Draftkings Sportsbook Review

New player welcome bonuses at DraftKings Sportsbook

There are three bonus offers at DraftKings. As books open in new states, sports betting fans will find some combination of these, or even all three. They do not need to use a DraftKings promo code. Simply sign-up with our links and receive the best possible welcome bonus:

• 5x free $5 bets
• Risk-free bet, up to $200
• 20% matched bonus, up to $500

New players receive the free bets for merely signing up; however, there are a few terms and conditions:

• New players will have seven days to use the free bets.
• The odds need to be -200 or better to qualify. 
• New players must wager their winnings at least once before they can withdraw it.

The two other new player bonuses will require a deposit. Your risk-free bet is for your first wager only, with a minimum bet of $25. Unlike many other online sportsbooks, any losing wagers are refunded in cash (not betting credits).

Matched deposit bonuses will require a playthrough. You’ll need to make a first deposit of $2,500 to get the maximum amount.

Sports betting promotions at DraftKings Sportsbook

As DraftKings moves into more states, its size will see bigger and better promotions running. 

An innovative promotion called, “DraftKings Pools,” is a contest where you pay to enter your picks for the entire day’s action. You’ll win big by getting every game right. Even better are the consolation prizes for getting the first, second and third incorrect. This promo has the excitement of a parlay, though without the all-or-nothing outcome.

Odds boosts are a standard format for DraftKings’ promotions. The book will pick one or two games and boost the odds if you pick the correct results. 

We will find out whether DraftKings tailors these boosts to local teams in every state or stick to the biggest games.

Look out for other promotions, including parlay insurance, overtime insurance and refer-a-friend scheme. 

DraftKings doesn’t offer any point collection or loyalty type programs.

Which states are DraftKings Sportsbooks active in?

There are currently four states with legal online sports betting via DraftKings. These are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia.

Here is where the sportsbook stands in each state:

• DraftKings New Jersey: This was the first state to host live sports betting. The law was passed in 2017, and the overturning of PASPA was led by appeals from the Garden state. DraftKings partners with Resorts Casino in NJ. They have a sportsbook and an online casino. You can also visit the live, branded sportsbook at Resorts Atlantic City.
• DraftKings Pennsylvania: DraftKings is not available in Pennsylvania yet. There was a delay between live sportsbooks and online sites/apps in PA. Here, FanDuel is already dominating the online betting scene. We expect DraftKings to enter the running soon.
• DraftKings West Virginia: The Mountain State passed legislation to regulate live betting in August 2018, with online betting following in September. DraftKings have a branded live book, which is at its license holding partner, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
• DraftKings Indiana: DraftKings is live in Indiana as of Oct. 3. It is partners with Penn National Gambling, operators of racetracks and casinos in several states.

In addition to these live states, there are moves to regulate sports betting elsewhere.

Legislation has passed in other states, including Tennessee and Iowa. While we fully expect DraftKings to seek a partner in both states, the licensing process is in the early stages.

Is DraftKings legal in the US?

Yes, however, jurisdiction over legal sports betting is in the hands of individual states.

The key piece of federal legislation that prevented states from deciding their own policies on sports betting was known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992.

Under this law, only a handful of states were allowed to bet on sports. Famously, Nevada was the only place to have sportsbooks, with some other very limited options in Oregon, Delaware and Montana.

In May 2018, following a series of legal challenges, the Supreme Court overturned PASPA. This allowed states to introduce their own legislation covering online and live sports betting.

New Jersey was first, quickly followed by Pennsylvania.

Many more states are expected to follow.

To legally bet online at DraftKings in most states, you need to be at least 21 years or older. 

The DraftKings online sportsbook only works within the borders of the regulated state. Geolocation technology will not allow you to deposit or place bets from outside those lines. 

You don’t need to be a permanent resident of a state to place a bet.

How to sign up for a DraftKings account

You can use this link to join DraftKings. You’ll be asked for the following information when you click “Register” at DraftKings.

This process is quick and easy; it only takes a few minutes before you are ready to deposit and bet.

You can link your DFS account to the sportsbook. To do this, you need to register for the sportsbook, then click a button to link the accounts. You still get to take advantage of those welcome bonus offers.

While it is possible to move money between your DFS account and the full sportsbook in some states, you will need to wager that DFS balance at least once first.

How to download the DraftKings sports betting app

If you visit the online sportsbook in your state via your mobile device, you will be prompted to download the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

This site provides an app for iOS devices, which piggybacks its existing DFS app. This workaround navigates the technical restrictions other books in newly regulated states are facing with iPhone and iPad users. You will find the DraftKings sports betting app in the Apple App Store.

An Android app is not available in the Google Play Store. Therefore, you must download the app directly from the DraftKings website. While this is perfectly safe, you will need to override warnings that your download is from an “unknown source.”

If you use your phone for most of your sports betting, then we recommend downloading the DraftKings app.

However, if you mainly bet via your computer, then the DraftKings website allows you to place bets, too. The site also works on mobile devices and it automatically adjusts to your screen size.

Navigating the DraftKings app and website

Key areas of the desktop website

With the distinctive dark gray and green design, the DraftKings website is noticeably cleaner looking than many state sportsbooks. While many books have a long list of sports on the left, DraftKings has added these to the top menu bar. In-season sports are highlighted, with many more via the “Sports A-Z” link.

Here are the key areas:

• Account Options: You’ll see a bright green “Register” button on the top left. There is also a “Log-In Here.” If you are logged in already, this gets replaced by links to your account and the cashier link. The site also highlights responsible gambling via a badge on the top left.
• Top Level Options: You’ll find a toggle between DFS (where available) and sports betting on the top left. Under this is a significant menu, which gives you the homepage (all sporting events), “My Bets” (history and current live wagers), “Live Betting,” “Promos” and “Help.” In states that allow it, a link to the casino games.
• Sport Options: The next menu changes depending on where you are. From the homepage, you will see a list of in-season sports. Clicking any of these will give you more navigation options for pro and college leagues, futures, prop bets and more.
• List of Matches: As you drill down to the sports level, a list of current games appears in the more extensive section below the menus. You will see the spreads, totals and moneylines as the default. You can click to view the full list of bets. Note that on busy game days, finding your team via the search filter is an easier route.
• Bet Slip: The bet slip is in the narrow column on the right-hand side of the DraftKings.com website. It is divided into singles, parlays and round robins. You select bets from the main section by clicking on them, and you can then remove any you don’t want with a single click. Once you organize your selections, add the bet amount and confirm everything is in order, then you can click the big, green “Place Bet” button.
• Help and Contact: You’ll find a list of useful links in the website footer. These include those all-important terms and conditions, a link to the FAQ and the “Contact Us” page.

Layout differences on the DraftKings betting app

With less space available, DraftKings has done an excellent job of keeping all the information only a couple of clicks or swipes away.

The bet slip stays hidden on the app until you need it. You can access this through the menu bar bottom.

This menu at the bottom of the screen on the app stays in place as you navigate. This feature allows you to get back to the main areas with a single click.

The menu options are:

• Home
• In-Game (live betting)
• My Bets (bet slip)
• A-Z Sports
• Promotions

Current major sports have white buttons, which helps them stand out on smaller screens.

Live (in-play) betting at DraftKings

Live betting opens a new type of betting in the states where DraftKings operate.

The idea is that you bet on games that are already underway.

You can do this while watching the game, as the odds change instantly, based on the action. You place bets in the same way you always do, though you might have to be fast because the action could shift again.

If you have not yet experienced this format, you’ll be surprised how betting in real-time can add to the excitement of watching a game.

What sports are available at DraftKings?

Individual states have individual rules about sports that are excluded from betting apps. That said, the pro leagues and popular individual sporting contests, like golf and tennis, are available everywhere.

You will also find international sports to bet on, with soccer being the most popular.

DraftKings doesn’t drill as deep into the niche or regional sports as some online sportsbooks, though it has excellent coverage of the major betting markets.

• Pro Leagues: Most bets will go on the pro leagues, with NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB covered in-depth. You’ll be able to drill down into smaller pro leagues and bet on college games. Where available, international leagues (for example, the EuroLeague) are also an option.
• Soccer: English Premiership, Champions League, European country leagues and the World Cup Euro Championship are all popular markets. You can also wager on MLS games. DraftKings’ owner, Paddy Power Betfair, has a lot of experience with soccer. You’ll find leagues and cup contests from every part of the world.
• Other Popular Sports: Individual sports including golf (Masters and PGA tour), tennis and boxing are popular at DraftKings. You’ll find good coverage of MMA, motor racing and more.
• Niche or Region-Specific Sports: Markets for cricket and rugby are available, with regional games including Aussie rules football also spread.

How to bet at DraftKings online sportsbook

Once you join DraftKings you’ll have the option to bet on a single game, add multiple games into parlays or teasers, or even wager on the performance of an individual player. Many betting options (props and period betting, in particular) are sport-specific.

Below is a list of the main types of bets you can place on most sports. We cover live (in-play) betting in a separate section.

• Moneyline: This is the standard single bet. DraftKings will offer odds for each team (and draws where that is possible). These are based on a $100 bet, with negative odds showing how much you’ll need to wager to win $100. There is no need to bet in $100 units; this amount is used only to simplify the math.
• Spreads: Here, the perceived chances of each team are shown with points or goals boost to the underdog. This is expressed with 0.5 at the end, to ensure that the spread does not create an unlikely tie.
• Totals: Points or goals for both teams combined is the standard. Totals for different periods of a match are available and depend on the format of the games.
• Parlays: If you’re looking for a big win from a small investment, parlays are popular. Linking multiple games on the same bet slip with the profit from each going to the next game is risky, though the rewards can be significant if all your selections win.
• Teasers: This is a form of a parlay that has some flexibility. Teasers use spreads to give you a better shot at winning. Keep in mind that the returns will be lower when compared to using straight wins.
• Round Robins: This multiple-selections bet works differently to regular parlays. You pick teams that all play each other in different combinations. One team losing might stop the matches (and multiples) with them involved from paying, though there are still other combinations that can win.
• Futures: Many bets can be made long before the game happens. Examples are conference or playoff winners, or season-long player bets.
• Props: This stands for proposition bets, which involve wagers on the performance of individual players. Yards rushed, points scored, or strike-outs are examples.

How to deposit at DraftKings Sportsbook

Once you have registered, your next step is to fund your account. There is a comprehensive set of deposit options available at most state-regulated sportsbooks.

While you might find small differences, depending on the individual statues in each state, the list of banking options will likely include the following:

Cash at the Casino: If your local live DraftKings Sportsbook or sponsoring casino is nearby, you can bring cash to the cage along with your ID and account details.

• DraftKings Sportsbook WV: Cash deposits and withdrawals are available at the Hollywood Casino and Sportsbook, 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, WV 25414
• DraftKings Sportsbook IN: Cash deposits and withdrawals are available at Ameristar Casino and Hotel, 777 Ameristar Blvd., East Chicago, IN 46312
• DraftKings Sportsbook NJ: Cash deposits and withdrawals available at Resorts Casino AC, 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ

Credit Cards or Debit Cards: This is the fastest deposit option, though limited for withdrawals. You can use Visa and Mastercard at DraftKings. You can apply for a Play+ prepaid debit card, which you can use for deposits and withdrawals.

ACH Transfers: This is a popular bank transfer option. It is just like writing a check but in an electronic form. If you get verified by a third party (VIP Preferred), then you can use e-checks, aka ACH transfers, for deposits and withdrawals.

Bill Pay: The use of bill pay is state-specific and only available from banks that participate in this scheme. You can deposit at DraftKings in the same way you would pay a utility bill.

PayPal, Skrill or Neteller: These are similar third-party services that provide online wallet accounts that you can use for both deposits and withdrawals.

PayNearMe: This option involves taking cash to your local 7-Eleven store. Similar services at other convenience store chains may be available in some states.

Bank Wire or Money Order: Larger deposits can use these slower and more traditional methods.

Wrapping up: DraftKings Sportsbook

With legislation for online sports betting gaining momentum, we could see many other states hosting DraftKings in the near future.

Not only does this brand have years of domestic experience via its DFS site, but its owners are global sports betting powerhouses. You should expect DraftKings to be looking for a local partner as soon as the legislation passes in your state, and becoming among the first sports betting books online.

With some generous welcome bonuses, including free bets, you should take a look at the apps and website as soon as you can. Unique betting pools, live and cash-out betting and thousands of lines will give you a live sportsbook experience, all from an easy-to-use app.