DraftKings Sportsbook Review


DraftKings is a major provider of fantasy sports and sports betting that officially launched its operations in 2012. The platform has experienced substantial growth since then, reaching more than 10 million betting fans worldwide, including bettors from major markets in Europe and North America. The company’s headquarters are in Boston, Massachusetts, but it also maintains offices in New York, London, and Malta.
The operator provides customers with two ways to bet. DraftKings originally offered only daily fantasy sports contests. In the summer of 2018, the company added an online sportsbook to its offering, initially making it available to bettors in New Jersey.
Separate accounts are required for the daily fantasy sports section and the sportsbook. Daily fantasy sports contests are offered for popular sports such as soccer, football, tennis, baseball, basketball, and hockey.
Those interested in traditional sports betting have access to an enormous variety of options, including the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and MMA, among many others. Users can also sign up for the sportsbook through the native apps DraftKings offers for Android and iOS.
Summary of DraftKings Betting Site
| DraftKings Sportsbook in Brief | |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2012 |
| Trustpilot Reviews | 714 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 1.2 ⭐ |
| Sports on Offer | Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, and 10+ other sports |
| Minimum Deposit | •Bank Wire: $100; •Most Other Methods: $5 |
| Minimum Withdrawal | •Checks: $15; •Bank Wire: $20,000; •Cashier Cage: No minimum; •Other Methods: $1 |
| Withdrawal Time | •Online Banking: up to 5 days; •Vip Preferred (e-check): 3 to 14 days; • PayPal: up to 2 days; •Debit Card: up to 24 hours; • Cash/Cage: 1 hour; • Venmo: up to 2 days; •Play+ Prepaid Card: up to 4 days; •Trustly: 1 day; •Apple Pay: 1 day; •Bank Wire: up to 2 days |
| Payment Methods | |
| Licenses | • Pennsylvania (117645), New Jersey, Connecticut, West Virginia, Ontario, Michigan, Maryland, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and more; • Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (OPIG1238029) |
| Sponsorships | NYRA, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, PFL, PGA Tour, NBC Universal, and NASCAR |
Betting Markets
Successful registration gives bettors access to a broad range of markets and bet types. You can choose from standard point spreads, outrights, over/under totals, and moneyline wagers, along with more exotic options such as prop bets.
In the in-play section, you can place bets on sporting events that are already in progress. More experienced bettors can experiment with multiple-selection parlays and round robins.
What is available in terms of sports? The sportsbook features a broad range of NFL and CFL markets. College football also receives a decent amount of coverage. If you do not want to bet on the point spread or moneyline, you can try more advanced options, such as predicting who will be crowned player of the year or who will record the most passing or receiving yards. NFL futures are also available. You can bet on the location of the championship-winning team, the conference winner, or which team will record the fewest wins. The sportsbook provides NFL fans with a diverse range of options.
DraftKings also covers a wide range of MLB events. This section of the sportsbook features a substantial variety of bet types, including game props, player futures, game parlays, team futures, and inning markets where you can wager on run lines, total runs, and inning winners.
Basketball fans also have plenty of options, including an extensive selection of NBA markets. Apart from typical moneylines, you can choose from a variety of team and player futures, including rookie matchups, the regular-season Most Valuable Player, regular-season win totals, and the location of the championship-winning team. FIBA and college basketball markets are readily available, too.
NHL fans can try to predict who will be drafted first or which team will emerge as the Stanley Cup winner. Other major sports and competitions that DraftKings covers well include the ATP, WTA, MMA, PGA, the Masters Tournament, motorsports, cycling, darts, cricket, and boxing. The daily fantasy sports section of the website provides bettors with a choice of ten different categories: American football, soccer, NBA, esports, golf, MMA, NASCAR, MLB, CFL, and NHL.
The sportsbook is well laid out and retains DraftKings’ trademark green and black color scheme. The main navigation bar provides access to the most popular leagues and championships, while the other available sports can be viewed by clicking the drop-down menu. Odds are offered in three formats: American, decimal, and fractional.
| DraftKings Features | |
|---|---|
| Sports Coverage | Australian rules, baseball, basketball, cricket, football, golf, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, volleyball, and others |
| Minimum Bet | Not specified |
| Supported Bet Types | Point spreads, outrights, over/under totals, moneylines, and live betting |
| Early Cashout Option | No |
| Live Streaming | No |
| Live Statistics and Scores | No |
| In-Play Betting | Yes |
| Available Odds Styles | Decimal, American |
| Bet Slip Features | Compact view |
Bonuses and Promotions
First Deposit Bonus Up to $1,000
New DraftKings members can enjoy a generous promotion from the beginning of their sportsbook experience. As a new customer, you can receive up to $1,000 through your first deposit at DraftKings. The bookmaker’s welcome offer matches 20% of your first deposit, with a minimum qualifying deposit of $5.
The bonus is released as new bettors wager their deposited funds on sports at DraftKings. To receive the bonus, you must meet a 5x rollover requirement on your deposit. This means that bettors receive $1 in bonus funds for every $25 wagered in the sportsbook. To unlock the maximum bonus amount of $1,000, you must deposit $5,000 and wager $25,000 on sports. The qualifying bets must be placed on sports at odds of -300 or longer.
Once you make your first deposit, you have 90 days to complete the rollover and receive your sportsbook bonus. The bonus can also be unlocked by placing bets in the daily fantasy sports or casino sections of DraftKings.
Special Odds Boosts and Profit Boosts
DraftKings members receive daily odds boosts for some of the largest sporting events in the MLB, NBA, and World Cup. The enhanced odds on select outcomes enable you to generate larger returns from winning bets. You must add your preferred outcome to your bet slip to see the enhanced odds.
DraftKings members are often offered profit-boost tokens, which enable them to increase their winnings from specific outcomes. For instance, if you back the New Orleans Saints with $10 at odds of +110 and apply a 25% profit boost, your total return will increase from $21 to $23.75.
Friend Referral Bonus
Bettors who invite friends to DraftKings can become eligible for a referral bonus that can award a free bet of up to $100. This amount is subject to change, so you may want to check the sportsbook regularly to see which referral bonuses are currently available.
To qualify for the offer, the friend you refer must click the unique referral link you send them. The referred person must be a new customer who does not already have an account in DraftKings’ daily fantasy sports section.
Another condition is that your friend must make a minimum sportsbook deposit of $25. You are limited to a maximum of five referrals during the promotional period. The bonus amount you receive depends on the referred friend’s first deposit. If your friend deposits between $25 and $49, both of you will receive a $25 free bet. If your friend deposits between $50 and $99, both of you will receive a $50 free bet. Finally, you will each receive a $100 free bet if your friend’s first deposit is $100 or more.
The free bets must be used within 30 days of redemption before they expire. Note that they cannot be redeemed for cash. You can withdraw only the winnings generated by your free bets.
| Promotional Incentives at DraftKings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus | Minimum Deposit Required | Rollover | Minimum Odds Requirement | Eligible Markets & Bets | Country Restrictions | Expires After |
| 20% First Deposit Bonus Up to $1,000 | $5.00 | For every $25 wagered on sports, bettors unlock $1 in bonus funds | -300 or longer | All sports | Restricted states | 90 days |
| Free Bet Up to $100 for Friend Referral | Referred bettors must deposit at least $25 | No rollover | Not specified | All sports | Restricted states | 30 days |
Banking
Players with verified accounts can use cards from several providers, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Using gift cards is also an option. It should be noted that some issuing banks are still unwilling to process sports betting transactions.
For this reason, the card you used to fund your daily fantasy sports account may not work when you attempt to deposit into your sports betting account. If you experience issues with your card, we suggest using bank transfers or PayPal instead.
Both methods enable you to transfer funds to your DraftKings account quickly and efficiently. You can initiate a bank transfer online from the comfort of your home without incurring any additional charges from DraftKings. PayPal, on the other hand, requires you to set up an e-wallet account and fund it with your debit card, credit card, or bank account.
The operator accepts deposits between $5 and $2,000. You can ask the support team to increase your limits by email. In this case, you should also send copies of your driver’s license or ID, along with scans or photos of the front and back of the credit or debit card you initially used for deposits. Be sure to attach a copy of a utility bill issued in your name within the last 60 days.
Cashing out your sports betting winnings from DraftKings is equally straightforward and convenient. The withdrawal options include PayPal, checks, and bank transfers. If you are near Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, you can visit the casino and collect your money in person at a cashier cage. You can request a withdrawal of as little as $20.
DraftKings’ financial department processes withdrawal requests on business days only, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Once processed, your withdrawal may take between 2 and 7 business days to reach you. Check withdrawals take approximately one week. If you want to receive your money faster, you should withdraw through the PayPal e-wallet.
Sports bettors should also keep in mind that their profits are subject to taxes under US federal law, particularly if they equal or exceed $600. Bettors whose cumulative net winnings exceed this amount within a calendar year must request that DraftKings issue them a 1099 form. The form is used to report net profits to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Winnings under $600 are not reported.
| Banking at DraftKings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment Method | Deposit Limit and Timeframe | Withdrawal Limit and Timeframe | Deposit & Withdrawal Fees | Bonus Restrictions |
| Visa | $5 – $2,000, instant | N/A | Free | No |
| Mastercard | $5 – $2,000, instant | N/A | Free | No |
| Discover | $5 – $2,000, instant | N/A | Free | No |
| PayPal | $5 – $2,000, instant | $20 – $14,999, 2-8 days | Free | No |
| Checks | N/A | $20 – $2,000, up to 7 days | Free | No |
| Bank Transfer | $5 – $2,000, instant | $20 – $2,000, 2-8 days | Free | No |
| Cash Point | $5 – $2,000, instant | $20 – $2,000, 1 hour | Free | No |
Mobile Support
Mobile users can wager on in-play markets. They can choose from different bet types, including moneylines, props, futures, parlays, and more. Apple users can install the app on devices running iOS 10.0 or a newer version of the operating system.
The DraftKings sportsbook is also available for Android through a native app. Bettors can download it from the DraftKings website because Google restricts gambling-related applications in its official Play Store.
When you tap the Android logo on the DraftKings website, you will receive a security prompt asking you to allow the installation of software from outside the Google Play Store. You must sign up before placing bets on the go. The registration process takes only a few minutes.
Although you must be at least 17 years old to download either mobile application, you cannot deposit or place bets if you are under the legal betting age of 21. The sportsbook is not available through mobile web browsers because of location-service requirements. You must also be physically located within New Jersey to use the DraftKings app.
Because of this requirement, the app will prompt you to enable the geolocation feature on your smartphone so it can determine whether you are outside the state’s boundaries. If you are, the app will not allow you to place bets until you return to New Jersey.
| Mobile Support of DraftKings | |
|---|---|
| Dedicated iOS App | Yes, iOS 10.0 or higher |
| Dedicated Android App | Yes |
| Browser Compatibility | Google Chrome, Safari, Opera Mini, Firefox Mobile |
| Supported Languages | English |
| Supported Devices | Apple iPhone 12, Apple iPhone 11, Apple iPhone XS, Apple iPhone XR, Apple iPhone X, Apple iPhone 8, Apple iPhone 7, Apple iPad, Huawei Y5, Huawei Y6, Huawei Y7, Huawei nova, Huawei P10, Huawei P20, Huawei P30, Infinix S4, Infinix Smart 5, Infinix Smart 6, Infinix Hot 7, Infinix Hot 8, itel A16, itel A33, itel A56, Nokia 2.1, Nokia 2.2, Nokia C1, OPPO A3s, OPPO A5s, OPPO A1K, Safaricom NEON RAY, Samsung Galaxy A01, Samsung Galaxy A10, Samsung Galaxy A10s, Samsung Galaxy A11, Samsung Galaxy A20, Samsung Galaxy A21s, Samsung Galaxy A30, Samsung Galaxy A40, Samsung Galaxy A50, Samsung Galaxy A51, Samsung Galaxy A70, Samsung Galaxy A71, Samsung Galaxy Grand, Samsung Galaxy J5, Samsung Galaxy J7, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy S10, Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy J2, Samsung Galaxy J4, Samsung Galaxy Note8, Samsung Galaxy Note9, Samsung Galaxy Note10+, Tecno Pop 2, Tecno Pop 3, Tecno Camon 11, Tecno Camon 12, Tecno Camon 13, Tecno Camon 14, Tecno Camon 15, Tecno F1, Tecno K7, Tecno Spark 2, Tecno Spark 3, Tecno Spark 4, Tecno Spark 5, Tecno Pouvoir 2, Tecno Pouvoir 3, Vodafone 100, Vodafone Smart Kicka 4, Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 |
Licensing and Restricted Jurisdictions
However, Garden State residents who join DraftKings must comply with several restrictions imposed by their local regulatory authority. For instance, they are not permitted to use DraftKings’ sports betting platform to wager on college sporting events that take place within New Jersey.
Betting on individual games involving teams from New Jersey is also prohibited, even if the event is held elsewhere. New Jersey bettors must be at least 21 years old to use the DraftKings sports betting platform. Individuals in Mississippi are allowed to place wagers on sporting events, but they must do so in person by visiting the land-based DraftKings facility.
The sportsbook also accepts wagers from bettors based in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. DraftKings plans to expand its online betting operations to other US states as they introduce appropriate regulatory frameworks. After PASPA was overturned by the US Supreme Court in 2018, each state gained the ability to introduce its own sports betting regulations.
DraftKings may expand beyond New Jersey wherever state law permits. For the time being, DraftKings is known to deny access to bettors in Hawaii, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, and Alabama.
| Player Protection & Security at DraftKings | |
|---|---|
| Encryption | Not specified |
| Custom Deposit Limits | Yes |
| Cooling-Off Period | Yes |
| Self-Exclusion | Yes, 3 months – 5 years |
| Minimum Age Requirement | 21 years old |
Customer Support
A glossary is also included in case you are unfamiliar with any terms you encounter. There is even a map of the United States where you can find information about sports betting laws. It shows which states already offer regulated sports betting and which are in the process of passing legislation to legalize it. Those who are entirely new to sports wagering can learn more about how odds work in the Quick Start Guide.
The FAQ content is so detailed that bettors are unlikely to experience issues with registration, account funding, or free-bet redemption. Nevertheless, those who need additional assistance can rely on customer support around the clock. Several communication channels are available. You can use the live chat after introducing yourself by providing your name and email address.
A ready-made contact form is available on the website, while sending an email to sportsbook@draftkings.com is another option. No telephone number is available for direct contact, but you can complete a brief form to request a callback from DraftKings. Contacting the company by traditional mail is another option. You can find its postal address in the website’s help section.
| DraftKings Sportsbook Contacts | |
|---|---|
| Contact Details | Live Chat: Yes |
| Social Media | |
Conclusion
All major sports and leading leagues popular in the US receive sufficient coverage. US sports fans can also benefit from competitive odds. In addition, they have access to a wide array of promotional incentives, including free bets, profit boosts, and odds boosts that can further increase the value of the wagers they place with DraftKings.
DraftKings’ sportsbook can also be accessed on the go through its sleek mobile apps for iOS and Android. The betting operator currently offers a limited range of payment options, but this may change in the future.
| DraftKings Strong Points | DraftKings Pitfalls |
|---|---|
| Bettors can take advantage of different offers | Bettors cannot wager on college football played in New Jersey |
| Provides dedicated sportsbook apps for Android and iOS devices | Does not offer live streaming |
| Offers competitive odds on top sports | Supports a limited number of payment methods |
| Offers live betting | Most withdrawal options take up to one week to process |
| Properly regulated sportsbook for US bettors | Does not offer phone support |