DraftKings Sportsbook Review 2024: Expert Tested

DraftKings is undoubtedly one of the biggest sportsbooks in the US right now and has a huge user base across the country. And with overwhelmingly positive reviews, you may be considering trying it out for yourself.

In this review, I’ll take a deep dive into DraftKings, analyzing everything from its mobile app to customer support, so you can see whether or not the platform is worth using.

We use a points-based system, to calculate an objective, overall star-based rating. For more information on how we rate view here.

Is DraftKings legit? Quick video answer

Overall rating – 4.5 stars

Overall, I give DraftKings a rating of 4.5 stars based on an average of 85.8% and an overall score of 77.2.

DraftKings is an incredibly good all-round platform. I particularly liked the user-friendly mobile app, the wide range of markets, and the great in-play betting service.

However, DraftKings suffers from particularly weak customer service and a poor live streaming service.

Overall, I recommend DraftKings to any sports bettor who wants an easy-to-use betting site with access to a wide range of markets and betting options.

Here’s a breakdown of how DraftKings performed:

DraftKings overview

Pros & cons of DraftKings

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of DraftKings:

Pros

• High standard of safety and security

• Amazing mobile app

• Great array of markets

• Attractive welcome incentive

Cons

• Live streaming service is limited at best

• Customer service is very poor in comparison to other betting sites

Safety – 5 stars

DraftKings is easily one of the safest betting sites in the US. It holds licenses in dozens of states, uses high-quality security software, and has an excellent track record.

Licenses

DraftKings holds reputable betting licenses in the following states:

It’s worth noting that DraftKings does not operate outside of these jurisdictions. However, if you do live in one of these states, you will be able to use DraftKings legally, safe in the knowledge that should anything go wrong, you will be protected.

Here you can find out whether DraftKings is allowed in your state.

They are also regulated overall by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement as an Internet gaming operator following the Casino Control Act N.J.S.A. 5:12-1 and its implementing regulations.

Security

To keep your account safe, DraftKings also makes use of 256-bit encryption software to ensure that your data will never be leaked.

The website is also protected through geolocation software.

Track record

Aside from this, DraftKings was formed in 2012 and has since shown over a decade of stellar performance and safety-first operation.

Therefore, with a track record like this, you shouldn’t worry about putting your money into the platform.

Pros

• Holds a gambling license in over a dozen states

• State-of-the-art security technology

• Perfect track record

Cons

• None

Mobile betting app – 5 stars

DraftKings has one of, if not the best sports betting apps in the US.

It’s smooth, easy to operate, and makes betting on your favorite sport an easy process.

Look and feel

The first thing you’ll notice about the mobile app is just how good it looks. The app makes use of a modern black, white, and green theme which is clean and easy on the eye.

Aside from looking good, the app is also a good performer, thanks to user-friendly navigation tabs at the bottom and a handy search bar that makes it easy to find any market or app function.

Making a bet

Making a bet through DraftKings’ mobile app is very easy.

Just follow these simple steps:

• Create a new DraftKings account and log in.

• Deposit some money into your account. It’s a good idea to check out the welcome incentive section to see if there are any worthwhile offers up for grabs.

• Find the market that you’d like to place a bet on and tap on the odds figure. This will add the wager to your bet slip.

• Bring up your bet slip and enter the amount you’d like to wager.

• Hit confirm!

User experience

As you might imagine, my experience with DraftKings’ mobile app was incredibly good.

For one, it was easy to navigate through the mobile app, thanks to both the tabs at the bottom of the screen and the search bar.

Furthermore, making a bet is a seamless process, and the bet slip takes the guesswork out of how much you’ll be wagering so that you can make more informed bets.

Something else that I’ve noticed is just how committed DraftKings is to improving its mobile app.

Despite being one of the best in the country, it seems as though DraftKings is never quite satisfied, and as a result, is always releasing small patches and tweaks to make your experience even better.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a betting site with a top-tier mobile app, DraftKings won’t disappoint.

Pros

• App looks great

• Performs just as well as it looks

• High-quality user experience

Cons

• None

Website – 4.5 stars

The website is virtually the same platform as the mobile app, just on a bigger screen.

However, the lack of a search bar did take away from my overall experience.

Look and feel

The website looks very similar to the mobile app, opting for the same color scheme, fonts, and layouts.

This is nothing but a compliment, as the website already felt familiar to me after checking out the mobile app.

The search functions are also very similar, with the only major difference being that the website does not have a search bar.

User experience

Like the mobile app, DraftKings’ website puts user experience at the top of its priority list, and this has paid off tenfold. It performs great, and I found myself coming back to it again and again whenever I wanted to make a bet.

Furthermore, because the mobile app and website are so similar, switching between them is a seamless process.

This means that, whether you’re on the go, at the event live, or in the comfort of your own home, you’ll be able to use DraftKings on whatever device you have available.

The only thing that I missed from the website was a search bar. The lack of a search bar did make it a little more difficult to find specific markets.

However, because the navigation is so good as standard, this wasn’t a massive hurdle, and my overall experience was still very positive.

Pros

• Excellent design

• Smooth functioning

• Virtually the same as the mobile app

Cons

• No search function

Deposits and withdrawals – 4.5 stars

DraftKings offers plenty of ways to deposit and withdraw money.

In addition, the minimum deposit amount is very low, and both deposits and withdrawals are completely free to make.

However, I did miss the ability to make crypto payments.

Deposits

DraftKings offers plenty of ways to deposit money into your account, including:

• Visa

• Mastercard

• Maestro

• Skrill

• PayPal

The minimum deposit for all of these methods is $5, which is very low in comparison to competitors. It also means that, no matter your budget, you’ll be able to fund your account and start betting on your favorite games and matches.

It’s also worth noting that deposits are completely free to make through DraftKings. This means that what you deposit is yours to play with.

The only deposit method that I missed was a form of crypto payment. However, very few US betting sites offer this, so it’s not a deal breaker by any means.

Making a deposit

To deposit DraftKings, follow these steps:

• Log in to your DraftKings account.

• On the homepage, tap the ‘deposit’ icon in the top left-hand corner. If you’re using the app, press the three lines in the top left-hand corner to find the deposit option.

• Select the amount you’d like to deposit and fill out the payment form.

• Hit confirm!

Withdrawals

Withdrawals can be made using the same methods as above, and you will generally need to withdraw money to the same card that you deposited with.

DraftKings also has a casino partner in the majority of the states that it’s licensed in. This means that you can withdraw funds in person if you wish.

The minimum withdrawal amount is $20 for every method, which may sound a little high if you’re a more casual bettor.

However, this is more than made up for by the fact that withdrawals are completely free to make, so any winning bets that you do make will be yours to keep entirely.

Withdrawals will take anywhere from 1-3 days to hit your account.

Making a withdrawal

To make a withdrawal through DraftKings, follow these steps:

• Log in to your account and head to the ‘My Account’ page.

• Click ‘Withdrawal.’

• Select the amount you’d like to withdraw and confirm the payment method.

• Hit confirm!

Pros

• Plenty of mainstream deposit and withdrawal methods are available

• Deposits and withdrawals are free to make

• Low minimum deposit amount

Cons

• Crypto payments are not yet offered

Markets – 5 stars

DraftKings has an excellent array of markets for users to bet on, covering more mainstream options and less popular markets.

Popular markets

DraftKings has a huge array of the most popular betting markets in the US, including:

• NBA. DraftKings is an official partner with the NBA, and as a result, offers some of the best betting options for the league.

• College Football. DraftKings offers one of the most extensive college football betting markets in the US. You’ll be able to bet on literally any team you could think of, as well as a variety of outcomes, both long-term and in-game.

• College Basketball. Likewise, DraftKings has great coverage of college basketball.

• NHL. Hockey fans will be pleased to hear that DraftKings offers extensive coverage of the NHL, including the Stanley Cup playoffs.

• MLB. DraftKings also covers baseball through the MLB.

Other markets

Aside from these major markets, DraftKings also offers an A-Z catalog of less popular sports such as cricket, eSports, boxing, tennis, and rugby.

Considering that these markets aren’t as popular in the US, the overall coverage is still excellent, and from my experience doesn’t feel restrictive or sub-par in comparison to other betting sites.

Casino

It is also worth noting that DraftKings isn’t just limited to sports betting.

When you create an account, you’ll also gain access to its casino, which is full of excellent card games and slot machines and can serve as a nice break from sports betting from time to time.

Pros

• Amazing selection of markets

• A variety of bets within each market are available

Cons

• None

Pre-match betting – 5 stars

DraftKings’ pre-match betting is nothing short of flawless.

You can make bets on a variety of short-term and long-term outcomes, in literally every sport you could think of.

Coverage

DraftKings’s pre-match coverage is excellent for two reasons. For one, there are hundreds of upcoming matches that you can bet on at any given time, in a variety of markets, both mainstream and more niche.

Furthermore, the range of bets that you can make within each market is incredible. Take baseball, for instance.

You can bet on the moneyline for a specific game, or create a bet much more long-term by predicting the winner of the MLB.

This variety means that no matter your preferences, DraftKings will be able to accommodate you.

Parlay bets

DraftKings also allows users to build parlay bets for higher risk, higher reward stakes.

This bet builder is available for virtually every market covered by DraftKings, and you can even use the site’s calculator to determine the potential payout for a winning Parlay.

Pros

• Plenty of markets to make a pre-match bet on

• Lots of variety in the types of bets you can make

Cons

• None

In-play betting – 4 stars

Draftkings’ array of live betting options is second to none.

The inclusion of its unique Flash Bet feature also adds a whole new dimension of excitement to live games.

However, I did find the live-streaming service to be lackluster.

Markets

DraftKings is known for its array of in-play betting options, and the sheer variety of bets available shouldn’t be understated.

Whatever the match, DraftKings will provide updated odds which change depending on the outcomes of the match as it unfolds.

What makes this feature so good is how quickly the markets update as the match goes on.

Many other betting sites that I’ve tested feel a bit ‘clunky’ when it comes to live betting. DraftKings, on the other hand, was built for live play.

Live streaming

DraftKings also offers a live streaming service, allowing you to watch the games that you bet on in live time.

However, the overall range of live-streaming options available is limited at best.

No major US sports are available to watch through DraftKings. This inability to watch your favorite sports unfold does limit the overall experience when betting with DraftKings.

However, this also can’t be helped, as most major US sports leagues have pretty strict streaming licenses.

Flash bet

DraftKings also offers a unique in-play betting feature dubbed a ‘Flash Bet.’

This makes use of new technology and allows you to make a wager in between points in any given match. And, once the play is over, you will receive an instant payout (provided you win).

This feature is an awesome way to add variety to your live bets, and can completely transform the experience of watching a game live, as your money could be at stake for any given play.

Pros

• The flash bet feature is awesome

• Live betting is a smooth and seamless process

Cons

• Live Streaming service could use some improvement

Welcome incentive – 4.5 stars

DraftKings’ 2024 welcome bonus is a great incentive to give the platform a go and is essentially a way to get free money.

The added promotions on top make signing up even more tempting.

2024 incentive

DraftKings’ current welcome incentive is a ‘No Sweat First Bet.’ This means that you can make your bet up to $1,000, and if you lose, DraftKings will cover it, so you don’t lose any money.

This is an awesome incentive because it means that you can both get a feel for the platform and make a very expensive, very risky bet with the potential for a large payout without risking a penny of your own money.

How to redeem

To redeem this offer, simply create an account and then deposit at least $5.

From here, place a wager on any qualifying bet for at least $1, and if you lose, the wager amount will be reimbursed into your account.

Other promotions

Aside from the welcome offer, DraftKings offers plenty of attractive promotions including:

• Loyalty Program. DraftKings rewards loyal customers with a Crown system, which offers increasingly better rewards as you gain more crowns. You obtain a crown for every $2 you bet.

• Happy Hour Boost. DraftKings also offers a happy hour boost at different times for different sports events. During this hour, odds are boosted, making payouts more attractive.

• Referral Bonus. If you refer a friend to DraftKings, and they deposit at least $25, you will receive a $25 payout.

Comparative offers

DraftKings’ welcome bonus is pretty spot on with the market average right now in terms of reward, and the minimum deposit of just $5 is lower than other sites such as Caesars Sportsbook.

However, some other sites are offering a more attractive offer on paper right now. FanDuel, for instance, is giving away $150 in free bets to anyone who makes a winning first bet.

Pros

• Solid welcome incentive

• Plenty of other promotions

Cons

• Bonus isn’t quite as attractive as some competitors

Customer service – 3 stars

Unfortunately, DraftKings is somewhat let down by its customer service.

There is a distinct lack of direct human support, and trying to fix a problem can feel like more effort than it’s worth.

Live chat

DraftKings does offer a live chat service, which is available 24/7.

However, instead of speaking to a real agent, this service is powered by AI bots, which severely limits the overall helpfulness of the service.

Sure, you will be able to have some basic questions answered.

However, if you have a serious problem, you will likely run in circles when trying to solve it over a live chat.

Telephone

What’s even worse is that DraftKings does not have a dedicated phone line for general queries.

Instead, you need to request a callback service, and this is only granted if you have a very pressing issue.

Email

This means that the only way to hear back from a human agent is to email your question.

To do this, you need to fill out a rather long form, and then wait to hear back from a team member.

Thankfully, email replies tend to be pretty fast, and full of useful information as well as relevant links to FAQ sections.

However, this doesn’t make up for the distinct lack of customer service options.

FAQ section

It is worth noting that DraftKings does have a very large FAQ page on its website, which holds answers to the majority of basic problems and questions the average user may have with the platform.

This does alleviate the otherwise lackluster customer support somewhat.

Nevertheless, on the whole, I was very disappointed with DraftKings’ customer service.

Pros

• Email support is pretty good

Cons

• No dedicated phone line

• Live chat is run by a bot

Final thoughts

Ultimately, it’s not difficult to see why DraftKings is one of the most used and beloved betting sites in the US.

The range of markets is awesome. The mobile app is second to none.

Safety is prioritised and the only major letdown comes by way of its customer service.

Therefore, if you’re searching for a comprehensive betting platform that will cater to all of your needs, you need look no further than DraftKings.

Since its establishment in 2012, DraftKings has been fixed on becoming the most popular sportsbook in the US. So many rivals, but DraftKings’s innovative approach makes it a worthy competitor.

The withdrawal process is relatively fast at DraftKings, ranging from 48 hours to 5 banking days, depending on the option you choose.

As a new user, with a minimum deposit of $5, you’re eligible for bonus bets in the amount of $150.

Moreover, DraftKings has set a minimum deposit requirement for its users, and while many enthusiasts flock to the site for its diverse range of sports options.

How to open an account with DraftKings?

Check out the step-by-step guide to opening an account with DraftKings.

Step 1: Sign up

Open the official website of DraftKings and click on Sign Up.

Step 2: Enter your details

Provide a unique username, email address, and mobile number, and create a strong password.

Step 3: Click create account

Once you’ve made sure you’re eligible to play and have filled in the blanks, click on Create Account.

Step 4: Verify and register

You’ll be asked to provide your home physical address, full name, and date of birth for additional verification. To complete the registration, you’ll be asked to provide a copy of your ID and utility bill.

How to gamble responsibly

Before we end this article, we need to caution you to always bet responsibly.

To ensure you’re being cautious, betting sites implement various responsible gambling practices that will help you keep your betting habits in check.

• Limits: Online sports betting apps allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.

• Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any betting platform. This prevents you from spending all of your winnings. There’s also the option for early cashout, so you can still get paid if the bet is starting to go sideways.

• Help & resources: Betting apps provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.

To help with gambling, we created a 'how to bet on sports' guide, that helps new sports bettors understand the industry better, to play safer and more securely.

Responsible gambling organizations and charities in the US

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