NFL preseason betting promos for Week 2: Grab up to $4,995 in sportsbook bonuses

Nypost · Aug 20, 2026 · 1016 words · By Malik Smith

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Daily briefing

What to know about NFL Preseason

Week 2 of the NFL preseason gets underway on Thursday as we await another 16-game slate of exhibition football to get us ready for the main show in September.

Claims checked 16

Techniques found 2

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

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Center0%

Right100%

1 source compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Week 2 of the NFL preseason gets underway on Thursday as we await another 16-game slate of exhibition football to get us ready for the main show in September.

Why it matters

The Thursday slate kicks off with a matchup between the Raiders and Texans on ESPN and closes out with the 49ers vs.

Common ground

The industry’s best sportsbook promos and prediction market apps offer a bevy of ways for NFL bettors and traders to get an early start on 2026 action.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this NFL Preseason story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that users must be at least 18 years old to trade on Polymarket?
How does this story connect NFL Preseason with Sports Betting Promotions over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/20/betting/nfl-preseason-betting-promos-for-week-2-gr…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Glittering Generalities 70% confidence

Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.

Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 16 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 6

check_circle Corroborated 5

verified Verified By Reference 2

verified Verified 1

cancel Disputed 1

info Single Source 1

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Claim 1: “users must be at least 18 years old to trade on Polymarket.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 2: “Use the Kalshi promo code NYPMAX when signing up to earn $25 when you trade $25.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 3: “DraftKings’ bet and get offer lets you bet $5 to get $150 in bonus bets instantly.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 4: “With BetMGM, NFL bettors can sign up, place a wager up to $1,500 and get their first wager back in bonus bets if it doesn’t win.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple cross-references from Nypost confirm that BetMGM offers up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if the first bet does not win.

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cross reference SUPPORTS — Golf bettors at BetMGM can use the BetMGM bonus code POSTBET for up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/13/betting/betmgm-bonus-code-post…

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cross reference SUPPORTS — first-time bettors at BetMGM can use the BetMGM bonus code POSTBET for up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win
https://nypost.com/2026/08/14/betting/betmgm-bonus-code-post…

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Claim 5: “Fanatics is offering an opportunity to get up to $1,000 matched in FanCash!”

CORROBORATED

Multiple cross-references from Nypost confirm the offer of up to $1,000 matched in FanCash for new users.

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cross reference SUPPORTS — New users who punch in the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code NYPOST26 at registration can activate the latest welcome promo from the sportsbook: Get up to $1,000 matched in FanCash.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/08/betting/fanatics-sportsbook-pr…

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cross reference SUPPORTS — In addition to that offer, Fanatics sportsbook promo code NYPOST is also giving new users the chance to take advantage of another offer: Get up to $1,000 matched in FanCash.
https://nypost.com/2026/04/13/betting/fanatics-sportsbook-pr…

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cross reference SUPPORTS — Monday’s MLB slate can be bet with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code NYPOST26 for up to $1,000 matched in FanCash.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/03/betting/fanatics-sportsbook-pr…

+ 2 more evidence sources

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Claim 6: “You can sign up and bet $10 to get $150 in bonus bets win or lose [at bet365].”

CORROBORATED

Multiple cross-references from Nypost confirm that new users can bet $10 to get $150 in bonus bets regardless of the outcome.

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cross reference SUPPORTS — Once they make a qualifying deposit and wager $10, they will receive $150 in bonuses, regardless of the outcome of their first bet.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/20/betting/bet365-bonus-code-bet-…

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cross reference SUPPORTS — New bettors can enter the bet365 bonus code when creating an account. Once they make a qualifying deposit and wager $10, they will receive $150 in bonuses, regardless of the outcome of their first bet…
https://nypost.com/2026/08/16/betting/bet365-bonus-code-bet-…

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+ 2 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 7: “The Thursday slate kicks off with a matchup between the Raiders and Texans on ESPN”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists of irrelevant search results about fire certifications, a 2008 college football team, and general team/season descriptions. There is no evidence confirming a Raiders vs. Texans game on ESPN for this specific date.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by ninth-year head coach M…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Texas_Tech_Red_Raiders_fo…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 NFL season is the 107th season of the National Football League (NFL). The regular season began on September 9, 2026, with reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle defeating New England in the NFL…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NFL_season

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) South divi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Texans

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 8: “theScore Bet’s preseason Week 2 promotion matches BetMGM’s top value: a bet reset of up to $1,000.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 9: “Enter the Polymarket promo code NYPMAX1 at sign-up to activate bonus funds after a qualifying deposit”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 10: “and closes out with the 49ers vs. Chargers on NFL Network.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence consists of weather reports for Mexico and general Wikipedia entries about the NFL and Thursday Night Football. There is no specific evidence confirming a 49ers vs. Chargers game on NFL Network for this slate.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a detailed list of results and scores from National Football League (NFL) games aired on Thursday Night Football. Starting with the 2006 NFL season, NFL Network was awarded the rights…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Thursday_Night_Footbal…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Thursday Night Football (commonly abbreviated as TNF) is the branding used for broadcasts of National Football League (NFL) games that broadcast primarily on Thursday nights. Most of the games kick of…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thursday_Night_Football

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 11: “DraftKings Predictions is giving new users a chance to trade $5 and get $150 in Predictions Dollars”

CORROBORATED

Multiple cross-references from Nypost confirm the offer to trade $5 and receive $150 in prediction dollars for various events (MLB and NFL Awards).

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Polymarket is an American cryptocurrency-based prediction market which offers a platform where individuals can place bets on future outcomes, including sports matches, economic indicators, weather pat…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymarket

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nigel Eccles (born 8 December 1974) is a technology entrepreneur and the CEO of the online crypto casino BetHog. He is best known for being the co-founder and CEO of Hubdub and FanDuel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Eccles

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — FanDuel Group is an Irish gambling company that offers sportsbook, daily fantasy sports, horse racing, and online casino services. The company is headquartered in Manhattan, New York City and operates…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FanDuel

+ 2 more evidence sources

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Claim 12: “Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 13: “Week 2 of the NFL preseason gets underway on Thursday”

VERIFIED

Web search results explicitly state that the second week of the NFL preseason kicked off on a Thursday (specifically mentioning August 20).

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The second week of the NFL preseason kicked off on August 20 with a doubleheader on cable and network channels, as Thursday Night Football on Prime Video remains on pause until next week.
https://www.fakta.co/nfl-preseason-week-2-thursday-games

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web search NEUTRAL — Full schedule for the 2026-27 NFL season with a list of matchups, game times, TV channels, scores, and stadium information.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nfl/schedule/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — View the full current NFL schedule for the season. Get tickets, hotel reservations, kickoff times, matchups, TV channels, streaming and game details for every game every week.
https://www.nfl.com/schedules

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Claim 14: “New users at Kalshi can secure up to $25 by trading $25”

DISPUTED

The claim states users get 'up to $25' for trading $25. However, multiple cross-references from Nypost explicitly state that new users who trade $25 receive 'up to $500' (or exactly $500) on various markets. The $25 figure in the claim is contradicted by the $500 figure in the evidence.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Kalshi Inc. is a prediction market platform based in Manhattan, New York City, that launched in July 2021. The platform is used primarily for sports betting, which constitutes more than 90% of site ac…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalshi

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Luana Lopes Lara (born 1996) is a Brazilian entrepreneur who is as the chief operating officer (COO) of the online prediction market site Kalshi, which she co-founded with Tarek Mansour. She has a net…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luana_Lopes_Lara

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Tarek Mansour (born 1996) is a Lebanese American entrepreneur, billionaire, and co-founder and CEO of the online prediction market Kalshi. His net worth is estimated at $2.6 billion in June 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarek_Mansour

+ 5 more evidence sources

info

Claim 15: “at FanDuel for Raiders vs. Texans: Bet $5 Daily, Get Up To $1,000 In Bet Resets!”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided web search results are entirely irrelevant, discussing a fashion store in Cyprus (TIMINIS) rather than FanDuel promotions.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Timinis limassol: addresses on the map, ☎ phone numbers, websites, opening hours, ★ reviews, photos, ⚑ search for driving directions and public transport routes
https://2gis.com.cy/cyprus/search/Timinis+limassol

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Visit TIMINIS boutiques across Cyprus. Find store addresses, phone numbers, and directions for every city.
https://timinis.com/stores

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Step into the world of TIMINIS—discover the latest designer fashion, footwear, and accessories curated for life in Cyprus.
https://timinis.com/

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Claim 16: “Polymarket is offering a promotion for users to deposit $10 to get a $20 bonus”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent reports from Nypost confirm that users using the promo code NYPMAX1 can deposit $10 to receive a $20 bonus.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government. Created in 1974, the commission regulates the United States derivatives …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Commodity_Future…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Shayne Coplan (born 1998) is an American entrepreneur and technologist best known as the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction market. In October 2…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shayne_Coplan

+ 5 more evidence sources

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.