Why the welcome bonus exists
The ₹100 welcome bonus is calibrated against reader retention, not against the deposit head-line. The lab's data shows readers who claim the bonus and play 3+ contests in the first week retain at 4.7x the rate of readers who skip it.
The PlayExch welcome bonus is ₹100, capped at 100% of first deposit. In plain numbers: deposit ₹100, get ₹100, total ₹200 to play. Deposit ₹500, get ₹100, total ₹600. The cap matters because uncapped match bonuses create asymmetric behaviour — readers deposit more than they would have spent, the win-rate averages lower, and the platform's contest economics get pressured. The cap keeps the bonus a fair signal of 'try the platform risk-free' rather than 'here's free money'.
The 1x rollover requirement (play the bonus through once before withdrawing winnings) is the smallest rollover in the category. Most rival platforms set 3x-10x rollover, which silently blocks withdrawals. Our 1x rollover is one full contest — readers who win even a small contest can immediately withdraw. This is a deliberate choice: the lab wants readers to win and tell their friends, not to get frustrated by hidden rollover and leave.
Bonus code comparison
Working codes as of 8 July 2026. Some codes are time-limited (IPL, T20 World Cup) — we publish the expiry date and effective bonus next to each.
| Code | Bonus | Min deposit | Expiry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAB100 | ₹100 (100% match, capped ₹100) | ₹100 | 31 Dec 2026 | Default welcome code |
| FCLLAB | ₹100 (100% match, capped ₹100) | ₹100 | 31 Dec 2026 | Alternative welcome code |
| IPL2026 | ₹150 (100% match, capped ₹150) | ₹150 | 30 May 2026 (expired) | IPL season code |
| T20WC26 | ₹200 (100% match, capped ₹200) | ₹200 | 15 Mar 2026 (expired) | T20 World Cup code |
| FRIEND25 | ₹25 flat (no match) | ₹0 | 31 Dec 2026 | Stackable on top of any welcome code |
| REPLAY50 | ₹50 (50% match, capped ₹100) | ₹100 | 31 Aug 2026 | For inactive readers returning |
Codes stack only when explicitly listed. The default behaviour is one bonus code per account. FRIEND25 stacks because it's a refer-program signal, not a deposit-match — it tells the platform you came via a friend rather than a paid channel. The lab doesn't run artificial scarcity on codes; if a code is published On the site, it works.
How to apply the code
The bonus code field is on the deposit screen, not the signup screen. Most readers who say 'the code didn't work' typed it at the wrong step.
Sign up first
Create your account first via mobile OTP. The signup screen does not collect a bonus code — that field is on the deposit screen specifically.
Tap 'Add Cash'
The deposit screen opens. Choose UPI / Net Banking / Card. The 'Bonus Code' field sits below the deposit amount field, above the 'Proceed' button.
Type LAB100
Tap the Bonus Code field, type LAB100. The screen confirms the bonus amount in green text within 200ms of typing — 'Bonus: ₹100 on ₹100 deposit, total ₹200'.
Complete deposit & bonus credits
Deposit clears via UPI in 8-12 seconds. Bonus credits to your wallet within 4 seconds. Total playable: ₹200. First contest entry is unlocked.
Bonus fine print (the published kind)
Every bonus has rules. We publish the rules before the bonus ships — never after. Below is the full terms matrix for the LAB100 welcome bonus.
Eligibility
One bonus per mobile number. New accounts only. 18+ Indian residents in permitted states. Excludes accounts previously created on the same PAN. Restricted states blocked at signup.
Rollover
1x. Play the bonus amount through once across any contest before winnings are withdrawable. Contest winnings are withdrawable immediately once the bonus has been played through. No time limit on rollover.
Withdrawal cap
Bonus itself is not withdrawable. Winnings from bonus-funded contests are withdrawable in full, subject to the regular ₹200 minimum. No 'max win' cap on bonus-funded contests (this differs from rival platforms).
Expiry
Bonus expires 90 days after deposit if not played. Expired bonus is reversed — it does not lock the account, but it does mean the lab's audit trail closes. Win-first withdraw-first readers rarely hit this 90-day clock.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions our research desk fields about this page.For the bonus calc desk, common questions our research desk fields about this page.
I deposited ₹500 — why is my bonus ₹100 instead of ₹500?
The LAB100 bonus caps at 100% match, maximum ₹100. So a ₹500 deposit gets ₹100 bonus (not ₹500). This is published on the bonus-code comparison table above. If you want a higher match, check seasonal codes like IPL2026 (was ₹150) or T20WC26 (was ₹200). The cap protects the platform's contest economics — uncapped match bonuses create unsustainable pressure on contest payouts.
Can I claim the bonus twice?
No. The bonus is one-claim-per-account, tracked by mobile number + PAN. If you previously claimed on a different mobile, customer-care can merge the accounts with PAN proof, but the bonus is only paid out once. This is fraud control, not platform stinginess — readers who test the bonus mechanics find the cap explicit and consistent.
What if my deposit cleared but the bonus didn't credit?
Wait 60 seconds — UPI confirmations can lag. If still missing, screenshot the deposit confirmation and contact customer-care via the in-app chat. They'll credit the bonus manually after verifying the deposit. The typical resolution window is 4-12 hours during business hours, faster during live matches.
The lab's bonus calendar through the season
Weekly boosts, festival specials, the IPL season-long game, and the strategic moments when the lab releases bonus codes.
Weekly boost calendar
Every Friday, the lab runs a 2× payout boost on three featured contests. The boost applies to contest winnings, not to entry fees. Boosted contests are marked in the contest lobby. The lab publishes the weekly boost calendar every Monday.
Festival specials
During major Indian festivals — Diwali, Holi, Independence Day, Republic Day — the lab runs special contests with boosted prize pools. Festival specials are announced in the in-app notice board and on the news page. Festival specials typically run for 7-14 days.
IPL season-long game
Across the IPL season, the lab runs a points-based game. Every contest entry earns season points; the leaderboard pays out weekly and at season end. The leaderboard is public on the lab's winners page. The points-based game is the lab's longest-running promotion.
Custom promotional codes
The lab sends custom promotional codes to readers via the newsletter. The custom codes offer higher credit amounts, lower wagering requirements, or longer validity windows. The custom codes replace LAB100 if entered at signup.
The lab's extended perspective
A longer-form walk-through of the underlying dynamics, the data behind the recommendations, and the lab's analytical approach.Lab100 readers should note that a longer-form walk-through of the underlying dynamics, the data behind the recommendations, and the lab's analytical approach.
Methodology in depth
The lab's methodology is built on a five-stage pipeline. Every published report passes through framing, dataset pull, analysis, assumption-risk documentation, and re-test. The pipeline is published in full on the methodology page. The lab's edge comes from data freshness and analyst expertise, not from a secret formula. Other analysts can re-run the experiments with the published datasets and the published model code. The lab publishes every dataset version and every model version. The lab never quietly updates a dataset after the conclusion lands.Lab100 readers should note that the lab's methodology is built on a five-stage pipeline. Every published report passes through framing, dataset pull, analysis, assumption-risk documentation, and re-test This is why the bonus calc desk treats it as a baseline. The pipeline is published in full on the methodology page. On bonus calc, the lab's edge comes from data freshness and analyst expertise, not from a secret formula. For the bonus calc desk, other analysts can re-run the experiments with the published datasets and the published model code. Within the PlayExch framework, the lab publishes every dataset version and every model version. Lab100 readers should note that the lab never quietly updates a dataset after the conclusion lands.
Data sources in depth
The lab pulls data from four primary sources. Match data comes from official tournament data partners, cross-checked against broadcast records. Ownership data comes from public contest-platform feeds, sampled every 30 seconds during contest open windows. Contest result archives come from publicly published leaderboards. Self-collected squad logs come from volunteer readers who submit their picks at lock time. Each source has a published quality score and a published latency benchmark. The lab's data-quality framework is reviewed quarterly by the statistics team.Lab100 readers should note that the lab pulls data from four primary sources. Match data comes from official tournament data partners, cross-checked against broadcast records This is why the bonus calc desk treats it as a baseline. Ownership data comes from public contest-platform feeds, sampled every 30 seconds during contest open windows. On bonus calc, contest result archives come from publicly published leaderboards. For the bonus calc desk, self-collected squad logs come from volunteer readers who submit their picks at lock time. Within the PlayExch framework, each source has a published quality score and a published latency benchmark. Lab100 readers should note that the lab's data-quality framework is reviewed quarterly by the statistics team.
Reader-safety commitments
The lab's reader-safety commitments cover deposit limits, self-exclusion, play-time alerts, loss trackers, cool-down reminders, and family-controls integration. The lab publishes the safety commitments on the responsible-play page. The lab refuses to partner with operators that do not enforce responsible-play defaults. The lab's reader-safety framework is reviewed annually by an external auditor.Lab100 readers should note that the lab's reader-safety commitments cover deposit limits, self-exclusion, play-time alerts, loss trackers, cool-down reminders, and family-controls integration. The lab publishes the safety commitments on the responsible-play page This is why the bonus calc desk treats it as a baseline. The lab refuses to partner with operators that do not enforce responsible-play defaults. On bonus calc, the lab's reader-safety framework is reviewed annually by an external auditor.
Editorial principles
The lab operates by five public editorial principles. No sponsored picks — no contest operator, brand, or individual can pay the lab to feature a captain pick. Methodology is public — every model's code is published on the methodology page. Misses are published — every Monday morning the lab publishes the previous week's misses alongside the hits. Reader-funded economics — the lab's long-term economics rely on reader subscriptions and contest-entry referrals, not on advertising. Responsible play by default — every contest lobby on the lab's partner platforms shows a responsible-play banner.Lab100 readers should note that the lab operates by five public editorial principles. No sponsored picks — no contest operator, brand, or individual can pay the lab to feature a captain pick This is why the bonus calc desk treats it as a baseline. Methodology is public — every model's code is published on the methodology page. On bonus calc, misses are published — every Monday morning the lab publishes the previous week's misses alongside the hits. For the bonus calc desk, reader-funded economics — the lab's long-term economics rely on reader subscriptions and contest-entry referrals, not on advertising. Within the PlayExch framework, responsible play by default — every contest lobby on the lab's partner platforms shows a responsible-play banner.
Quarterly transparency
Every quarter the lab publishes a transparency report covering methodology changes, hit-rate recalibrations, partner-operator relationships, and revenue mix. The report is published on the 15th of the month following quarter end. The most recent report covers Q1 2026 and shows a 61% captain hit rate over the trailing 90 days, a 48/47/5 revenue split between subscriptions, referrals, and other, and four partner operators. The report is available on the disclosure page.Lab100 readers should note that every quarter the lab publishes a transparency report covering methodology changes, hit-rate recalibrations, partner-operator relationships, and revenue mix. The report is published on the 15th of the month following quarter end This is why the bonus calc desk treats it as a baseline. The most recent report covers Q1 2026 and shows a 61% captain hit rate over the trailing 90 days, a 48/47/5 revenue split between subscriptions, referrals, and other, and four partner operators. On bonus calc, the report is available on the disclosure page.
See the decision from three angles
These visuals connect the page topic to the evidence, decision and safety checks readers should make before acting.
