Site Credit

Site credit is a form of promotional currency a sportsbook deposits into a bettor’s account. Unlike a cash deposit, site credit cannot be withdrawn directly; it must be staked on a wager. The key difference from a standard bonus bet is that when a bet placed with site credit wins, the full payout — including the stake portion — is normally returned as withdrawable cash. That mechanic makes site credit generally more valuable than a bonus bet of equal face amount, because the bettor effectively retains the stake on a winning wager.

Books distribute site credit across several scenarios: as part of sign-up promotions, as compensation for a losing bet, as a loyalty reward, or during targeted promotional events. The precise terms differ by operator, so reading the fine print is essential. Some books treat site credit exactly like bonus bets (stake not returned), while others apply the more favorable full-payout structure. Identifying which version applies directly shapes how you should value and deploy the promotion.

Example

A sportsbook posts $100 in site credit to a bettor’s account after a qualifying deposit. The bettor stakes the $100 site credit on an NFL spread at -110 odds. If the bet wins, the bettor collects the full payout of roughly $190.91 — the $100 stake plus $90.91 in profit — entirely as withdrawable cash. If the bet loses, the bettor forfeits the $100 site credit but spends none of their own deposited funds. Contrast this with a $100 bonus bet at the same price: a winning bonus bet returns only $90.91 in profit (no stake returned), making the site credit worth approximately $100 more on a winning wager.

Key Points

• Stake included on wins: The primary edge of site credit over a standard bonus bet is that winning wagers return the full payout, stake included, as withdrawable cash. This positions site credit closer to real money.
• Cannot be withdrawn directly: Site credit must be wagered at least once before any funds become withdrawable. It is not a cash deposit and cannot simply be cashed out.
• Terms vary by sportsbook: Operators do not define site credit uniformly. Some treat it like a bonus bet with no stake returned. Always confirm the specific payout rules before staking site credit.
• Often paired with other conditions: Site credit may carry minimum odds requirements, expiration dates, or eligible-market restrictions. Some promotions also attach wagering requirements before winnings from site-credit bets can be withdrawn.
• Higher real value: Thanks to the full-payout structure, site credit generally carries more expected value than a bonus bet of equal face amount, assuming the stake-included terms apply.