Best DFS Refer-a-Friend Bonuses

Every operator runs a standing refer-a-friend program, and unlike a one-time sign-up bonus, referrals keep paying as long as you keep inviting. The differences come down to three things: how much you earn per friend, what the friend has to do to trigger it, and — crucially — whether you're paid in flexible cash or in restricted credit. That last distinction matters more than the headline number.

DraftKings referral program

DraftKings pays $50 to both parties once a referred friend deposits and plays a qualifying contest, per the published program terms. Its standout feature is volume: there's no tight cap on how many friends you can refer, so for anyone with a sizeable network, DraftKings is the highest-ceiling program of the three. The credit lands as DFS bonus funds rather than cash, which means it must be cycled through entries — but with DraftKings' roughly 1x release mechanics, that's a low hurdle.

Underdog Fantasy referral code

Underdog is the per-referral leader: a matching cash credit of up to $100, triggered when your friend signs up with your code and completes a first Pick'em entry. The key word is cash — Underdog's credit is the most flexible of the three because it isn't locked behind playthrough the way bonus funds are. The trade-off is the cap: once you've earned your $100, the standard program is tapped out until Underdog runs an enhanced promotion.

Sleeper app referrals

Sleeper's program is built around its squad mechanic: invite friends to your squad and both sides receive a $10 free-play credit once the invited friend enters a qualifying contest. The dollar figure is the smallest here, but so is the bar to clear — there's no deposit-and-play hurdle as steep as the others, which makes Sleeper the easiest program to actually complete with a casual friend.

A note on FanDuel and BetMGM

FanDuel and BetMGM also operate refer-a-friend programs, typically crediting both parties after the friend's first qualifying action. We've kept them out of the comparison table above because we haven't verified their current referral figures for this period — quoting a stale number would defeat the point of the table. If you already play there, check the program inside the app; the mechanics are broadly similar to DraftKings. Their welcome offers are covered on our FanDuel and BetMGM promo pages.

How to actually claim — the steps that matter

1. Find your referral code or link in the app's account or rewards menu — not the promotions banner.
2. Send it to a friend who hasn't registered before; existing accounts won't trigger the bonus.
3. Make sure they enter your code during sign-up — most programs can't apply it retroactively.
4. Confirm they complete the trigger action (deposit, first entry, or squad join) so the credit posts to both sides.

Our verdict

For most players, Underdog is the best single referral to send — the cash credit is the most useful payout in the group. If you have a large network and want to stack referrals, DraftKings is the volume play. And Sleeper is the one to use when your friend is a casual who'd balk at a bigger deposit requirement. Ideally you run all three: there's no reason to leave any of these credits on the table.