DraftKings sportsbook review
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DraftKings sportsbook has a lot going for it – a super recognizable brand, plenty of markets to bet on, generous promos, a host of betting features, and the site is visually appealing, too.
But are there areas this sports betting giant could do better? Sure. Nobody’s perfect.
This Draftkings sportsbook review will look at bonuses, betting features, odds, customer support, and more.
Before you start wagering on your favorite teams – we want to give you the lowdown on what this site offers.
Let’s kick things off with a look at the bonuses offered on the DraftKings sportsbook app.
Pros and cons
- 20+ sports to bet on
- Regular promotions
- Rarer sports to bet on (darts, volleyball)
- Bonus is weaker than competitors'
- No search function
- No Esports or politics
General ratings
General info
| Launch date | 2018 |
| Company behind | DraftKings Inc. |
Best alternatives to DraftKings
Editor’s note
Data and analysis below are accurate at the time of publishing, but may be subject to change.
DraftKings expert verdict
DraftKings is a good sportsbook for fans of major US and international sports – especially football and basketball. It’s certainly a solid overall offering, but not without flaws.
There are multiple markets to bet on. The bet builder (bet slip) is simple to master and allows you to make parlays across sports. The number of sports you can bet on (20+) is another big win for DraftKings, as is the fast and efficient customer support.
I found the bonuses lacking compared to other sites, with a lot of complicated wagering requirements. The mobile app isn’t as smooth as rivals like FanDuel sportsbook and the site could do with a search bar.
Those are some gripes, but overall, DraftKings sportsbook is up there with the best of them.
DraftKings sportsbook states
DraftKings sportsbook is available in 25 states where mobile and/or online sports wagering is legal. Players must be physically located in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY, or WV.
Daly Fantasy Sports betting is offered in all states and Washington D.C., excluding Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and select parishes in Louisiana.
Depending on state legislature, you may have to be a legal resident of the state. Online betting from certain tribal lands, in Indiana for example, may be restricted.
DraftKings online sportsbook bonus: Bet $5 Get $150
DraftKings sportsbook app offers a Bet $5, Get $150 welcome bonus to new players. The $150 is credited as six $25 Bonus Bets, and requires a minimum $5 deposit and bet.
The Bonus Bets are single-use, non-cashable, non-withdrawable, and must be wagered 1x and the stake is not included in winnings. They also expire seven days after being awarded. No DraftKings bonus code is needed to claim the welcome bonus.
New players also automatically get a No Sweat NBA same game parlay (SGP) token every day of the NBA playoffs. Every day they can use this token on any 3+ leg SGP relating to the NBA playoffs, and if the bet loses, it is credited back as a bonus bet.
Bonus facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets + No Sweat NBA SGP during NBA playoffs |
| Bonus code | No |
| Wagering requirements | 1x on Bonus Bets |
| Minimum qualifying bet | $5 |
| Risk-free bets | Yes |
| VIP rewards | Yes |
| Other bonuses | Yes |
Welcome bonus terms and conditions
- New players only; valid once per new customer.
- To claim the welcome offer, deposit at least $5 and wager $5 or more between 00:00 (CET) on 11/14/2023 and 11:59 (CET) on 12/23/2023.
- All paid wagers of $5 or more qualify. Max wagering limits apply.
- The $150 in Bonus Bets is received instantly, credited as six $25 Bonus Bets.
- Bonus Bets are valid for seven days.
- Bonus Bets are not included in returns, winnings, are not redeemable for cash, can’t be transferred, and can’t be refunded.
- Bonus Bets must be wagered 1x; stake is not included in winnings.
Bonus rating
- Risk-free bets available
- Low 1x wagering requirement
- No DraftKings promo code required
- No no-deposit offers
- Valid only for seven days
DraftKings doesn’t disappoint when it comes to offers for new players, but as a seasoned punter — I expect a bit more.
The $150 in Bonus Bet is not bad, but DraftKings is on a trend of decreasing the bonus amount. The 1x wagering requirement is also a massive plus in my book, which puts DraftKings ahead of the competition (clocking in an average of 20-30x).
All in all, it’s the bonus offer is a great start for first-time punters, but DraftKing could do with improving variety for existing customers. At the time of writing, the ‘Promotions’ page runs rather dry.
DraftKings sportsbooks and markets
DraftKings comes into its own when it comes to sports you can bet on. As an official partner of the NFL, it’s a given that the NFL sports markets at DK are huge. Ditto for college football. But you can also bet on other sports like darts and volleyball. Also, if you’re a soccer fan, all the major leagues are available (The Premier League, Serie A, and the Bundesliga). In total, you’ll find over 20+ different types of sports to bet on – that compares favorably to Golden Nugget (17 sports), which beats out its big rival FanDuel, which offers 19.
Sports facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of sports | 20 |
| Betting markets — Baseball | 34 |
| Betting markets — Basketball | 122 |
| Betting markets — Football | 200 |
| Esports | N/A |
| Other markets (politics/event betting) | N/A |
There’s a lack of entertainment and politics (and current events) betting options. Esports (a growing market) is missing, too. But for all the major US sports DraftKings sportsbook app is solid.
NFL and College Football fans will be happy with DraftKings sportsbook – it has 200+ markets and every NFL division, College team, and major event to bet on. Want to try your luck with a same game parlay on your favorite college teams like Florida State? It’s got you covered. It’s got strong offerings for NBA and division one College Basketball, too.
Featured betting markets
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Basketball
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Soccer
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Football
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Baseball
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Boxing
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Golf
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Tennis
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Hockey
Available events
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NFL
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US Open
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MLB
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NBA
Sports and markets rating
- Strong football offering
- Rare markets like darts and table tennis
- Missing esports & politics
- Missing F1
Overall in my research for this DraftKings sportsbook review, I’m pretty impressed with the offerings for sports to bet on.
Of course, I expected the site to shine at football betting (it’s officially partnered with the NFL). And shine it does, with 200+ teams to bet on.
You’ll also find multiple markets for the NBA, NFL, and NHL. You’ll find all the major international soccer leagues represented. You can also bet on 50+ markets for tennis (and table tennis!). Even darts are covered. Yes, darts. Plus, all major sporting events from the US Open to the World Series.
DraftKings is strong on major sports, but it lacks some of the more fun, unique betting options like esports, politics, and entertainment. It’s also missing F1 and NASCAR. Unibet sportsbook offers all these, including ESL pro league, so that you can bet on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. That’s pretty cool.
Betting features at DraftKings online sportsbook
DraftKings sportsbook offers a solid set of betting features. The bet builder (bet slip) is easy to use and pops up even for non-registered users entering the site. Live betting is also available with multiple betting options as the games and events progress. Regarding betting, the DraftKings sportsbook app is a user-friendly site with plenty of guides on various bet types and sports to help beginners.
Feature facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Bet Builder | Yes |
| Cash Out | Yes |
| Live betting | Yes |
| Live streaming | No |
Live betting is available at DraftKings – although it lacks live streaming options. The filtering system is easy to use, allowing you to choose your favorite sport, team, and event. The odds are updated rapidly, along with changes in the score. The downside is that there isn’t even graphics to show you what’s going on at the game (Bet365 sportsbook offers this, for example).
Betting features rating
- Bet builder is easy to use
- Odds regularly updated
- No live stream graphics
Want to find the best odds, live? DraftKings has got you. Ditto changes to odds. The filtering system is easy to use. And most importantly, you can calculate your bet with ease. There are many parlay options – especially for football and basketball fans.
I’m not so happy with the lack of live streaming options. Yes, you can bet on sports live. Yes, the scores are all there, and the odds change rapidly. And yes, I get that with licensing, you can’t expect to watch a full game while you bet.
But there are ways to provide more in-depth info and keep players excited about the results. Bet365 sportsbook does a great job on this by providing graphics of the live games. DraftKings could learn something here.
Additional betting feature details
Parlays at DraftKings sportsbook
A parlay lets you link and combine two or more outcomes into one bet. You’ll have a higher risk, but you’ll with the potential to win big. On DraftKings sportsbook, you can make parlay bets across multiple sports. Want to bet on the Patriots and a specific player to win at the PDC World darts championship? You can.
DraftKings sportsbetting odds
DraftKings sportsbook odds are around the standard for the industry: 95.1%. Around 97% is usually the average on the high end. For football odds, they’re, on average, about 95.4%, and for basketball, they’re a little higher. If you compare that to Golden Nugget sportsbook, which offers 95.16%, and FanDuel’s 95.30%, there really isn’t much in it.
Odds facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Average payout | 95.1% |
| Boosted odds | Yes |
| Parlay boosts | Yes |
| Line movement | Moderate |
Live betting payouts are a bit lower at 93.4% than other payouts (like football), but that’s also pretty standard. That number is nothing special compared to other sportsbooks like FanDuel, Golden Nugget, and BetMGM – which all hover around the 93-94% mark.
Odds rating
- Decent payouts overall
- Nothing special compared to other sportsbooks
In my deep dive researching for this DraftKings sportsbook review, I checked out its main competitors. What DK offers is standard when it comes to odds. There might be a higher percentage here or there, but it’s so tiny it’s not worth mentioning. 95% is the standard and compares with Golden Nugget, Bet365, FanDuel, and others.
There isn’t much difference between the odds for major sports. Basketball and Football have pretty much the same odds (on average) – around 95%. You might try placing bets in the Premier League in the UK for some wildly different odds. But as always, stick to what you know, and if you know is the New York Nets, I wouldn’t recommend hunting for great odds for West Ham to beat Liverpool in the Premier League.
The live odds are 93% which is also standard (see all online sportsbooks we rate). And it’s understandable from a bookie’s perspective that they wouldn’t want to stick to industry standards. Again, there’s nothing to write about, but not much to complain about either.
Payments at DraftKings sportsbook
DraftKings sportsbook offers 10 depositing methods. You’ll find major credits, Play+, online banking options, PayPal, and more. 10 payment methods is a fair number – of course, there are always far fewer ways to withdraw than pay. But with some methods (like PayPal), you can do both.
Payment facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of payment methods | 10 |
| Popular payment | Play+ |
| Minimum deposit | $5 |
| Maximum deposit | $100,00 |
| Average deposit time | Instant |
| Minimum withdrawal | $1 |
| Maximum withdrawal | N/A |
| Average withdrawal time | 3 – 5 days |
| Deposit fees | None |
| Withdrawal fees | None |
Here is the complete list of depositing methods for DraftKings sportsbook: Online banking, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, DraftKings gift card, PayPal, Play+, cash at a retail location (Family Dollar, CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General, and 7-Eleven), Wire transfer, and VIP preferred e-check.
The following is a list of withdrawal methods: online banking, PayPal, VIP Preferred e-check, Play+, Wire, Cage, and Checks.
At DraftKings sportsbook, depositing methods are instant (or should be). With withdrawals, some methods you might think would be instant aren’t instant at all. For example, PayPal shouldn’t take 3-5 days (it should be instant after processing). Same with Play+, which DraftKings sportsbook puts at 2-4 withdrawal time.
Payments rating
- Deposit at local retail stores (like 7-11)
- PayPal available
- Longer withdrawal times compared to other sportsbooks
There isn’t much to say about DraftKings sportsbook’s range of payment methods – 10 is a solid number. It covers credit cards, cash payment options, and e-wallets like PayPal. You can even deposit your funds at select retail stores like 7-11 and CVS.
The problem I have is with average withdrawal times. Unless you’re willing to hop into your car and drive to a select location (cash at cage), you won’t be able to get your hands on your winnings instantly. This kind of blows – especially when the site uses Play+ and PayPal, which are supposed to be instant after processing.
Safety and transparency at DraftKings sportsbook
DraftKings online sportsbook is legal (and licensed) in 19+ states – including major betting states like NJ, PA, and MI. DraftKings operates using the standard 256-bit encryption, two-factor authentication, and a GeoComply geo-locator system. All in all, DraftKings sportsbook is a safe site for players.
Safety facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Auditing seals | N/A |
| Responsible gaming seals | RGF |
| Licenses | DGE, MCGB, WV Lottery Commission, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board |
| SSL encryption | 256-bit |
| Two-factor authentication | Available |
| Ever blacklisted? | No |
| Deposit, wager, time, and loss limits | All available |
| Self-exclusion | Available |
| Cooling-off period | Available |
Responsible gambling is taken seriously at DraftKings sportsbook. There’s a dedicated page with clear information. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. You can find it on their responsible gambling page. You’ll also find particular help lines and sites for problem gamblers like the National Council on Problem Gaming and links to specific associations that serve states like NJ and WV. There’s info on cooling-off periods, wagering limits, and self-exclusion for gamers who feel they have a problem.
Licensed by
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Colorado Division of Gaming
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Illinois Gaming Board
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Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
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Michigan Gaming Control Board
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WV Lottery Commission
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Virginia Lottery
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Tennessee Education Lottery
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Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
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New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
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Indiana Gaming Commission
Trusted by
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Responsible Gaming Foundation
Safety rating
- GeoComply tools
- Multiple licenses
- Help page hidden
On the face of it, DraftKings does well – it’s got everything I’d want. Strong security in place – 256-bit encryption, two-factor authentication, a strict vetting process for uploading documents, and a geo-locator. Your personal and financial details will be safe here.
I clicked on the responsible gaming seal and landed on their dedicated page. Honestly, it’s clearer than other pages I’ve seen (that link you to heavily detailed terms and conditions).
If you need help with problem gaming, you’ll find it here (there are even links to specific state bodies like the Council on Compulsive Gambling in NJ).
My only issue is if you go onto any state-specific DraftKings sites, you won’t find trust seals of those sites. DraftKings explicitly states each state’s licensing body in their intro to the landing pages.
The help page is generally full of useful info, such as how to verify your account, but it’s hidden. You have to scroll right down to the footer menu to find it. The RG seal, however, is right at the top.
All in all, these are minor points. DraftKings does an excellent job on player safety.
Support at DraftKings online sportsbook
DraftKings sportsbook covers most bases when it comes to customer support. They offer the following, 24-7: Live chat, email, email form, call back, voicemail ( 1 (855) 357-2377), and Twitter (@DK_Assist). There’s even an on-page chatbot to help with common concerns.
Support facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Customer support availability | 24/7 |
| Live chat | Yes |
| [email protected] | |
| Contact number | 1 (855) 357-2377 (voicemail) |
| On-page support | Help section |
Support rating
- Multiple channels
- Voicemail option
- No live chat for non-users
The support from DraftKings was exactly what I hoped it would be – fast, clear, and useful. I fired off an email about wagering requirements and the deposit bonus. It was answered in an hour or so (that’s darn good). The live chat was similarly speedy, and the responses answered all my points. The sheer number of channels you can contact customer support is impressive to me, and the fact that it’s a 24-7 thing. The live chat response was reasonable, and my questions were answered in 10-20 minutes or so. That ain’t bad.
The help page is a bit hard to find, but you can find answers to common questions there. Live chat isn’t available for non-users – and that’s a point against the site for me. But you can always use the email form or find DK on Twitter. I like the fact that you can leave a voicemail. They also offer callbacks. Compare this to another big name in sports betting, FanDuel, which offers no phone support at all.
Platform at DraftKings sportsbook
DraftKings online sportsbook is a decent platform overall on desktop and mobile. It’s intuitive, with good filtering systems. The mobile offering is decent but not the best out there (if you compare it to mobile-first sites like FanDuel).
The desktop version of the site seems a little more polished. It lacks a search function (outside of the help section). It’s easy to sign up and claim your bonus (once you have the relevant documents and pass the security checks). All in all, platform-wise, DraftKings does a good job.
Platform facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mobile app | iOS, Android |
| Ease of navigation | Very convenient |
| Filters | Yes |
| Search function | No |
| Loading speed | 0.2 sec. |
| UI and UX rating | Good |
| Other products | Casino, Poker |
The only major downside to the platform is the lack of a search bar on the desktop site and mobile app.
Supported operating systems
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Android
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iOS
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MacOS
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Windows
Platform rating
- Easy to navigate site
- Lack of search function
DraftKings offers a smooth, easy-to-navigate platform on both mobile and desktop. It’s pretty easy to find your favorite markets. There’s a long (kinda overlong) sidebar menu with all sports and divisions – plus major events.
The mobile offering is fine – it pretty much mirrors the site in terms of functionality and usability. It’s easy to navigate through the different verticals that DraftKings offers. I would say the lack of a search function is a big downside to the platform. The ability to find your team or event via search would save scrolling time. First-world problems, sure – but a search bar would be a simple addition that would improve the user experience.
DraftKings user reviews
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