GTA Online drops 40% bonus free GTA$ as GTA 6 launch signals end of an era

GTA Online players can claim a tidy 40% bonus on GTA$ before the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI later this year.

Without question, GTA V is one of the most successful video games of all time, not only with its critical acclaim but also in terms of unit sales and commercial revenue. Since its launch in 2013, it has sold nearly 230 million copies and an estimated $10 billion in lifetime revenue.

GTA V is an amazing game, but GTA Online is the cash cow

As great a video game GTA V is, Rockstar Games and everyone else know that when it comes to being the cash cow, GTA Online is where the real money is at. Bundled with copies of GTA V or as an individual purchase, GTA Online makes its money from its constant content updates and its in-game microtransaction, known as Shark Cards.

At this time, we’ve had no news from Rockstar Games about when the next iteration of GTA Online will arrive, other than it won't launch alongside GTA VI, but it will make its presence known at some point. After all, parent company Take-Two Interactive won't want to sit on that pile of cash for too long.

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Jason and Lucia chillin in Vice City, Rockstar Games

Claim bonus GTA$ before the arrival of GTA VI

Rockstar Games is running a special promotion right now that will reward you with a 40% bonus when purchasing up to five Shark Cards, including the Megalodon, Whale, and Great White.

To claim the 40% bonus on Shark Card purchases, you must first link your GTA Online character to your Rockstar Games account, and it must be done by July 22, 2026. You don't have long to claim this offer before it expires.

However, you must also complete the purchase of a qualifying Shark Card in-game by the end of the day on August 5, 2026. So please keep that in mind. Those who subscribe to GTA+ will also receive an additional 15% bonus on qualifying Shark Cards, taking the total bonus to 55%.

There’s no telling right now how long this current version of GTA Online will be available or how long it may or may not exist when the next iteration arrives, but we’d be surprised if there’s not at least one or two more expansion-sized content updates to grace us with their presence first.

That being said, it’s not every day that you can claim up to 55% in Shark Card bonuses, so if you’re an avid GTA Online gamer, then this promotion might be worth considering. Hopefully, we might learn more on the next iteration when Rockstar Games releases the third trailer for GTA VI.

Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on November 19, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The PC port hasn't been announced yet.

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