6. I also see that I have 28 days to meet the wagering requirement.

The first point to make is that the deal is classed as “up to”, this is of course the maximum I can receive. This is a simple thing to point out but some customers complain when they don’t receive the headline figure. If I deposit £10, I will get £10. Deposit £50, I will get £50 and so on until I reach the maximum of £100.

Matched Rate Wagering Requirement Bonus Taken Settled Bets Needed
100% X5 £10 £50
100% X5 £50 £250
100% X5 £100 £500
50% X5 £100 £500
100% X8 £10 £80
100% X8 £50 £400
100% X8 £100 £800
50% X8 £100 £800
100% X10 £10 £100
100% X10 £50 £500
100% X10 £100 £1000
50% X10 £100 £1000

As you can see from the table above, the wagering requirement has a huge impact on the amount of settled bets you need to satisfy this condition. To make things even more complicated, some online bookmakers base your wagering requirement just on the bonus you have been given (as in the table above) but some base the figure on the bonus given AND your deposit amount. This effectively doubles the wagering requirement.

The next consideration is “how long do I have to meet my wagering requirement?”. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that this also changes from site to site. Generally speaking the time ranges from 7 days to 90 days. This is where a reality check needs to take place, are you going to make the required bets in that time frame? If not either reduce the bonus taken or pick a site with a longer validity period.

So whilst these are the two main T&C’s that I would be looking out for, there could be more! One such example is that some online bookmakers will only count your first bet on any sporting event towards the wagering requirement. For example, I place a £20 bet on England beating India a few days before the event. During the game I bet in-play that the next Indian wicket will be due to a catch and I place £50 at odds of 11/25. In this scenario, only my first bet of £20 would count towards the wagering requirement.

All of this does reinforce the importance of reading any conditions attached to an offer, spending five minutes before you accept, can save you hours of time and hassle in the long run.

Cricket Betting Welcome Bonus – Free Bets

If the sound of wagering requirements doesn’t appeal, then the free bet route could be the one for you. The amount you receive may be small in comparison but so are the terms and conditions! An online bookmaker offering free bets could be a great introduction to betting online but even experienced players will find plenty of value in these offers.

Cricket Free Bets – What Can I Get?

Free bets normally range between £10 – £50. Although this may not sound as tempting, many are a great investment on your deposit. It is commonplace to see offers such as ‘Bet £10 get £30 in free bets”, this is a 300% increase on your stake.

Cricket Free Bets – What do I Need to Know?

Although not as restrictive, there are still things you need to look out for on a free bet offer. The first is the minimum odds that your qualifying bet must be to count. Bookmakers are not stupid, they don’t want you to put a bet on a 1/100 shot then walk away. So most online betting sites that offer free bets will state that the odds need to be at least 8/11 (1.75).

Keep an eye on the expiry date on free bets. The time you are given to use your free bet will vary but they are usually valid between 7 and 28 days.

Free bets are often awarded on the back of your first bet not on your deposit. This is important because if you deposit £50 and place your first bet of £2, you may find your free bet amount is £2, you’ll be kicking yourself if that happens!

The last consideration is that often your free bet stake is excluded from any winnings. For example, if I was to bet with my own money and placed £10 on a 10/1 shot, I would get £110 back (£100 winnings, £10 stake) but if I use a free bet I would just receive the winnings back.

Cricket Betting Bonuses – Other Promotions

Promotions that target cricket bettors are sadly very hard to find, this changes when high profile events such as The Ashes take place but at other times the pickings can be quite slim. One way to enhance the odds you receive is to take advantage of 888sport’s ‘Treble the odds’ offer.

This deal is open to any sporting market and gives you the opportunity to boost your winnings. It is a one-time offer for new customers and we love the degree of chance in this promotion.

Cricket Other Promotions – What do I Need to Know?

If you do take advantage of 888sport’s offer, it is worth mentioning that the difference between your normal winnings and your enhanced winnings are paid out in the form of free bets. This certainly isn’t a deal breaker in any form but I wanted to mention it before you try and rush out to buy a new PlayStation with your winnings.

This promotion is fun because it makes you think “Do I play it safe or go for higher odds”, get it right and the world is good, get it wrong and you’ll wish you placed the promo bet on a different match. But hey, that’s what taking a chance is all about!

The maximum bet you can place on this promotion is £10 and the free bet winnings are capped at £5,000 but if you do manage to land a 166-1 shot with this promotion, I doubt you’ll care!

Our View: Which One of the Bonuses is Better for Cricket?

TIt is sad to say but cricket is often the poor relation at sports betting sites. There is a distinct lack of promotions on cricket, this will change when a big tournament is on but I don’t feel it would take much effort to incentivise cricket betting for regular events.

If you like to bet big then the bigger bankroll you have will often be better, if that’s the case then the higher amounts available for a matched deposit is likely to be the one for you. Please remember to check the wagering requirement, time limits and all the other points we made in the matched deposit section.

Free bets have long been a favourite for cricket fans betting online, they offer great value and rarely come with the long list of conditions that accompany no deposit bets. This low commitment is great and there is nothing stopping you taking advantage of a few of these deals as you test the water.

‘Treble the odds’ is a great promotion and is suitable to players of any skill level. We applaud 888sport for being innovative and hopefully more online bookmakers will offer alternative deals in the future.

Major Cricket Events to Bet on in 2024/2025

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Even if it’s cold, wet and windy in the UK, you can always find some cricket action to bet on. You can bet on league action in India, Australia and Pakistan to name just a few and games between the top cricketing nations are never far away. With this in mind, let’s have a look at some of the major cricket events happening in 2017 that you can bet on.

Date Tournament Notes
23th February 2024 Australia v New Zealand Champions Trophy
9th March 2024 England v Ireland One day internationals
5th April 2024 County Championship starts County Championship
26st June 2024 Semi-final 1 Twenty20 internationals
27th June 2024 Semi-final 2 Twenty20 international
30th June 2024 Winner of semi-final 1 Winner of semi-final 2 Twenty20 international
3st July 2024 West Indies v England First Test
10th July 2024 England v West Indies First Test
18th July 2024 England v West Indies Second Test
26th July 2024 England v West Indies Third Test
July 2024 (TBA) India in Sri Lanka One day internationals
July 2024 (TBA) Bangladesh in Afghanistan One day internationals
16th August 2024 One-Day Cup final Lord’s, England
21th August 2024 England v Sri Lanka First test
29th August 2024 England v Sri Lanka Third test
August 2024 (TBA) Pakistan v Bangladesh First test
August 2024 (TBA) Pakistan v Bangladesh Second test
6th August 2024 England v Sri Lanka First test
11th September 2024 England v Australia 1st Twenty20 international
13th September 2024 England v Australia 2nd Twenty20 international
15th September 2024 England v Australia 3rd Twenty20 international
19th September 2024 England v Australia 1st One day internationals
21nd September 2024 England v Australia 2nd One day internationals
24th September 2024 England v Australia 3rd One day internationals
27th September 2024 England v Australia 4th One day internationals
29th September 2024 England v Australia 5th One day internationals
September 2024 (TBA) India v Bangladesh First test ICC World Test Championship
September 2024 (TBA) India v Bangladesh Second test ICC World Test Championship
September 2024 (TBA) India v Bangladesh First test Twenty20 internationals
September 2024 (TBA) India v Bangladesh Second test Twenty20 internationals
September 2024 (TBA) India v Bangladesh Third test Twenty20 internationals
August 2024 (TBA) Pakistan v Bangladesh Second test
14nd September 2024 T20 Blast Finals Day Edgbaston
September 2024 (TBA) Women’s World Cup Bangladesh
19th September 2024 England v Australia One day internationals
2025 (TBA) Australia v England First Ashes Test, Brisbane
2025 (TBA) Australia v England Second Ashes Test, Brisbane
2025 (TBA) Australia v England Third Ashes Test, Brisbane
2025 (TBA) Australia v England Fourth Ashes Test, Brisbane
2025 (TBA) India v Pakistan Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) Australia v Bangladesh Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) England v New Zealand Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) Pakistan v South Africa Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) India v Sri Lanka Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) New Zealand v Bangladesh Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) England v Australia Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) India v South Africa Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) Sri Lanka v Pakistan Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) Semi-final (1) Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) Semi-final (2) Champions Trophy
2025 (TBA) Final Champions Trophy

Best Betting Promotions for Cricket

The only way to sniff out the rare cricket promotions is to check the sites often, especially if the time is close to a major tournament. Many companies offer enhanced odds during a match and whilst these are not ongoing offers they can add real value to your bets.

Types of Betting Available

For our other guides we have used this section to cover the multiple bets that you can place. Although full coverage bets can be used for cricket, they are not as popular as in other sports. So in this section we will cover what you can actually bet on during a game.

Match Betting Top Team A Runscorer
Top Team B Runscorer 100 Scored? – 1st Innings
1st Over – Total Runs (Odd/Even) 1st Over Runs Margins
1st Wicket Caught? 50 Scored? – 1st Innings
Alternate Team A -Batsman A Total Runs Alternate Team A -Batsman C Total Runs
Alternate Team B -Batsman A Total Runs Alternate Team B -Batsman P Total Runs
Highest Score first 15 Overs Method of 1st Dismissal
Runs Fall of 1st Wicket Team A – Batsman A to Score 50
Team A – Batsman A Total Runs Margins Team A – Batsman A Total Runs
Team A – Batsman C to Score 50 Team A – Batsman C Total Runs Margins
Team A – Batsman C Total Runs Team B – Batsman A to Score 50
Team B – Batsman A Total Runs Margins Team B – Batsman A Total Runs
Team B – Batsman P to Score 50 Team B – Batsman P Total Runs Margins
Team B – Batsman P Total Runs Total Match Run Outs
Wickets lost after 10 Overs Wickets lost after 15 Overs
Wickets lost after 5 Overs Highest Opening Partnership
First Over Runs Team of Top Batsman
Total Match Sixes Team A Total Match Sixes
Team B Total Match Sixes To Win the Toss

This is just a cross-section of the huge array of bets you can place. Cricket has always been a statisticians dream and with so many markets available, there is bound to be one that you are confident betting on.

Cricket Betting Online – Payment Options

The chances are that the cards that you have in your wallet are supported at our featured online bookies. They accept a wide range of debit and credit cards as well as alternative methods such as PayPal, paysafecard and Skrill.

Some betting sites exclude certain payment methods from matched deposits, free bets and other promotions so please check carefully the terms and conditions of any offer you are tempted with.

Cricket – Top Tips for Punters

  1. Don’t rush to splash the cash – Professional cricket gamblers will tell you that the first step to being successful is careful bankroll management. Set a budget and stick to it, you should spend quite a bit of time reviewing your bets. What markets did you do well in and which let you down?
  2. Team news and form – Although it is a team game, individuals make the difference in cricket. If possible watch some league action before a big test to judge form. This tactic works particularly well if a new upcoming star is making his debut.
  3. Shop till you drop – If you have used your free bets then why not try another online betting site? This way you get to compare different sites and look at the odds given and as an added bonus, you get more free bets to play with.
  4. Bet with your head, not your heart – This is a tip we swear by no matter what the sport. Betting on a team you are passionate about is great when you win but just ensure you are able to put your rose tinted glasses back in their case when you are judging a team’s ability.
  5. Have fun – When I first started betting over 20 years ago I was amazed at how angry and frustrated people became when a bet didn’t come in. I totally understand it but betting should be fun. It’s the adrenaline, the anticipation and the excitement that makes betting entertaining, as the advert says, “when the fun stops, stop!”.

Conclusion – Best Betting Bonuses for Cricket

If you are new to betting on cricket online, then the free bets on offer are a tempting bet. They strike a good balance, you are getting great value for your money and don’t have the level of commitment that you do with matched deposit deals.

If bankroll is important and you have an understanding of wagering requirements, then the matched deposit deals represent the biggest boost you can receive. We have used this guide to highlight some of the areas you need to be aware of and of course, we hope this is helpful to you. Thousands of people each day take advantage of these deals and the vast majority don’t have any issues. The ones that do are usually due to not understanding the terms and conditions.

The 888sport offer to treble the odds on your first bet is our wildcard entry and would suit any type of player. Whichever one you decide, we wish you luck on your betting journey.