FanDuel Vs. DraftKings
Welcome to the ultimate showdown of FanDuel vs. DraftKings or Godzilla vs. King Kong in the gaming world. This in-depth comparison breaks down all aspects of the two industry titans offering daily fantasy sports (DFS), sports betting sites, and online casinos.
While the two companies first found brand notoriety in DFS, FanDuel, and DraftKings still completely dominate the market. With the dawn of legalized online sports betting, the two giants are even going head-to-head on their online sportsbooks and casinos.
This comprehensive comparison of DraftKings vs. FanDuel lays it all out in the open, even hashing out the sports betting welcome bonus between the two behemoths. However, PlayingLegal only provides you with all the information and resources. Remember that ultimately you make the choice on which site is best for your needs.
Overview
Below, explore each category's winner in fantasy, sports betting, and casino in the FanDuel vs. DraftKings comparison. For a more detailed explanation, navigate to the further sections in this review to discover how experts at PlayingLegal came to each conclusion.
- For NH, the bonus is $500.
- A minimum deposit of $5.
- The bonus amount is 20% of the deposit.
- 25x play-through requirement.
- -300 odds or longer.
- 90 days to clear.
- 20% of First Deposit Matched Up To $500 in bonus funds.
- Daily fantasy tournaments available for NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, CFB, CBB, NASCAR, Golf, Tennis, UFC and EPL soccer.
- High quality iOS and Android FanDuel fantasy apps.
- Excellent software and desktop site nicely designed.
- Play against your friends in private fantasy leagues.
- Restricted in a small number of states.
- Customer support could be better.
- Get 20% of your first deposit as a bonus. Minimum deposit $5. Maximum Bonus $500.
- $2500 first deposit required to unlock full $500 bonus.
- $1 in bonus funds released per $25 wagered for 90 days after the account is opened.
- Massive prizes
- Loyalty Rewards Program
- Ongoing promotions
- Excellent range of sports and contest types
- Tricky welcome bonus terms
- Low 20% welcome bonus only
- Poor customer service
- Restricted in a small number of states
In comparing fantasy sports, there is a whole host of factors to consider before crowning the winner of DraftKings vs. FanDuel. While most players only consider the welcome bonus, promotions, free games, scoring, and the salary cap need to be examined. For a more detailed explanation, click any of the links in the table listed below.
| FanDuel Fantasy Sports | vs. | DraftKings Fantasy Sports |
|---|---|---|
| 🥈 | Welcome Bonus | 🥇 |
| 🥈 | Promotions | 🥇 |
| 🥈 | Fantasy Sports | 🥇 |
| 🥈 | Fantasy Games | 🥇 |
| 🥇 | Free Games | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Pay-To-Play | 🥈 |
| 🥈 | Scoring | 🥇 |
| 🥇 | Salary Cap | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Loyalty | 🥇 |
| numberFire, The Duel | Datacenter | DK Playbook, DraftKings Nation |
| Needs Improvement | WINNER |
DraftKings Fantasy wins out versus FanDuel because of winning two additional categories. For example, the DraftKings Fantasy welcome bonus ranks above FanDuel simply because of the longer time frame allotted for players to clear.
- For NH, the bonus is $500.
- A minimum deposit of $5.
- The bonus amount is 20% of the deposit.
- 25x play-through requirement.
- -300 odds or longer.
- 90 days to clear.
- A fantastic mobile app
- In-play betting
- Cash Outs available for certain bets
- Odds boost for bigger wins
- No Loyalty Program offered
- Slow Customer Service
- Valid 1 per new customer.
- Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet.
- $150 issued in bonus bets.
- Opt in req. 1 No Sweat token issued per day.
- SGP/SGPx bets only. 3+ legs req.
- Max. wagering limits apply.
- Must use funds from cash balance. Must select token BEFORE placing bet.
- Bet must lose after applying Token. Paid as one Bonus Bet based on amount of losing bet.
- Tokens expire at start of the last game each day when offered.
- No Sweat cannot be used to redeem Bet $5 Get $150 offer.
- Rewarded bonus bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.
- Bonus bets must be wagered 1x and stake is not included in winnings.
- A reputable and historic brand
- Live Streaming
- In-play betting
- Cashouts
- Slow customer support
- Mobile app stability issues
- High wagering requirements for the bonus
Generally speaking, there is a trend for states to legalize sports betting. FanDuel and DraftKings were both one of the first to launch online sportsbooks. Both operators offer a highly-rated sportsbook. For a more detailed analysis of each category, click the links below.
| FanDuel Sportsbook | vs. | DraftKings Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Welcome Bonus | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Betting Promotions | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Sports Available | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Odds Comparison | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | In-play Betting | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Cash Out | 🥇 |
| 🥇 | Live Streaming | 🥈 |
| WINNER | Needs Improvement |
FanDuel Sportsbook leads in almost every category of the analysis, soundly beating out the DraftKings Sportsbook. As a quick overview, a better and more transparent welcome bonus offer is available. Also, FanDuel offers betting promotions and a superior live in-play betting interface.
- Bonus Funds void in CT.
- Valid 1 per new customer.
- Must choose 1 offer and opt-in within 7 days (168 hours) of registering new account.
- Must deposit min. $5 within 7 days (168 hours) of opting in to earn (a) a 100% deposit match up to $2,000 in Casino Bonus Funds or (b) a 100% deposit match up to $100 Casino Credits.
- Bonus Funds:
- Deposit and bonus funds amount require 10x play-thru within 14 days (exactly 336 hours) at different contribution rates on eligible DraftKings Casino games.
- To receive the maximum Bonus Funds, customer must play through a minimum cumulative total of $40,000 at 100% contribution rates ($4,000 [deposit+match] / 100% * 10x playthrough); or a maximum of $200,000 at 20% contribution rates ($4,000 [deposit+match] / 20% * 10x playthrough).
- Casino Credits:
- Casino Credits are site credits eligible on select DraftKings Casino games, must be wagered 1x, and expire 7 days (exactly 168 hours) after issuance.
- Ends 3/24/24 at 11:59 PM ET.
- Excellent mobile app
- Live Dealer casino games available 24/7
- Large variety of Blackjack games
- Customer Service are slow to respond
- Excessive Welcome Bonus T&Cs
Certainly, the online casino product of DraftKings and FanDuel is the newest of the three. However, the two online casinos are also highly-rated by customers as well.
| FanDuel Casino | vs. | DraftKings Casino |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Welcome Bonus | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Ongoing Promotions | 🥇 |
| 🥈 | Casino Games | 🥇 |
| WINNER | Needs Improvement |
On the surface, it appears that DraftKings Casino should win out given the bigger amount of games offered. Yet, there is more than meets the eye to FanDuel and DraftKings Casinos, such as the welcome bonus terms. In detail, the FanDuel Casino welcome bonus terms are transparent and simple, which cannot be beaten.
FanDuel vs. DraftKings Fantasy Comparison
Originally, DraftKings was founded by Jason Robins, Matthew Kalish, and Paul Liberman, who were former co-workers at Vistaprint. The humble beginnings of DraftKings saw the original three operating out of Liberman's house.
On the other hand, FanDuel was originally founded because of a news prediction site called Hubdub by Nigel Eccles, Lesley Eccles, Tom Griffiths, Rob Jones, and Christ Stafford.
Together, these two companies both came from humble beginnings into today's DFS giants, controlling over 90% of the market. Now, let's examine FanDuel vs. DraftKings in a head-to-head fantasy comparison.
DFS Welcome Bonuses
Indeed, in our DraftKings vs. FanDuel comparison, the welcome bonuses appear to be very similar at first blush. Therefore, some deeper analysis is warranted beyond just surface inspection.
| FanDuel Fantasy Welcome Bonus | DraftKings Fantasy Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| • Deposit Bonus Up to $500 | • Deposit Bonus Up to $500 |
| • Bonus match of 20% | • Bonus match of 20% |
| • Every $25 wagered releases $1 | • Every $25 wagered releases $1 |
| • 30 days to clear | • 90 days to clear |
| • Free $3 ticket to any paid contest |
In fact, both max bonus amounts are the same for fantasy. On further inspection, the DraftKings Fantasy welcome bonus is better by FanDuel by just a smidge. To explain, you have longer to clear the bonus, 90 days versus 30 days. Also, you receive only a small boost of an extra $3 free entry.
Promotions
Ultimately, when two titans go head-to-head, each tries to outdo the other. In terms of promotions offered by DraftKings and FanDuel, both giants provide an extensive list of fantasy, sports betting, and casinos.
| FanDuel Fantasy Promotions | DraftKings Fantasy Promotions |
|---|---|
| • Single Entry Series $51k, $10k | • Fantasy Golf $4 Million Championship |
| • Free to play InPlay | • $1 March Mania |
| • Free Entry Sign-up | • DraftKings Championship Series 100 Millionaires |
| • $5k Free to Play 2 Contests | |
| • Best Ball Tournament | |
| • Achievement Rewards and Boosts | |
| • CBB Tourney Mania Bracket $200k |
DraftKings is the category winner in our snapshot due to the large amount of ongoing DFS promotions offered.
Available Fantasy Sports
Again, on the surface, available fantasy sports offered at FanDuel and DraftKings appear to be very similar. Thus, we need to take a deeper look into each DFS operator.
| Available Fantasy Sports for FanDuel and DraftKings | ||
|---|---|---|
| NFL | NBA | NHL |
| MLB | Soccer | Golf |
| Tennis | NASCAR | CFB |
| CBB | MMA | eSports |
| Racing | WNBA | |
DraftKings wins this category over FanDuel due to a more significant amount of niche sports offered. For example, in eSports contests, DraftKings provides Call of Duty, League of Legends, Counterstrike, and more.
Fantasy Sport Restrictions
Notably, not all sports listed in the above table at either DraftKings or FanDuel are available in all states. In detail, certain states restrict some of the available sports, which means that both DFS giants cannot offer these specific fantasy games.
| Sport Type | State(s) Restricted |
|---|---|
| Any College Sports | AK, CO, IN, ME, MA, MS, NH, NY, OH, PA, TN, VT |
| Tennis Tourneys (Excluding Grand Slam) | NY |
| League of Legends | IA |
| Counter-Strike Global Offensive | IA, NY |
| Rocket League | IA, NY |
| Russian Premier League, Soccer | NY |
| Turkish Super Lig. Soccer | NY |
| Any League Soccer | NY |
| Outlaw Golf Tour | IA, NY |
| eNASCAR | IA, NY |
| Call of Duty | IA, NY |
| KBO | IA, NY |
| K League Soccer | IA, NY |
| Bundesliga Soccer | IA, NY |
| AFL | IA, NY |
Fantasy Games
On the whole, it can be overwhelming for new players to DFS as there is a multitude of contests and league types to choose from. However, there indeed are just two categories of contests. Once you understand the two types of primary contests, there are more subtypes where various sports and league types are categorized.
Remember that in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), there are two main types of contests to play:
- Cash games, or
- Tournaments.
Cash Games
Overall, there are three different types of cash games in DFS, whether you are playing at FanDuel or DraftKings.
- 50/50: This type of contest has multiple entrants or entries. However, the top 50% of entrants make money by splitting an equal share of the overall prize pool. Thus, this means that if you are in the lower 50%, there are no winnings.
- Head-to-head: Otherwise known as a heads-up league, it functions similarly to a 50/50 with the vital distinction of only two entrants. Therefore, the player with the highest score wins. Head-to-head is a winner take all cash game where you double the entry fee (minus whatever DraftKings or FanDuel takes).
- Multipliers 3X/4X/5X: Ultimately, these contests are close to the double-ups but, the kicker is you need to place higher to win any type of prize. Triple up or 3X is close to 50/50, except prizes are greater. 4X contests mean only the top 25% win, and 5X contests mean the top 20% win.
Tournaments
When referring to Daily Fantasy Tournaments, these are contests with typically a more enormous amount of entries with a staggered top-heavy payout for winners. While with DFS cash games, the overall strategy is low variance, tournaments reward a higher variance play for winning the top prize.
- Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs): Tournaments with GPPs are often promoted to generate interest and excitement in a major sporting event like March Madness. GPPs mean that the DFS site guarantees the prize pool even if the players' turnout is less than expected.
- Step Tournaments: This type of DFS tournament essentially provides for multiple buy-in amounts. Notably, you can skip steps and enter into the final tournament although, the last step costs much more than the first step.
- Qualifiers: Think of these as a satellite entry. Essentially, you enter in with a low fee or even for free. Then, if you win, you receive an entry into a bigger tournament. Note that DFS sites run many qualifiers or satellites to the big advertised GPPs.
Pay-to-Play
Choose from a variety of pay-to-play fantasy contests, either tournaments or cash games at FanDuel and DraftKings.
| FanDuel Fantasy | vs. | DraftKings Fantasy |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ | Tournaments | ✓ |
| ✓ | Beat the Score | ✕ |
| ✓ | Multipliers | ✓ |
| ✓ | Head-to-head | ✓ |
| ✓ | 3-100 Players | ✕ |
| ✓ | 50/50s | ✓ |
| ✓ | Satellites/Qualifiers | ✓ |
| ✓ | Friends Mode | ✕ |
| ✓ | Beginner Mode | ✓ |
Notably, there are more types of pay-to-play contests at FanDuel than DraftKings, as seen in the table below. Therefore, the winner in the pay-to-play category is FanDuel Fantasy.
Free-to-Play
Note that both FanDuel and Draftkings offer free-to-play contests. Ultimately, FanDuel posts their free-to-play contests, which are easily searchable and navigable.
- New sign-up free entry,
- Over/Under $5k Prop Contest,
- $50,000 Kickoff Free Play, and
- $10,000 Free Play Second-Chance
For DraftKings, you need to sign into the lobby before accessing what free contests are available. Otherwise, it is difficult to find what DraftKings free contests are offered because these change regularly.
Also, DraftKings as a company does not release much information about free contests other than yes, they are offered. However, typically DraftKings free contests range in as low as $250 to around $5,000 prize pools.
Therefore, FanDuel wins the free-to-play category based on transparency.
Salary Cap
Notably, salary cap contests use an assigned salary where your lineup cannot exceed the cap given. Ultimately, player salaries are determined by the DFS site with a variety of factors such as statistics based on the upcoming match and other aspects.
For example, if you are building an NFL team, look at the player's salary based on projected performance. Then, you need to put together nine positions while staying under the assigned salary cap. As the week progresses, depending on injuries or news about a particular player, find favorites or better value.
Standard Salary Cap:
- DraftKings: $50,000
- FanDuel: $60,000
Overall, the salary cap winner is FanDuel. The higher the salary cap, the more options and fun for players to pick and choose the lineup for contests.
Late Swap
Late swap means that you can change or swap your players within the lineup after the contest already started. Notably, the player's individual game cannot have started if you want a late swap.
Think about the purpose of a late swap as the ability to put in an eligible player because your pick is not playing or a late scratch. Also, you can use this feature to decrease your risk, increase your upside, or hedge, like a Cash Out in sports betting.
DraftKings offers late swap but for the following sports only:
- NFL
- MLB
- NBA
- NHL
- CFB
- CBB
- SOC
- CFL
- EL
- AUSFL
Previously, FanDuel Fantasy did not allow late swap, which meant that DraftKings was ahead of the game in this feature. However, FanDuel currently allows late swap for specific contests with the unlocked padlock icon. Therefore, the late swap is a tie for both FanDuel and DraftKings.
Scoring
Most importantly, scoring is how you win at DFS. Despite having the best lineup, strategy, or research, none of it matters if you do not know each site's scoring system. Notably, scoring systems vary from DraftKings to FanDuel.
While the scoring differences are subtle, players should adjust their lineups to take advantage of which players are more valuable. Without further ado, let's compare scoring between FanDuel and DraftKings.
NFL
Definitely, out of all the available DFS sports, NFL reigns supreme in popularity. While the two DFS sites are similar in most scoring, there is more than meets the eye at first blush.
Offense
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Passing TD | 4 Pts | 4 Pts |
| Rushing TD | 6 Pts | 6 Pts |
| Receiving TD | 6 Pts | 6 Pts |
| Punt/Kickoff/FG Return TD | 6 Pts | 6 Pts |
| Offensive Fumble Recovery TD | 6 Pts | 6 Pts |
| Reception | 0.5 Pts | 1 Pt |
| Interception | -1 Pt | -1 Pt |
| Fumble Lost | N/A | -1 Pt |
| 10 Rushing Yards | 1 Pt (0.1 per yard) | 1 Pt (0.1 per yard) |
| 100+ Rushing Yards | N/A | 3 Pts |
| 25 Passing Yards | 1 Pt (0.04 per yard) | 1 Pt (0.04 per yard) |
| 300+ Passing Yards | N/A | 3 Pts |
| 10 Receiving Yards | 1 Pt (0.1 per yard) | 1 Pt (0.1 per yard) |
| 100+ Receiving Yards | N/A | 3 Pts |
| 2 Point Conversion | 2 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Extra Point Conversion | 1 Pt | N/A |
Defense
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Sacks | 1 Pt | 1 Pt |
| Interception | 2 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Interception Return TD | 6 Pts | 6 Pts |
| Fumble Recovery | 2 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Fumble Recovery TD | N/A | 6 Pts |
| Punt/Kickoff/FG Return TD | N/A | 6 Pts |
| Blocked Punt/FG Return TD | 2 Pts | 6 Pts |
| Safety | 2 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Blocked Kick | 2 Pts | 2 Pts |
| 2 Pt Conv./Extra Point Return | N/A | 2 Pts |
| 0 Points Conceded | 10 Pts | 10 Pts |
| 1-6 Pts Conceded | 7 Pts | 7 Pts |
| 7-13 Pts Conceded | 4 Pts | 4 Pts |
| 14-20 Pts Conceded | 1 Pt | 1 Pt |
| 21-27 Pts Conceded | 0 Pt | 0 Pt |
| 28-34 Pts Conceded | -1 Pt | -1 Pt |
| 35+ Pts Conceded | -4 Pts | -4 Pts |
Note that DraftKings offers a sizable bonus with +3 points in offense when QBs hit 300+ yards in passing or an RB or WR earns over 100+ yards. For defense, note that DraftKings again offers sizable bonuses for fumble recoveries or a special teams TD of +6 points. Therefore, DraftKings wins NFL scoring.
NBA
A close second to NFL, NBA DFS begins in Oct. and ramps up in June with the NBA Finals. Overall, both NFL and NBA DFS are the same in theory. Remember that you need to select your roster, which may have roster regulations depending on the type of game and contest you enter.
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Point/Free Throw | 1 Pt | 1 Pt |
| 3 Pointer | 3 Pts | 3 Pts |
| 2 Pointer | 2 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Rebound | 1.2 Pts | 1.25 Pts |
| Assist | 1.5 Pts | 1.5 Pts |
| Block | 3 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Steal | 3 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Turnover | 1 Pt | N/A |
| Triple-double | N/A | 3 Pts |
| Double-double | N/A | 1.5 Pts |
Some notable differences between are double-double and triple-doubles receive points at DraftKings. On the other hand, FanDuel awards one more point for blocks, steals, and turnovers. Thus, there is a tie in this category for FanDuel and DraftKings.
NHL
Of the big four professional sports that most people think of, hockey appears to be the least popular. Between FanDuel and DraftKings, there are differences, some larger and smaller in almost every category.
Forward/Wings/Defense
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | 12 Pts | 8.5 Pts |
| Assist | 8 Pts | 5 Pts |
| Shot on Goal | 1.6 Pts | 1.5 Pts |
| Short Hand Points | 2 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Power Play points | 0.5 Pt | N/A |
| Blocked Shots | 1.6 Pts | 0.5 Pt |
| Shootout Goal | N/A | 1.5 Pts |
| Hat-trick Bonus | N/A | 3 Pts |
| 5+ Shots | N/A | 3 Pts |
| 3+ Blocked Shots | N/A | 3 Pts |
| 3+ Points | N/A | 3 Pts |
Goalie
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Win | 12 Pts | 6 Pts |
| Goals Scored Against | -4 Pts | -3.5 Pts |
| Save | 0.8 Pt | 0.7 Pt |
| Shutout | 8 Pts | 4 Pts |
| Overtime Loss | N/A | 2 Pts |
| 35+ Saves | N/A | 3 Pts |
Some of the most significant differences involve goalie scoring. For example, DraftKings awards 6 points to FanDuel's 12 points for a goalie win. Additionally, FanDuel even doubles the number of points for a shutout.
Yet, DraftKings awards points for overtime losses and 35+ saves. Again, despite the differences, because FanDuel and DraftKings each offer higher and lower scores in different categories, this category results in a tie.
MLB
During the off-season of NFL and NBA, there is MLB. Moreover, MLB likely has the most data and statistics available, perfect for DFS. Additionally, in regular seasons, there are 162 games on the schedule.
Hitters
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Base Hit | 3 Pts | 3 Pts |
| 2 Bases Hit | 6 Pts | 5 Pts |
| 3 Bases Hit | 9 Pts | 8 Pts |
| Home Run | 12 Pts | 10 Pts |
| Run Batted In | 3.5 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Run | 3.2 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Base on Balls | 3 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Stolen Base | 6 Pts | 5 Pts |
| Hit by Pitch | 3 Pts | 2 Pts |
Pitchers
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Win | 3 Pts | 3 Pts |
| Quality Start | 6 Pts | 5 Pts |
| Earned Runs | 9 Pts | 8 Pts |
| Strike Out | 12 Pts | 10 Pts |
| Innings Pitched | 3.5 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Hit Against | N/A | -0.6 Pt |
| Base on Ball Against | N/A | -0.6 Pt |
| Hit Batsman | N/A | -0.6 Pt |
| Complete Game | N/A | 2.5 Pts |
| Complete Game Shutout | N/A | 2.5 Pts |
| No-Hitter | N/A | 5 Pts |
Overall, there are slighter differences in scoring for MLB DFS compared to NHL between DraftKings and FanDuel. Notably, where the two sites differ is in the scoring of pitchers. Mainly, DraftKings awards a hefty 5 points for a no-hitter. Thus, DraftKings is the winner in MLB scoring.
Soccer
The English Premier League (EPL) is popular among players but less so than the big four professional sports. Overall, it is more difficult to win because you need to wade through a larger player pool to pick who will score the most points. Points scored by FanDuel and DraftKings differ.
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 15 Pts | 10 Pts |
| Assist | 7 Pts | 6 Pts |
| Shots on Goal | 5 Pts | 1 Pt |
| Chance Created | 3 Pts | N/A |
| Crosses | N/A | 0.7 Pt |
| Assisted Shot | N/A | 1 Pt |
| Accurate Pass | N/A | .02 Pt |
| Fouls Drawn | N/A | 1 Pt |
| Fouls Conceded | N/A | -0.5 Pt |
| Tackles | 1.3 Pts | 1 Pt |
| Passes Intercepted | 1.3 Pts | 0.5 Pt |
| Clearances | 1.3 Pts | N/A |
| Clean Sheet | 5 Pts | 5 Pts |
| Shootout Goal | N/A | 1.5 Pts |
| Shootout Miss | N/A | -1 Pt |
Goalkeepers
| FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings Fantasy | |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Sheet | 10 Pts | 5 Pts |
| Goals Conceded | -2.5 Pts | -2 Pts |
| Save | 3 Pts | 2 Pts |
| Win Bonus | 7 Pts | 5 Pts |
Most importantly, the critical distinction is that on DraftKings, you earn points for shots, and FanDuel only awards points for shots on target. Again, this category results in a toss-up for both DFS giants.
Loyalty Programs
Both FanDuel and Draftkings offer a loyalty program for DFS players. In a head-to-head comparison, it first appears the programs are very different, but a closer examination reveals the DraftKings vs. FanDuel loyalty programs for fantasy is similar.
In detail, the FanDuel Players Club awards 5 FanDuel Points (FDP) for each $1 on fantasy contests. Use the points earned to enter other contests and access various perks such as premium customer support, a personal account manager, and promotions.
| FanDuel Fantasy Loyalty Player Club Levels | |
|---|---|
| Free Agent | 50 FDPs |
| Practice Squad | 125 FDPs |
| Reserve | 250 FDPs |
| Prospect | 500 FDPs |
| Rookie | 1250 FDPs |
| Pro | 2500 FDPs |
| All-Star | 7500 FDPs |
| MVP | 25,000 FDPs |
| Hall Of Famer | 125,000 FDPs |
| Legend | 600,000 FDPs |
| GOAT | 2,500,000 FDPs |
DraftKings awards one crown for every $1 spent. Then, exchange the crowns for DK Dollars to enter more contests.
| DraftKings Fantasy Loyalty Rewards Tiers | |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 100 Crowns |
| Silver | 500 Crowns |
| Gold | 2,000 Crowns |
| Platinum | 10,000 Crowns |
| Diamond | 25,000 Crowns |
| Black | 125,000 Crowns |
Therefore, at first glance, the FanDuel loyalty program has higher requirements. Note that you receive 5 points compared to 1 DraftKings crown, which does not equate to much difference.
Legal States For FanDuel and DraftKings Fantasy
Ultimately, states where FanDuel and DraftKings are legal remain the same in DFS. In this regard, the same states where DFS is restricted are also identical. The differences start to occur when we look to legal sports betting and online casino states. To explain, each state that chooses to offer sports betting has varying laws and regulations.
While the two DFS sites eventually called off the merger, the result is that both companies are more cautious because of the high scrutiny by government officials. Therefore, the list of state restrictions does not necessarily mean that DFS is illegal per se; rather, state-specific attorney generals may have issued opinions that are not DFS friendly.
Restricted States
Both DraftKings and FanDuel DFS restrict customers based on their geographic location in the following states:
- Arizona
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Louisana
- Montana
- Nevada
- Washington
FanDuel Sportsbook Vs. DraftKings Sportsbook
Both DFS giants jumped in feet first with the dawn of legalized sports betting. As a reminder, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned PAPSA allowing legal sports betting in New Jersey. Thereby, this pivotal SCOTUS opinion allowed other states to offer sports betting as well.
In fact, DraftKings Sportsbook was the first to launch a legal online sports betting site in the Garden State in Aug. 2018. Yet, FanDuel Sportsbook followed suit shortly, launching in Sept. 2018.
- For NH, the bonus is $500.
- A minimum deposit of $5.
- The bonus amount is 20% of the deposit.
- 25x play-through requirement.
- -300 odds or longer.
- 90 days to clear.
- A fantastic mobile app
- In-play betting
- Cash Outs available for certain bets
- Odds boost for bigger wins
- No Loyalty Program offered
- Slow Customer Service
- Valid 1 per new customer.
- Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet.
- $150 issued in bonus bets.
- Opt in req. 1 No Sweat token issued per day.
- SGP/SGPx bets only. 3+ legs req.
- Max. wagering limits apply.
- Must use funds from cash balance. Must select token BEFORE placing bet.
- Bet must lose after applying Token. Paid as one Bonus Bet based on amount of losing bet.
- Tokens expire at start of the last game each day when offered.
- No Sweat cannot be used to redeem Bet $5 Get $150 offer.
- Rewarded bonus bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.
- Bonus bets must be wagered 1x and stake is not included in winnings.
- A reputable and historic brand
- Live Streaming
- In-play betting
- Cashouts
- Slow customer support
- Mobile app stability issues
- High wagering requirements for the bonus
| FanDuel Sportsbook | vs. | DraftKings Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Sports Available | 17 |
| ✓ | Live In-play Betting | ✓ |
| ✓ | Live Streaming | ✓ |
| ✓ | Early Cash Out | ✓ |
| WINNER | Odds Comparison | Needs Improvement |
| ✕ | Bet Builder | ✕ |
| ✕ | Loyalty Rewards | ✕ |
| 10/10 | Betting Markets Score | 9/10 |
| 10/10 | Bonus Offer Score | 7/10 |
Sportsbook Welcome Bonus Comparison
Notably, both FanDuel and DraftKings are competing to be the top online sportsbook in the nation. To this end, both operators offer lucrative welcome bonuses to attract new players. Below, check out the head-to-head FanDuel Sportsbook vs. DraftKings Sportsbook welcome bonus offers.
| FanDuel Sportsbook Welcome Bonus | DraftKings Sportsbook Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| – | • Deposit Bonus Up to $1,000 |
| • Refund or insurance against losing bet | • Bonus match of 20% |
| • No other requirements | • Every $25 wagered releases $1 |
| • 90 days to clear |
Clearly, FanDuel Sportsbook reigns supreme over DraftKings in the welcome bonus battle. Although both operators appear to offer the same bonus amount, note that the DraftKings offer is only a 20% match deposit bonus up to $1,000. Thus, to receive the $1,000 DraftKings bonus, you need to deposit a total of $5,000. Then, you need to play through $25,000 to clear this bonus and receive the $1,000.
In comparison, the FanDuel Sportsbook welcome bonus has much fewer requirements attached to the offer. Basically, you deposit up to $1,000. Then, if your wager loses, you receive the amount of your wager back. Think of the FanDuel Sportsbook bonus as a refund or insurance for your first bet if it loses. Therefore, you don't receive anything if your first bet wins.
Mainly, the reason why FanDuel Sportsbook is superior versus the DraftKings Sportsbook welcome bonus offer is the transparency of the terms. With FanDuel, what you see is what you get, no hidden terms or additional analyzing of the welcome bonus. Because we promote only the most reputable and respectable legal operators, the transparency of FanDuel is genuinely nothing but worthy of our admiration.
Ongoing Betting Promotions Compared
Generally speaking, ongoing betting promotions change depending on which major sporting event is coming up. On the one hand, most online sportsbooks offer some of the same betting promotions, such as odds boosts and promotions surrounding parlay bets.
| FanDuel Sportsbook Promotions | DraftKings Sportsbook Promotions |
|---|---|
| • Parlay Insurance | • Parlay Boosts |
| • Odds Boosts | • Odds Boosts |
| • Bet Insurance | • Bet Insurance |
| • $1 Million Giveaway | • Championship Millionaire Bracket |
| • Over/Under Props | • Daily Free-to-Play Pools |
| • Spread the Love (Change the Spread) | |
Overall, FanDuel Sportsbook edges out DraftKings for ongoing betting promotions. Notably, a FanDuel promotion that is unique is Spread the Love or change the spread.
FanDuel Sportsbook Revenue Beats DraftKings Sportsbook
Despite the fact that of the one-month head start to DraftKings Sportsbook operations, FanDuel Sportsbook, in partnership with Meadowlands Racetrack, quickly secured the title as revenue leader in New Jersey by Nov. 2018. Since then, FanDuel has held onto that top spot beating out DraftKings monthly.
In other states where sports betting is legal, the overall trend is that FanDuel Sportsbook is pulling ahead of the DraftKings Sportsbook.
In Tennessee, FanDuel vs. DraftKings is head-to-head revenue-wise as of Jan. 2021. Colorado, DraftKings is ahead by 8% of FanDuel of the market share. Finally, in Pennsylvania, the second-largest sports betting revenue state, FanDuel is ahead as well.
| FanDuel Sportsbook Revenue | vs. | DraftKings Sportsbook Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | New Jersey | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Pennsylvania | 🥈 |
| 🥈 | Colorado | 🥇 |
| 🥈 | Illinois | 🥇 |
| 🥇 | Michigan | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | West Virginia | 🥈 |
| 🥇 | Virginia | 🥈 |
| 🥈 | Iowa | 🥇 |
| 🥇 | Tennessee | 🥇 |
| 🥈 | Indiana | 🥇 |
Notably, in New Hampshire, DraftKings is the exclusive monopoly sports betting operator of the state. Also, in Oregon, SBTech powers the mobile sports betting platform, and DraftKings merged with SBTech.
However, despite the equal breakdown on the chart above and DraftKing's monopoly in New Hampshire and Oregon, FanDuel is still ahead by miles or millions in terms of revenue. To explain, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan are the top three states in terms of sports betting revenue. FanDuel dominates these markets.
For example, New Jerseyans wagered almost $1 billion in sports betting alone in Dec. 2020. Although DraftKings has a monopoly on New Hampshire, the handle in Dec. 2020 was just over $51 million. On the whole, it seems nationwide FanDuel Sportsbook is pulling away from the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Sports Available
In general terms, FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook offer the same types of sports for you to bet on. While you may find slight variances where one company offers more niche bets, generally speaking, the sports available are the same due to state-specific regulations.
| Available Sports for FanDuel and DraftKings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Rules | Baseball | Basketball |
| Boxing | Cricket | Cycling |
| Darts | Football | Golf |
| Handball | Hockey | UFC/MMA |
| Motorsports | Rugby League | Rugby Union |
| Soccer | Table Tennis | Tennis |
| Volleyball | ||
Again, certain states may either restrict or did not approve a specific sport in the list above. Ultimately, it is up to the state regulatory agency to determine what sports each operator can offer.
Live In-Play Betting
Overall, FanDuel Sportsbook wins out with a superior in-play betting experience versus DraftKings. As the dominant leader in the most prominent legal regulated sports betting states, the stellar interface for in-play betting cannot be beaten.
Ultimately, FanDuel offers a more user-intuitive and clean in-play betting interface than DraftKings. Moreover, live betting is prominently featured on the navigation menu with a highlighted red icon that displays how many events are available. When you open the live betting tab, you can watch odds change dynamically highlighted in green or red.
Unfortunately, DraftKings only uses small green arrows to indicate a change in odds, making noting odds changes harder. Finally, generally speaking, FanDuel Sportsbook offers more live in-play betting events than DraftKings.
Live Streaming
Again, FanDuel Sportsbook reigns supreme over DraftKings for live streaming. To begin with, ‘Watch Live' is highlighted within the Live section. While customers likely will not be able to live-stream major sporting events, there are various overseas sporting events such as soccer, tennis, and table tennis.
On the other hand, DraftKings partnered with Sportradar to offer live streaming. While there are a variety of sporting events, FanDuel generally offers more events to live stream.
Also, while technically not live streaming, DraftKings partnered with DishTV so that you can access the DraftKings app directly on TV screens to place your bets. Yet, the caveat is you need to have a subscription.
Early Cash Out
For early cash-outs, both FanDuel and DraftKings are on par with each other. Notably, you cannot cash out on every sporting event or bet type; only select active bets are available.
Odds Comparisons
While difficult to judge on a large scale due to the large variety of odds and prices, here are three different odds comparisons of DraftKings Sportsbook vs. FanDuel Sportsbook.
| Mar. 15, 2021 | Sacramento Kings | Charlotte Hornets | Vig % |
|---|---|---|---|
| +134 | -158 | 3.98% |
| +130 | -155 | 4.26% |
| Mar. 15, 2021 | Nashville Predators | Tampa Bay Lightning | Vig % |
|---|---|---|---|
| +270 | -335 | 4.04% |
| +260 | -315 | 3.68% |
| Mar. 15, 2021 | Chicago Cubs | Chicago White Sox | Vig % |
|---|---|---|---|
| +146 | -176 | 4.42% |
| +135 | -165 | 4.82% |
Betting Markets
Overall, find the same types of bets or betting markets on DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbook. The reason bet types do not change is that primarily states tend to set regulations on what bet types and sporting events can be offered.
| Bet Types for FanDuel and DraftKings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneylines | Totals (Over/Under) | Halves |
| Props | Futures | Alternate Point Spread |
| Alternate Total Spread | Periods | Puck Lines |
| Alternate Total Goals | Correct Score | Parlays |
To be fair, it is not that sportsbooks do not want to offer more types of bets available. For example, in West Virginia, you could bet on politics for a brief period. In the future, it would be exciting to see what unique betting markets each operator offers.
Legal
Also, each state has a regulatory agency or lottery to oversee legal gambling activities. DraftKings and FanDuel need to be licensed by each state to operate legally and accept customers from these states. Additionally, states that allow online sports betting may require a physical land-based sportsbook tied to a commercial casino or racetrack.
FanDuel Sportsbook
As long as you are physically located in the states listed below, you can wager online or through mobile betting at the FanDuel Sportsbook.
Retail Locations
Additionally, FanDuel offers retail locations in the following states, if you choose not to wager online:
- New Jersey
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Colorado
- Indiana
- Iowa
- New York
- West Virginia
- Illinois
DraftKings Sportsbook
Similarly, you need to be located within the states below to sports bet online or with your mobile device at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Retail Locations
DraftKings also offers retail locations in the following states:
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
FanDuel vs. DraftKings Online Casino
Definitely, the online casinos of FanDuel and DraftKings are not as prolific as fantasy or online sportsbooks. Partially, the reason comes down to the fact that not as many states legalized online casinos. Yet, note that where FanDuel and DraftKings offer their online casinos, the states have legalized and regulates the two operators.
Note that when you click on ‘Casino' in FanDuel NJ, you are re-directed to Betfair Casino, soon to be rebranded as Stardust Casino. For this review, only the FanDuel Casino skin is compared. Thus, without further ado, let's compare the online casinos of DraftKings and FanDuel.
Casino Welcome Bonus Comparison
First, both DraftKings and FanDuel online casinos offer welcome bonuses that could not read more differently. At first glance, DraftKings Casino looks to provide a better deal compared to FanDuel. However, there's more than meets the eye to these two welcome bonus offers.
| FanDuel Casino Welcome Bonus | DraftKings Casino Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| • First Day up to $200 | • Deposit Bonus Up to $1,500 |
| • 100% Back on Net Casino Losses | • 100% Matched Bonus |
| • First 24 Hours Only | • 10X Play-through Requirement |
| • Site Credit Has 1x Play-through | • Varying Contribution Rates |
| • 7 Days Until Expiration | • 30 Days to Clear |
Again, DraftKings Casino offers the eye-catching 100% deposit match bonus of up to $1,500. Additionally, there is even a very fair 10x play-through requirement. Yet, on further inspection of DraftKings Casino's welcome bonus terms, find the real crux of the issue.
DraftKings Casino's welcome bonus may appear more generous to the untrained eye, but realistically, you need to wager a minimum of $30,000 and a maximum of $300,000 to release a paltry $1,500 bonus.
To compare, the FanDuel Casino welcome bonus could not read more simply. Basically, you have insurance against your first $200 in losses on your first day. Then, if you do receive their site credit or refund, wager the amount one time before you can withdraw.
Definitely, between DraftKings and FanDuel, it is a no-brainer. FanDuel Casino wins versus DraftKings in terms of transparency alone.
Promotions Compared
Find a variety of ongoing casino promotions at FanDuel and DraftKings online casinos. These promotions constantly change as well, depending on seasonality and major holidays. Below, here is a general sampling of casino promotions available at both operators.
| FanDuel Casino Promotions | DraftKings Casino Promotions |
|---|---|
| • Game of the Week | • Daily Slot Bonus |
| • Wednesday Warrior Bonus | • Free Credits |
| • Table Game Fridays | • Leaderboards |
Overall, DraftKings and FanDuel Casino tie when comparing ongoing promotions. Unless you are a high-volume player that can benefit from a leaderboard race, the two operators offer virtually the same promotions.
Casino Games Offered
Definitely, FanDuel and DraftKings customers will find a decent selection of casino games. Again, this bears repeating: the section only includes a comparison to the FanDuel Casino in PA and MI. In New Jersey, FanDuel lists a casino section, but New Jerseyans use Betfair Casino, soon to be Stardust Casino, also owned by Flutter Entertainment.
| FanDuel Casino | vs. | DraftKings Casino |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Slot Titles | 359 |
| 18 | Table Games | 58 |
| 8 | Jackpots | 8 |
| Not Yet Launched | Live Dealer | Available |
| 11 | Game Providers | 8 |
Overall, DraftKings Casino wins out in terms of casino games offered based on numbers alone. Moreover, DraftKings also offers its own dedicated live-dealer games in New Jersey. Along with the custom DraftKings branding, customers will sit with other DraftKings players only. In this area, FanDuel needs to improve its online casino games available.
Legal Online Casino States
To emphasize, there are only a handful of states that allow online casinos. Generally speaking, where online gambling is legal, sooner or later, DraftKings and FanDuel will launch. Obviously, this sentiment holds for states where online casinos are legal. Note that FanDuel Casino is currently pending launch in West Virginia.
Payment Methods
Choose from a variety of payment methods at FanDuel and DraftKings. Notably, you cannot use PayNearMe or VIP Preferred at DraftKings. Yet, DraftKings does offer higher withdrawal limits. Lastly, at both DFS sites, note that you can only withdraw winnings, not deposited funds.
| FanDuel Payment Method | vs. | DraftKings Payment Method |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ | VISA | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mastercard | ✓ |
| ✓ | Discover | ✓ |
| ✓ | Play+ | ✓ |
| ✓ | PayPal | ✓ |
| ✓ | VIP Preferred | ✕ |
| ✓ | PayNearMe | ✕ |
| ✓ | Bank Transfer | ✓ |
| FanDuel Payment Processing | vs. | DraftKings Payment Processing |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 PayPal | Withdrawal Limit | $14,999.99 PayPal |
| 2-10 Business Days | Payout Speed | 2-8 Business Days |
| None | Fees | None |
The differences in payment methods at FanDuel and DraftKings are significant. While for some customers, it may not be a big deal, an additional 2 business days that FanDuel processes withdrawals with could be an issue. However, FanDuel offers more payment methods such as PayNearMe, which offers a cash deposit from a physical retailer such as 7-Elevens.
Partnerships
Both DraftKings and FanDuel partnered up with various major sports teams and TV channels. Yet, the similarity ends there. To explain, DraftKings certainly has many more partnerships in this arena than FanDuel.
Basically, the two brands here diverge regarding marketing strategy. DraftKings pushes the envelope to gain more brand recognition with major high-profile partnerships, like Michael Jordan. For example, the MLB holds an equity stake in DraftKings, which means FanDuel will not be partnering with any individual MLB teams. Also, as stated above in the Live Streaming section, DraftKings pursued a partnership with DishTV to offer the sports betting app directly in the TV interface.
On the other hand, FanDuel acquired Fairmount Park in Illinois, rebranding it to FanDuel Sportsbook. Also, the birthplace of modern legalized sports betting, the Garden State, FanDuel partnered with Meadows Racetrack foregoing a partnership with a commercial casino. Finally, Flutter Entertainment is considering a FanDuel IPO due to the recent success in sports betting.
DraftKings Partnerships
Listed below, here are DraftKings' partnerships with professional teams and TV networks.
- NBA
- Boston Celtics
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Indiana Pacers
- Charlotte Hornets
- Detroit Pistons
- NFL Official Partner
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New York Giants
- PGA
- MLB
- UFC
- XFL
- ESPN
- Turner Sports
- Dish TV
FanDuel Partnerships
Below, here are FanDuel's partnerships with high-profile professional sports teams:
- NBA
- Detroit Pistons
- WNBA
- Memphis Grizzlies
- NFL
- Denver Broncos
- Washington Football Team
- Turner Sports
- D.C. United
Final Verdict
In conclusion, in the showdown of DraftKings vs. FanDuel, each company has pros and cons that were thoroughly and extensively researched for this resource guide. On the whole, DraftKings offers a better DFS experience, while FanDuel provides a superior online sportsbook and casino, despite the latter having fewer games available.
| FanDuel | vs. | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
| 🥈 | Fantasy | 🏆 |
| 🏆 | Sportsbook | 🥈 |
| 🏆 | Casino | 🥈 |
At PlayingLegal, our expert recommendation is to create accounts at both FanDuel and DraftKings to take advantage of all welcome bonuses, promotions, and betting lines.
Yet, the overarching theme that FanDuel promotes transparency in the welcome bonus terms for the sportsbook and casino pushes FanDuel ahead in the DraftKings vs. FanDuel comparison. On the other hand, DraftKings crouches bonus terms with higher play-through requirements making the overall brand appear deceptive. Transparency is king.
FanDuel Vs. DraftKings FAQs
Which is better, FanDuel or DraftKings?
Overall, several factors need to be considered when deciding whether FanDuel or DraftKings is best. These two companies offer daily fantasy contests, sports betting, and online casinos. For example, DraftKings offers an overall lower rake on their higher stakes fantasy games. However, FanDuel offers a superior online interface for both, with better overall welcome bonuses for sports betting.
Who has more users, DraftKings or FanDuel?
The number of users fluctuates each month at DraftKings and FanDuel. However, a couple of factors point to more overall active users at FanDuel compared to DraftKings. For example, FanDuel is the revenue leader in the three largest legal sports betting states. For daily fantasy, DraftKings reports 8 million registered users compared to FanDuel at 6 million users. However, note that not all registered accounts are classified as active users.
Can you actually win money on DraftKings?
Yes, you can actually win money on DraftKings either by playing daily fantasy sports or sports betting in legal states. For fantasy games, you need to enter contests and score more points than your opponents. To win at sports betting, you need to place a winning wager on a sporting event's outcome.
Is FanDuel a ripoff?
No, FanDuel is not a ripoff. In fact, FanDuel is a legitimate brand and a legal and licensed fantasy site, casino, and sportsbook. Moreover, FanDuel partnered with high-profile professional major league sports teams. Finally, FanDuel holds the title of one of the top fantasy sports operators and the nation's leading online sportsbook.
Which is better, DraftKings vs. FanDuel, for daily fantasy sports?
There are several factors to determine whether DraftKings or FanDuel is better in daily fantasy sports. Overall, DraftKings offers more types of sports for fantasy contests and a lower rake with more high stakes contests offered. However, FanDuel offers a fantasy bonus of up to $500 plus free games. While DraftKings also offers a deposit bonus of up to $500, the terms are misleading because the bonus amount is only equal to 20% of your deposit.
Which is better, DraftKings vs. FanDuel Sportsbook?
Hands down, the FanDuel Sportsbook is better than the DraftKings Sportsbook. First, FanDuel offers a more transparent and easier-to-clear welcome bonus. Then, the FanDuel Sportsbook provides a cleaner and more responsive betting interface. Finally, FanDuel runs more ongoing promotions than DraftKings.
Does FanDuel or DraftKings have the better app?
By far, FanDuel beats out DraftKings for a superior mobile app for online sports betting and DFS. Notably, both brands have separate mobile apps for DFS and sportsbook platforms. Also, both FanDuel and DraftKings mobile apps support Android and iOS devices. Yet, the FanDuel mobile app boasts the cleanest and most user-friendly interface for both sports betting and DFS.
