DraftKings Offers $200 Bonus Bets for $5 Wager Ahead of College Football Kickoff
DraftKings is running a promotion for new customers who place a $5 cash bet on any Week 0 college football game, earning $200 in bonus bets regardless of the outcome. The offer applies to matchups including North Carolina vs. TCU, Memphis at UNLV, and USC hosting San Jose State. Qualifying wagers must be placed at odds of -500 or longer, and the bonus is credited instantly after the bet is placed.
The promotion requires new users to place a cash wager of at least $5 at odds of -500 or longer, with the $200 bonus credited instantly upon bet placement. This offer is available across all Week 0 matchups, including the international opener between North Carolina and TCU in Dublin, Ireland, where TCU enters as a heavy favorite and both teams debut new starting quarterbacks.
The Week 0 slate features notable spreads, including USC as a 38.5-point favorite over San Jose State, with FOX Sports analyst Will Hill projecting the Trojans to score seven or more touchdowns. Memphis and UNLV close the weekend in a night game on FOX, with UNLV entering as a 4.5-point favorite after posting a 10-2 record in 2025.
This promotion could significantly expand the college football betting audience by lowering the financial barrier for new participants, potentially drawing in casual fans who might not otherwise engage with sports wagering. The win-or-lose structure may encourage broader participation while normalizing betting as part of the game-day experience. However, such offers could also increase exposure to gambling for vulnerable individuals, particularly younger adults, making responsible gaming practices an important consideration as the season begins.