Sportsbook promos are written to sound simple and then hide the important part in a footnote. This guide walks through how one of them works, the BetMGM "Bet $10, Get $150" offer tied to NFL Week 7, so you know exactly what you're signing up for before you download anything.
Per Fox News, new users in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia can use promo code FOXNEWS to get $150 in bonus bets after placing a $10 first wager. This is a promotion for adults in those legal betting states only. Sports betting involves real financial risk, so treat the bonus as a perk, not a reason to bet.
Check Your Location First
The offer, as reported, applies to four states: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. If you're elsewhere, it isn't for you. Betting apps typically verify your location through your phone, so make sure location services are on when you sign up and place a bet.
Before going further, confirm the current terms on BetMGM's own page. Promotions can change, and the offer was reported with a short shelf life around NFL Week 7.
The Steps, in Order
Fox News lists the process like this:
- Get the app. Click through from the offer link, or download the BetMGM Sportsbook app on iOS or Android.
- Create a new account. The offer is for new users, so an existing account won't qualify.
- Deposit at least $10. That's the minimum to fund your first wager.
- Place a first wager of $10 or more.
- Make sure the bet wins to unlock the bonus. This is the step most people miss (more on it below).
- Receive $150 in Bonus Bets after the wager settles.
- Use the Bonus Bets on upcoming games.
The Detail That Matters Most
Step 5 changes how you should read the headline. As Fox News lays it out, your first bet needs to win for the bonus to unlock. A $10 bet that loses doesn't, on that reading, produce $150. Many people see "Bet $10, Get $150" and assume the bonus arrives regardless.
That's why it helps to read the full terms in the app before you deposit. Look for:
- Whether the first bet must win, or just be placed
- Minimum odds requirements, if any
- How long you have to use the Bonus Bets
- Whether the bonus comes as one amount or several smaller ones
- Whether bonus bet winnings include the stake
I can't tell you those answers from the report alone, so check them on the sign-up screen. A minute of reading is cheaper than a surprise.
Picking a First Bet Without Overthinking It
NFL Week 7 has a full slate, and Fox News highlights teams including the Chiefs, Packers, Lions, Rams, Raiders and Seahawks in featured windows. If your first wager has to win, the sensible approach is a bet you understand rather than one that looks exciting.
- Stick to a game you've actually watched. You'll know more about the teams than a stranger scrolling odds.
- Keep the stake at the minimum. If you're only after the offer, $10 is the figure the promotion asks for.
- Don't chase. If the first bet loses, there's no reason to deposit more to "win it back."
That's general common sense, not a prediction about any game.
Setting Up the App Safely
Since you're handing a new app your personal and payment details, a few habits are worth the extra minute:
- Download only from the App Store or Google Play, or from a link you trust, and check the publisher name.
- Use a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication if the app offers it.
- Turn on deposit limits if available, so a spending cap is set before you need it.
- Skip public Wi-Fi when entering payment details.
Make sure your phone's operating system is up to date too, since apps often require recent iOS or Android versions to run properly.
Using the Bonus Bets Once They Arrive
Per Fox News, bonus bets are used on upcoming games after the first wager settles. Before they land, decide how you'll use them. Check their expiry, since unused bonus credits commonly lapse after a set period, and confirm that in the terms. Then pick your games ahead of time instead of rushing before kickoff.
Know When to Skip It
No offer is worth it if betting isn't something you'd already do, if you're under the legal age, or if the money isn't spare. If gambling is causing you stress, the U.S. national helpline 1-800-GAMBLER offers confidential support.
The one action to take: before you deposit a dollar, open the full terms in the app and confirm whether your first bet has to win.
