The profits you can make from sports betting don’t just depend on your accuracy in predicting sports results. There’s much more that you can do to maximize your gains when betting on football, basketball, baseball, or any other sport. One great way is to maximize sportsbook referral bonuses and refer a friend schemes.
Online betting sites refer-a-friend bonuses, also known as referral bonuses not only allow you to have a much larger bankroll to bet with, but will also help you to share your favorite hobby with your friends, giving them access to big winnings as well.
The same offers often apply to their online casinos usually found on some sports betting apps, although these are available in fewer states.
Sportsbook referral bonus – Get free bets with these online sportsbook bonuses
Up To $1,500 In Bonus Bets
- Promo Code: GAMBLEUSA
- Android & iPhone Mobile Apps
- One game parlay feature
Up To $1,000 Deposit Bonus
- Promo Code: NO CODE REQUIRED
- Android & iPhone Mobile Apps
- In game betting
Up To $1,000 Deposit Bonus
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
- Promo Code: GUSAB1000
- Caesars rewards
- In game-betting
Up To $500 2nd Chance Bet
- Promo Code: SPORTS
- Awesome mobile app
- Live dealer games
10 x $100 Second Chance Bets
- Same Game Parlays
- Pointsbetting
- Daily Promos
10 x $100 Second Chance Bets
$500 Second Chance Bet
- Promo Code: NO CODE REQUIRED
- Boosted odds
- Safe & quick deposits
$500 Second Chance Bet
Free Bet Up To $500
- Promo Code: SPORTS
- In game wagering
- Amazing promos
Making money at legal online sports betting sites without having to top up your balance is really interesting, especially when all bets have a certain level of risk. Even basketball or soccer matches that seem to have the clearest outcome can end unexpectedly and make you lose, so it’s usually a good idea to claim as many free wagers as you can get at your favorite sportsbook.
Online betting sites referral bonuses are one of the best ways to do this. Not only do they allow you to get hundreds of dollars in free bets, but you will receive this balance without having to use your own money. Just invite a few friends to join your favorite betting site, and their betting success will also be yours thanks to these generous bonuses.
Best US sports betting sites with referral bonuses
Beyond the existing customer free bets you can get with the refer-a-friend schemes or a welcome bonus, it is also important to choose a sports betting site that allows you to bet on a good variety of sports, especially if it also offers some of the best odds to boost your profits. A wide range of payment systems available, reliable transfers, and a good user interface are also key. Taking all this into consideration, these are some of the best sportsbooks in the United States where you can get some generous refer-a-friend bonuses:
- Unibet Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Pointsbet Sportsbook
- Parx Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
Signing up with any of the above through the links placed above will also unlock a risk-free bet or match bonus on your first deposit.
What are Sportsbook Referral Bonuses?
When you are looking to sin up for a new account at an online sportsbook, it can be overwhelming going through all of the different bonus bets available. One of those promos you will likely see are sportsbook referral bonus offers, otherwise known as refer-a-friend bonuses. These give you a reward for introducing another person to the sports betting site you have already signed up for.
Any sportsbook that is running a referral bonus will send out an referral link which you can then send to a friend of family member. When the person you have sent the link to uses it to create an account on the sportsbook and meets the referral bonus requirements – typically by betting a certain amount or meeting a minimum deposit limit – then you will be eligible for the bonus.
This isn’t the same thing as a sportsbook welcome bonus. For example, you are not limited claiming this bonus once or only as a new user to the site. The best sportsbook referral bonuses will allow for over 10 referrals per account, with the deal being available to both existing account holders and first-timers.
Another big difference between referral bonuses and sign-up offers is a refer-a-friend bonus will not be as lucrative. Most of them come in at the $50 to $100 range. Considering this isn’t a one-time offer and can be used multiple times, that isn’t bad at all. As long as you have friends willing to sign up using your link and want to get involved in online sports betting, a referral bonus is a great offer.
Are there casino refer-a-friend bonuses?
Both the main online sportsbooks and the best online casinos offer you different referral bonuses for you to increase the capital of your wagers. Although the free bets that you can get through this system are usually similar in an online casino and a sportsbook account, the truth is that their respective requirements may vary slightly.
To claim your casino referral bonus, your referred friends will have to make some wagers up to a certain amount. You may also find restrictions regarding the games that count for obtaining the bonus, since not all games have the same level of risk. However, casino referral bonuses are usually relatively easy to get, just as sportsbooks refer-a-friend bonuses are.
Things you should know about the refer a friend offers
Refer-a-friend bonuses are a world of their own, and have many different features. Some of the most important you should keep in mind are:
- They have a time-limit. Referral bonuses that remain valid for a long time are rare, even at the biggest betting sites. If you want to claim them, you will usually have to make sure that your friends meet all the established requirements in a period that can sometimes be as short as 15 days.
- The initial wager is important. While some online sports betting bonuses allow you to simply receive the bonus balance when your friend makes their first deposit, normally they need to wager that deposit as well. Make sure you are aware of the terms of each bonus, and make your friends know as well.
- Not all bonuses benefit your friends. Although online sports betting referral bonuses usually grant extra balance to your friends when they claim them, this isn’t always the case. This can make it more difficult to convince your friends to meet the requirements, especially if they involve a very high first real money wager.
- The balance earned must be wagered. Or, in other words, it’s not free money. Even if you manage to collect a thousand dollars on site credit with your sports betting referral bonuses, you can’t just withdraw it to your bank account and call it a day. To do so, you will have to wager it first under certain minimum odds. That’s why it’s so important that you check the qualifying bets before choosing your preferred betting site.
- These free bets are not risk free. The bet credits you may receive with these sports betting bonuses will not be in the form of risk free bets – if you fail with your wagers, you will lose it. While a risk free bet allows you to recover part of your stake, you should use the balance of this type of bonus wisely if you don’t want to lose it.
- A sports betting referral bonus is not a deposit bonus. Although referral bonuses can often be claimed when creating an account, they work independently from a deposit bonus. Deposit bonuses are usually earned based on the amount of the first deposit, while referral bonuses are often earned as a second step.
Tips for choosing your betting referral bonuses
As you can see, there’s a lot to take into account if you want to maximize your profits with these bonuses. As with welcome bonuses, the long list of terms and requirements from each betting site can be overwhelming, but worry not. Here are some tips that can help you choose the best referral bonus for your sports bets.
- Bonuses are great, but also look for competitive odds. Some bookmakers can offer really generous betting bonuses and a staggering welcome bonus. That’s a good thing, but you should check first if the odds offered by the betting site are just as generous. You don’t want to stick with a sportsbook that simply doesn’t offer you enough profit when you bet.
- Look for bonuses that also benefit your friends. Refer-a-friend bonuses should be an incentive for both you and your friends. Otherwise, you could spend days or weeks unsuccessfully recommending your betting site. If both you and your friends win with the referral bonus, it will be much easier for you to get some extra balance from their bets. Top betting sites will usually reward your friends as well.
- Ask yourself, ‘how many betting friends do I have?’. Casual bettors often face this problem. Some platforms offer a rather small referral bonus that you can repeat up to 10 or 20 times as you invite new friends, while others offer a more generous bonus that you can only repeat 5 times. Ask yourself how many betting friends you really have – having 3-4 is not the same as having 15-20 – and choose accordingly.
- Don’t forget the loyalty programs. While a big welcome bonus and a great referral program are usually good news, remember that your betting site must remain competitive over time. Check their loyalty programs to make sure that they keep offering good incentives as the months go by, especially if they increase their bonuses depending on your activity on the site – site credits and risk free bet offers are always welcome!
How does a refer-a-friend bonus work?
This type of bonus works in two separate stages.
First you have to send your friends a unique referral code or a referral link. Depending on the platform it will be one or the other, but both work in much the same way. When your friends receive this promo code or link, they will have to sign up to claim the bonus from their side.
However, just creating an account is usually not enough to claim the welcome bonus. Normally they will also have to top up some cash on it, and then place at least one qualifying bet – so, a real money wager – to fully claim the friend promo.
When this fixed odds wager is placed and the welcome bonus is claimed, you will receive some free balance that you can use on your bets, and in most cases your friends will also get the same bonus amount.
How can I refer a friend to my sports betting account?
Generally, there are 3 different systems to refer a friend to your sports betting site and get the corresponding bonus – same as with a casino bonus.
- Referral links. This is the simplest system that you can find at a referral program, as it is enough for your friends to click on a personalized link that you will find in your sportsbook. When they register through this link, the betting site will ‘connect’ their accounts with yours, and will automatically apply the corresponding bonus.
- Referral codes. Referral codes are a slightly less automated option, but they work in much the same way. In this case your friends will create their own account, and during the process they will find a menu where they will have to enter your promo code to link their accounts with yours.
- The referral pages. Ultimately you have the option to enter your friends’ email addresses on a referral page. This page will then send a link to all of them so they can link to your account. This system is simple, but also limited, and may cause you to lose some referrals in the process.
Best sportsbook referral bonus offer in the US
Now that you have mastered the main features of refer a friend programs, let’s take a look at the best offers you can find at the main sportsbooks in the United States.
Unibet Sportsbook Referral Bonus
With Unibet you can get a $25 bonus for each successful referral you make, up to a total of 5 referrals. The only requirement your friends must fulfill is to register correctly on the site and place the first bet. This way they will get their deposit bonuses and trigger your referral bonus.
In total you can only receive $125 using Unibet’s referral system, so it is not one of the most profitable platforms when it comes to referral programs. In addition, this bonus will only be given to you, and not to your friend.
Golden Nugget Sportsbook Referral Bonus
If you choose Golden Nugget to place your sports bets, you can enjoy a refer-a-friend bonus of up to $50 for each successful referral. This bonus will only be given to you, not to your friend, but you can multiply it by 10 by referring as many friends, for a total of $500 to wager for free.
To claim your sportsbook free bet, your friends must wager at least $50 within 30 days of creating their accounts, so make sure they hurry up!
Fox Bet Sportsbook Referral Bonus
Fox Bet’s referral bonus is one of the easiest to obtain, as your friends will only have to register on the site from your referral link, make a minimum sports betting deposit of just $10, and place any wager.
When these conditions are met, both you and your friend will receive $25 to place free bets. However, this bonus is also one of the least profitable, especially when other sites offer up to $1,000 to bet for free.
Caesars Sportsbook Referral Bonus
Once you have your Caesars account up and running, you can use the code to share it with anyone you want, and invite them to the site. If they register their accounts and make a deposit of at least $50, you will receive a free $100 bet.
In total, you can receive up to 10 bets of $100, so you will have up to $1000 to bet for free with the Caesars refer-a-friend bonus! How does that sound?
PointsBet Sportsbook Referral Bonus
The maximum referrals you can make with PointsBet varies depending on the state where you live, but usually you can get plenty of free bets with this system.
You simply send your unique PointsBet referral link to your friends so that they can register an account through it. After verifying their identity and making a first deposit of $20, both you and your friend will receive a free $100 bet, valid for the next 14 days.
TwinSpires Sportsbook Referral Bonus
TwinSpires referrals can be made from a specific page where you can enter the email addresses of all the people you want to invite to the site. Your friends will then receive a code to access the sportsbook upon your recommendation.
They must then make an initial deposit of $50 and wager up to $500 during the first 60 days after they open the account. Once this happens, you will receive a $50 free balance in your own account.
Parx Sportsbook Referral Bonus
At Parx you can get a referral bonus of up to $50 for every friend you invite through their Parx refer-a-friend system, up to a total of 10 friends. This means you can get up to $500 to bet for free with Parx.
Although other sites offer better bonuses, Parx has the advantage of allowing you to use the extra credit for betting not only on sports, but also on casino games.
DraftKings Sportsbook Referral Bonus
If you want to claim your referral bonus at DraftKings, you must use your personal link to invite a maximum of 5 friends. Make sure you choose friends who are willing to wager a lot from the start, because you will receive a higher bonus depending on how large their first deposits are.
Friends who make a first deposit between $25 and $49 will make you earn a $25 free bet. If the deposit is between $50 and $99, your free bet will be $50. And for higher deposits you will receive a $100 free bet.
FanDuel Sportsbook Referral Bonus
At FanDuel you will receive a referral link linked to your account, and you will be able to share it with up to 10 different friends. After verifying your account, you will have to make a deposit of at least $10, which will allow you to unlock up to $50 in free bets. This deposit can be used in both sportsbook and casino betting.
Once this is done, both you and your friend will receive $100 to wager for free! What’s more, you can do the same thing with nine other friends at FanDuel, so you can get up to $1000 in free bets!
BetMGM Sportsbook Referral Bonus
BetMGM refer a friend bonus can be sent to up to 20 friends, providing you with significantly more free balance than other sites.
To claim your bonus, the friends you send your link to must verify their accounts and wager at least $50. By doing so, both they and you will receive an extra $50 to wager, bringing the total bonus amount you can get to $1000 in free bets. Not bad at all!
What are refer a friend Reddit codes, and where can I find them?
Sometimes, betting sites allow their users to send a large number of referral codes to their friends – way too many if they don’t have enough betting friends. That’s why these users often post their codes on online forums like Reddit to share them with other bettors. This has happened a lot with the Barstool referral bonus, showing the way for bettors signed up with other operators.
This way, you can search for Reddit referral codes and claim them while creating your own sportsbook account. Or, conversely, you can post your codes – or links – when you have no one to share them with, and boost the profits of your refer-a-friend bonuses even more.
FAQ’s
Can I redeem my refer-a-friend bonus directly in cash?
No. You can withdraw the money to your bank account as long as you have wagered it before, following the terms established by your sportsbook. This is usually the case with all betting sites and with the vast majority of their bonuses, so even if the bonus shows in your balance, you must wager it first before withdrawing it.
Are sportsbook referral codes safe?
Yes. All the sportsbooks that we have recommended comply to the letter with all the withdrawal conditions of their referral bonuses. If you meet all the requirements, you will be able to withdraw your winnings safely to your bank account.
How much money can I earn with a referral code from a sports betting site?
This depends on the online gambling platform you are using to place your bets. Some sportsbooks only allow you to get $100 or $125 in total with your referral codes, but others allow you to win up to $1000 in free bets, which you can then multiply if you wager them successfully.
Do I have to pay to claim the money from a referral bonus?
No. You do not need to make any extra deposits into your sportsbook to withdraw your refer-a-friend bonus money, but you will need to meet other requirements. Generally, you will have to wager the bonus received to claim your winnings.
Which sportsbooks have referral bonuses?
Referral bonuses are common in the online sports betting world and are available at numerous US sportsbooks. We have listed some of the best options above where you can get rewarded for inviting a friend to sign up for a new account.