DraftKings Sportsbook was the first to take an online bet in America and they are now the most recognizable online betting brand in the United States.

Pros
  • First Ever Online Sportsbook in America
  • Most Recognizable Betting Brand in the Country
  • Best Betting Firm for Prop Bets
  • Regular Price Boosts & Bonuses
  • Special Markets & Offers
  • Customized 'betting carousels' for players
Cons
  • No DraftKings Retail Sportsbook
  • Welcome Offer Has No Instant Cash
  • Free Bet Offers Don't Include Stake

DraftKings was founded in 2012 (after FanDuel) but a huge financing effort and subsequent marketing campaigns (at one point they were the highest spending advertiser in America, above Coca-Cola) meant that they became the number one DFS product. They were the first company to launch sports betting in the USA with a partnership with Resorts Casino in Atlantic City.

DraftKings took 1 million bets in the first month of operations and are now seen as the go-to betting brand in the country, with legal sports betting apps in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana, West Virginia and Iowa.

The first ever legal online sports bet in America was placed at DraftKings Sportsbook.

DraftKings History

DraftKings Sportsbook launched in August 2018 with mobile sports betting in New Jersey. DraftKings was already a household name in the US prior to offering sports betting, operating as the world’s largest Daily Fantasy Sports site. The power of the DraftKings brand has helped to grow the sports betting community in New Jersey, with players able to use a polished and easy-to-use website or app.

DraftKings Sportsbook new customer promotion

DraftKings’ new customer offer is a very exciting one for the bigger bettors out there, as new players can receive a bonus of up to $1,000. This maximum bonus of $1,000 is comprised of two $500 bonuses.

Firstly, new customers are eligible for a deposit bonus of up to $500. DraftKings will match 20% of your first deposit amount up to $500. This means that, if you deposit $2,500 into your DraftKings Sportsbook account, you will receive $500 absolutely free.

Your first bet with DraftKings will then be matched as a risk-free bet. For example, if you bet $500 on the Lakers to beat the Clippers, DraftKings will give you another $500 completely free.

DraftKings’ new customer promotion is one of the most lucrative offers out there. Maximising the deposit bonus and risk-free bet can be very profitable for bettors.

Creating an account at DraftKings Sportsbook

Joining DraftKings Sportsbook is an easy and simple process. To create an account, just click ‘Sign up’ on the site or app homepage. Then, you will be taken to a four-step sign up page where you must:

  • Set up account (enter username, email and password)
  • Verify information (name, address, date of birth and last 4 digits of SSN)
  • Secure account
  • Confirm location

The need for your account and personal information is strictly for security and verification purposes and will remain confidential. Occasionally, DraftKings Sportsbook may ask new players to send a valid photo ID to confirm identity. However, this is a very straightforward process.

Eligibility for creating a DraftKings Sportsbook account

As US gambling law states, bettors must be at least 21 years of age to create a sports betting account. To open a DraftKings Sportsbook account, you must also be located within a state where sports betting is legal, and DraftKings operate. To prove this, new customers must share their location with the sportsbook. Those using the sports betting app will need to turn on location services on their device and those betting via the website must download a location plug-in.

New Jersey and other states also make it clear that any person whose occupation can influence the outcome of a sporting event (e.g. player, coach, trainer or official) is prohibited from placing sports wagers or opening a gaming account. This is to avoid match-fixing and fraudulent behavior.

Just like with FanDuel Sportsbook, individuals cannot open a separate DraftKings Sportsbook account if they already have a DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports account. This is because the sportsbook platform is shared with the DFS platform. Therefore, existing DraftKings customers can use the sportsbook but are not eligible for any new customer offers.

DraftKings Sportsbook app

The DraftKings Sportsbook app is available for both iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android in a number of states. You can download the app through the site or via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Remember, you will require downloading tracking software to verify your location, as per state regulations.

DraftKings Sportsbook deposits & withdrawals

DraftKings customers can deposit money using a number of methods:

  • Credit and debit cards (Visa, Discover or MasterCard)
  • ACH e-check
  • Bank transfer
  • PayPal
  • Skrill
  • Play+ prepaid card
  • Wire transfer

The minimum deposit is $10. A number of DraftKings customers have spoken about the convenience of PayPal as a payment option, which gives the sportsbook an edge over those who do not offer this method of payment.

Sportsbook players can also move money from a linked DFS account to the sportsbook once it has been played through on the DFS platform.

Withdrawal options:

  • PayPal
  • Bank transfer
  • Check
  • Play+ prepaid card
  • Cash at cage (Resorts Atlantic City)

As a well-established brand with years of customer experience in the sports gaming industry, DraftKings are always looking for new ways to make it easier for customers to both deposit to, and withdraw from, their sportsbook accounts.

Betting options at DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook offers betting on a variety of sports from football and basketball to soccer and tennis. The sportsbook also allows players to place bets on:

  • Moneylines and point spreads
  • Player and team futures
  • Parlays (a bet linking two or more single wagers together)
  • Player and team props
  • In-play events
  • Teasers (a bet that adjusts the point spread)
  • Round robins (a bet that links parlays together)

DraftKings Sportsbook customer service

One negative of DraftKings Sportsbook is its customer service offering. Most sportsbooks have direct telephone support or live chat for any players with issues surrounding betting, payments etc. However, DraftKings only offer callbacks and email support. Email support can be found at sportsbook@draftkings.com.

DraftKings Sportsbook summary

DraftKings provide sports bettors with a polished and easy-to-use website and app, developed similar to their well-established and successful DFS offering. The fact that DraftKings offers DFS brings its own positives and negatives. On a positive note, players can transfer money seamlessly between their DFS and sportsbook accounts. However, if a DFS player wishes to use the sportsbook, they will not be eligible for all of the great new customer offers available.

Players have also expressed positive feelings towards DraftKings’ betting carousel. The betting carousel is a customized suggestion palette for each personal DraftKings account. DraftKings use a player’s preferences or betting history in DFS to generate a personalized series of betting options.

As discussed, DraftKings should aim to improve their customer service offering going forward. The lack of instant/live support on offer may discourage players from continuing to use the site and app.

DraftKings Details

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