DraftKings Sportsbook Review
- Legal in about half of US states
- Fastest withdrawals
- Up to $1,000 welcome bonus
DraftKings is one of the country’s leading sports betting operators.
The Boston-based company leveraged its success in daily fantasy sports as one of the two largest DFS sites in the USA before entering the sports betting business in 2018.
DraftKings Sportsbook now holds a commanding national presence, holding online sports betting licenses in two dozen states.
Continue below for BettingUSA’s complete DraftKings Sportsbook review outlining promotional offers and what type of sports betting experience customers can expect.
Pros
Daily Odds Boosts PromotionsBest Props and Moneyline OddsEasy Cash Out BetsDynasty Loyalty RewardsCons
In-Play Betting PricingStrict Limiting PoliciesBonus Wagering RequirementsWhich States Is DraftKings Legal In?
DraftKings Sportsbook first entered the New Jersey sports betting market in 2018 and now operates sportsbooks in 24 states.
Below is a list of states where DraftKings Sportsbook is legal.
Follow any link for more information about DraftKings’ operations and sportsbook locations in that state.
DraftKings daily fantasy is available in most U.S. states except Nevada, Washington State, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Hawaii.
DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code
Title | Details |
---|---|
DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code | Not Needed |
New Customer Bonus | Up to $1,000 First Bet Refund Plus SGP Insurance |
Wagering Requirement | Use all bonus bets one time to clear their winnings for withdrawal |
Eligible States | AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY, and WV |
Expiration | Bonus bets expire seven days after receipt |
DraftKings Sportsbook Bonus Details
The DraftKings Sportsbook bonus welcomes all new customers with a no sweat first bet worth up to $1,000 plus same-game parlay insurance on any qualifying 3+ leg SGP. If one leg on any qualifying SGP loses, DraftKings will refund it with a bonus bet.
New users who register, deposit at least $5, and place a $1 or larger first wager qualify for a refund worth up to $1,000 if their first wager doesn’t win. For example, a DraftKings customer who places a $200 bet and loses would receive a $200 bonus bet to use on any sport.
Bonus bets are not redeemable for cash but have zero wagering requirements. That means bettors can withdraw their net winnings instantly with no further obligations. The main thing bettors should be aware of is that bonus bets are not included in any winnings.
For example, a $200 bonus bet placed at even money would return $200 in withdrawable cash, not $400.
Note: Customers do not need a DraftKings promo code to claim this offer. All new customers who place a first bet of $1+ qualify for the no sweat first bet offer.
Claim Your DraftKings Sportsbook Bonus Now
Other DraftKings Sportsbook Promotions
It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to give DraftKings the nickname PromoKings because it excels in sports betting promotions.
DraftKings offers daily betting promotions plus frequent custom offers based on bettors’ Dynasty Rewards statuses.
Some examples of the types of promotions DraftKings Sportsbook regularly offers include:
- $1000 DraftKings Deposit Bonus: DraftKings offers a first deposit bonus for customers who don’t claim the headline promo discussed above. Users who opt for this offer can make their first deposit and get an extra 20% in bonus funds for up to $1000 extra.
- Bet + Get: Bet on a specific format, and win bonus bets in accordance with the number of games bet throughout the week.
- DraftKings Odds Boosts: DraftKings Sportsbook offers up to a dozen daily odds boosts. Odds boosts at DraftKings aren’t always significant and often center around obscure bets, but there’s occasionally value to be found.
- DraftKings Parlay Insurance: DraftKings occasionally has parlay insurance promotions, where bettors who win all but one leg of a parlay receive a refund in the form of bonus bets.
- Free to Play Pools: DraftKings offers pick’em and survivor pools that award prizes to players who place high on the leaderboards.
- DraftKings VIP Promotions: Deposit bonuses, bonus bets, loss-back offers, and crown multipliers are a sampling of the promotions offered to bettors who have achieved Silver Dynasty status or above.
- Super Bowl Promos: DraftKings typically offers the industry’s largest Super Bowl betting promos each year, with million-dollar giveaways and no-brainer odds boosts. The best DraftKings Super Bowl promos provide significant value to all customers.
- March Madness Offers: Every year, DraftKings hosts multiple March Madness promotions that can be surprisingly creative and valuable. Past examples include “bet $5 to get $200” welcome offers, no-brainer offers to double your money betting on the favorites in extremely lopsided matches, and free-to-play pools with significant prizes on offer.
DraftKings Loyalty Program: Dynasty Rewards
DraftKings Dynasty is a multi-tiered loyalty program that rewards players based on the annual VIP level they achieve.
DK Crowns are the currency of the DraftKings rewards program.
DraftKings Crowns determine customers’ VIP tier levels and can be exchanged for several types of rewards, including DK Dollars that bettors can use for bonus bets and wagers.
Customers can also use DK Dollars Customers to purchase merchandise from the Dynasty Store.
Earning Crowns at DraftKings Sportsbook is straightforward: bettors accrue 1 Crown per $2 wagered on sports.
Note: Bets placed at odds of -1000 or greater do not earn DraftKings Crowns.
As a currency, the DraftKings Crowns exchange rate is 550 Crowns per $1 in DK Dollars. That works out to a sports betting cashback rate of about 0.09% on most bets.
The true value of the program is revealed once players reach the higher tiers. Currently, Dynasty Rewards features five tiers, each with different entry criteria:
- Bronze: Everyone starts here
- Silver: 25,000 Crowns
- Gold: 125,000 Crowns
- Diamond: 500,000 Crowns
- Onyx: 1,000,000+ Crowns
One of the nice things about DraftKings Dynasty is that when members move up a level, they keep it for the duration of the calendar year plus the next calendar year. This stands in stark contrast to most sports betting loyalty programs that recalculate VIP statuses every month.
The perks of moving up the ladder include tier-exclusive promotions, new tier welcome rewards, priority customer service, access to VIP events and hosts, and a monthly Crown accrual boost of 10%-40%. In addition, Diamond players can gift Gold status to a friend for three months, while Onyx players can reward a friend with a three-month Diamond trial.
DraftKings VIP-level (Diamond and Onyx) promotions are nothing short of fantastic, often enabling bettors to wager with a temporary advantage over the house. Loss back promos, exclusive deposit bonuses with low wagering requirements, point multipliers, and free play kickbacks are just a small assortment of the promos high-level members can expect.
DraftKings Refer-A-Friend Program
The basic concept of the DraftKings refer-a-friend program is simple: Registered players can refer their friends to DraftKings Sportsbook, and if the referrals meet certain criteria, both the referrer and the referred friend receive bonuses.
To track referrals, DraftKings provides each user with an exclusive referral link, which they can find by navigating to the “Promotions” tab and clicking on the “Refer-A-Friend” promo.
Then, the player can share their link with friends, and each friend can use the link to initiate the registration process.
DraftKings referral bonus terms and conditions:
Referrals must register and place a first deposit of at least $25 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Deposits of $25-$49: both customers receive $25 bonus bets.
- Deposits of $50-$99: both customers receive $50 bonus bets.
- Deposits of $100+: both customers receive $100 bonus bets.
Note: There is a limit of five DraftKings referrals per month, and refer-a-friend bonus bets are valid for 7 days.
How To Register A DraftKings Account
New users can access DraftKings Sportsbook via this link from any connected device to create a new account.
Mobile users can then download the DraftKings Sportsbook app from either the Apple App Store (iOS devices) or the Google Play Store (Android devices).
Tip: For a smoother signup process, make sure to enable location services on your device.
After installing the DraftKings app, users can create accounts, deposit funds, and take advantage of the latest betting promotions.
Desktop users can sign up for accounts by visiting the DraftKings Sportsbook homepage and following these steps:
- Click “Sign Up”
- Enter your preferred username, email address, password, and DraftKings promo code (a promo code is not required to receive the welcome bonus).
- Agree to the T&C and hit “Next”
- On the next page, enter your full name, DOB, home address, and the last 4 digits of your SSN. The latter is needed to verify your identity and protect users from fraud.
- Hit “Next” and wait for DraftKings to verify the account
If DraftKings can’t verify a user’s identity, the app will invite them to upload a picture of their photo ID for instant approval.
DraftKings Deposit Methods
DraftKings accepts an above-average number of betting deposit methods compared to other online sportsbooks. As a result, bettors of all types will find a sportsbook deposit method that suits their individual needs.
- Online banking (recommended): Online banking moves money directly from the player’s bank account to their DraftKings account. Players access their bank account through a secure portal powered by Trustly and supporting over 1,000 eligible banks.
- Venmo: Bettors can use Venmo at DraftKings to fund their accounts instantly. DraftKings Venmo users can deposit up to $2,999.99 per transaction but no more than $5,999.99 per week. Note: Customers must make their first Venmo deposit through the DraftKings app. After completing their first Venmo transaction, users can deposit with Venmo on the DraftKings website.
- PayPal: Bettors can use PayPal to deposit at DraftKings for fast transactions.
- Apple Pay: Customers can fund their accounts with Apple Pay through through the DraftKings iOS app. Desktop and mobile web users may also make DraftKings Apple Pay deposits, but they must use the Safari web browser when depositing.
- Credit Cards: DraftKings accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards (Amex is accepted for DraftKings Fantasy only).
- Debit Cards: DraftKings accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards.
- ACH eCheck via VIP Preferred: Customers who have successfully registered an account with VIP Preferred can use their linked checking accounts to make instant eCheck deposits at DraftKings. VIP Preferred sets deposit limits that typically increase over time.
- DraftKings Play+ Prepaid Card: The DraftKings prepaid card allows bettors to make deposits online via credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. Customers also receive physical prepaid cards in the mail that they can use to withdraw cash at ATMs and make purchases anywhere Discover is accepted.
- DraftKings Gift Cards: Customers can visit retail outlets such as 7-Eleven, Dollar General, Speedway, PC Game Supply, and Sheetz to purchase gift cards in denominations of $25 or $50.
- Game On Gift Cards: Bettors can purchase Game On gift cards online or at most retailers that sell gift cards. Customers can load each Game On cards with up to $400.
- Generic Gift Cards: DraftKings accepts generic prepaid gift cards powered by Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Bettors may purchase generic gift cards in person at retailers or online.
- Wire Transfers: Wire transfers at DraftKings take 1-2 business days to process and are a convenient option for bettors looking to make large deposits.
- Cash Deposits (VanillaDirect): DraftKings customers can generate single-use VanillaDirect codes online then visit Family Dollar, CVS, Dollar General, Walgreens, Walmart, 7-Eleven, and other locations to fund their accounts with cash.
- Cash at the Cage: New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Colorado customers can fund their accounts in-person at select DraftKings sportsbook locations: Resorts Atlantic City (NJ), The Brook (NH), or Bally’s Black Hawk (CO).
DraftKings Sportsbook imposes a maximum deposit of $2,500 for all customers, but users may significantly increase their funding limits by completing identity verification.
Note: Some bettors have trouble depositing with credit or debits card because some banks automatically block all online gambling transactions.
Bank transfers, PayPal, prepaid cards, and cash deposits all serve as convenient alternatives for anyone having issues with credit or debit card deposits.
DraftKings Sportsbook Withdrawals
DraftKings offers a growing array of viable withdrawal methods and most payouts are processed faster than the time frames listed on the app.
- Online Banking: Withdraw funds directly to a linked bank account. Processing time 1-3 days.
- PayPal: Players must first use PayPal for a deposit before processing withdrawals, and their associated PayPal email address must be the same as their registered DraftKings email address. Processing time 3-5 days.
- ACH eCheck via VIP Preferred: VIP Preferred users can request payouts to a linked checking account. Processing time 3-5 days.
- DraftKings Play+ Prepaid Card: Players who withdraw via this method must already have a Play+ card.
- Wire Transfers: Processing time 1-2 business days. The minimum DraftKings wire transfer withdrawal amount is a whopping $20,000.
- Paper Check: Checks won’t hit player mailboxes for a week or two, and there’s a $15 minimum.
- Cash at the Cage: DraftKings Customers can withdraw cash at Resorts AC in Atlantic City, The Sportsbook at the Brook in New Hampshire, and Bally’s Black Hawk in Colorado.
DraftKings Sportsbook withdrawal requests are processed lightning-fast, especially during working hours.
DraftKings minimum withdrawal amounts are also surprisingly lenient. For online banking requests, there is no minimum, and PayPal and VIP Preferred carry just a $1 minimum.
Most online sportsbooks require users to have at least $10 or $20 in their account before processing withdrawals.
Note: DraftKings first issues withdrawals to the same method used for deposits, up to the amount deposited in the last 90 days.
For instance, if a player makes a $500 deposit using a credit card, wins $500 and tries to cash out $1,000 via online banking, DraftKings will withdraw $500 to the credit card, and then transfer the remaining $500 to the player’s banking account.
This is not an ideal solution for most bettors, who expect to be paid out the way they want to be paid.
DraftKings Sports Betting App
DraftKings offers legal online sports betting via standalone apps for iOS and Android.
In our experience, the DraftKings mobile app is clean, well-designed, and easy to navigate.
The DraftKings app home screen prominently displays promotions and popular bets for users to get started quickly. Additionally, a navigation menu along the bottom provides links to visit the live betting area, view pending bets, all sports, and more promotions.
The biggest aesthetic drawback is that the promotional carousel and the quick links get cut off in awkward spots.
Users can tap anywhere on a game listing to view more bets, matchup details, live stats, and live streaming video for some games.
DraftKings also provides a surprising depth of statistical data for every game. Bettors can view betting odds and visit the “stats” tab to see data for that matchup.
Users can also log in to the DraftKings mobile sports betting app directly and visit the Stats Hub to research any sport.
Just a few examples of the many stats DraftKings provides include:
- Current game’s live stats
- Head-to-head stats such as past meetings and scoring trends against one another
- Historical player proposition stats such as how often Player X hits a home run
- Which prop bets show the most value based on historical stats
One minor thing the DraftKings Sportsbook app could improve on would be to display how many markets it offers for each game in the lobby.
Currently, users must click or tap through to any game to view the complete list. It would be better to launch the app and see at a glance which games feature the most betting markets.
DraftKings App Screenshots
DraftKings Live In-Play Betting
Bettors will find DraftKings live betting markets for all major US sports leagues and many college games, soccer matches, tennis matches, MMA fights, and more.
The DraftKings live betting calendar is always full, providing bettors no shortage of options on any given day.
DraftKings live betting market depth varies, with high-profile games receiving the most attention from oddsmakers.
Some of the in-play betting markets DraftKings offers include:
- real-time moneylines
- point spreads
- totals
- player props
- game props
- part-time totals
DraftKings has an established track record of innovation, especially in live betting.
In June 2019, DraftKings introduced Flash Bet to enhance its live tennis betting experience with a live game tracker and short-term wagers between points in matches.
Later, DraftKings partnered with Simplebet to launch microbetting markets that cover even shorter-term propositions, play-by-play and pitch-by-pitch.
As such, DraftKings Sportsbook can boast a more engaging in-play betting experience than any other operator on the market today.
Meanwhile, customers can view the DraftKings live betting interface to watch an animated game tracker or live streaming video.
The result is a well-rounded in-game betting experience in which users can watch games live, place short-term wagers, monitor the results in real time, and get paid instantly if they win.
Note: bettors should be wary of the vigorish on in-play wagers, which trend higher than pregame straights.
DraftKings Sportsbook also offers an early cashout feature for pregame and live bets.
For instance, if a customer bets on the Giants to beat the Broncos and then halfway through the game see the Broncos up by 14, they can cut their losses and cash out early.
Likewise, they might see the Giants get a lead and decide to claim an early but reduced payout to avoid any late-game surprises.
Fair warning, DraftKings takes a sizeable tax on cashout bets.
Bettors won’t be paid out in accordance with the in-game odds, which are already heavily juiced. Bettors should use the DraftKings early cashout feature sparingly.
It is worth noting, however, that the juice on in-play betting and early cashouts is no worse at DraftKings than it is at other sportsbooks. In fact, it’s arguably on the lower end.
In-Play Betting Screenshots
DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Markets
DraftKings offers 60+ sports throughout the year, including all major leagues, along with a good number of lesser-known sports.
Availability varies based on season and local state regulations (for example, some states allow esports while others do not).
- Athletics
- Aussie Rules Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Darts
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- MMA
- Motorsports
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Snooker
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Volleyball
DraftKings provides an extensive range of betting options. In fact, bettors will find dozens (or hundreds) of markets for most games.
Some of the many types of bets DraftKings Sportsbook offers include:
- Moneylines: Bettors will find many moneylines for every game, with slightly above-average pricing
- Point spreads: DraftKings offers a vast array of alternative point spreads, often ranging a dozen or more points in either direction
- Totals: DraftKings offers a slew of alternative totals bets, spanning 25 points for major markets like NBA and NFL, and even more for select college sports.
- Player props: For major markets, almost every player prop imaginable is covered. For instance, NBA bettors can wager on first field goal, scoring leaders, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, turnovers, stat combinations, and more.
- Game props: DraftKings offers an admirable amount of team and game props.
- Derivatives: Bettors can wager on segments of a game, like the first half for NFL, or the third quarter for NBA.
- Futures Bets: Futures run the gamut from individual player awards, team accolades, divisional winners, and championship matchups. DraftKings not only allows bettors to bet futures before a season begins, but deep into the season.
- Parlays: DraftKings allows players to construct traditional parlays, same game parlays, same game parlay extra (SGPx), teasers, and round-robin bets.
- Progressive Parlays: DraftKings progressive parlays offer consolation payouts when one or more legs lose. Depending on the number of legs in a progressive parlay, DraftKings may offer reduced payouts when one, two, or three legs lose at the cost of lower payouts.
DraftKings Betting Odds
Compared to other online sportsbooks, DraftKings betting odds hover around average, maybe slightly above.
Popular wagers, like NFL/NBA spreads and totals, are typically priced around -110.
DraftKings teaser pricing is above average.
For example, NFL two-team teasers are priced at -120 (6 pt.), -130 (6.5 pt.), and -140 (7 pt). Add a third team, and the pricing is +160 (6 pt.), +150 (6.5 pt), +130 (7 pt).
While sharp bettors will have trouble finding an edge at those prices, they’re still better than what most online sportsbooks offer.
Another area where DraftKings excels is moneylines.
For NFL lines, the vigorish is only about 4-4.5%, which is slightly lower than industry averages.
Live betting lines at DraftKings are standard, usually -115 on coin flips.
There are a few areas where DraftKings betting odds could improve. Prop pricing is mediocre, with 25-30 cent lines the norm. Futures pricing isn’t much better.
That’s not to say bettors can’t snag a good deal on an individual team, but they can find better overall value elsewhere.
DraftKings Pools
DraftKings Pools are a cross between daily fantasy and traditional sports betting in which players sign up for a contest, pay an entry fee and make picks
DraftKings pools prizes are awarded to players who make the most correct picks in a tournament-style structure.
For example, a recent DraftKings Pools contest came with a $3 buyin and a guaranteed $10,000 prize pool. The competition covered a weekend slate of 15 NFL games.
After entering the contest, each player predicted which team would win outright in each of the 15 games.
DraftKings paid out the following prizes:
- 50% of the prize pool is divided among the players with the largest number of correct predictions
- 30% split among those with the second-highest number of correct predictions
- 15% split among those with the third-highest number of correct predictions
- 5% split among those with the fourth-highest number of correct predictions
DraftKings Pools Screenshots
DraftKings Customer Service
DraftKings has a well thought out Help Center that customers can access in the “My Account” section by clicking on “Contact Us” or “Get Help”.
The DraftKings Help Center is subdivided into seven sections, covering each of its gambling verticals, the DK Marketplace, player rewards, and account information.
Cashiering questions are also covered in-depth.
For those looking for a more specific answer, there are several ways to contact DraftKings customer support:
- Email: Players who click or tap on “Contact Support” from the Help Center will be brought to a form. After they fill it out and submit it, an agent will reach out via email within 24 hours. Players can reach out to DraftKings customer support directly by emailing support@draftkings.com.
- Live Chat: DraftKings live chat support is accessed by clicking or tapping on the green “Support” button located on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. An AI chatbot will first try to assist, but players can choose to talk to a live agent. Queue times vary based on the time of day.
- Callback: DraftKings doesn’t offer direct phone support, but customers can request a callback. To initiate this process, players must fill out a form and specify a preferred time.
DraftKings is an enormous operation, so expectations should be modest. DraftKings support tickets are answered within 24 hours but sometimes take longer. Follow-up queries are usually handled in an expedited fashion.
Depending on the severity of the issue, agents may have to escalate the ticket, and it’s not uncommon for email or live chat exchanges to drag on for awhile.
Bettors with DraftKings VIP Hosts have access to expedited support. Hosts are friendly and quick to respond, addressing most problems in a satisfactory manner.
DraftKings Legal States
Which States Allow DraftKings Sportsbook?
Below is a list of states where DraftKings Sportsbook operates legally:
DraftKings Horse Racing Betting
DraftKings entered the online horse racing betting business in March 2023 with the launch of DK Horse.
The DraftKings horse racing betting platform is the product of a partnership between DraftKings and Churchill Downs, the parent company of TwinSpires and The Kentucky Derby.
Between DraftKings name recognition and Churchill Downs’s extensive pari-mutuel wagering experience, DK Horse launched with a polished platform and extensive track coverage.
DK Horse still has some room for improvement, but it is a competitive operator with an enticing welcome bonus.
Horse racing fans can read BettingUSA’s full DK Horse review below:
DraftKings Online Casino
DraftKings Casino offers nearly a thousand games, including dozens of exclusive titles.
With unique online casino games like DK Rocket, custom blackjack tables, and a private live dealer studio, DraftKings Casino is severely underrated. Players can read more here:
DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports
DraftKings launched its daily fantasy sports site in 2012. Heavy advertising and large prize pools quickly established DraftKings DFS as a national operator.
During its time as a private company, DraftKings secured more than $700 million in investment funding. DraftKings (DKNG) went public in 2020, with an opening price of $20.00.
Today, DraftKings controls a large portion of the daily fantasy sports market in the USA. DraftKings offers real-money daily fantasy sports contests for professional sports, college leagues, and esports.
DraftKings Sportsbook FAQ
Expert Opinion: Is DraftKings Sportsbook Legit?
DraftKings is a legitimate, licensed online sportsbook with a proven track record.
DraftKings Sportsbook is licensed by regulators in nearly all states where sports betting is legal, often ranking first in betting handle and new customer registrations.
After the Supreme Court ruled against PASPA, DraftKings quickly entered the sports betting market. With widespread brand awareness and a database of millions of qualified sports fans from success as a leading daily fantasy sports site, DraftKings Sportsbook is as established and legitimate as any betting operator.
DraftKings success as a market leader also ensures it has the funding needed to constantly innovate. DraftKings regularly introduces new features, including live sports video, an integrated social network, and microbetting markets that let customers bet on the outcomes of individual plays.
Our expert opinion is that DraftKings Sportsbook is safe, reputable, and trustworthy.