As of February 2026, the US legal sports betting market has grown to over $12 billion in annual revenue across 38 states plus DC, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. Competition for new users remains fierce, which means sign up bonuses are at all-time highs.
This guide compares every major sportsbook welcome offer with exact bonus values, minimum requirements, and state availability — sourced directly from each operator's official promotions page. We also show how to stack Referral.ink's bonus on top for maximum value.
Complete Sportsbook Sign Up Bonus Comparison
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Type | Min. Deposit | Min. Bet | Referral.ink Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Up to $1,000 | Bonus bets | $5 | $5 | +$25 |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $200 | Bonus bets | $5 | $5 | +$25 |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 | First bet offer | $10 | $10 | Coming soon |
| ESPN BET | $1,000 first bet reset | Bet insurance | $10 | $10 | Coming soon |
| Caesars | Up to $1,000 | First bet insurance | $10 | $10 | Coming soon |
| Fanatics | Get bonuses daily for 5 days | Bonus bets | $5 | $5 | Coming soon |
Sources: DraftKings Promos, FanDuel Promos, BetMGM Promos, ESPN BET Promos. Bonus values subject to change. Last verified February 2026.
Understanding Bonus Types
Not all sportsbook bonuses work the same way. Here are the three main types you'll encounter:
Bonus Bets (DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics)
Bonus bets are free bets credited to your account. You can place them on any market, but the stake is not included in the payout — only the winnings. For example, a $100 bonus bet at +100 odds returns $100 in cash (not $200). According to industry analysts at Action Network, the real value of bonus bets is approximately 50–70% of face value depending on the odds you bet at.
First Bet Insurance (BetMGM, ESPN BET, Caesars)
If your first bet loses, you get the stake back as bonus bets. If it wins, you keep the cash winnings normally. The risk-free structure makes these offers mathematically favorable — you can swing for the fences on a longshot since you'll get the bet back if it loses.
Deposit Match
Less common in 2026, but some sportsbooks will match your first deposit with bonus funds. These typically come with playthrough requirements (e.g., you must wager 10x the bonus before withdrawing).
Best Strategy: Stack Bonuses Across Multiple Sportsbooks
The optimal approach for new bettors is to sign up for multiple sportsbooks simultaneously and claim every welcome bonus. This is completely legal and expected by the operators. According to a 2025 survey by industry research, the average US sports bettor has accounts with 2.8 sportsbooks.
Here's what you could earn by signing up for DraftKings + FanDuel through Referral.ink:
| Source | Bonus Value |
|---|---|
| DraftKings welcome bonus | Up to $1,000 in bonus bets |
| FanDuel welcome bonus | $200 in bonus bets |
| Referral.ink — DraftKings | $25 cash |
| Referral.ink — FanDuel | $25 cash |
| Total | Up to $1,250 in bonuses |
State-by-State Sportsbook Availability
Not every sportsbook is available in every state. Here's a quick reference for the top 10 most populated legal states, based on data from the AGA State Gaming Map:
| State | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | ESPN BET |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pennsylvania | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Illinois | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| New Jersey | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Michigan | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ohio | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Massachusetts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Arizona | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Connecticut | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Virginia | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Note: Connecticut availability is limited to DraftKings (Foxwoods) and FanDuel (Mohegan Sun) under state tribal compacts.
How to Get Extra Cash from Referral.ink
- Visit our Deals page and click the sportsbook referral link
- Complete the signup and meet the minimum bet requirement ($5 for DK/FD)
- Screenshot your bet slip showing the qualifying bet
- Upload it on Referral.ink for verification
- Get $25 per sportsbook credited to your account
- Cash out via PayPal, Bitcoin, USDC, or 15+ gift cards
Key point: Referral.ink bonuses are real cash, not bonus bets. Unlike sportsbook bonuses, our $25 has no wagering requirements — you can withdraw it immediately once verified.
Responsible Gambling
Sports betting involves risk. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org. The National Council on Problem Gambling operates a 24/7 confidential helpline.