Golf fans can grab free cash to bet on the Masters with these promo codes

Golf fans looking to get in on the action at Augusta National don't need to be on the course to play along. Two prediction platforms, Kalshi and Polymarket, are rolling out promotional deals timed with the Masters, giving new users a chance to trade with bonus money. The offers, shared through media partners like Newsweek and the New York Post, are designed to draw attention during one of golf's biggest events of the year.

Kalshi is offering a $10 bonus to new users who make a $10 trade on certain Masters-related markets. To claim it, users can enter the promo code NYPMAX or NEWSWEEK when signing up. The bonus is tied to specific event contracts, including whether golfer Bryson Dechambeau will make the cut or finish in the top five. These are short-term, yes-or-no markets that settle based on real outcomes, a format Kalshi has built its platform around.

Over on Polymarket, the deal is slightly larger. New users who deposit $20 using the code NYPMAX or NEWSWEEK will get a $20 bonus in return. That doubles their starting balance for trading on a range of Masters-themed markets, from winner picks to round-by-round performance. Polymarket's model uses blockchain-backed trading, and its markets often attract users interested in real-time event speculation.

Both platforms are regulated prediction markets, not traditional sportsbooks, which means they offer contracts on specific outcomes rather than standard bets. For example, instead of betting on Dechambeau to win, users might buy shares in a contract that asks, "Will Dechambeau shoot under 70 in Round 1?" The share price moves based on trading activity and settles at either $1 (yes) or $0 (no) once the event happens.

The timing of these promotions lines up with a growing interest in event-based trading, especially around major sports. The Masters, as the first major of the golf calendar, draws global attention and offers plenty of data points for traders to analyze. With high-profile names like Dechambeau bringing extra buzz, platforms see an opening to attract new users who might stick around after the tournament ends.

These promo codes are typically time-limited and only available to new accounts. Users need to sign up through the partner links and complete the required action-like depositing funds or placing a trade-within a set window. While the bonuses aren't huge, they lower the barrier to entry and let people test the platforms without risking much of their own money.

As event-driven trading gains traction, media outlets are increasingly acting as gateways to these platforms. By offering branded promo codes, publications like Newsweek and the New York Post can drive engagement while introducing readers to new ways of interacting with sports. For casual fans, it's a chance to play along with deeper insight. For the platforms, it's a way to grow their user base during peak moments in the sports world.