DraftKings offered users $100 [1] in instant bonus bets after placing a qualifying five-dollar [1] wager on select sports games on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 [4].

This promotion serves as a financial incentive to attract bettors to the platform during high-profile playoff and regular-season matchups. By lowering the entry cost for a significant reward, the company aims to increase user engagement across multiple professional leagues.

The offer applied to selected NBA and NHL games scheduled for Wednesday [1]. Featured matchups included the 76ers-Knicks and Spurs-Timberwolves games [1]. While some reports focused on basketball and hockey, other sources indicated that MLB games were also included in the promotion [2].

Users accessed the deal through the DraftKings website or mobile application [1, 2, 3]. To qualify, a bettor needed to place a wager of five dollars [1] to receive the $100 [1] bonus. For those seeking higher returns, some betting strategies suggested a combined three-pick parlay with payout odds of +531, meaning a risk of $100 to win $531 [1].

There are discrepancies in reporting regarding the specific terms of the offer. One report suggested a higher bonus of $300 [5], though this version included a requirement that the initial five-dollar bet must win and was associated with a different day of the week [5]. Most primary reports maintain the $100 instant credit for Wednesday's slate [1, 2, 3].

DraftKings frequently uses these limited-time promotions to capture market share during the sports postseason. The instant nature of the credit allows users to place subsequent bets without waiting for the initial wager to settle.

“DraftKings offered users $100 in instant bonus bets after placing a qualifying $5 wager.”

The use of 'instant' bonus bets is a strategic customer acquisition tool that reduces the perceived risk for new or returning users. By tying these rewards to specific high-interest games like the NBA playoffs, DraftKings leverages peak viewership to drive platform traffic and increase the volume of parlay bets, which typically offer higher margins for the sportsbook.