Refer a friend: what happens when you invite someone
By Kristaps Birznieks · updated October 2026
A refer-a-friend programme gives you a reward — and sometimes your friend too — when someone registers through your link or code and meets the conditions. It looks simple, but it has more moving parts than most bonuses because the conditions apply to two accounts at once.
Typical conditions
- the friend must be a new customer with no existing account;
- they must verify their identity and make a minimum deposit;
- sometimes they must wager a set amount or place bets at minimum odds;
- your reward is credited only once their conditions are met;
- the reward may be bonus funds with wagering rather than cash.
The table player's and bettor's view
If the referral reward is a casino bonus, the usual contribution table applies, so live tables may count only partly. If it is a sports reward, the minimum odds rule applies. Before you recommend anything, read what exactly your friend will receive and what you will receive — and whether the offer is actually good for them. The method for checking this is on wagering requirements.
What is not allowed
Referral terms normally prohibit:
- inviting yourself with another email address or someone else's details;
- registering several accounts from one device or household;
- publishing the link widely if the programme is meant for personal recommendations only.
Breaking these rules can lead to rewards being cancelled and accounts closed. Using another person's identity is a serious matter far beyond any bonus terms.
What happens to data
When a friend registers through your link, the operator connects the two accounts and knows who invited whom. Some programmes show the referrer whether the friend has met the conditions. That is normal for a referral scheme, but worth knowing if privacy matters to either of you. How we handle data on this site is set out in our privacy policy.
Responsibility towards the friend
Gambling can be addictive. Recommending it to someone who already plays a lot, or who has recently stopped, is not a good idea whatever the reward. If your friend has self-excluded through a national register, licensed operators will refuse them — and that is exactly how it should work. More on support options on responsible gambling.
Check before you recommend
Before sending a link, make sure the operator behind the site appears in the licence register of the regulator responsible for your friend's country. Recommending an unlicensed site exposes a friend to payout and data risks. Other offers are compared in the bonus section, and general conditions on bonus terms. If you bet together on the same fixtures, our page on sports betting explains why sharing tips does not change the bookmaker's margin.
Every figure on this page is an example for the arithmetic. Percentages, multipliers, deadlines and limits are set by the operator and can change at any time — the cashier and the bonus terms on the operator's site are what count.