Kalshi Promo Code BOOKIES Get $10 Bonus for Texas vs. NC State First Four Predictions Tonight

By Adam Martin

Mar 17th, 2026 8:55 PM EDT

The Kalshi promo code BOOKIES gives new users a $10 bonus after completing $10 in trades. Tonight is one of the biggest multi-sport prediction market slates of 2026, the NCAA Tournament First Four tips off in Dayton with UMBC vs. Howard and Texas vs. NC State (9:10 p.m. ET, truTV), and the NBA features a double-header on NBC with Cleveland vs. Milwaukee and Philadelphia vs. Denver.

Kalshi is also offering a free Billion Dollar Bracket Contest, no deposit or trades required to enter. Submit your bracket before Thursday, March 19 at 12:15 p.m. ET for a shot at $1 billion for a perfect bracket, with $1 million guaranteed to the top-scoring entry.

Must be 18+. Trading involves risk. Bonus requires $10 in completed trades. Not available for sports markets in AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, OH.

How to Claim the Kalshi Promo Code Before Tonight's Games

Setting up a Kalshi account takes under five minutes.

• Step 1: Download the Kalshi app (iOS or Android) or visit kalshi.com and tap "Sign Up."
• Step 2: Enter your email, name, and personal details. When prompted, type the promo code BOOKIES.
• Step 3: Complete identity verification (government-issued ID required, Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated exchange, not a sportsbook).
• Step 4: Deposit at least $1 using bank transfer, debit card, Venmo, PayPal, or crypto.
• Step 5: Make $10 in total trades across any markets. The trades can be spread across multiple events, you do not need to place a single $10 trade. Once the cumulative total reaches $10, the bonus is credited automatically.

Bonus entry: Head to the Billion Dollar Bracket section to submit your tournament bracket for free. No deposit or trades required. Entries are capped at 10 million and close March 19 at 12:15 p.m. ET.

First Four Predictions - Kalshi Contract Prices

Kalshi uses probability-based pricing instead of traditional odds. Each contract costs between 1¢ and 99¢. If your prediction is correct, the contract settles at $1.00. If it's wrong, it settles at $0.

Texas vs. NC State - 9:10 PM ET (truTV)

The winner earns the 11-seed and faces No. 6 BYU on Thursday.

This is as close to a true coin flip as prediction markets get. Both contracts are trading near 51¢, reflecting a game where neither team has a meaningful edge. Texas (18-14) and NC State (20-13) met in November at the Maui Invitational, Texas won 102-97 in a game that produced 199 combined points.

Both teams rank in the top 35 nationally in scoring (Texas 83.8 PPG, NC State 83.7 PPG). Neither plays much defense, NC State has surrendered 80-plus points in six straight, and Texas ranks outside the top 200 in defensive efficiency. Dailyn Swain leads Texas with 17.8 PPG and 7.6 RPG. NC State counters with elite three-point shooting at 38.8% (10th nationally) against a Texas defense that allows opponents to shoot 36% from deep.

Trade: Both sides carry nearly identical risk-reward. For Kalshi users specifically, the value play is watching for line movement after tip-off, Kalshi's live trading allows you to buy or sell contracts mid-game as runs happen, which is a significant advantage over traditional sportsbooks where your bet is locked in.

NBA Double-Header on NBC Tonight

Kalshi also has contracts available on tonight's marquee NBA games:

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks — The Cavaliers are trading as significant favorites. Cleveland is pushing for the top seed in the East and has been dominant this season. Milwaukee continues to struggle with consistency. This market is likely to see heavy volume given the NBC broadcast window.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets — A compelling matchup with playoff seeding implications for both teams. Denver plays at home, and the altitude advantage typically shows up in Kalshi pricing for Nuggets home games.

Both NBA markets qualify toward the $10 trade threshold for the BOOKIES promo code.

Why Kalshi for March Madness

Kalshi operates as a CFTC-regulated prediction market exchange, not a sportsbook. This distinction matters for three reasons:

Legal in all 50 states. While sports-specific contracts are restricted in some states (AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, OH), the platform itself is accessible everywhere. Users in restricted sports states can still claim the promo code by trading non-sports markets (politics, economics, weather).

Probability-based pricing. Instead of traditional American odds, Kalshi displays contract prices in cents that directly reflect win probability. A contract priced at 55¢ means the market assigns a 55% chance of that outcome. No vig math required.

Live trading. Unlike sportsbooks where your bet is locked, Kalshi allows you to buy and sell contracts in real time as games unfold. If you buy UMBC at 55¢ and the Retrievers build a 10-point lead, the contract price rises, you can sell for profit before the game ends.

Billion Dollar Bracket. Free entry, $1 billion for perfection, $1 million guaranteed to the highest-scoring bracket. No deposit required, just a verified Kalshi account. Entries close Thursday, March 19 at 12:15 p.m. ET.

About the Author

Adam Martin

More About Adam

Adam Martin is a betting analyst and DFS betting expert for Bookies.com who has covered professional sports, with an emphasis on sports gambling, for more than a decade. He is an authority on UFC betting, while also covering the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB.