This page contains references to products from one of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Affiliate Policy, visit this page.
The BetMGM Refer a Friend program is one of the most rewarding ongoing promotions available at any U.S. sportsbook, casino, or poker platform. While welcome bonuses often get the spotlight, referral offers can be a hidden gem for players who enjoy sharing top betting apps with friends. BetMGM’s program stands out because it gives both you and your invited friend valuable rewards, with options tailored to sports bettors, casino players, and poker fans. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how the BetMGM referral system works, the steps to claim it, the wagering requirements you need to know, which states are eligible, the best strategies for using the bonus, and how it compares to other operators’ referral programs.
The beauty of this bonus is its flexibility. Unlike most sportsbooks that only offer one flat reward, BetMGM allows your friends to choose from three different paths: a $100 Sportsbook bonus, a $50 Casino bonus, or a Poker package worth up to $1,000 plus tournament tickets. This means no matter what kind of gambling experience your friends prefer, there’s a suitable option waiting for them, and you benefit as well once the requirements are met. Even better, BetMGM allows you to refer up to 20 friends per calendar month, creating the potential to rack up as much as $2,000 in rewards every month just by sharing your referral link.
So how does the process work? First, you’ll need to log in to your BetMGM account and head over to the promotions section. There you’ll find the dedicated Refer a Friend page with your unique referral link. This link is what tracks your invitations, and you can send it by text, email, or social media. When your friend clicks the link, they have 30 days to register and verify their new account. As part of registration, they will be asked to choose which referral bonus they want: Sports, Casino, or Poker. After making their first deposit and meeting the playthrough requirements, both of you will receive the matching reward. It’s a win-win setup that encourages your friends to explore BetMGM while padding your bankroll along the way.
The sportsbook option is the most generous. If your friend deposits and wagers at least $100 within 30 days, both of you will receive $100 in Sports Bonus Bets. To qualify, the bets must be placed on odds of -200 or longer, meaning heavy favorites at -250 or -300 won’t count, but anything from -200 to +500 or beyond is eligible. It’s an accessible requirement that ensures both players actually place meaningful bets.
The casino option gives you and your friend a $50 Casino Bonus once they deposit and wager at least $50. Not all games contribute equally to the wagering requirement. Slots, jackpot slots, scratch cards, fixed odds, and virtual games all contribute 100%, making them the fastest way to clear the bonus. Live dealer, table games, video poker, and craps only contribute 20%, while standard digital blackjack contributes 10%. Some games, like baccarat and roulette, are excluded entirely for casino referral wagering. After requirements are met, the $50 casino credit can be used across the library of BetMGM Casino games, including fan favorites like Divine Fortune, 88 Fortunes, Bonanza, and dozens of progressive jackpots.
The poker option is unique compared to most operators because it includes a 100% deposit match up to $1,000, along with up to $75 in tournament tickets depending on deposit size. For example, depositing $500 earns $50 in tickets, while depositing $1,000 unlocks the full $75. To trigger your reward, your friend must generate 20 BetMGM Rewards Points through poker play within the first 30 days. This option is especially valuable for dedicated poker players, offering a mix of matched bonus funds and event entries that extend playtime.
For a quick comparison, kindly see below:
| Referral Option | Friend’s Requirement | Reward for Both | Key Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook | Deposit & wager $100 on bets at odds of -200 or longer within 30 days | $100 Sports Bonus | Hedge betting not allowed; wagers must settle within 30 days |
| Casino | Deposit & wager $50 within 30 days | $50 Casino Bonus | Contribution varies by game type (slots 100%, table 20%, blackjack 10%) |
| Poker | Deposit & play to generate 20 Rewards Points; 100% match up to $1,000 + up to $75 in tournament tickets | $50 for referrer; Poker package for friend | Deposit match expires after 7 days; tickets vary by deposit size |
Every referral bonus has a 30-day deadline for your friend to meet the deposit and wagering criteria. Sportsbook wagers must meet the -200 odds minimum. Casino wagers vary in contribution percentage depending on the game category, which means slots are the fastest way to complete the requirements. For poker, your friend must generate BetMGM Rewards Points by playing real-money poker hands, and the matched deposit portion must be used within seven days of issue.
Both you and your friend must be physically located in the same BetMGM state to qualify. If you’re in Michigan and your friend signs up in Pennsylvania, neither of you will receive the bonus even though BetMGM operates in both states. This restriction makes sense given state-by-state licensing rules, but it’s important to double-check before sending out your referral link.
The BetMGM Refer a Friend program is available in most active BetMGM markets, including Arizona, Colorado, Washington D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. One notable exclusion is Massachusetts, where the program is not available. Because regulations differ, BetMGM asks players to select their state of play when logging into the app or website, and this also determines which referral bonuses are eligible. Therefore, in summary:
Important: Both you and your friend must be in the same state for the referral to be valid.
If you’re going after the sports bonus, try using your $100 in Bonus Bets on markets with odds in the -150 to +200 range. This balances risk and reward better than betting on extreme longshots or overwhelming favorites. If you choose the casino path, stick to slots and other 100% contribution games to meet requirements quickly. Jackpot slots not only contribute fully but also give you a shot at massive payouts while clearing the wagering. For poker, the best strategy is to deposit enough to unlock the maximum tournament ticket value, ideally $1,000, if your bankroll allows. This ensures you get the full $75 in tickets on top of the matched bonus, maximizing long-term poker value.
Compared to other U.S. operators, BetMGM’s referral system is one of the most versatile. FanDuel generally offers a flat $50 referral bonus to both parties. DraftKings often has a $100 referral split into smaller bet tokens but doesn’t provide casino or poker alternatives. BetMGM is the only major operator offering three separate referral categories and scaling rewards. This flexibility makes it attractive to players who have friends with different gaming preferences, and the monthly cap of 20 referrals is much higher than what most competitors allow.
It’s worth noting that BetMGM builds responsible gaming tools into its referral program. Players can set deposit, wagering, and session limits, activate cooling-off periods, or self-exclude entirely. These tools ensure that while referral bonuses add fun, users always have control over their play.
How many friends can I refer per month? You can refer up to 20 friends per calendar month. This means a maximum potential of $2,000 in rewards if all referrals qualify.
Do my friends need to be in the same state as me? Yes. Both players must be registered and physically located in the same BetMGM state to qualify for referral bonuses.
How long does my friend have to register? Your friend has 30 days from the time they receive your referral link to sign up and complete the bonus requirements.
How soon are bonuses credited? Rewards are usually credited within 72 hours after your friend’s qualifying wager settles.
What games count toward Casino requirements? Slots, jackpots, scratch cards, fixed odds, and virtual games contribute 100%. Live dealer and table games contribute 20%, blackjack contributes 10%, and baccarat, roulette, and poker are excluded.
Can referral bonuses be used on mobile? Yes, all referral bonuses are fully compatible with BetMGM’s mobile app as well as the desktop site.
What happens if my friend signs up but doesn’t wager? Neither of you will receive the referral bonus until the qualifying deposit and wagering requirement is completed.
Is the poker referral option worth it? For frequent poker players, yes. The combination of a 100% match up to $1,000 and additional tournament tickets makes it one of the most valuable referral rewards in the market.
The BetMGM Refer a Friend program is one of the most underrated ongoing promotions in online gambling. With flexible options across Sports, Casino, and Poker, it caters to all types of players while rewarding loyal customers for spreading the word. The potential to earn up to $2,000 in referral rewards each month is unmatched by most competitors, and the clear wagering requirements make it relatively easy to claim. Whether you’re a sports bettor looking to build a bonus bankroll, a casino player chasing slot jackpots, or a poker enthusiast seeking tournament entries, the BetMGM referral bonus is worth taking advantage of.
Disclaimer: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV). Call 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Call 1-800-270-7117 (MI). Please gamble responsibly.
See our page dedicated to referral bonuses at other operators to help your friends start having fun.
For almost two decades, Sadonna has remained at the forefront of the gambling industry in the US and abroad, covering the latest news and legal updates. Sadonna’s goal is to provide sports bettors and casino players with premium content, including comprehensive details on the US industry.
