Industry Breakdown: NFL Week 1 Sportsbook Promotions
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Analysis of new user acquisition offers from major operators as the 2026 NFL season begins.
As the 2026 NFL season kicks off, major sportsbooks are deploying a variety of acquisition strategies ranging from low-barrier 'bet-and-get' offers to high-ceiling first-bet insurance.
As first reported by CBS Sports, several operators are utilizing bonus bet credits to attract new users. DraftKings is offering $200 in bonus bets following a $5 wager, distributed as two $25 bets every seven days over a 21-day period. FanDuel is offering a higher total of $350 in bonus bets, though it requires a more rigorous commitment: users must place a $5+ wager daily for seven days to receive $50 in bonus bets each day.
Other operators are focusing on different value propositions. Caesars is offering a 100% profit boost on 10 wagers (up to $25 each) after an initial $1 bet using promo code CBSDYW. BetMGM is targeting higher-volume users with first-bet insurance providing up to $1,500 in bonus bets if the initial wager loses (via promo code CBSSPORTS), though users in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia can instead opt for $150 in bonus bets if they win a first bet of $10 or more.
Further diversifying the market, Fanatics Sportsbook is offering a "10x$100 Bet Match" for up to $1,000 in FanCash using promo code CBSFAN26. In the bet-and-get space, bet365 is offering a bonus (cited as both $150 and $365 across CBS Sports reports) for a minimum $10 wager, while Hard Rock Bet provides $100 in bonus bets—delivered as five $20 bets over five weeks—following a $5 wager.