DraftKings Sportsbook Review: A Complete 2025 Guide for Bettors

Overall Rating and Verdict

DraftKings consistently receives high marks from industry experts. Most reviews rate it between 4.5 and 4.7 out of 5 stars. It is praised for its technology, betting options, and user-friendly experience. A survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index even ranked it as the top US sportsbook.

However, customer reviews tell a different story. On sites like Sitejabber and Trustpilot, DraftKings has very low ratings. Users frequently complain about poor customer service, problems with withdrawals, and unfair practices. Additionally, a controversial surcharge in Illinois has angered many local bettors.

Our Verdict: DraftKings is the best all-around choice for casual bettors. The app is fast, the new ESPN integration is excellent, and features like “Early Exit” save you money. However, if you are a sharp bettor or live in Illinois, you might find the fees and limits frustrating.

Where Is DraftKings Legal and Available?

DraftKings is widely available across North America. It recently expanded, launching its mobile market in Missouri on December 1, 2025. It secured a standalone license there, meaning it does not need a casino partner to operate.

Online Sportsbook Availability: You can use the DraftKings online sportsbook if you are physically located in any of the following states:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Notable Exclusions:

• Nevada: DraftKings withdrew its license application here. State regulators opposed the company’s plan to enter the prediction market sector.

DraftKings is also available in the District of Columbia and Ontario, Canada. In most states, you must be 21 or older to bet. However, the age limit is 18+ in Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Wyoming.

Retail-Only Locations DraftKings also operates physical, retail-only sportsbooks where you can place bets in person in Mississippi and Washington, and now Puerto Rico (at Foxwoods El San Juan Casino).

Online Casino Availability: The DraftKings online casino is available in fewer states. You can play casino games if you are in:

• Connecticut
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

The Good Stuff: What DraftKings Does Best

DraftKings became a market leader by excelling in several key areas. Its platform is packed with features that appeal to a wide range of sports fans.

Top-Tier Mobile App Experience The DraftKings mobile app is often called the best in the business. It has earned a 4.8-star rating in the Apple App Store and a 4.6-star rating in the Google Play Store. The app is fast, responsive, and rarely crashes, even during busy periods. The design is clean, making it easy to find sports and place bets quickly. With the recent Jackpocket integration, you can now use a single login for both sports betting and lottery tickets.

New Player-Friendly Features DraftKings recently added features that directly help the bettor:

• Early Exit: If you place a prop bet on a player and they get injured early in the game, you get a refund (site credit).

• Ghost Leg: During the NFL season, this promo allowed parlay bettors to cash out a win even if one leg of their bet lost.

Huge Betting Menu DraftKings offers an enormous selection of sports. You can bet on all major US leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. It also covers college sports, soccer, golf, tennis, and many niche sports from around the world. The depth of betting markets is a major strength. You can find standard moneylines, spreads, and totals, plus a deep menu of player props, team props, and futures bets.

Generous Bonuses and Promotions DraftKings attracts new users with a great welcome bonus. It also keeps existing customers engaged with daily promotions. These offers provide real value and make betting more exciting. We will cover these in more detail later in the review.

Excellent Live Betting Platform The live betting section is a standout feature. DraftKings offers more in-game markets than many of its competitors. The platform also allows users to stream some games live directly in the app. This includes the “BetVision” feature for streaming NFL games, a rare and valuable tool for live bettors. The early cash-out option lets you settle a bet before the game ends to lock in a profit or cut your losses.

Massive Partnerships DraftKings is now the exclusive betting partner for ESPN (replacing ESPN Bet) and NBCUniversal. Starting December 2025, you will see DraftKings odds integrated directly into ESPN broadcasts and apps.

Solid Banking Options Depositing and withdrawing money is generally a smooth process. Deposits are instant, and payouts are processed quickly. Many users report receiving withdrawals to their debit card or PayPal account in under 24 hours. The platform does not charge any fees for withdrawals.

The Downsides: Where DraftKings Falls Short

Despite its many strengths, DraftKings has some serious weaknesses. These issues are the source of most negative customer reviews.

The Illinois Surcharge If you bet in Illinois, DraftKings is more expensive. To offset high state taxes, the company added a $0.50 surcharge on winning bets starting September 1, 2025. This fee applies to most standard wagers, though some bets (like parlays over $10) are exempt.

Credit Card Ban DraftKings no longer accepts credit card payments in any state. They made this change to promote responsible gaming and stop players from racking up high-interest debt. While responsible, it removes a convenient deposit option for many.

Limiting Winning Players DraftKings has a reputation for being unfriendly to successful bettors. The company has an aggressive policy of limiting the accounts of players who win consistently. If you start winning too much, you may find your bet sizes restricted, making the platform unusable. The CEO of DraftKings, Jason Robins, has been open about the company’s stance against “sharp” bettors.

User Complaints and Withdrawal Issues Many users have reported problems with withdrawals. Some claim their funds were frozen after a win or that payout requests were unfairly delayed or denied. There are also numerous complaints about the fairness of its online casino games. While these claims are not officially proven, they have damaged the company’s reputation among a segment of its users.

DraftKings Predictions: A New Way to Bet

DraftKings is moving beyond standard sports betting. The company acquired Railbird Technologies for up to $250 million to launch a “prediction market” product.

This will act as a separate app called DraftKings Predictions.

• What it is: You bet on outcomes of financial, cultural, or entertainment events (e.g., “Will this movie win an Oscar?”).

• The Goal: DraftKings plans to launch this in states where sports betting is illegal, such as California and Texas.

• Controversy: This move caused DraftKings to leave the American Gaming Association, as traditional casinos oppose prediction markets.

DraftKings Bonuses and Promotions in Detail

DraftKings uses a powerful promotion strategy to attract and retain players. Its offers are some of the most competitive in the industry.

Welcome Bonus for New Users The main offer for new customers is typically a “Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly” promotion. To claim it, you just need to sign up, deposit at least $5, and place your first real-money wager of $5 or more. You will instantly receive $150 in bonus bets, usually as six separate $25 bets.

• Important Note: Bonus bets are not the same as cash. You only keep the winnings from a bonus bet, not the original stake. These bets must also be used within seven days.

DraftKings also offers a 20% deposit match bonus up to $1,000. However, the terms are very difficult to meet. You have to wager $25 to release just $1 of the bonus. This means you would need to bet a total of $25,000 to unlock the full $1,000 bonus, which is unrealistic for most players.

Promotions for Existing Customers DraftKings keeps things fresh with daily offers, including:

• Odds Boosts: Daily enhanced odds on specific bets, increasing your potential payout.
• No Sweat Bets: Place a qualifying bet, and if it loses, you get your stake back as a bonus bet.
• Stepped Up Parlays: Get a profit boost on parlays and Same Game Parlays (SGPs). The more legs you add, the bigger the boost.
• Refer-A-Friend: Invite a friend to join, and you both can receive a bonus bet up to $100.

Dynasty Rewards Loyalty Program DraftKings has a loyalty program called Dynasty Rewards. You earn points, called “Crowns,” for every dollar you wager across the sportsbook, casino, and daily fantasy sports contests. These Crowns can be redeemed for bonus bets (DK Dollars), contest entries, and other perks in the Dynasty Store.

Banking: Deposits and Withdrawals

DraftKings offers a wide variety of secure and convenient banking methods.

Deposit Methods: You can fund your account using:

• Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• PayPal
• Venmo
• Online Banking Transfer
• Apple Pay
• Wire Transfer

Note: Credit cards are no longer accepted.

The minimum deposit is just $5 for most methods. All deposits are processed instantly.

Withdrawal Methods: You can withdraw your winnings via:

• Debit Card
• PayPal / Venmo (Fastest options, often under 24 hours)
• Online Banking
• Check by Mail

Withdrawal speeds vary. Debit card, PayPal, and Venmo are the fastest, often processing in under 24 hours. Online banking can take 3-5 days, while a check can take up to two weeks. The fastest method is cash at a partner casino cage, which can be done in under an hour.

Sports, Casino, and Other Betting Options

DraftKings started with Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and has expanded into a full-service gaming platform.

Sportsbook: The sportsbook is the main attraction. It offers more than 30 different sports. The market depth for major leagues like the NFL and NBA is especially impressive, with hundreds of prop bets available for every game.

Online Casino: In states where it is legal (CT, MI, NJ, PA, WV), DraftKings offers a full online casino. It features hundreds of slots, table games like blackjack and roulette, and live dealer games. While the casino is well-designed, it is the source of many user complaints about fairness.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): DraftKings remains a leader in DFS. Your sportsbook and DFS accounts are integrated, so you can use one wallet for both.

Safety, Licensing, and Fairness

DraftKings is a legal and regulated operator in the United States. It holds licenses in every state where it operates and must follow strict rules set by gaming commissions. The platform uses industry-standard security technology, including SSL encryption, to protect your personal and financial information.

While DraftKings is officially safe and secure, the user complaints about fairness and the company’s policy of limiting winning players raise ethical questions. The platform is regularly audited to ensure game integrity, but the high volume of negative feedback from customers cannot be ignored.

Additionally, its recent move into prediction markets has caused friction with regulators in states like Nevada. Despite this, your funds remain safe, and the platform uses top-level encryption.

Who Should Use DraftKings?

DraftKings is right for you if:

• You want the best mobile app experience.

• You are excited about the new ESPN integration.

• You live in Missouri and want a standalone betting option.

• You like unique games like Electric Poker.

You should avoid DraftKings if:

• You live in Illinois and do not want to pay a surcharge on your bets.

• You prefer depositing with a credit card.

• You are a professional bettor who wins consistently.