BetMGM Bonus Code COVERS: Get $1,500 Bonus Bets for Illinois-Houston, NCAA Tournament Games

Luc LeBlanc - Betting Editor at Covers.com
Luc LeBlanc • Content Editor 3+ years betting experience
Updated: Mar 26, 2026 , 07:15 PM ET • 3 min read

Use BetMGM bonus code COVERS for a $1,500 First Bet on Illinois vs Houston Thursday. Get bonus bets back if your first wager loses.

The BetMGM bonus code COVERS unlocks a $1,500 First Bet for new users looking to wager on Thursday's Illinois vs Houston showdown. This welcome offer provides bonus bets back if your first wager loses, making it an ideal opportunity to bet on this compelling matchup between two programs built on veteran leadership but powered by freshman stars.

Take advantage of current sportsbook promos available through March 26.

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$1,500 First Bets
COVERS

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Bet $10, Get $150 in MI, NJ, PA, WV
COVERSBONUS

BetMGM Bonus Code Delivers $1,500 Protection for Illinois vs Houston

The BetMGM bonus code COVERS provides new customers with substantial protection on their first wager. This offer returns your stake up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your initial wager loses, creating an excellent opportunity to bet on the Illinois-Houston clash. The promotion requires a minimum $10 deposit and applies to any sports market, including this intriguing matchup between the third-seeded Illini and second-seeded Cougars.

Both teams feature standout freshmen who have seamlessly integrated into veteran-laden programs. Illinois guard Keaton Wagler leads the Illini in scoring at 17.8 points per game, while Houston's Kingston Flemings paces the Cougars at 16.2 points per game. This creates compelling betting angles for the BetMGM welcome offer, whether you back the Illini's second-ranked offense or Houston's fourth-ranked defense.

The bonus structure varies based on your wager amount. If you bet more than $50 and lose, BetMGM awards five bonus bets worth 20% of your qualifying wager each. For example, a losing $1,500 wager would return five $300 bonus bets. Smaller wagers under $50 receive one bonus bet equal to the stake. All bonus bets expire seven days after issuance and cannot be withdrawn directly.

  • Minimum $10 deposit required to qualify
  • Bonus bets returned only if first wager loses
  • Maximum protection of $1,500 in bonus bets
  • Seven-day expiration on all bonus bets

What our experts say about Illinois vs. Houston

Kingston Flemings o16.5 Points (-110): Flemings will rise to the occasion in this head-to-head comparison with Illinois star frosh Keaton Wagler. The Illini aren’t the most aggressive defense, opting to drop back into the paint, and Flemings will enjoy plenty of space from outside. He’s been able to find another gear against top-tier opponents, and game projections sit as high as 18+ points.

Get our expert Illinois vs. Houston predictions, along with all of our NCAA Tournament picks for this weekend.


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)
COVERSBONUS MI, NJ, PA, WV

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Live BetMGM odds for Illinois vs Houston

These odds update every 5 minutes.



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How to Claim Your Illinois vs Houston Betting Bonus

Claiming your BetMGM welcome offer for the Illinois-Houston game requires completing these straightforward steps:

  1. Register a new BetMGM account using bonus code COVERS and provide the required personal information for identity verification
  2. Make your initial deposit of at least $10 to activate the welcome offer
  3. Place your first real money wager on Illinois vs Houston or any available sports market
  4. Receive bonus bets equal to your stake (up to $1,500) if your first wager loses, or withdraw winnings immediately if it wins

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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