What a referral code does
A referral code is a short string that links two accounts - the referrer and the referee - so that the referrer may receive a bonus when the referee completes a qualifying action. The qualifying action is usually a first deposit, a first hand of real-money play, or a verified KYC submission. The bonus to the referrer may be a cash credit, a free-entry ticket or a points balance; the referee usually receives a small welcome bonus in addition.
Before sharing your own code
Three checks before sharing: confirm the platform's referral terms allow sharing on the channel you intend to use (some platforms restrict paid advertising), confirm the bonus on the platform's terms page matches the offer you expect, and confirm the qualifying action is one you are comfortable recommending to a friend or family member.
Entering a referral code at sign-up
Most platforms expose a referral-code field in the sign-up form. Some platforms allow the field to be filled in after the first deposit; others lock the field at sign-up and require a support ticket to amend. The desk recommends entering the code at sign-up wherever possible and screenshotting the confirmation screen for your own records.
When the referral credit does not appear
Five causes are common when the credit does not appear: the referee did not complete the qualifying action, the referrer and referee share a bank account or device fingerprint, the platform's referral window has expired, the code was entered after the qualifying action rather than before, or the platform's KYC step has not completed. The playbook in each case is different, and a support ticket with the relevant evidence is usually the fastest path to resolution.
Evidence to keep for a missing-credit dispute
Five items of evidence speed up a referral-credit dispute: a screenshot of the referral-code entry field showing the code as entered, the date and time of sign-up, the date and time of the qualifying action, the referee's account ID (usually the registered email or username), and any welcome email that named the referral in its body. With these five, support can usually resolve the ticket in a single round.
Anti-fraud rules on referral programmes
Most platforms treat self-referral (using your own code on a second account) as fraud and may close both accounts. The desk recommends never using your own code on a second account, and never sharing your code with a person whose identity you cannot verify. A small number of platforms also restrict same-device referrals.
A note on responsible referrals
The desk recommends against sharing a referral code with a person who has asked you for help setting responsible-play limits or who has self-excluded from another platform in the past twelve months. A referral is a small social signal of endorsement; the desk treats the signal as part of the editorial standard.
Referral FAQ
Why has my referral credit not appeared?
Can I use my own code on a second account?
A worked example of a missing-credit investigation
Consider a player who shared a referral code with a friend. The friend signed up using the code on day 1, deposited Rs 500 on day 2, played a first hand on day 3, and the referral bonus did not appear on day 5. The investigation sequence is: confirm the friend entered the code at sign-up (not after the first deposit), confirm the friend's first deposit triggered the qualifying action (some platforms require a minimum deposit), confirm the friend's bank account name matches the friend's PAN on the KYC record, and confirm the referral window has not expired (some platforms limit the window to 30 or 60 days). Each of the four checks corresponds to one of the five common causes of a missing credit; if any check fails, the fix is different.
The desk recommends that the player who shared the code keep a screenshot of the entry field showing the code as entered; the screenshot is the single most useful piece of evidence in a missing-credit dispute.
Anti-fraud rules in plain language
Most platforms treat the following patterns as referral fraud: self-referral (using your own code on a second account you control), same-device referral (two accounts on the same device, even if they belong to different people), same-bank referral (two accounts using the same bank account for deposits and withdrawals), and incentivised sharing (paying a third party to sign up using your code). Each pattern is monitored by the platform's anti-fraud team, and the consequence of being flagged is usually the closure of both accounts and the forfeiture of any bonus balance.
A short note on responsible referrals
A referral is a small social signal of endorsement. The desk recommends against sharing a referral code with a person who has asked you for help setting responsible-play limits or who has self-excluded from another platform in the past twelve months. If a friend is in active recovery from play-related harm, sharing a referral code with them is a poor service to them regardless of the bonus value.
Referral codes on mobile versus desktop
Most platforms expose the referral-code entry field on both the desktop sign-up form and the mobile sign-up form. The desk recommends entering the code at sign-up on whichever surface the player is using; the platform treats both surfaces as the same entry point. If the field is missing on the mobile form (rare, but possible), use the desktop form to enter the code before completing the sign-up on mobile.
Two accounts on the same device - the anti-fraud rule
Most platforms treat two accounts on the same device fingerprint as referral fraud, even if the two accounts belong to different people (e.g. a shared family tablet). The desk recommends using the referral code on the first account only; if a second person needs an account, they should use a different device. The platform's anti-fraud team monitors device fingerprints and may close both accounts if the pattern is detected.
Disclosure on shared channels
Some platforms restrict referral-code sharing on paid advertising channels (Google Ads, Meta Ads). The desk recommends reading the platform's referral terms before sharing a code on any paid channel; an inadvertent violation can lead to the closure of the referrer's account. Organic sharing (a personal message, a social post to friends, a blog post) is usually allowed.
A short conclusion
A referral code is a small social signal of endorsement; share it with people you would recommend the platform to regardless of the bonus. The responsible-play guide covers the editorial position on referrals in more detail.
Anti-fraud penalties in plain language
Most platforms publish the anti-fraud penalties on the referral terms page. The common pattern is: the referrer and the referee both lose any bonus balance earned through the fraudulent referral; the referrer's account may be closed; the referee's account may be closed; any withdrawals already made may be reversed. The penalties are not theoretical; the desk has observed enforcement actions against multiple accounts in the past year.
Tax implications of referral bonuses
Referral bonuses are treated as income for tax purposes in India. The platform may deduct TDS at the source depending on the bonus amount and the player's account status; the desk recommends reading the operator's referral terms for the TDS treatment. Adult readers with specific tax questions should consult a qualified chartered accountant; the desk does not provide tax advice.
Referral codes versus promo codes
Promo codes are short strings offered by the platform (typically through an email or a banner) that unlock a one-off bonus; promo codes are not associated with a specific referrer. Referral codes are short strings associated with a specific referrer; the referrer receives a bonus when the referee completes a qualifying action. The two are similar in mechanism but different in incentive: a promo code benefits only the player who enters it; a referral code benefits both the referrer and the referee.
A recap of the referral-code position
A referral code is a small social signal of endorsement; share it with people you would recommend the platform to regardless of the bonus. Verify the code is from a person you trust, enter it at sign-up before the first deposit, and screenshot the entry field for your own records. The desk treats referrals as part of the editorial standard; the responsible-play guide covers the cases where a referral is not appropriate.
A recap of the referral-code position
A referral code is a small social signal of endorsement. Share it with people you would recommend the platform to regardless of the bonus. Verify the code is from a person you trust, enter it at sign-up before the first deposit, and screenshot the entry field for your own records. The desk treats referrals as part of the editorial standard.