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Sports bettors have plenty of online sportsbooks to choose from these days, but BetMGM and DraftKings are two of the most popular.
Both have expanded throughout the country since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, allowing states to start legalizing sports betting.
DraftKings already had tons of brand recognition thanks to its massive success in daily fantasy sports before sports betting was legalized. It took a few years for BetMGM to catch up, but it’s emerged as one of DraftKings’ top rivals.
Both sportsbooks are great options for bettors, but which one is better? We’ll cover their differences below to help you decide which one to try first.
BetMGM / DraftKings States
The most important thing to consider when joining a sportsbook is whether it’s available in your state.
BetMGM and DraftKings are available in most states with legal online sports betting. As of June 2024, BetMGM is operational in 22 states, plus Puerto Rico, Canada and Washington, D.C.
DraftKings is legal in 25 states, plus Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C. and Canada.
The state coverage is slightly different for both. DraftKings is available in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont (BetMGM isn’t), while BetMGM is available in Mississippi and Nevada (DraftKings isn’t).
Both sportsbooks are usually quick to launch when a state legalizes sports betting, so expect both to keep expanding.
Bonuses & Promos
Online sportsbooks offer “welcome bonuses” to entice new customers to join their platforms. BetMGM and DraftKings are no exception and both have strong welcome offers.
BetMGM ‘First Bet’ Offer
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses |
| Promo Code | FORBES |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY |
| Offer Expires | Feb. 10, 2025 |
| Apple Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.3/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus |  |
DraftKings ‘Bet & Get’ Offer
| 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 | |
Rewards Program
Both sportsbooks reward returning customers with strong loyalty programs.
DraftKings’ rewards program gives bettors one “crown” for every $1 wagered on the sportsbook. There are also occasional boosts where you can earn double points on your bets.
Crowns have no cash value but can be converted into bonus bets. They can also be used to enter DFS contests, play casino games or purchase merchandise from the DraftKings store.
BetMGM shares a rewards program with MGM and offers real-life bonuses. Users can earn points towards rewards like VIP trips to MGM resorts and casinos.
BetMGM’s rewards are more geared towards serious bettors who like to travel and bet in person, whereas DraftKings’ rewards are better for casual bettors.
Market Depth & Variety
BetMGM and DraftKings both offer plentiful betting markets on a wide range of sports, so there’s not much separating them here.
The actual betting markets for each sport/league can vary by sportsbook, but both BetMGM and DraftKings have some of the best depth in the industry.
They both have markets for traditional American sports like football and basketball along with more niche sports like table tennis or cricket, although DraftKings offers a few more niche sports like cornhole, surfing and e-sports.
You’ll find moneylines, point spreads and totals for all the major team sports. Game and team props, round robins, futures, parlays, SGPs and other different bet types are offered as well.
DraftKings has a slight edge in this category, but not by much. If you’re looking for a wager, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at either sportsbook.
Betting Odds & Lines
DraftKings and BetMGM both offer competitive prices.
Rather than placing all of your bets on one sportsbook, you’re better off using multiple books to compare odds and get the best price.
Below, we outline an odds example that illustrates how odds differ by sportsbook and why shopping for the best price and line is important.
In this scenario for an NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, both sportsbooks have different odds. The spread is larger by half a point at BetMGM, which also has a bit more juice on the moneyline. There’s a half-point difference in the Over/Under as well.
This is just one example, but you’ll often notice small odds differences across all sportsbooks, not just these two.
Bottom line: No single sportsbook will always have the best odds on everything. You may find better odds for one game at DraftKings but better odds for a different game at BetMGM.
Accordingly, we recommend signing up for as many sportsbooks as possible to make sure you always get the best possible odds.
Payment Methods
Both sportsbooks have numerous options for depositing and withdrawing funds from your account.
BetMGM Deposit Methods
- Credit/Debit Card
- Online Banking
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
- ACH eCheck
- PayNearMe
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- Wire Transfer
- Venmo
DraftKings Deposit Methods
- Credit/Debit Card
- Online Banking
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
- Venmo
- ACH eCheck
- Wire Transfer
- PayNearMe
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- DraftKings Gift Card
Depending on your state, you may also be able to deposit at a partnered casino using cash.
These lists are nearly identical. Both sportsbooks offer popular methods like digital wallets and bank transfers, among other options.
Now, let’s look briefly at withdrawal methods.
BetMGM Withdrawal Methods
- Online Banking
- Debit Card
- ACH eCheck
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- Check
- Cash at Casino Counter (where applicable)
DraftKings Withdrawal Methods
- Online Banking
- Debit Card
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- Check
- E-Check
- Trustly
- Cash at Casino Counter (where applicable)
Not surprisingly, DraftKings and BetMGM both offer similar withdrawal methods as well, although DraftKings has a few more options.
No matter how you choose to add or take out money, both sportsbooks have a good selection of safe, quick and reliable methods.
Mobile App Experience
DraftKings and BetMGM have similar mobile applications available on iOS and Android devices. They function smoothly with intuitive menus and quick load times, making them two of the better sports betting apps on the market.
That said, DraftKings’ mobile app is slightly superior. With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, many bettors regard it as one of the best sports betting apps on the market (4.8 stars on App Store, 4.6 stars on Google Play).
BetMGM rates highly as well, but its reviews aren’t quite as strong (4.8 stars on App Store, 4.5 stars on Google Play). Its app is a bit clunkier and not as easy to navigate.
The apps are very similar but do have some minor differences. Both have promotional banners and featured sports categories at the top of the home page, while DraftKings also features promoted parlays at the top of the app that usually have some kind of celebrity sponsorship.
The bars at the bottom of the screen are slightly different. DraftKings has five options to BetMGM’s four, including a search option, an icon for live bets and a rewards section.
BetMGM, on the other hand, does not have those icons at the bottom but does have a promotions icon and your account section (this is located in the top right corner at DraftKings).
Both mobile apps work great, but DraftKings’ looks cleaner and runs a bit more smoothly.
Customer Service
BetMGM and DraftKings have similar customer service processes for resolving issues.
Both sportsbooks have standard FAQ sections with resources for common questions, which can be helpful if you want to look up the answer yourself.
They also both have automated live chat features that are available 24/7. The messaging starts with a bot, but you can escalate to a live agent if needed.
BetMGM has the option to email customer support if you’d prefer to send your query that way. DraftKings does not have this option, but there’s an option to request a call back from a live representative.
At both sportsbooks, resolving customer support issues is relatively quick and easy.
Bottom Line
DraftKings and BetMGM are both terrific betting options with high-quality sportsbooks. While each has its advantages, they ultimately provide similar betting experiences.
Neither sportsbook is obviously better than the other, but it depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re a newer or more casual sports bettor, DraftKings is probably a better fit with its user-friendly app, superior welcome offer and more frequent odds boosts.
If you’re someone who bets frequently and wants more of a glitzy experience, you may prefer BetMGM because of its loyalty program.
Both sportsbooks are worth checking out, so you should consider signing up for them if they’re available in your state.
