DraftKings Review
Reviewing DraftKings is easy – it has years of online and retail gambling experience! DraftKings offers, games, features, and UX are all top-of-the-shelf. Live in-play betting is fast and intuitive and parlays and prop bets are premium. Customer support is quick to get to the bottom of things.
What We Love
- Diverse Daily Fantasy Sports Contests
- Rich Sportsbook Market
- PayPal Support
- Same Game Parlays
- Daily Free Pools
- Exclusive Casino Games
- DraftKings Dynasty Rewards
What We Dislike
- Lack of Withdrawal Options
- Limited Jackpot Slots
Bonus Codes & Offers
New Player Package
All new players get a massive boost from DraftKings Casino with their 100% match bonus up to $2,000. If you deposit $600 for the first time at this US gambling site, you will get an additional $600 worth of credits that you can use in the casino section.
To qualify for this offer, you must deposit at least $5. You can only receive a total of $2,000 bonus credit. For example, you will only get $2,000 when your first deposit is $3,000. Withdrawing your bonus credit require you to wager it a specific number of times, which you can find on the terms & condition page after registering an account.
Daily Free-To-Play Pools
DraftKings Daily Free Pools gives you a chance to win amazing cash prizes by choosing entrants in various pools. You win if the outcome of your picks comes true. Some picks are based on popularity, where you win if you are the most chosen in the pool.
Winning picks are determined by the DraftKings experts based on the house rules and verified information. In case of a tie where the winning pick option was unavailable during the selection phase, every pick is the winner for that pool. In addition, all players can edit their picks before the pool becomes active.
DraftKings Free Bet - up to $1,000
Are you looking for more chances to win those risky parlays or increase the payout of that money line for your favorite NBA game? DraftKings can grant you that opportunity with its Free Bet 20% match bonus. If you deposit $500 after signing up, you $100 in-house credit you can use on DraftKings Sportsbook.
You must deposit at least $5 to qualify for this bonus. You must play through at least $25 to earn a $1 free bonus to receive your in-house credit. For example, if your bonus fund is $100, you need to make about $2,500 worth of bets with odds of -300 or longer.
DraftKings Casino
Despite starting as a daily fantasy sports site, DraftKings Casino has an extensive range of games to play with. Below is a close look at what the casino side of the US gambling site has to offer.
DraftKings Sportsbook
As one of the recognized DFS providers in the US iGaming market, DraftKings has a robust sportsbook section that is as feature-rich as the site's fantasy sports segment. Below is a close look at the sports betting markets and features available at DraftKings.
DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports
DraftKings is synonymous with US daily fantasy sports since this is one of the most recognizable brands in the country. Fantasy sports involves drafting players for your team. Every player's stats are based on the current season's data. All participants are limited by a salary cap, which leads to careful evaluation and budgeting when forming a team.
Participants have several DFS sports to choose from at DraftKings, such as NFL, NBA, PGA, MMA, and NHL. You will also find contests for eSports, F1, and NASCAR events.
Contests with varying buy-ins, duration and payouts at DraftKings provide participants with specific risks and levels of involvement to satisfy their preferences. For those new to fantasy sports, you can find novice pools catering to beginners. You can even find real-money fantasy sports contests with free buy-ins, giving every participant a chance to win despite their skill level.
DraftKing's daily fantasy sports are available through any browser. You can also participate in their fantasy sports contest through their DFS mobile app for Android or iOS devices.
Deposits & Withdrawals
DraftKings payment options allow you to top up your account and take home your winnings. Below is a detailed look at the various deposit and withdrawal options available for you at this US gambling site.
DraftKings Payment Options
DraftKings Deposits
DraftKings offers many deposit options for sportsbook bettors and online casino players. One of these deposits includes DraftKings branded gift cards that you can buy in major retail stores such as Walgreens and Dollar General.
Deposit Method | Processing Time |
---|---|
Visa | Instant |
MasterCard | Instant |
Discover | Instant |
PayPal | Instant |
DraftKings Gift Card | Instant |
Wire Transfer | Instant |
Cage | Instant |
DraftKings Withdrawals
Without any credit card option or other e-wallet services, DraftKings does not offer a flexible withdrawal system for its players. Unfortunately, this is one of the site's shortcomings since most players prefer their winnings sent to them via other options.
Withdrawal Method | Processing Time |
---|---|
PayPal | 3-5 Days |
Wire Withdrawal | 3-5 Days |
Online Banking | 3-5 Days |
Cage | 1 hour |
Games, Features & Markets
Outside of their casino, sportsbook, and fantasy sports are several DraftKings promotions and features that make them stand out from the US iGaming market. Here are several features that let you get the most out of DraftKings.
Refer a Friend
Do you have a friend, family, or colleague looking for the best lines on the next NFL Super Bowl or want to take a crack at a daily fantasy sports contest? DraftKings rewards you for every referral you make to their casino.
To earn rewards through , find your unique referral URL within your account page and send this out to your friends. Your bonus depends on the URL you provided, which is for the casino, sportsbook, and DFS sections. For example, should your friend sign up with the casino referral URL, you will receive in-house credits for online slots and table games.
DraftKings Sportsbook Pools
When you are looking to save money and still want to make a bet on the next big sporting events, DraftKings Sportsbook Pools has you covered. Pools are about picking answers or outcomes for participating in events such as the PGA Wells Fargo Championship. Each DraftKings bettor is entitled to one entry per pool.
Lucky participants who can get the right pick to qualify for real money prize pools. First-place winners get most of the cash prize, while other winners can still take home a good chunk of cash.
DraftKings Dynasty Rewards
DraftKings rewards its most loyal patrons via its rewards program. Every time you spend money on the casino, sportsbook, or daily fantasy section, DraftKings Dynasty Rewards will grant you Crowns. For example, every $2 you spend on each online slot spin will reward you with 1 crown. You also receive 1 crown for each $2 worth of straight bets.
You can exchange your crowns for casino or sportsbook credits. Crowns can also grant you access to contests directly. Another way you can use your crowns are through the Dynasty Store, where you can exchange the points for DraftKings merchandise or gift cards.
DraftKings Leaderboard
DraftKings hosts special leaderboard contests in their online casino during special occasions. Participants can freely join by playing any participating games within the casino section. For every slot you spin or roulette bet you make, you earn points for the leaderboard position. Players with the most points at the end of the contest quality for the real money casino prizes.
Cash pool prizes for DraftKings leaderboard events usually reach $1 million, with the first-place winners taking home $50,000. Even those who reached the lower qualifying spot enjoy a $30-$100 cash prize.
Customer Service
When you are stuck with a problem on the website or need to know the minimum amount for a wire transfer deposit, DraftKings has several ways for you to find help or help yourself with.
DraftKings Help Center
The first place to get help is the , where all common questions about their daily fantasy sports, sportsbook, and casino sections are answered. You can look up complicated details about the website or your account on the FAQ page, such as the location of your referral URL for their refer-a-friend program.
Within the help center are tutorials on DraftKings fantasy sports and sportsbook sections. You can see how drafts work as well as learn about various terms. Sportsbook terms and various wager types are explained to help you read money line bets or create your parlay wager.
Live Chat Support
There is live chat support for technical errors with your account or with the site. DraftKings support team is available 24/7 on the website, which you can reach via the DraftKings Help Center. Within the help center page is the "Support" button at the bottom right corner. Clicking on this will open a chat window where you can communicate with a support agent.
If you need to have a support agent help you with severe issues over the phone, such as disputing casino charges, you can request a callback on the Help Center page. Player Advocates can reach out to US patrons of DraftKings Casino and Sportsbook.
Email Support
Each DraftKings section has its email support line, such as [email protected], for its daily fantasy sports section. You can freely message and respond to support staff without committing much time on the platform via email. In addition, you can send screenshots and other files that can help the staff find the source of your issue by contacting their email support.
States & Jurisdictions
DraftKings Arizona
Arizona only allowed casino games in tribal lands because of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). When PASPA was repealed, lawmakers saw an opportunity to create a new revenue stream for Arizona with . This bill allowed Arizona residents to place money line wagers on major sporting events within US online gambling sites such as DraftKings. Rep. Jeff Weninger's bill also allowed locals to participate in fantasy sports contests.
DraftKings Colorado
With the passing of into law, Colorado became a sportsbook state. HB 1327 allowance of remote registration to sports betting establishments allowed iGaming operators such as DraftKings to operate within the state. To run a legal sports betting platform, operators need to secure a license from the Colorado Division of Gaming. A license requires operators to have their platform tested for fairness and security.
DraftKings Connecticut
Repealing PASPA in 2018 made it possible for Connecticut to legalize sports betting. Governor Ned Lamont made it official by signing the sports betting bill into law in 2021. This was made possible by collaborating with the Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Sportsbook operators must acquire an Online Gaming Operator License from the CT regulation office to offer sports betting within Connecticut.
DraftKings Illinois
Illinois became a sports betting state thanks to passing the . Governor JB Pritzker signed this bill into law in 2021, making it possible for operators such as DraftKings to offer legal sports betting within the state. At this time, there is no mention of "games of chances" in the bill. This makes the DraftKings casino unavailable to locals.
DraftKings Indiana
Governor Eric Holcomb made it possible for Indiana to become sports betting state by . This move was to help bring in new jobs and revenue streams to Indiana. Sports betting operators within the state must obtain a license from the Indiana Gaming Commission. This gaming commission is responsible for creating a fair and transparent gaming environment in Indiana.
DraftKings Iowa
While gambling is prominent in Iowa, with the law allowing OTB, boat casinos, and tribal casinos, the state is strict with its iGaming market. Fortunately, online sports betting is legal in the state, thanks to. This bill allows the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to regulate sportsbook operators like DraftKings. In addition, Iowa Code 99E made it possible for DraftKings to offer its daily fantasy sports contests to locals.
DraftKings Louisiana
As a riverboat casino state, Louisiana is open to various gambling activities such as casinos and sportsbooks, as long as these are held in licensed establishments. In 2021, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a to provide 20 licenses to sportsbook operators. DraftKings is one of these operators. It is important to note that of 2020 made daily fantasy sports legal within Louisiana, and DraftKings was the first operator to receive a fantasy sports license.
DraftKings Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the in Michigan. Not only did this make Michigan a sports betting state, but it also made it possible for online bookies to operate legally within the state. On top of legal online sportsbooks, Michigan also allows daily fantasy sports operators within the state with an 8.4% tax requirement. Both these laws allow DraftKings to offer its sports betting platform and DFS contests to Michigan locals.
DraftKings New Hampshire
Governor Chris Sununu signed into law in July 2019, making New Hampshire the 16th sports betting state. This law allows residents to place wagers on professional and college sporting events as long as they are at least 18 years old and have a valid US social security number. All sportsbook operators, including Draft Kings, must secure a license from the New Hampshire State Lottery office to run in the US state.
DraftKings New Jersey
New Jersey is permissive with its gambling laws since it is the location of Atlantic City. Before PASPA was repealed, Governor Chris Christie signed the New Jersey . This made NJ one of the pioneering sports betting states. With the liberal gambling law within the state, DraftKings daily fantasy sports, sportsbooks, and casinos are open to New Jersey residents.
DraftKings New York
While sports betting became legal in New York in 2019 with the , it was limited to physical establishments only. This changed in 2019 when New York legalized online sports betting. During this time, the New York State Gaming Commission issued four companies' first licenses, .
DraftKings Oregon
The Oregon Lottery office launched the in October 2019, allowing locals to make various sports wagers for major events. However, the platform saw few bettors during its launch. Governor Kate Brown introduced to bolster Oregon's sports betting market. This bill provides sports betting licenses to operators such as DraftKings. Oregon saw a new revenue stream with HB 2127 without ceasing its Scoreboard operation.
DraftKings Pennsylvania
Online sports betting, poker rooms, slot machines, and various casino games are legal in Pennsylvania, thanks to the . Operators such as DraftKings must secure a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board before providing any gambling activity to locals. In addition, licensed establishments are required to follow the state's anti-money laundering rules and to implement a problem gambling policy on their platform.
DraftKings Tennessee
There is barely any form of gambling available in Tennessee because of its strict laws. Everything changed with the repealing of PASPA, allowing Gov. Bill Lee to bring the into law in May 2019. This law requires sportsbook operators such as DraftKings only to allow patrons at least 21 years of age and have a policy that prevents minors from gambling on their platform.
DraftKings Virginia
Virginia became sports betting state with in 2020, with the Virginia Lottery in charge of licensing operators such as DraftKings. Unlike other sports betting bills, SB 384 prohibits wagers on the state's college sporting events. This bill is also responsible for forming the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund by utilizing 2.5% of the revenue generated through Virginia's sports betting market.
DraftKings West Virginia
With the repealing of PASPA, West Virginia senators enacted to legalize online sports betting within the state. This law aims to bring down illegal gambling in West Virginia and create a new revenue stream. DraftKings was the second sportsbook operator to receive a West Virginia Lottery Commission license.
DraftKings Wyoming
Governor Mark Gordon made online sports betting legal in Wyoming by signing . Online sports betting operators can legally run in the state by securing a license from the Wyoming Gaming Commission. With the Wyoming sports betting law in place, DraftKings was one of the state's gaming commission's first operators to be licensed.
Technology
Security & Fairness
When real money sports betting, casinos, and daily fantasy sports are involved, proper encryption should be in place to protect all private information. This involves using 128-bit encryption that renders your name, address, contact number, and credit card info unreadable to anyone looking in. DraftKings uses this encryption on their site, which you can verify with their SSL certificate.
Fairness is simply a means for an operator to prevent anyone from manipulating casino games, sportsbook odds, or DFS contest results. One method of breaking fairness is to use a slot machine cheat code that attacks the vulnerable part of a game's RNG. Fortunately, DraftKings can ensure a fair gameplay and betting experience on its platform because of its license.
For any sportsbook, online casino, or DFS operator can have their license approved, they must have their games and platform checked by the state's regulators. With the numerous license DraftKings hold, their website and mobile app are checked for fairness and other possible vulnerabilities.
Software & User Experience
DraftKings uses a different platform for daily fantasy sports, sportsbooks, and casino games. The former is the one this operator has been using since it was established, and that is why they are one of the top US daily fantasy sports brands.
Note that fantasy sports have been around for over a decade, with and CBS offering contests that last for a whole season. DraftKings changed the formula by creating contests that last for a day or week. This led to a non-commitment fantasy sports format that allows any participants to join regardless of their schedule.
DFS contests have different prize pools, maximum participants, and entry fees. There are contests for popular sporting leagues, including the NFL, NBA, PGA, MLB, and NHL. You can even find ones for NASCAR, F1, and eSports. Are you still stuck in finding a contest you prefer? DraftKings allows participants to create their contests on the platform. No matter your preference, one of the many daily fantasy sports contests will interest you on this US gaming site.
In the sportsbook and casino section, both of these are running on the . DraftKings can deliver on a diverse range of sports markets with popular local and foreign leagues available on the site. Backing this massive sports market is a robust in-play system that hosts more than 25,000 matches within a month. This means that there will always be a live betting session 24/7, giving any US bettors a chance to participate.
Backing these markets are several unique features that make DraftKings one of the best US online sports betting platforms. One of these features is Same Game Parlays which lets you add legs from the same match. You can also form teasers on specific spreads wagers. Overall, DraftKings gets a perfect score in regards to its sportsbook.
With the SB Tech platform, DraftKings also offers casino games on its platform. Its titles consist of slots, table games, and a variety of games from the likes of IGT, , and Slingo. DraftKings even has their exclusive casino games such as 2 Tribes and Loki's Luck. There are even exclusive DraftKings live tables that host baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and poker.
Overall, the casino is easily DraftKing's weak link because it lacks progressive slots. Progressives have a growing jackpot payout from players' wagers, which results in massive jackpot prizes. Fortunately, the variety of slots and assortments of casino games still make this a passing criterion for the US gaming operator.
DraftKings Website
When talking about the website, we pay attention to the layout and design that makes it easy for you to browse the DFS contests, sportsbook market, and casino. On the DFS side, various filter and category options make it easy to find a contest that interests you.
DraftKings' sportsbook section is doable. You can find a market through the side or top tabs. However, there are no search functions available to find a sports match. DraftKings' casino layout does its job, but this section lacks any filter option. This makes going through the slot category a chore.
DraftKings Mobile
Navigating with your thumbs is a major factor for any sportsbook, DFS, and casino mobile app. For all three sections, the DraftKings app layout is above average. Contest tabs, bet slips, and other important menus are reachable with your thumb. DraftKings mobile app nails it when it comes to navigation.
FAQ
Is DraftKings legit?
DraftKings is a licensed sportsbook operator in the US and is a NASDAQ-listed company. They are also the first DFS brand to partner with the .
Where is DraftKings legal?
DraftKings Sportsbook is legal across 17 US sports betting states, including Connecticut, New York, and Arizona. DraftKings DFS is legal across most US states and Washington DC except for Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and certain parts of Louisiana.
What is DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports?
DraftKings' DFS is a daily or weekly contest between participants who draft players to their team. Participants who win the contest or place at the top are entitled to a real money prize pool.
Is DraftKings safe and secure?
DraftKings' encryption technology protects your private information, which renders your data unreadable. DraftKings also has the latest security measures to find and prevent cheaters from manipulating the DFS contests, sportsbook markets, and casino games.
Is DraftKings licensed in the United States?
DraftKings owns a license across 17 US states' regulation offices, such as the Arizona Department of Gaming and the West Virginia Lottery Commission.
Can you refer a friend to DraftKings?
DraftKings refer-a-friend program lets you earn bonuses for each new customer who signed up and participated in their DFS contests, sportsbook wagers, or casino activities.
Can you do teasers on DraftKings?
DraftKings makes it easy to form teasers by adding qualifying markets to your betting slip. Once you have at least the minimum leg, click on "teasers" on the bet slip.
How to withdraw money from DraftKings?
Withdrawal options at DraftKings include online banking, wire transfer, PayPal, e-check, and cage payments. PayPal withdrawals are only available if you deposited with the same service.
How to deposit money to DraftKings?
Deposit options for DraftKings include credit cards, online banking, PayPal, DraftKings gift cards, and wire transfer. You can also make deposits through participating locations such as Family Dollar and CVS.
How to delete my DraftKings account?
Contact the DraftKings support team via live chat or email to close your account. You can ask the support team to self-exclude or self-limit your account if you want temporary closure.
How to switch states on DraftKings?
DraftKings automatically sends you to a specific page based on your IP address. You can manually switch states via the DraftKings Help Center page.
Can you deposit and withdraw money through physical DraftKings locations?
DraftKings lets you make a deposit or withdrawal through their Resorts Casino Cashier section in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Cage payments let you take out your winnings in cash.
Company Information
DraftKings became a household name in the daily fantasy sports and sports betting market, starting as a side project from a spare bedroom.
Below is a closer look at the brand's humble beginnings and the people behind it.
History
and his two companions, Capital One and Matt Kalish, were tired of their white-collar job at Vistaprint (currently Cimpress). The three were looking for an idea to set them on the road to financial freedom.
Unfortunately, times were tough in 2008 when the whole world was reeling from the recession. Ideas were bounced around during drinks and dinners for a few years until Matt gave the basis for DraftKings. Jason, Capital One, and Matt were excited about the idea and got down to working on it after their shift and throughout the weekend. Their office is the spare bedroom of Paul Liberman, who agreed to let them use the space.
DraftKings founders have the prototype in hand but were clueless about moving forward. At this point, they hired a lawyer to help them with the legal part of the company. Their lawyer advised them to raise venture capital, which they achieved after meeting with Ryan Moore from Accomplice Ventures and Peter Blacklow from Boston Seed. With a capital of $1.4 million, they launched DraftKings in 2012.
Around 2013, DraftKings drew investors from various organizations and businesses, including the MLB. With $24 million of capital funds collected from various funds and venture organizations, DraftKings had approximately 1 million registered players on the platform this year.
DraftKings' success came from offering daily fantasy sports or contests that last for just a day or a week. This made their fantasy sports more accessible than the likes of Yahoo Sports. In 2017, they were one of the two best daily fantasy sports in the US and around the globe.
An opportunity to expand opened in 2018 when SCOTUS repealed PASPA, or the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act that banned sports betting across the US. DraftKings did not waste time and were on the move to tap into an emerging market. This led to the partnership of DraftKings Inc. and the Kambi Group plc. In 2020. The Kambi sportsbook platform will provide the sports betting market to the DraftKings' site.
Unfortunately, the partnership between DraftKings and Kambi was short-lived. DraftKings partnered with for the company's sports betting portion.
Kristian Nylen, Kambi's CEO, said, "Since partnering in June 2018, the Kambi-DraftKings relationship has proven to be highly rewarding for both parties, delivering first-class sports betting experiences to players across more states than any other sportsbook and establishing Kambi and DraftKings as true leaders in their respective fields."
Leadership
Jason Robins, Chief Executive Officer
Jason Robins is the chief executive officer and co-founder of DraftKings. His work on DraftKings earned him several recognitions from popular publishers such as Fortune, Sports Business Journal, and Boston Business Journal. While under his helm, DraftKings was the first DFS brand to collaborate with MLB in 2013.
Matt Kalish, President of DraftKings North America
Matt Kalish is DraftKings North America president and is one of the company's co-founders. Before becoming president, he was the company's chief revenue officer since he handled the marketing, operations, and various analytical responsibilities. Matt saw an opportunity in sports betting in 2018, allowing DraftKings to be the first legal US sportsbook platform in New Jersey.
Paul Liberman, President of Global Technology & Product
Paul Liberman is the president of global technology and product and one of the co-founders of DraftKings. He was responsible for the technology platform and IT functions of DraftKings. DraftKings' success as the leading DFS brand in the US came from Paul's work on the platform. Paul was also responsible for the success of the DraftKings sportsbook platform.
Jennifer Aguiar, Chief Compliance Officer
Jennifer Agular is the chief compliance officer and DraftKings' executive team. She is responsible for monitoring the company's potential risks and finding ways to address them. This includes DraftKings' compliance with the US anti-money laundering law.
Jason Park, Chief Financial Officer
Jason Park has been the chief financial officer since June 2019. He is responsible for the accounting responsibilities of the company as well as business planning and investor relations. Jason was the operating partner of Bain Capital Private Equity, which required him to handle technology investments during his time with the company.
R. Stanton Dodge, Chief Legal Officer
R. Stanton Dodge has been the chief legal officer of DraftKings since 2017. As the title suggests, he is responsible for the company's legal aspect. Stanton also handles government affairs and the communications team. He had an extensive career at the Dish Network's legal department, where he held the company's executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary positions.