Chalkboard fantasy sportsbook review
Its DFS mode is equipped with a dynamic multiplier payout system that carries a maximum win potential of up to $40,000. Promotions are automatically applied upon account verification, and players can even earn points that unlock higher-value rewards.
That said, the platform isn’t without its cracks, all of which are explored below. To avoid confusion between the two verticals, this review uses ‘Chalkboard’ or ‘Chalkboard DFS’ to refer to the platform’s real-money wagering side, while ‘Chalkboard Social Picks’ is only used when referencing its separate non-DFS version.
- Up to x5,000 payout multipliers
- High max transaction limits
- Promotions increase in value
- Limited sports coverage
- Limited visibility to non-registered users
- Occassional app glitches
Editor's note
Data and analysis below are accurate at the time of publishing, but may be subject to change.
Expert verdict
Chalkboard’s biggest strength lies in its tier-based promotion, which increases in value as you level up through gameplay. This gives players an incentive to stick around and stay invested.
And, with up to x5,000 your own stake, and a maximum win capped at $40,000, there’s plenty of winning potential on offer here.
However, the platform’s weaknesses are hard to ignore. The app is prone to occasional glitches, and transparency remains an issue, with very limited visibility for non-registered users.
Its selection of sports is also very limited. The complete absence of any motorsports or any niche categories is a big miss. On the bright side, the football and basketball markets are very strong.
Overall, with reliable customer support and very generous maximum withdrawal limits, Chalkboard delivers a solid experience overall. With a few key refinements, it could easily transform into a top-tier fantasy platform.
Where is Chalkboard legal?
Chalkboard is legal in 32 jurisdictions across the U.S. This includes 31 states, as well as the nation’s capital of Washington D.C. Players can access Chalkboard DFS in the following jurisdictions:
- Alaska
- California
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Nebraska (19+)
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington D.C.
- Wisconsin
In regions where DFS is not permitted, the list below details where users can still enjoy Chalkboard Social Picks, the platform’s social sportsbook where players can enter contests and redeem prizes:
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts (21+)
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Wyoming
Chalkboard bonuses and promotions
Chalkboard has recently revamped its promotional system, replacing the traditional one-time deposit match for new players in favor of Daily Drop Packs and Level Up Packs. This setup means players can now earn ongoing rewards and bonuses based on their activity and gameplay.
Functioning as a loyalty system, new users who verify their account start on Level 1 and automatically receive 1,750 XP. This unlocks the New User Promo, which includes a 100% deposit match up to $100 in bonus funds. In addition, players who use our exclusive Chalkboard promo code T2P will get $20 free on sign-up in bonus funds.
With a minimum deposit requirement of $10, the bonus funds are non-withdrawable, but you are free to cash out any winnings once you meet the 1x rollover requirement.
New users also receive two boost cards that increase the multipliers or projected payout if your picks win. Lastly, a New User Free Square offer is also included, guaranteeing one automatic winning selection on your first entry.
After using up the initial New User Promo, you can continue to earn betting rewards in one of two ways. A Daily Drop Pack is awarded once per day when you log in, while Level Up Packs unlock bonuses once you hit a new XP tier.
Bonus facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | $20 on sign up |
| Bonus code | T2P |
| Wagering requirements | 1x |
| Minimum qualifying bet | $10 |
| Risk-free bets | Available |
| VIP rewards | Available |
| Other bonuses | Deposit matches, boost cards, free square, daily promos, respawn cards, league promos |
To gain more XP and level up, you need to perform one or more of the following actions:
- Placing pre-game or live-game slips
- Earning bonus XP from winning slips
- Referring friends to Chalkboard
- Strategic cash-outs during live games
With 100 levels in total, higher-value rewards are unlocked as you progress through the ranks:
- Rookie: Levels 1 to 4
- Starter: Levels 5 to 14
- All-Star: Levels 15 to 24
- Hall of Fame: Levels 25 to 100
Each pack contains a mix of cards (rewards) that will include one of the following:
- Free Entry Cards: Acts as no deposit bonus, allowing you to enter a contest without using your own funds.
- Boost Cards: These cards increase multipliers and enhance your payout potential.
- Respawn Cards: Behaves as a cashback by refunding your stake in bonus funds if your slip loses.
- Stat or league-specific bonuses: Tied to specified sports markets, teams, or players that enhance certain plays or payouts.
Under the new setup, expiry dates are shown directly on the card you claim.
Bonus rating
- Terrific three-part welcome offer
- Daily and tiered rewards
- Rewards earned rather than granted
- Bonuses earned through activity
Chalkboard’s shift from a one-off welcome offer to a tier-driven rewards system was a stroke of genius. The initial deposit match remains, but the sign-up package has been expanded with Boost Cards and a Free Square.
Plus, now your activity and gameplay actually contribute towards unlocking more rewards. Overall, the New Promo User is a great introduction and sets the tone nicely for things to come.
Some players might find rewards-based promotions less appealing since they require a lot more commitment. For instance, Underdog also runs recurring promotions but whether you get them or not isn’t affected by your activity.
To counter that, Chalkboard’s tier-based promotions increase in value as you level up, which in turn gives you something to look forward to.
Compared to platforms like Betr where promotions can feel quite repetitive, Chalkboard has done a fine job of diversifying its offers, from cashback-style Respawns to stat specific entries, boosted payouts, and free entries.
Chalkboard sports and markets
With a total of seven sports, Chalkboard’s core markets are primarily built around football and basketball. Here, you can find the NFL, College Football (NCAAF), NBA, College Basketball (NCAAB), and the WNBA.
Hockey is represented by the NHL, while another popular American pastime, baseball, is covered by MLB.
Sports facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of sports | 7 |
| Betting markets — Baseball | Not disclosed |
| Betting markets — Basketball | Not disclosed |
| Betting markets — Football | Not disclosed |
| Esports | Available |
| Other markets (politics/event betting) | N/A |
Supporting roles include soccer markets such as the English Premier League and the Champions League. You can also find UFC under MMA, and esports titles such as League of Legends and Counter-Strike 2.
When it comes to the average number of markets offered each day, this information is not publicly available. Furthermore, there are also no special or entertainment bets on offer, although the platform has reiterated its intention to add more sports in the future.
Featured betting markets
-
Football
-
Basketball
-
Soccer
-
Esports
-
Hockey
-
Baseball
-
MMA
Sports and markets rating
- Great football coverage
- Includes College Basketball and WNBA
- No motorsports
- No niche sports
It’s clear that Chalkboard has put a lot of time and effort into its football and basketball markets, with plenty of player props and pick’em entries across both sports. The inclusion of college basketball and the WNBA should also be applauded.
However, it appears that other sports have fallen by the wayside. While the presence of the NHL and MLB is appreciated, these are expected additions to any DFS platform. Other competitors, like Underdog Fantasy, go one step further to include international options such as Korean and Japanese baseball leagues.
Plus, the total number of sports on offer at Chalkboard was underwhelming to say the least. While there’s no hard feelings over the omission of niche entries like lacrosse, the complete absence of any motorsports is impossible to ignore.
That said, Chalkboard has reiterated its intent to add more sports and markets, so hopefully, this could change in the near future. Regardless, the fact that non-registered users cannot view the amount of markets on offer is disappointing to say the least.
Chalkboard betting features
Chalkboard DFS and Chalkboard Social Picks work in similar ways. Both use a pick’em format where you can select from two to eight athletes of the same sport. Each pick includes a statistical projection with two possible choices: More or Less.
The main difference lies in how rewards are distributed. Social Picks operates under a sweepstakes model, where players use virtual coins to redeem prizes, while Chalkboard DFS uses real funds for entries and cash payouts.
In terms of betting features, Chalkboard DFS acts like a bet builder, letting you freely add or remove picks before locking in your entry. Players can also go all in with the Max Cash Mode, where every single pick in your entry must be correct to win a payout.
Feature facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Bet Builder | Available |
| Cash Out | Available |
| Live betting | Available |
| Live streaming | N/A |
| Virtual betting | N/A |
Alternatively, Shield Play acts as an insurance policy, allowing you to miss one or two predictions and still walk away with some profit. Alt Lines let players choose between different performance projections for the same stat. For instance, you might select 200 passing yards instead of 250.
Live picks (betting) are available, as is the option to cash out early on eligible entries. Plus, players can cancel pre-game entries within five minutes of submitting them. Free entries and boosts can be unlocked through Daily Promo and Level Up Packs.
Betting features rating
- Cashout available
- Includes live picks and Alt Lines
- Basic live stats
- No bet editing
Chalkboard’s betting features are pretty solid, affording you a nice degree of flexibility across its entries. The inclusion of live betting and cashout options gives it a clear advantage over other DFS platforms like PlaySqor, which lack them entirely.
Furthermore, the ability to manipulate certain stat projections is very freeing, as it allows you to adjust projections to your liking. With that said, there are definitely some aspects that could be improved. For instance, you cannot edit bets after they have been submitted, and the platform also lacks live streaming, as well as advanced in-game stats.
To counter that, Chalkboard’s short cancellation window for pre-game entries is a much-welcome feature. It acts as a handy safeguard to fall back on, helping you mitigate losses and recover from last-minute errors or second thoughts.
Chalkboard odds
With a maximum win cap of $40,000, Chalkboard DFS is home to a dynamic multiplier system that can reach up to 5,000x your wager.
Each individual pick carries its own multiplier. As you add more picks to your entry, the multipliers are added to your total payout potential. Furthermore, the number of picks in your entry also plays a part in determining your potential payout.
Odds facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Average payout | N/A |
| Boosted odds | N/A |
| Parlay boosts | N/A |
| Line movement | Frequent |
This makes it very unlikely for two separate entries with the same number of picks to have the exact same payout. This is because each lineup or entry generates a unique collective multiplier based on your chosen players and stats.
Individual pick values tend to range between 1.10x and 5.00x. However, precise figures on the lowest and highest individual multipliers were not available. This is due to the fact that non-registered users are unable to view the markets and odds without an account.
Odds rating
- Up to x5,000 max payout ($40,000 win cap)
- Dynamic multiplier system
- Lacks structure
- Limited transparency for non-registered users
There’s no doubt that Chalkboard DFS offers massive payout potential. The dynamic multiplier setup keeps things engaging, while the Shield Play options still offer solid returns even if one or two picks miss out.
However, limited transparency for non-registered users is a big issue, especially for players who want to preview the markets and multipliers before signing up.
Another issue is the lack of a clear structure found on other platforms. Underdog, for instance, strikes a great balance between dynamic payouts and fixed multipliers. This is because while some picks carry individual multipliers, your payout is also set by the number of picks in your entry.
This is not the case with Chalkboard, where less predictable multipliers can make payouts harder to follow. That said, it saves players from Underdog’s complex setup, and some may well prefer Chalkboard’s more fluid approach.
Chalkboard payments
Chalkboard supports seven payment methods that range from traditional bank and card options to more modern e-wallets and other digital solutions.
One of these methods is through Aeropay, a third-party payment platform that enables users to link their U.S. bank account to move funds in and out of their Chalkboard wallet.
E-wallet options include PayPal and Venmo, both of which can be used for deposits and withdrawals. Credit or debit card transactions are accepted through Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, while Apple Pay is also available.
Starting from a minimum of $10, deposits are instant and carry a maximum limit of $2,500 every 24 hours. All users who create an account must verify their identity before making a deposit.
Payment facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of payment methods | 7 |
| Popular payment | Aeropay |
| Minimum deposit | $10 |
| Maximum deposit | $2,500 |
| Average deposit time | Instant |
| Minimum withdrawal | $10 |
| Maximum withdrawal | $5,000 |
| Average withdrawal time | 6-24hr |
| Deposit fees | N/A |
| Withdrawal fees | N/A |
Withdrawals generally take a minimum of 12 hours to be processed. However, when made directly through a bank or card, there are instances where withdrawal requests may take a few days to complete. The maximum withdrawal limit is $5,000, which resets every 24 hours.
With the exception of credit cards, all payment options can be used for both deposits and withdrawals.
Payments rating
- High deposit and withdrawal limits
- Supports major e-wallets like Venmo
- Poor transparency for non-registered users
- Limited variety
Chalkboard’s maximum withdrawal cap of $5,000 every 24 hours equates to a very generous limit of $34,000 every seven days. This makes it a great choice for high rollers or players chasing big wins.
Its deposit cap also provides plenty of flexibility and easily surpasses other platforms like Betr, which has a monthly cap of $2,500.
While the inclusion of top e-wallets like PayPal and Venmo adds credibility, payment options lack variety with the likes of Skrill, Neteller, and CashatCage all absent.
Transparency also remains an issue for non-registered users. Sure, you can find all the payment methods through Chalkboard’s Help Center, but this information is scattered across separate articles rather than being presented on a single, dedicated page.
Safety features at Chalkboard
When it comes to protecting sensitive player data and financial information, Chalkboard’s encryption is built on advanced ECDSA technology and features a 384-bit Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-384).
In addition to encryption security, Chalkboard’s responsible gaming initiatives allow users to request deposit and time limits through the app. To achieve this, players must go to their profile and access Customer Support on the app.
From here, they need to press the ‘Send us a message’ button before selecting ‘Limits’ and following the prompts. Self-exclusion can be accessed in the same way, except users need to select ‘Self-Exclusion’ after pressing the ‘Send us a message’ option.
The platform’s terms and conditions do not specify what limits can be set or whether they can be applied on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The same goes for self-exclusion, with no confirmation on how long it lasts or what the options are.
Safety facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Auditing seals | N/A |
| Responsible gambling seals | National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) |
| Licenses | N/A |
| SSL encryption | 384-bit |
| Two-factor authentication | Available |
| Ever blacklisted? | N/A |
| Deposit, wager, time, and loss limits | On request |
| Self-exclusion | Available |
| Cooling-off period | N/A |
However, what can be confirmed is that once these requests are submitted, they are not reversible until the designated time has expired.
Alongside these features, Chalkboard’s dedicated Responsible Gaming page reiterates the importance of playing within your limits. The page also features external resources for those seeking professional support and guidance.
This includes a 24/7 anonymous helpline that directs you to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), along with a link to its website where live chat is also offered.
Other nationwide institutions mentioned include GamTalk, HelpGuide, and Your First Step to Change. BetBlocker – a free tool that allows users to block access to hundreds of gambling related sites and apps across multiple devices – is also listed on Chalkboard’s page. In addition to this, Chalkboard also provides links and hotlines to state-specific resources in areas where Chalkboard DFS is accessible.
Safety rating
- Highly safe and secure
- Offers plenty of external resources
- Lacks in-depth RG tools
- Struggles with transparency
The fact that players cannot manually set their own responsible gaming limits is a big miss, in my opinion. While deposit and time limits are available, they must be requested through Customer Support on the app.
I much prefer self-service tools that enable players to set their own limits. Not only does it provide more freedom, but it also gives players a sense of taking back control of their finances.
Elsewhere, the lack of transparency has been a recurring issue throughout this Chalkboard review. Unfortunately, this section is no exception and lacks clarity when it comes to limits on deposits and self-exclusion periods. With no wagering caps or contest-entry limits, there’s also a lack of in-depth responsible gambling services.
Still, Chalkboard redeems itself with its advanced 384-bit encryption, which surpasses the 256-bit standard seen on many sports betting platforms such as Prime Sportsbook.
Chalkboard also earns points for its extensive range of external resources, with tons of links and helplines to trusted organizations for people seeking professional support.
Support at Chalkboard
Chalkboard offers instant messaging via its live chat feature, which is available to both players and non-registered users alike. On the website, this can be accessed through the customer support widget pinned to the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
Although not available 24/7, the live chat service operates seven days a week, from 8 am to 2 am Eastern Standard Time (EST). When the chat is offline, you will receive automated responses requesting additional details so that your query may be reviewed once the service is up and running again.
Support facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Customer support availability | Monday to Sunday, 8 am to 2 am EST |
| Live chat | Available |
| [email protected] | |
| Contact number | N/A |
| On-page support | FAQ and Help Center |
As opposed to an AI bot, when online, your questions are handled directly by real-life customer support agents. Response times vary, but most replies typically arrive within a minute. More complex queries may take longer, in which case, users are informed to wait while the team investigates the issue.
The responses are generally clear, concise and straight to the point, although some answers may require further clarification. Aside from live chat, users can also contact Chalkboard through its email service at [email protected] with replies typically taking up to 24 hours.
The customer support widget can also be used to access the platform’s Help Center, where users can browse and search for articles covering a variety of topics such as deposits, bonuses, and general terms.
Support rating
- No AI bots
- Fast replies
- No 24/7 support
- CS agents can be a bit cold
While not quite 24/7, Chalkboard’s support hours are the next best thing, shutting down for only six hours each day between 2 am and 8 am EST. That means even for players in California, the service is available until 11 pm and resumes again at 5 am Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Personally, it was also refreshing not having to deal with an AI chatbot. While they do have their uses, they can often be frustrating to deal with, especially bad ones.
Ironically, while the responses from the CS agents were fast and efficient, they lacked warmth. Replies often came across as cold and rarely went beyond the bare minimum. While not a dealbreaker, it’s definitely an area that needs addressing.
Usability and mobile optimization at Chalkboard
Chalkboard is a mobile-first platform. Available for download on both iOS and Android devices, the app includes its DFS section for real-money wagering, as well as its Social Picks. The website, on the other hand, cannot be used for gameplay and only provides general information.
After downloading the app, registration takes just under 10 minutes to complete and requires your phone number, as well as your location. A text message containing a verification code is then sent to confirm your account.
The app itself features clearly designated tabs and icons that allow players to make entries, deposit and withdraw funds, claim bonuses, and access customer support.
A built-in search bar under the Picks section allows users to look for specific players or props, while filtering options beneath it enable sorting by stat type depending on the sport, such as points, assists, and rebounds for basketball.
Platform facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mobile app | iOS, Android |
| Ease of navigation | Simple |
| Filters | Basic |
| Search function | Andvanced |
| Loading speed | 2 seconds |
| UI and UX rating | Good |
| Other products | N/A |
However, while navigation remains simple, bear in mind that the app is prone to occasional glitches and performance lags.
Platform rating
- Clean and intuitive app design
- Easy to claim bonuses
- Long registration process
- Occasional glitches
With its clean layout and intuitive design, Chalkboard’s interface is, for the most part, very user-friendly, especially for beginners. Claiming bonuses is easy and so is funding your account or withdrawing your winnings.
The inclusion of a search bar for selecting players and props enhances usability. The fact that you can also filter by stat type is another big plus, as it makes it easy to locate specific players and markets without endless scrolling.
That said, the registration process was a bit of a letdown as it takes longer than expected and requires geolocation. The main issue, however, comes down to performance. The app is susceptible to occasional glitches and suffers from lag here and there.
It’s an issue that is unfortunately quite common with apps but nevertheless, it is something that needs addressing. Without these setbacks, this section would score a lot higher, considering Chalkboard’s otherwise smooth design and setup.
Chalkboard user reviews
Do you have any experience with this operator?
