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Sports bettors have no shortage of online sportsbooks to choose from, but BetMGM and FanDuel are two of the best.
Both sports betting sites have been operational since 2018, the same year the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, allowing states to start legalizing sports betting.
Already a powerhouse in daily fantasy sports, FanDuel had a built-in advantage thanks to its strong brand recognition and reputation. Meanwhile, BetMGM has established itself as a premier sportsbook over the past few years, emerging as one of FanDuel’s top rivals.
Both sportsbooks are great options for sports bettors, so you can’t go wrong with either of them. We’ll cover the minor differences below to help you decide which one to try first.
BetMGM / FanDuel States
The most important thing to look for when joining a sportsbook is whether it’s available in your state.
BetMGM and FanDuel are available in most states with legal online sports betting. As of October 2024, BetMGM is operational in 22 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. FanDuel is also available in 22 states along with Washington, D.C.
However, the state selection is slightly different for both. FanDuel is available in Connecticut and Vermont (BetMGM isn’t), while BetMGM is available in Mississippi and Nevada (FanDuel isn’t).
Both sportsbooks are typically quick to launch when a state legalizes sports betting, so expect both to keep expanding.
Bonuses & Promos
Online sportsbooks offer “welcome bonuses” for new users to entice people to join their platforms. BetMGM and FanDuel are no exception and feature two of the best (although very different) welcome offers around.
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 |  |
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 | |
Rewards Program
When it comes to loyalty programs, BetMGM is the clear winner between these two sportsbooks.
FanDuel doesn’t have a rewards program, so there’s not a strong incentive to keep betting with them once you’ve played through your welcome bonus.
BetMGM, on the other hand, shares a rewards program with MGM. Users can earn points towards rewards like VIP trips to MGM resorts and casinos.
If you’re someone who bets a lot, you’ll probably want to be rewarded for your time and your money. BetMGM stands out in this regard, whereas FanDuel is lacking.
Market Depth & Variety
BetMGM and FanDuel both offer plentiful betting markets on a wide range of sports.
There’s not much separating these two sportsbooks here. Both have a few categories that the other one is missing (BetMGM has Academy Awards, FanDuel has water polo), but overall they’re basically even.
The actual betting markets for each sport/league can vary by sportsbook, but both BetMGM 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 offered as well.
Neither sportsbook has a clear edge in this category. If you’re looking for a wager, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at either sportsbook.
Betting Odds & Lines
FanDuel 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 Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys, both sportsbooks have different odds. The spread is larger by half a point at FanDuel, while BetMGM 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 FanDuel but better odds for a different game at BetMGM.
Accordingly, we encourage 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
FanDuel Deposit Methods
- Credit/Debit Card
- 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. 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)
FanDuel Withdrawal Methods
- Online Banking
- Debit Card
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- Check
- Cash at casino counter (where applicable)
Not surprisingly, FanDuel and BetMGM offer similar withdrawal methods as well.
No matter how you choose to deposit or withdraw your money, both sportsbooks have a good selection of safe, quick and reliable methods.
Mobile App Experience
FanDuel 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, FanDuel’s mobile app is slightly superior. With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, many bettors regard it as the best sports betting app on the market (4.9 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).
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 FanDuel also promotes featured parlays near the top.
The bars at the bottom of the screen are slightly different. FanDuel has five options to BetMGM’s four, including an Explore section and an icon for FanDuel Racing. BetMGM, on the other hand, does not have either of those icons at the bottom but does have a Promotions icon.
Both mobile apps work great, but FanDuel’s looks cleaner and runs a bit more smoothly.
Customer Service
BetMGM and FanDuel 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 try to find 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 also has the option to email customer support if you’d prefer to send your query that way.
At both sportsbooks, resolving customer support issues is relatively quick and easy.
Bottom Line
FanDuel and BetMGM are both terrific betting options with high-quality sportsbooks. They both have their pros and cons but provide similar betting experiences at the end of the day.
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, FanDuel is probably a better fit with its user-friendly app and superior welcome offer. If you’re someone who bets frequently, you may prefer BetMGM because of its loyalty program.
We might give a slight edge to FanDuel, but it’s close. Both sportsbooks are worth checking out, so you should consider signing up for them if they’re available in your state.
