A refer a friend casino bonus rewards an existing player when someone they invite opens an account and meets set conditions, such as a first deposit or stake; sometimes the new player gets a reward too. In the UK the reward follows normal bonus rules, including 10x wagering at most since 19 January 2026. Here is how referral offers work and how to use one responsibly.
A refer a friend bonus is paid to you after a friend you invited joins and meets the qualifying conditions, usually a deposit or stake.
Terms typically exclude people at the same address or using the same payment method, and cap referrals per month.
Rewards paid as bonus funds can’t carry more than 10x wagering since 19 January 2026.
None of our five partners’ checked offers is a referral scheme; the friend would claim the standard welcome offer instead.
Only refer adults you know are comfortable gambling, never anyone under 18, self-excluded or struggling.
Who earns it
The existing customer who refers
Friend must usually
Be new, 18+, verified and deposit or stake
Common exclusions
Same household, device or payment method
Wagering cap on rewards
10x (since 19 January 2026)
Partner referral schemes
None among our checked offers
Offers checked
5 October 2026
What is a refer a friend casino bonus?
A refer a friend casino bonus is a reward a casino pays to an existing customer for introducing a new one. You share a personal link or code, your friend registers through it, passes age and identity checks and completes a qualifying action, and the casino then credits you with a bonus, spins or cash. Some schemes reward both people; others reward only the referrer and leave the friend to claim the normal welcome offer.
Referral schemes are a form of word-of-mouth marketing, and the reward is effectively the casino paying you to bring in a customer. That changes your role slightly: you are recommending a gambling product to someone you know. This page covers both the mechanics and that responsibility. Our hub of casino offers and bonus guides lists the other ways existing players are rewarded.
How a refer a friend casino bonus works step by step
Referral schemes vary in detail but almost all follow this sequence. Every step has to be completed in order for the reward to trigger.
Find your referral link or code in your account, usually under promotions, rewards or “invite a friend”.
Share it personally with an adult friend who has said they’re interested. Don’t post it publicly unless the terms allow that.
Your friend registers through your link or enters your code at sign-up, before making any deposit.
They complete age and identity verification, which UK casinos must do before anyone can deposit or play.
They complete the qualifying action, for example a first deposit of £10 or staking £20 on slots within 30 days.
The casino checks the referral against its rules (different household, payment method and device) and credits your reward.
You use the reward under its own terms: spin value, eligible games, wagering and expiry.
A friend who registers without your link, or who already has an account, normally can’t be added as a referral later. Check this before they sign up.
Typical refer a friend terms and what they mean
Common referral terms at UK casinos
Term
Typical wording
What it means in practice
New customers only
Referred friend must not have held an account before
Former customers and people with closed accounts don’t qualify
Household and device rules
Not at the same address, IP or device as the referrer
Partners or housemates often can’t refer each other
Payment method
Friend must use their own payment method
Shared cards or wallets void the referral
Qualifying action
Deposit and stake a minimum within a set number of days
No reward if the friend only registers
Referral cap
Maximum number of rewarded referrals per month
Limits how much any one referrer can earn
Reward form
Bonus funds, spins or cash
Bonus funds carry wagering of no more than 10x
Excluded friends
Self-excluded or restricted customers
No reward, and you shouldn’t refer them anyway
The household and payment rules exist to stop people opening extra accounts for themselves, which is a breach of almost every casino’s terms. Our guide to multiple casino accounts explains why one person can normally hold only one account per site, and the bonus abuse guide shows what happens if a casino decides a referral was really a self-referral.
What a refer a friend bonus is worth: worked examples
Value depends on the reward form. Here are three illustrative referral rewards worked through with a 96% RTP slot and the 10x cap.
Illustrative referral rewards compared
Reward
Face value
Wagering
Rough average value to you
£10 cash
£10
None
£10
50 spins at 10p, no wagering
£5 of spins
None
About £4.80
£20 bonus at 10x
£20
£200 of stakes
About £12 (£20 minus about £8 average cost of £200 play)
The cash reward is worth exactly what it says. The bonus has the largest face value but loses a chunk to wagering: £200 of stakes at a 4% average edge costs about £8. Remember also that your friend’s qualifying deposit is their money, which they will probably lose some or all of over time. A referral reward is paid out of that expected loss, which is worth keeping in mind before you recommend anyone. Our bonus value guide explains the method.
UK rules that apply to refer a friend casino bonuses
Referral rewards are incentives under the Gambling Commission’s licence conditions, so they follow the same rules as any welcome offer or reload.
10x wagering cap (since 19 January 2026). Bonus rewards for you or your friend can’t require more than ten times play-through. See the 10x wagering cap.
Financial limits. Since 31 October 2025, your friend will be prompted to set a financial limit before their first deposit.
Advertising rules. Operators’ marketing must not appeal strongly to under-18s or suggest gambling brings social success, under CAP Code section 16 (opens in a new tab). Keep that in mind in any message you send with a link.
How to refer a friend to a casino responsibly
A referral link is a recommendation from you, not an advert from a stranger, which gives it more weight. Use that carefully.
Advantages
Share only with adults who have already said they gamble or want to.
Be honest that gambling costs money and that losses are the likely outcome over time.
Mention deposit limits and other tools when you share the link.
Let them decide in their own time; one message is enough.
Drawbacks
Never send a link to anyone under 18, even as a joke.
Don’t refer anyone who has self-excluded, uses GAMSTOP or has told you gambling is a problem.
Don’t pressure friends or suggest it’s a way to make money.
Don’t open accounts for family members or use their details to claim a reward.
If someone you know has registered with GAMSTOP (opens in a new tab), their exclusion covers all UK-licensed sites, so a referral would be refused anyway. Our help for family and friends guide covers what to do if you’re worried about someone’s gambling.
Do our partner casinos have refer a friend schemes?
None of the offers we check for our five partners on 5 October 2026 is a refer a friend scheme, and referral programmes are not covered by our facts files. If a partner runs one, it will be shown in your account while logged in. What we can say is what a referred friend would be offered as a new customer.
What a new friend could claim at each partner (checked 5 October 2026)
Casino
New-customer offer
Key terms
Note for referrals
Coral
Bet £10 on slots, get 100 spins at 10p
Accept within 48 hours, valid 7 days, no wagering; some payment methods excluded
Same operator as Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes
Play £10 on slots, up to 500 spins (50 a day for 10 days)
10p spins, claim by 23:59 daily, no wagering; some deposit methods excluded
Same operator as Coral
PlayOJO
80 spins at 10p on Big Bass Bonanza
First deposit £10+, no wagering, winnings paid in cash
Not available in Northern Ireland
Casumo
50% bonus up to £100
Min £20 first deposit, opt-in, 10x in 7 days, £5 max bet
Bonus funds with wagering
10bet
100% bonus up to £25
Choose casino bonus at sign-up, deposit within 7 days, 10x on slots in 3 days
Max bonus winnings £1,000
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited, so the terms may stop one person holding new accounts at both. Our Coral sister sites page explains the group, and latest welcome offers lists every checked offer.
Why a refer a friend bonus might not be paid
Most missing referral rewards come down to one of a few reasons: the friend registered without the link, didn’t complete verification, used an excluded payment method, didn’t meet the qualifying stake in time, or shares an address or device with you. A referral may also be refused if the friend is self-excluded or the casino has restricted their account.
Ask customer service which condition wasn’t met, with your friend’s username and sign-up date. If you believe the terms were applied unfairly, use the casino’s complaints process; after eight weeks without resolution you can go to an ADR provider. Our guide on how to complain about a casino sets out each stage.
Refer a friend bonuses compared with other existing-player offers
A referral reward is one of several ways a casino rewards customers after sign-up. It is unusual in depending on someone else’s action, which makes it less predictable than a reload or cashback and brings the personal responsibility described above. If your aim is simply more value from your own play, a casino reload bonus or cashback casino bonus involves no one else, and a birthday casino bonus needs no extra deposit at all where offered.
Welcome offers a referred friend might claim
The boxes below show the new-customer offers a friend could choose, closest first. Coral: bet £10 on slots to get 100 spins at 10p, accept within 48 hours, valid 7 days, no wagering on winnings. Ladbrokes: play £10 on slots for 50 spins a day over 10 days (up to 500) at 10p, claim by 23:59 each day, no wagering. PlayOJO: 80 spins at 10p on Big Bass Bonanza with a first deposit of £10+, no wagering, excluding Northern Ireland. All 18+, new customers only, terms apply, checked 5 October 2026. None needs a promo code.
We don’t track any partner referral scheme. These are the welcome offers a referred friend would most likely claim, all with no wagering on spin winnings; Coral and Ladbrokes share an operator, so a friend may not be able to join both. 18+, terms apply.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open a new account with another; check the terms before signing up.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Ladbrokes reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the PlayOJO reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, UKGC account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set deposit limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
How does a refer a friend casino bonus work?
You share a personal referral link or code with a friend, they register through it, pass age and identity checks and complete a qualifying action such as a first deposit or stake, and the casino then credits you with a reward. Some schemes reward both of you. The terms set the qualifying action, deadline and reward form, and any bonus reward has been capped at 10x wagering since 19 January 2026. See how casino promotions work for the wider context.
Can I refer someone who lives with me?
Usually not. Most referral terms exclude people at the same address, on the same device or IP address, or using the same payment method as the referrer, because casinos use those links to detect people opening extra accounts for themselves. A partner or housemate may still be able to join as an ordinary new customer and claim the welcome offer, but you likely won’t receive a referral reward. Our multiple casino accounts guide explains the one-account rule.
Do refer a friend rewards have wagering requirements?
They can, if the reward is paid as bonus funds, but since 19 January 2026 UK-licensed casinos can’t require more than 10x. A £20 referral bonus could therefore need up to £200 of stakes. Cash rewards and no-wagering spins avoid this. The form of the reward should be stated in the scheme terms before you share your link. Our guide on how to calculate wagering walks through the sums.
Can I refer a friend to more than one casino?
Yes, as long as each referral follows that casino’s terms and your friend genuinely wants an account there. Be aware that some brands share an operator: Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited, so a person may not be able to open new accounts at both or claim both welcome offers. Recommending several sites at once can also feel like pressure. Our Ladbrokes sister sites page shows which brands are linked.
Is it against the rules to refer myself?
Yes. Creating a second account in another name, or using a family member’s details to claim a referral, breaks casino terms and can lead to rewards being voided and accounts being closed. It may also involve misuse of someone else’s identity. UK casinos verify age and identity before any deposit, and they check addresses, devices and payment methods on referrals. Our bonus abuse guide explains how casinos treat this.
Do any of your partner casinos have refer a friend bonuses?
None of the five partner offers we checked on 5 October 2026 is a referral scheme, and referral programmes aren’t covered by our facts files. If a partner offers one, it will appear in your account while logged in. A referred friend could still claim the standard welcome offer, such as Coral’s 100 spins for betting £10 on slots or PlayOJO’s 80 no-wagering spins. See latest casino offers for all five.
Can my referred friend use any payment method?
Not always. Welcome offers often exclude certain deposit methods; at Coral and Ladbrokes, for example, deposits by PayPal, prepaid cards and some e-wallets don’t qualify for the welcome spins. Referral schemes may have similar rules, and they usually require the friend to use a payment method in their own name. Credit cards can’t be used at all, since April 2020. Our debit card casino bonus page explains why debit cards usually qualify.
Why haven’t I received my refer a friend bonus?
The most common reasons are that your friend registered without your link, hasn’t finished verification, used an excluded payment method, missed the qualifying deadline, or shares an address or device with you. Contact customer service with your friend’s username and sign-up date and ask which condition wasn’t met. If you think the terms were applied unfairly, use the complaints process and, after eight weeks, ADR. See complaints and ADR for the route.
Can I share my referral link on social media?
Check the scheme’s terms first; many restrict referrals to people you know personally and ban public posting. Even where it’s allowed, a public post can reach under-18s or people who have self-excluded, which is why responsible sharing means sending the link only to adults who have asked. Never suggest gambling is a way to make money. Our page on the gambling advertising rules explains what operators’ marketing must avoid.
Is a refer a friend casino bonus worth it?
For you, it can add a small amount of value if a friend was going to join anyway. For your friend, the deposit they make is real money exposed to the house edge, and the reward you receive is funded from what casinos expect to win over time. If you’re in any doubt about whether a friend gambles comfortably, don’t send the link. Our guide to signs of problem gambling can help you judge.
Gambling can be addictive. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Get free support from GamCare or NHS gambling support, or block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites with GAMSTOP.
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