Ranking the Best Sportsbook Referral Bonuses May 2026

Best sportsbook referral bonuses

Refer-a-friend bonuses are common at the nation's best sports betting sites. However, after using dozens, I've noticed that almost all of them have different bonus values, payout times, expiration limits, and total number of referrals available. That said, the basic principle is the same everywhere. Send a referral link and you'll get a reward once your friend joins, deposits, and wagers. 

Here is my ranking of the top referral bonuses, along with the best features of each sportsbook. Click or tap each one to jump to an in-depth breakdown of its referral offer.

1. FanDuel — Best overall referral offer
2. Caesars — Great rewards program
3. DraftKings — Leading mobile experience
4. BetMGM — Most lucrative referral offer; up to $2,000 total
5. Fanatics — Versatile rewards
6. TheScore Bet — 20 referrals per month

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Editor’s note: The offer(s) outlined here are for eligible U.S. customers only.

What are sportsbook referral bonuses?

Sportsbook referral bonuses — or refer-a-friend offers — reward you for inviting someone else to a sportsbook you've already joined. Essentially, it's an added incentive for convincing a friend to create an account and try it out for themselves. 

Any sportsbook running a referral promotion will generate a unique invitation link you can send to your friends via email or text. Once your friend uses the link to create an account on that betting site (and completes the referral bonus requirements — usually by depositing and placing a bet of a certain minimum amount), you will receive your bonus. In some cases, you and your friend will each receive small bonuses, making it a win-win scenario. 

Many sportsbooks allow for ten or more referrals per account. The offer is available to both new and existing account holders. Even though these bonuses are generally worth less than regular sign up bonuses, you can pick up a nice chunk of bonus bets since you can use them multiple times.

That said, because referral bonuses are less lucrative than the best sportsbook promos for new players, I often found it challenging to convince my friends to accept a lesser offer instead of the standard welcome bonus. While I was able to grab the welcome bonus and could be rewarded for referring friends, anyone who joins a platform as a referred party is generally ineligible for the standard welcome offer.

How do I claim a sportsbook referral bonus?

The process varies slightly from one sportsbook to another. Some sportsbooks will give you a unique referral code for your friends to enter, but more commonly, they will generate a unique URL that you can send to your friends via email or text message. No matter which method is offered to you, here is the process that I followed almost every time I used a referral bonus at one of the best sports betting apps:

1. Pick a sportsbook with a referral bonus and use one of our links to visit its website.
2. Create an account (or log in, if you already have one) by providing the necessary personal information.
3. Track down your unique invitation link or sign up code in the sportsbook referral bonus or promos section, then send it to a friend.
4. Make sure that your friend meets all the requirements to receive the bonus. They usually just need to deposit and/or wager a certain amount. Keep in mind that there may be minimum odds to be aware of.
5. Once all requirements are met, the bonus will appear in your sportsbook account.
6. Enjoy your bonus by using it to make bets without risking your own bankroll.

If your chosen betting site allows multiple referrals, repeat the same steps with other friends. If you're out of options for referral bonuses, you could use other offers, such as the BetRivers bonus code, to acquire different bonuses. 

1. FanDuel refer a friend 🔵

After obtaining dozens of referral promos, I've decided that FanDuel has the best refer-a-friend sportsbook bonus. The offer gives you a $50 reward when a friend uses your invitation link and places a sports bet of $5 or more.

How much is the FanDuel referral bonus worth?

The FanDuel refer-a-friend bonus earns users $50 in bonus bets that can be used at the sportsbook. And if you're located in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia, you can earn an additional $25 casino bonus with each referral.

Since FanDuel vs. DraftKings is always a debate, one major difference between the two sportsbooks' refer-a-friend bonuses is that FanDuel's comes in divisible bonus bets rather than a single bonus bet. I find this to be a huge positive for FanDuel, as I was able to use my $50 bonus to make several different wagers.

The number of referrals you can make is limited to 5. However, this number resets every month, so you can technically refer up to 60 people every year.

How to claim the FanDuel referral bonus

1. Access FanDuel Sportsbook using our link.
2. Click "Join Now" and create your account.
3. Locate the referral link under the "Earn $$$" or "Refer" sections of the website.
4. Send the link to your friend, who must use it to create their own account, deposit, and place a bet of at least $5.
5. Once the bet settles, you'll both receive $50 in sportsbook bonus bets. The bonus will enter your account within 24 hours of your friend’s first bet settlement, and you'll have 14 days to use it.
6. Five referral bonuses maximum per referrer every 30 days ($250 maximum Sportsbook referral bonus).

Other FanDuel Sportsbook promos

Aside from being the best referral bonus sportsbook, FanDuel also offers a great sign up promo — Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win. You don't need a FanDuel promo code to claim this bonus.

Other incentives awaiting you at FanDuel Sportsbook include a great daily selection of odds, profit boosts, and other deals tied to specific events. FanDuel will be one of the best World Cup betting sites when the iconic soccer tournament kicks off in June. 

To discover more about the sportsbook's platform, dive into our FanDuel review.

2. Caesars refer a friend 🏛️

Caesars, one of the most historic brands in the industry, unsurprisingly steps up with a competitive sportsbook referral bonus that your friends can also benefit from. You and your referral stand to earn 5,000 Reward Credits from Caesars' refer-a-friend offer, worth $50 in bonuses.

How much is the Caesars referral bonus worth?

The Caesars referral bonus is worth 5,000 Reward Credits after your referral creates an account, puts down $50 or more as their first deposit, and then wagers $50. The Reward Credits will land in your account within seven days after the bet settles. You can invite up to 10 friends, so the maximum amount you can get from this bonus is 50,000 Reward Credits, equal to $500 in bonuses.

Caesars gives players 30 days to use their bonus, plenty of time compared to the week or two you get at other sportsbooks. 

How to claim the Caesars referral bonus

1. Join Caesars Sportsbook to begin.
2. Click on "Get Started," select your state, and follow further instructions to create your account.
3. Navigate to the sportsbook’s refer-a-friend bonus page and find a referral link.
4. Send the link to an unregistered customer, who will then need to use it to create an account and place a deposit of at least $50.
5. Within seven days after the deposit and wagering requirements are fulfilled, you and your friend will receive 5,000 Reward Credits (equal to $50 in bonuses). You can repeat this process with up to 10 different people.

Other Caesars Sportsbook promos

Caesars is known for having one of the most generous welcome bonuses among U.S. sportsbooks. By joining with our exclusive Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBRBONUSDYW, take advantage of their Bet $1, Double Your Winnings On Next 10 Wagers offer.

Other periodic and event-specific promotions are available. Caesars is also known for boasting a large selection of daily odds boosts, although most are on long-shot markets and have stringent betting limits.

Rifle through our Caesars review to learn more, including why it's arguably the best online sportsbook for payouts.

3. DraftKings refer a friend 👑

The DraftKings refer-a-friend sportsbook bonus works differently from other offers. Namely, the sum you get for referring another person isn’t fixed. Instead, it depends on the value of that person’s first deposit, with the maximum amount being $100.

While I like that the reward is larger when my friends deposit more, I also understand how this bonus could frustrate some who are just getting started on their sports betting journey. 

How much is the DraftKings referral bonus worth?

After you send a referral link to another person and they join DraftKings Sportsbook, you will both get a bonus bet once they complete a first deposit of at least $25. Both parties will receive a 100% match in bonuses equal to the amount deposited by your friend. For example, a $75 first-time deposit by the new customer would net you a $75 bonus.

Once your friend completes their deposit, you can expect to receive a bonus bet within three days. You will then have the following seven days to use it. Don't forget: you are limited to five referrals per offer period.

The referral must be a new customer at DraftKings. If they already have an account at the DK Casino or for daily fantasy sports, neither of you will be eligible for the promotion. Also, per the bonus terms, the offer is not available to users physically located in Massachusetts.

How to claim the DraftKings referral bonus

1. Click here to access DraftKings Sportsbook.
2. Create an account — but first, ensure you’re located in a state where DK Sportsbook is licensed to operate.
3. Go to the promotions tab and find the "Refer-A-Friend" offer.
4. Click "Refer Now" and send the generated invitation link to another person.
5. Once your referral joins DraftKings via the invitation link and deposits at least $25, you will each receive a bonus bet.

Other DraftKings Sportsbook promos

DraftKings continues to be one of the leading sports betting platforms in the U.S., partly due to its wide range of lucrative promotions. New users with DraftKings can claim one of the top welcome bonuses in the industry — bet $5 or more and get $100 in bonus bets instantly — without a DraftKings promo code.

The sportsbook also offers a variety of free-to-play pools and daily odds boosts for the NBA postseason and the PGA Tour. It also features special limited-time promotions centered on specific sporting events, such as the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

For more information, read our complete DraftKings review.

4. BetMGM refer a friend 🦁

BetMGM offers a $100 bonus for referring a friend to its sportsbook. Below, I dive into the specific requirements that the invited party must meet before the bonus is administered.

How much is the BetMGM referral bonus worth?

The BetMGM referral bonus grants $100 to you and each of your referred friends. To unlock this offer, your invited friend must claim the $100 reward through your referral link, wager the bonus amount at least once at odds of -200 or greater, and do so within 30 days. The $100 you receive will also carry a 1x wagering requirement.

Importantly, if your friend chooses to claim the $100 referral bonus, it will count as their welcome offer. That means they won't be eligible for BetMGM's standard welcome offer.

You and your invitee must also be from the same eligible state. For instance, if you send them the referral link from the BetMGM Colorado app and they join through the BetMGM New Jersey app, neither of you will qualify for the promotion.

How to claim the BetMGM referral bonus

1. Navigate to and register with BetMGM Sportsbook.
2. Create an account by sharing necessary personal information.
3. Locate the referral bonus in the promotions tab and generate an invitation link.
4. Invite another person to BetMGM and ensure they meet the bonus wagering requirements. Also, ensure they know that claiming the offer will count as their sign up promo.
5. Upon meeting the requirements, you will receive your $100 referral bonus. You can do this up to 20 times a month.

Other BetMGM Sportsbook promos

BetMGM features a fairly generous Up To $1,500 First Bet Offer + $50 in Rewards Points. This means that you will get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses. Make sure you use BetMGM bonus code SBRMGM during registration with a first-time deposit of at least $10. 

There are a handful of states where BetMGM offers a different bonus. In Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, the welcome bonus is 'Bet $10, Get $150 in Bonus Bets' instead. 

On top of that, the sportsbook regularly hosts free-to-play prize pools for various competitions, from PGA Tour majors to massive NASCAR or F1 races. Similar to Caesars, BetMGM runs a prestigious loyalty program called MGM Rewards, allowing regular customers to enjoy plenty of benefits online and at MGM’s land-based properties.

For more intel on the sportsbook — including why it ranks among our top live betting sites — check out our BetMGM review.

5. Hard Rock Bet refer a friend 🎸

Hard Rock Bet's sportsbook referral bonus is as straightforward as it gets. Once a friend activates an account using your referral link, you'll both receive a bonus match equal to their first wager. The maximum amount you can receive from Hard Rock's refer-a-friend offer is a $50 bonus.

How much is the Hard Rock Bet referral bonus worth?

The Hard Rock Bet referral bonus is worth between $10 and $50. Once your friend activates their account and their opening bet of at least $10 settles, you'll score a bonus equal to the amount of their first wager, whether their bet wins or loses. Bonuses expire seven days after receipt, and users can refer up to 20 friends.

How to claim the Hard Rock Bet referral bonus

1. Begin by registering with Hard Rock Bet.
2. Following sign up, go to "Account Summary" and then "Earn Rewards."
3. Share a generated referral link with your friend.
4. After your friend uses the link to sign up and bets between $10 and $50, both parties will receive a bonus bet once the wager settles.

Other Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook promos

Our Hard Rock Bet promo code gets new users a great welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win. Aside from this, the referral bonus, and the occasional odds boost, Hard Rock Bet runs other occasional promos like Battle of the Bets.

Dig into our detailed Hard Rock Bet review for more information.

6. Fanatics Sportsbook refer a friend 🧢

When you refer a friend to Fanatics Sportsbook, and they place and settle a $20 bet, both of you will receive $100 in FanCash

How much is the Fanatics Sportsbook referral bonus worth?

The Fanatics Sportsbook referral bonus is worth $100 no matter how much your friend deposits. Because this promo is strictly Bet $20 Get $100 FanCash, it will only trigger after your friend successfully places and settles bets totaling the required amount.

Referrers are limited to a maximum of five referrals worth $100 each ($500 total) in FanCash during the promotional period. All wagers must settle during the promotional period for the referral bonus to be applied.

How to claim the Fanatics Sportsbook referral bonus

1. Click here to register with Fanatics Sportsbook.
2. Share the unique Referral Link found on the Promo page of your Account to invite Referees
3. The Referee must place $20 in cumulative cash wagers on any eligible game, market, or event.
4. Wagers must settle during the promotional period.
5. The Referrer and Referee Rewards in the form of FanCash will be credited to respective Accounts within 72 hours after both parties complete the above steps.
6. Rewards are non-withdrawable and are not redeemable for cash or cash equivalent.
7. Rewards are not transferable and cannot be substituted, except in Fanatics Sportsbook’s sole discretion.
8. The refer a friend promo is not available in Massachusetts.

Other Fanatics Sportsbook promos

Fanatics is currently offering an Up to $1,000 in FanCash Bet Matching sign-up bonus for new users (excluding New York and Ohio). However, Fanatics also has several different secondary promos available depending on your location:

Regardless of which offers are available in your state, you can only pick one. Check out our Fanatics Sportsbook promo code page for all the information on how to claim one of these great deals.

The Fanatics Fair Play Policy is another great promo that saves parlay wagers if a player leaves a game early due to injury. In our opinion, it's simply the best policy of its kind, even as competing sportsbooks attempted to follow suit and introduce their own version. 

For additional expert insight and analysis, engage with our Fanatics Sportsbook review.

Sportsbook referral bonuses summary

Referral bonus eligibility requirements

While acquiring a referral bonus may seem simple enough, I've created this list of requirements that are generally necessary for both the referrer and referee to earn bonus funds:

Referrer

• Must have an active and verified sportsbook betting account.
• Must have made a deposit or placed a bet within a 'reasonable timeframe.' Most sportsbooks require the last 60 days.
• Share your own unique referral code or link.
• Must be located in a state/location where the sportsbook legally operates and of legal betting age.

Referee

• Be a new user with the sportsbook (cannot have an existing account).
• For tracking purposes, you must use your referral's unique sign up link or code.
• Must be located in a state/location where the sportsbook legally operates and of legal betting age.
• Must complete minimum deposit and wagering requirements to trigger the referral bonus.

States with legal sportsbook referral bonuses

Other regions with legal sportsbook referral bonuses

You can also check out sportsbook referral bonuses from the best sports betting sites in Canada and the top U.K. sports betting sites.

Many of the same sportsbooks operating across the U.S. are also available in the Ontario sports betting market, the only province with full-scope regulated online wagering in Canada. Brands across the Atlantic Ocean are slightly different, but reputable U.K. sportsbooks like Betfair and William Hill regularly offer referral bonus promotions similar to what you'll find in the U.S. and Canada.

Sports betting in other regions

Legal Canada News

Stay updated on the status of Canadian sports betting in provinces where it is legalized:

International News

For sports betting in U.K., visit our U.K sports betting pages.