BetMGM Bonus Code COVERS: Claim $1,500 First Bet for Any NCAA Tournament Friday Game

Luc LeBlanc - Betting Editor at Covers.com
Luc LeBlanc • Content Editor 3+ years betting experience
Updated: Mar 20, 2026 , 10:50 AM ET • 3 min read

Use BetMGM bonus code COVERS for a $1,500 First Bet on NCAA Tournament Round 1 games Friday. Get bonus bets back if your first wager loses.

New users can claim a BetMGM bonus code offer worth up to $1,500 for Friday's NCAA Tournament Round 1 action. The COVERS promo code unlocks bonus bets back if your first wager loses on any of the four games tipping off between 12-2 PM ET. This welcome offer is available through Friday, March 20, giving bettors a chance to wager on compelling matchups like Kentucky vs. Santa Clara and Virginia vs. Wright State.

New customers can explore various sportsbook promos while focusing on March Madness betting opportunities.

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BetMGM Bonus Code Details for $1,500 NCAA Tournament Offer

The BetMGM bonus code COVERS provides new users with up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first wager loses. This offer applies to any NCAA Tournament Round 1 game, including the intriguing 12 vs. 5 seed matchup between Akron and Texas Tech, where the surging Zips have won 19 of their last 20 games. The promotion requires a minimum $10 deposit and is available to first-time customers in eligible states.

If your first bet wins on games like top-seeded Arizona facing Long Island University, you keep your winnings and can withdraw them immediately. However, if your wager loses on a potential upset like Wright State challenging Virginia, BetMGM returns your stake in bonus bets. For wagers over $50, you receive five separate bonus bets worth 20% of your original stake each, while smaller bets receive one bonus bet equal to your loss.

Key terms include:

  • Bonus bets expire after seven days
  • Maximum bonus bet value of $1,500
  • Available in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, MS, NC, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, DC, and PR
  • Bonus bet stakes are not returned with winnings

For example, if you bet $500 on Kentucky to cover the spread against Santa Clara and lose, you would receive five $100 bonus bets totaling your original $500 stake.

What our experts say about Friday's games

In addition to the picks below, be sure to check out all of our expert NCAAB picks.

Santa Clara vs. Kentucky: Otega Oweh o22.5 Points (-110)

Kentucky’s transition offense is elite, scoring an absurd 1.44 points per play (99th percentile). That’s where Oweh thrives as he’s responsible for team-leading 7% of Kentucky’s transition scoring. Santa Clara, meanwhile, allows 1.28 points per play in transition (one of the worst nationally).

Santa Clara vs. Kentucky predictions

Akron vs. Texas Tech: TTU -8.0 (-116)

Try to find somewhere for Akron to go on offense. Transition where they are overly reliant? Texas Tech clamps that at the 99th percentile. Other key tenets of their offense, like attack and kick actions, are also shut down at the 90th percentile.

Akron vs. Texas Tech predictions

Long Island vs. Arizona: Shadrak Lasu o5.5 Rebounds (-120)

In what should be a blowout, there's value in backing LIU players on their props. The Wildcats play at a blistering pace and once they build a big lead, they could rest some of their top players and won't be quite as locked in. LIU forward Shadrak Lasu has grabbed at least six boards in 11 of his last 15 games, averaging 7.1 rpg over that span.

The Sharks have an extremely small lineup, and Lasu is easily their biggest player at 6-foot-9. They'll need him on the court as much as possible against Arizona's imposing frontcourt.

Long Island University vs. Arizona predictions

Wright State vs. Virginia: Wright State u63.5 Team Total (-120)

The Wright State offense is so rim-driven, and you’re looking at a team in UVA that has been one of the elite teams in the country this season defensively at the rim. Ask Duke’s Cam Boozer, who went 3/17 against them in the ACC Tournament Championship game.

Wright State vs. Virginia predictions


Check if you can use our BetMGM bonus code in your state

BetMGM Bonus Code Eligible States
 COVERS AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, MS, NC, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY (+ DC, PR)

Best BetMGM NCAA Boosts

BetMGM All Users

  • Get an odds boost for any CBB bet
  • Get a no sweat CBB parlay - stake back in bonus bets if you lose

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How to Claim Your NCAA Tournament First Bet

Follow these steps to secure your bonus bets for Friday's NCAA Tournament games:

  1. Register a new BetMGM account using bonus code COVERS
  2. Complete identity verification with required documentation
  3. Make a minimum $10 deposit using any accepted payment method
  4. Place your first real money wager on any NCAA Tournament Round 1 game
  5. Receive bonus bets within 24 hours if your first bet loses

Read our comprehensive BetMGM bonus review for additional details about this sportsbook's features and betting options.


More BetMGM Sportsbook promos, bonuses, and offers

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Luc LeBlanc
Content Editor

Luc has been passionate about sports since he was a child, playing competitive hockey and staying closely tuned to professional leagues. Today, he brings that same energy to his work as a Content Editor, covering NHL games, player props, and betting trends with a sharp, analytical eye.

Since 2023, Luc has been writing picks and analysis for various publications, helping readers discover value in several major sports. While hockey is his specialty, he also closely follows tennis, keeping up with both the ATP and WTA Tours.

A graduate of Saint Mary’s University (BSc, Geography, 2025), Luc approaches sports betting the way he approaches maps and statistics by looking for patterns, trends, and angles that give him an edge. He focuses on research-backed and well-informed picks, spotting correlations, and finding the best opportunities in player props and game markets.

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