Comparing the best sportsbook referral bonuses in 2026
| Sportsbook | Referral bonus | Payout | Bonus expiry | Maximum referrals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caesars Sportsbook | Claim 5,000 Reward Credits | Once referral bets $50 | 30 days | 10 | ||
| FanDuel | Claim up to $75 | Three days | 14 days | Five every 30 days | ||
| DraftKings | Claim up to $100 | Three days | 7 days | Five | ||
| BetMGM | Claim $100 | Once referral completes wagering requirements on sign-up bonus | 30 days | 20 per month | ||
| BetRivers | Claim $100 | Within 48 hours | 30 days | Three | ||
| Hard Rock Bet | Claim up to $50 | Within 48 hours | 7 days | Five | ||
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Claim $100 | Once referral bets $20 | During promotional period | Five |
Best sportsbook referral bonuses in April 2026
Referral bonuses vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, as the number of total referrals and total bonus value can differ significantly. Here's my definitive ranking of the best U.S. sportsbook referral bonuses in April 2026:
1. Caesars Sportsbook - Best overall rewards program
2. FanDuel - Best for low-risk rewards
3. DraftKings - Best rewards bonus for flexibility
Caesars Sportsbook referral program
Caesars Sportsbook's referral program provides you with a fantastic opportunity to earn valuable rewards — Caesars Reward Credits, to be exact. As the referrer, you'll receive 5,000 Reward Credits for every successful referral.
How to claim the Caesars refer-a-friend bonus
Follow these simple steps to claim the rewarding Caesars refer-a-friend bonus:
- Locate your unique referral code found in your 'Account' and share it with an interested friend.
- You friend must deposit and wager at least $50 for the refferal to qualify.
- Once the referral completes these steps, you will both receive 5,000 Reward Credits within seven days. The Credits expire 30 days from issuance.
- You can refer up to ten friends per month.
More on Caesars: Explore our guide to Caesars Sportsbook promo codes for additional benefits and offers, and read our Caesars Sportsbook review for a more in-depth analysis.
FanDuel referral program
You can now snag up to $75 in bonus bets when you refer a friend to one of the best sports betting apps in the U.S. FanDuel awards this bonus to you and your friend once your friend successfully signs up, verifies their account, and places a minimum $10 wager. FanDuel promises you and your friend $50 in bonus bets. You can both lock in an additional $25 casino bonus if you reside in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.
How to claim the FanDuel refer-a-friend bonus
You can claim the FanDuel refer-a-friend bonus by following these simple steps:
- Share the unique referral link found in your 'FanDuel Account' with an interested friend.
- Your friend must deposit and wager at least $5 to qualify.
- You will receive the $50 in bonus bets — $75 in select casino states — once completed.
- The bonus should arrive within 24 hours, and is valid for seven days.
- You can make five referrals per month.
More on FanDuel: Read our complete FanDuel review to learn more about the sportsbook, and don’t forget to make the most of the current FanDuel promo codes before creating your own account.
DraftKings referral program
DraftKings offers up to a $100 referral bonus in 2026. Your bonus is determined by the amount your referred friend deposits initially:
• Deposit between $25 and $49 = one $25 bonus bet each
• Deposit between $50 and $99 = one $50 bonus bet each
• $100 deposit = one $100 bonus bet each
How to claim the DraftKings refer-a-friend bonus
If you like bonus bets, you can't go wrong with the DraftKings refer-a-friend program, which is available in all DraftKings Sportsbook states (excluding Massachusetts). To claim this bonus, follow these simple steps:
- Share your unique referral link, found in your 'Account', with an interested friend.
- Your friend must deposit and wager at least $25 after creating their account.
- Your referral bonus depends on the amount your friend deposits, but has a maximum return of $100.
- Your bonus will arrive within 24 hours of the qualifying deposit, and is valid for seven days. You can refer up to five friends per year.
- The DraftKings referral bonus is available in all states the sportsbook legally operates in, except for Massachusetts.
More on DraftKings: You can also read our comprehensive DraftKings promo code guide to learn more about the refer-a-friend offer, or any other DraftKings promotion.
BetMGM referral program
BetMGM's 'Refer A Friend' program lets you invite up to 20 friends per month and enjoy a $100 bonus for each successful referral. It's noting however that Any new BetMGM user who claims a referral bonus is not eligible for BetMGM’s regular welcome offer.
How to claim the BetMGM refer-a-friend bonus
Here's how to claim the BetMGM referral bonus:
- Have a friend sign up for BetMGM using your unique link. Use the BetMGM Refer A Friend invitation to send them personalized invitations.
- You will receive the $100 bonus once your friend makes their first deposit and wager of the same amount.
- Your bonus will arrive within 48 hours of completing the requirements.
- You have 30 days from issuance to use your BetMGM referral bonus or it expires..
More on BetMGM: If you have yet to register with BetMGM, check out our guide to the new-user BetMGM bonus code to unlock an even larger offer.
BetRivers referral program
The BetRivers referral bonus offers a substantial value of $100 to both referrers and referees when your friend registers using your information and deposits and wagers at least $50 within 30 days.
How to claim the BetRivers refer-a-friend bonus
Follow the steps below to start referring your friends to BetRivers Sportsbook:
- Fill out the refer-a-friend form on the promotions page of the BetRivers website.
- Send your unique link, found in your 'Account', to up to three interested friends.
- Your referred friends must deposit and wager at least $50 in real money within 30 days of your referral to qualify.
- Once your referred friends meet these criteria, you and your friends will receive the $100 referral bonus within 48 hours.
More on BetRivers: To further enhance your BetRivers experience as a new user, consider instead claiming our exclusive BetRivers bonus code and reading our BetRivers review.
How sportsbook referral bonuses work
Sportsbook refer-a-friend bonuses are integral to the online betting landscape and are designed to incentivize existing customers to refer new players to the platform. These bonuses are distinct from welcome bonuses in several vital ways.
⭐Number of bonuses: You can claim most referral bonuses several times by inviting multiple friends to a sportsbook. Welcome bonuses, on the other hand, are a one-time deal.
⭐Eligibility: New and existing users can partake in refer-a-friend programs, whereas welcome bonuses are granted to new users only.
⭐Size of bonus: The best sportsbook referral bonuses give you the opportunity to claim a handful, or more, of modest bonuses. Meanwhile, the most lucrative sign-up bonuses involve single bonuses exceeding $1,000.
⭐Awarding of bonus: When you refer your friends, you rely on them to fulfill all eligibility criteria. They must use your link, deposit cash, and sometimes wager the correct amount before you receive a bonus. With a welcome bonus, your money is involved, as you must add funds and usually make a bet before the sportsbook releases your bonus.
How to claim a referral bonus (Step-by-step)
To take advantage of the top sportsbook referral bonuses, follow these steps:
Register
Create an account with one of the online sportsbooks in this guide. Click any of the links above to get started.
Find your referral link
Locate your unique referral link by navigating to your sportsbook's promotions page or referral program page.
Share your link
Share your personal link with friends, family members, or anyone interested in sports betting.
Read the terms and conditions
Check the referral program bonus terms to ensure you and your referrals understand the deposit and wagering requirements involved.
Get your bonus
Once your referral meets the requirements, you and your friend will receive the refer-a-friend bonus.
Use your bonus bets
Bet your bonus one time. If you win your wager, you can withdraw your winnings after satisfying the playthrough requirements.
What are sportsbook referral bonuses?
Sportsbook referrals and refer-a-friend bonuses reward you for inviting peers to join a betting platform. Typically, both you and your friend receive perks, like bonus bets, bonus credits, or site cash, once your referral signs up and makes a qualifying deposit or wager. It’s a win-win way to boost your bankroll while bringing others into the action.
States offering legal sportsbook referral bonuses
Responsible gaming with sportsbook referral bonuses
Responsible gaming is fundamental to ensuring a safe and enjoyable sports betting experience. It's essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with gambling and take steps to gamble responsibly.
If you believe you have a gambling problem or need assistance, resources are available to provide support. Here are four reputable websites dedicated to responsible gaming in the United States:
National Council on Problem Gambling National Council for Responsible Gaming Gambling Therapy
More sports betting resources
Sportsbook referral bonuses FAQ
Wagering requirements can vary between different sports betting platforms. However, most programs require the referred friend to meet specific deposit or wagering criteria. These requirements involve real money deposits and wagers.
Sportsbook referral bonuses often come with an expiration date. The duration can vary among platforms, but a typical timeframe is usually 30 days from when the referral signs up and meets the bonus requirements.
Sportsbook referral programs may restrict who you can refer to receive a bonus. These restrictions can include limitations on referring friends living in a different jurisdiction, those who have already created an account with one of the brand's products, or someone who lives at the same address.
The ability to combine a refer-a-friend bonus with other promotions varies depending on the sportsbook and its policies. Sportsbooks may allow you to use the referral bonus with other promotions, while others might have restrictions. Refer to the terms and conditions of the promotions you're interested in to see if they can be used together.
If your referral bonus doesn't appear in your account as expected, ensure that you and your referred friend have met all the requirements outlined in the referral program's terms and conditions. If you believe you've met all the requirements and the bonus hasn't been credited, reach out to the customer support team of the sportsbook.
Joshua Howe is a content manager at Covers, helping make smarter sports bettors since 2021. An experienced writer and editor, he has developed a sterling reputation within the iGaming space as a meticulous and thoughtful content creator, consistently focused on editorial leadership and strategy, engaging diverse audiences, providing authoritative industry analyses, and crafting compelling stories across multiple mediums. He has reviewed over 30 sportsbooks and has been placing his own wagers for four years and counting.