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DraftKings and FanDuel have been rivals since the early days of daily fantasy sports.
Sports betting has expanded into dozens of states following the 2018 demise of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), and the two juggernauts still compete today.
The rivalry will continue for years to come. Ultimately, FanDuel versus DraftKings will have one clear winner: sports bettors.
We can’t pick a favorite between FanDuel and DraftKings. Both sportsbooks have much to offer, and you’re better off using them in tandem than picking one and neglecting the other.
We’ll highlight the minor differences so you can decide which sportsbook you want to try first.
DraftKings / FanDuel States
The first question you might have: Are FanDuel and DraftKings available in my state?
DraftKings and FanDuel are two of the most available online sportsbooks, but that doesn’t mean every legal state has both. Here’s a look at each app’s availability as an online sportsbook:
Most legal sports betting markets offer FanDuel and DraftKings. There are exceptions, such as New Hampshire, Maine and Oregon, which have DraftKings but not FanDuel.
This list will continue to grow. DraftKings, FanDuel and their many competitors typically launch quickly in new markets.
Bonuses & Promos
Online sportsbooks offer “welcome bonuses” for new users to entice people to use their platforms. DraftKings and FanDuel follow this industry trend.
DraftKings ‘Bet & Get’ Bonus
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Bet $5+, get $150 in bonus bets if first bet wins |
| Promo Code | N/A |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NH, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY, WV |
| Offer Expires | Jan. 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Apple Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.5/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus |  |
FanDuel ‘Bet & Get’ Offer
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Bet $5+, get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass |
| Promo Code | N/A |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY |
| Offer Expires | Dec. 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Apple Store Score | 4.9/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.7/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus | |
Market Depth & Variety
DraftKings and FanDuel feature various sports and events to bet on. We’ll take a closer look in the table below, but keep in mind these markets are subject to state laws and regulations.
For example, some states might not allow NCAA prop bets or wagers on in-state schools, even if they offer other NCAA bets.
Yet again, these two major sportsbooks are neck-and-neck. DraftKings has a few more obscure markets, such as snooker and entertainment awards, but the offerings are nearly identical otherwise.
The actual bets for each sport/league can vary by sportsbook, but both DraftKings and FanDuel have some of the best depth in the industry.
You’ll find moneylines, point spreads and totals for all the major team sports. Game and team props, round robins, parlays, SGPs and other different bet types are standard, too.
Neither DraftKings nor FanDuel edges out the other regarding the sheer number of wagers available on any given matchup. Chances are, if you want to make a wager — even an obscure one — either sportsbook will have it.
We would give the nod to DraftKings in terms of sponsorship, with a LeBron James and DraftKings partnership announced in January 2024.
Betting Odds & Lines
FanDuel and DraftKings offer competitive prices.
Rather than selecting one sportsbook for all your betting, you’re better off using both against each other to price shop.
Below, we outline an odds example that can prove why we recommend shopping around — at FanDuel, DraftKings and other sportsbooks — to find the most favorable odds on your preferred bet.
Keep in mind these odds were live at the time of this writing, so they won’t be listed anymore. We use them here to help explain odds shopping.
These odds paint a striking picture. FanDuel is the clear choice for a Broncos moneyline bet or if you want an extra half-point on the Broncos spread at the cost of a slightly lower potential payout. An Under bet would be better placed at FanDuel, with a $110 bet potentially winning $100. Getting the same payout at DraftKings would cost $115.
On the other hand, DraftKings has a better spread for the Colts, and that extra half-point would be a difference-maker if they lose by a field goal. The DraftKings moneyline on the Colts also pays better than FanDuel’s, returning $155 on a $100 bet at DraftKings versus $144 from FanDuel.
Bottom line: No single sportsbook can always offer the best odds on everything. FanDuel and DraftKings are two leading bookmakers in the industry, but neither will ever wholly outshine the other with its odds and lines.
Instead, as a bettor, we encourage you to view FanDuel and DraftKings as two tools in your betting arsenal. Find the odds that pay the best and bet with that sportsbook.
Payment Methods
Both sportsbooks have many options for depositing and withdrawing from your account.
DraftKings Deposit Methods
- Credit/Debit
- Online Banking
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
- ACH eCheck
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- Wire Transfer
- DK Gift Card
- Venmo
FanDuel Deposit Methods
- Credit/Debit
- Online Banking
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Wire Transfer
- PayNearMe
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- FD Gift Card
Depending on your state, you may also be able to deposit at a partnered casino using cash.
Overall, both of these lists are robust. PayPal and Venmo are two of the most popular and accessible options for sports betting deposits. DraftKings and FanDuel have both, plus many other reputable methods.
Now let’s look briefly at withdrawal methods.
DraftKings Withdrawal Methods
- Online Banking
- Debit Card
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Check
- Cash at casino counter (where applicable)
FanDuel Withdrawal Methods
- Online Banking
- Debit Card
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- Check
- Cash at casino counter (where applicable)
FanDuel and DraftKings offer similar withdrawal methods. Again, you can’t go wrong with Venmo or PayPal, two of the most straightforward payment solutions in the business.
Mobile App Experience
FanDuel and DraftKings have similar mobile applications available on iOS and Android devices. They function smoothly with intuitive menus and load quickly. They’re two of the most well-developed betting apps in the market.
Some key differences include the bottom navigation menus. At DraftKings, the options are home, in-game (live matches/games), my bets, all sports and rewards. The account and deposit sections are located in the top menu.
FanDuel’s bottom menu includes buttons for home, explore, my bets, racing and account. The top menu contains all sports, boosts, promos, live now, parlay hub and rotating sports depending on the season.
We won’t get into the nitty-gritty of each app because, frankly, they both work well. FanDuel has a reputation as especially user-friendly, but ultimately, FanDuel and DraftKings offer two of the top mobile sports betting experiences available in any legal market where they operate.
Customer Service
We tested the customer service live chat function at FanDuel and DraftKings.
FanDuel’s live chat opened with a bot asking about the nature of our question. We selected referral bonuses. After a few automated questions, we chose “transfer to an agent” and had to submit a verification code emailed to our account.
Though that was a bit of a hassle, the agent signed on and immediately was able to answer our question. The whole process took less than two minutes.
We asked the same question at DraftKings. The help center took us to an FAQ page, then allowed us to click a green question mark and open an automated chat. We asked our question, and the bot summoned articles about the referral program.
It also gave us the option to “get in touch.” When we selected this, DraftKings opened a form we could fill out to leave a message. We did so, and a customer service rep responded to us within a few hours.
Both apps made it relatively straightforward to get help, though there were a few inconvenient hoops to jump through at each one.
Bottom Line
If you’ve been reading along, you probably won’t be surprised to hear our final decision. FanDuel and DraftKings are like two sides of the same coin. They both offer an exceptional sports betting product.
They’re among the market leaders in terms of handle and revenue in states in which they operate.
Neither overtakes the other to be an overall “better” sportsbook. DraftKings and FanDuel should be additions to your sports betting app folder, provided you have access to both of them, depending on the state you’re in.
