Apps that may offer a refer-a-friend promotion include DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and Fanatics Sportsbook. Availability, eligibility, and reward terms vary by state and can change, so check each app’s current referral page before inviting someone.
This guide explains how to check which offers are active, what a new customer usually has to do, and how to compare rewards fairly. It also covers common referral-bonus pitfalls, including why a friend’s first deposit may not be enough to qualify.
What sports betting apps have refer a friend offers?
Major U.S. sportsbooks sometimes run referral promotions, but there is no reliable, nationwide list that stays current. An app may offer a referral deal in one state and not another, or pause its program without notice.
DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics are examples of sportsbooks to check for an invite or referral offer. Treat these as places to look, not a promise that a reward is available in your location today. Some promotions are shown only to existing customers inside the app.
Start with the operator’s app, not an old coupon page. Look under sections such as “Refer a Friend,” “Invite Friends,” “Rewards,” or “Promotions.” Read the terms there before sharing a link or code.
| Sportsbook to check | Where to look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Promotions, rewards, or account menu | Customers who already use DraftKings and can see an active invite offer |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Promotions or referral information in the app | Checking whether an invite offer is available in the recipient’s state |
| BetMGM | Promotions or account rewards | Comparing the exact qualification rules before sending an invite |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Promotions or rewards section | Customers who want to see whether a referral can be combined with other offers |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Promotions or account menu | Checking for a current, location-specific friend offer |
The table is a shortlist for checking, not confirmation of a live promotion. An app’s terms and the recipient’s location determine whether a referral works.
How sportsbook referral bonuses usually work
A referral promotion gives an existing customer a link or code to share. If an eligible new customer joins through it and completes the stated requirements, the friend, the referrer, or both may receive a reward.
The reward can take different forms. A sportsbook might offer a bonus bet, site credit, or another promotional benefit. These rewards are not the same as cash that can always be withdrawn. The terms explain how the reward can be used and whether winnings from it can be withdrawn.
Most programs use a sequence like this:
- Find the active offer. Open the app and read its referral terms, including the eligible state and expiration date.
- Share the official link or code. Send it directly to a friend who is legally eligible to use the sportsbook.
- Have the friend sign up through the referral. The friend may need to be a new customer and use the link before creating an account.
- Complete the stated requirements. These may include identity checks, a minimum qualifying deposit, or a qualifying wager.
- Wait for the reward to post. The terms should say who receives it and how long processing can take.
Do not assume that installing the app or creating an account completes the offer. If the friend skips the referral link, signs up in an ineligible state, or misses a required step, the promotion may not track.
What to compare before sharing an invite
A large headline reward does not automatically make an offer better. Qualification rules and the value of the reward matter more than a promotional figure shown without context.
Who can qualify
Check whether the recipient must be a brand-new customer. Some offers exclude people who already have an account, even if they have never placed a bet. The terms may also restrict referrals to residents of specific states where the app is licensed.
Sports betting is limited to adults who meet the legal age in their location. The minimum age varies by state. A person must also be physically located in a permitted area when using a legal betting app; an account alone does not bypass location rules.
What counts as a qualifying wager
Some promotions require the new customer to place a wager that meets specific conditions. The offer may exclude certain bet types, odds, or markets. Read the definition of a “qualifying bet” rather than guessing from the general promotion banner.
A qualifying wager can lose. The friend should never stake money they cannot afford to lose just to trigger a referral reward. If the requirements do not make sense for their normal budget, skipping the offer is the safer choice.
Reward type and restrictions
A bonus bet is usually a promotional stake, not a cash balance. Depending on the offer, the original bonus stake may not be returned with winnings. Site credit may have separate expiration or wagering conditions.
Check whether both people receive a reward or only one. Also look for a cap on the number of referrals, a limit on total rewards, and a deadline for completing each step.
Whether the offer can be combined
Referral offers may not stack with a welcome promotion or another bonus. The terms can also specify which promotion takes priority if a customer is eligible for more than one. Compare the available offers before signup, because an account may not be able to switch promotions afterward.
How to verify a referral offer in your state
Use this quick check before sharing a sportsbook invite:
- Confirm the app is available where your friend lives. Sportsbook access depends on state rules and location verification.
- Open the promotion inside the app. An official in-app offer is a better source than an old search result or social post.
- Read the full terms. Check eligibility, deadlines, deposit or wager requirements, reward limits, and exclusions.
- Confirm how the link tracks. Find out whether the friend must tap the link before signup or enter a code during registration.
- Save the terms or take a screenshot. Keeping a copy helps if the offer changes or the reward does not appear as expected.
Location matters for more than the friend’s home address. Legal sportsbook apps generally use location services to verify where a customer is placing a bet. If the app cannot confirm the person is in an eligible area, signup or wagering may be blocked.
Common referral-bonus mistakes to avoid
- Sharing an expired link: A referral URL may stop working when a campaign ends, even if an older post still lists it.
- Assuming every state qualifies: Offers can differ by jurisdiction, and an app may not accept customers in every state.
- Signing up before using the referral: Some programs require the new customer to arrive through the invitation before account creation.
- Missing a wagering condition: A deposit alone may not meet the offer’s requirements.
- Expecting instant payment: Rewards may be credited only after identity checks or qualifying activity are complete.
- Confusing bonus funds with cash: A promotional bet or credit can carry restrictions that affect its use or withdrawal.
- Opening duplicate accounts: Creating another account to appear eligible can violate an operator’s rules and jeopardize rewards.
One detail people often miss: a referral can track correctly while the reward remains pending. That does not necessarily mean the promotion failed. Check the completion conditions and processing terms first, then contact the sportsbook through its official support channel if the stated timeframe has passed.
Are sportsbook referral offers worth using?
A referral offer can be useful if the friend already wants to open an account and the terms are easy to meet. It is less appealing if the person has to deposit more than planned, place a wager they would otherwise avoid, or rush before a deadline.
Compare the practical value, not just the headline. Ask whether the friend would use the app without the incentive, whether the qualifying wager fits their budget, and whether the reward’s restrictions are acceptable. If the answer is no, there is no need to pursue the offer.
Keep betting separate from friendship. Share the official terms without pressuring anyone, and do not promise that either person will profit. A referral reward does not remove the risk of losing a wager.
Can you refer a friend if you already have a sportsbook account?
Usually, a referral link is intended for an existing customer to invite a new customer, but the specific rules decide who can participate. The existing customer may need an account in good standing and may have to activate the offer before sharing it.
The invited person generally must meet the promotion’s definition of “new.” Having previously registered with that operator can disqualify someone, even if the account is inactive. Check the terms or ask official support before the friend signs up if eligibility is unclear.
Referral programs and legal access depend on the operator and location, and terms can change. Confirm current details in the sportsbook app and check local rules before anyone creates an account or places a bet.
DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics are reasonable apps to check, but none should be assumed to have a live referral offer in every state. The in-app terms are the deciding source.
Before sending an invite, verify the recipient’s eligibility, the qualifying steps, and the reward restrictions. Share the official link only if the offer fits the friend’s plans and budget.