DraftKings DFS Review | Daily Fantasy Contests & Cash Prizes

DraftKings is a global leader and household name in the world of daily fantasy sports. Is it worth checking out? Well, let’s take a closer look. In this article, we’ll provide an in-depth review of DraftKings Fantasy Sports, exploring its top features as well as some areas where it could use improvement, to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you!

Author’s Take: What Makes DraftKings DFS Stand Out?

DraftKings Fantasy Sports has dominated the industry for over a decade, and it’s pretty easy to see why sports fans from all over the United States and beyond are drawn to this DFS giant.

A wide range of games and contests that allow you to tailor the experience to your liking, extensive coverage of sports and leagues from all over the world, exciting bonuses and rewards for both new and existing players, and a top-tier mobile app for both iOS and Android devices are just a few of the reasons why DraftKings Fantasy Sports stands apart from the competition.

If you’re looking for DFS platform that combines a strong reputation with cutting-edge features and huge cash prizes, then we suggest you consider DraftKings as your go-to choice and let the thrill of fantasy sports unfold like never before!

Reviewed By: Peyton Powell

Fact Checked By: Mike McDermott

DraftKings DFS Ratings Breakdown

Bonuses & Promotions:	5/5
Banking Options:	4.5/5
Mobile App & Website:	5/5
Games & Contests:	4.5/5
Sports Coverage:	5/5
Safety & Security:	5/5
Customer Service	3/5
Overall Rating:	4.6/5

Pros & Cons of DraftKings Fantasy Sports

Before we dive right into the details, let’s take a quick look at the biggest pros and cons of DraftKings DFS. This will help further introduce you to the platform and give you a better idea of what you can expect moving forward!

What Is DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports? A General Overview

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports is an innovative online platform that combines elements of fantasy sports and real-time competitions. It offers users a unique opportunity to engage in the thrill of managing virtual teams comprised of real-life athletes across a variety of sports and leagues.

With DraftKings DFS, participants have the chance to showcase their strategic skills and compete against fellow fans for a chance to win real cash prizes.

At its core, DraftKings allows users to create fantasy lineups by selecting players from different teams who are competing in real-life games. Participants are typically given a virtual salary cap, which they must navigate wisely to assemble the strongest team within the allocated budget.

Points are then awarded to players based on their performances in actual games, and users compete against each other to accumulate the most points within their respective contests.

One of the key advantages of DraftKings DFS is the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the gameplay. Unlike traditional season-long fantasy leagues, DFS contests typically span a single day or a weekend, allowing participants to experience the excitement and competitiveness on a condensed timeline.

This provides fans with constant engagement and the ability to adjust their lineups based on real-time news, injuries, and other factors that can impact player performance.

DraftKings DFS Promo & Bonus – Rating 5/5

All new players who sign up with DraftKings are eligible to receive up to $500 in bonus funds! Once you’ve completed the registration process and made your first deposit of $5 or more, you can start earning rewards by entering contests with DraftKings DFS, placing wagers with DraftKings Sportsbook, or playing games with DraftKings Casino.

You will collect $1 in site credit for every $25 played or wagered, with the maximum bonus being equal to 20% of your first deposit on the platform. For example, a customer who made an initial deposit of $2,500 into their account could earn up to $500 in DK Dollars by playing through a cumulative total of $12,500 in daily fantasy contests, sportsbook bets, or casino games within the first 90 days of joining the site.

DraftKings Dynasty Rewards Program

DraftKings Dynasty Rewards is one of the best customer loyalty programs among DFS platforms. Players are offered a wide range of prizes and special benefits to reward them for their consistent play and loyalty to the platform. A few major aspects of the Dynasty Rewards Program are covered in detail below.

How It Works

Players can earn two distinct types of points through the DraftKings Dynasty Rewards Program: Crowns and Tier Credits.

• Crowns: Crowns can be redeemed for DK Dollars (i.e., site credit), free contest entries, or real prizes from the Dynasty Store. They do not expire and will remain in your account until used.
• Tier Credits: Tier Credits, on the other hand, are earned on an annual basis and used to determine your Tier Status (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, or Onyx).

Crowns and Tier Credits are earned simultaneously at different rates for every dollar spent on DraftKings Daily Fantasy, Sportsbook, Casino, or Marketplace. For every $5 spent on contest entry fees through DraftKings DFS, you will collect 5 Crowns and 1 Tier Credit.

Dynasty Store

Crowns can be redeemed at any time for a wide range of prizes in the DraftKings Dynasty Store. Here are a few of the rewards currently being offered:

• Gift Cards
• Sports & Concert Tickets
• Vacations & Travel Packages
• Appliances
• Electronics
• Jewelry
• Apparel
• DraftKings Branded Merchandise

In addition, players will always have the option to use their crowns to earn DK Dollars or free contest entries with DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports.

Tier Status

The DraftKings Dynasty Rewards Program has five distinct Tier Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Onyx. Once players have collected enough Tier Credits, they will advance to the next level and unlock special prizes and rewards. In the table below, you’ll find a general overview of the system, including how many Tier Credits are needed to reach each level as well as the new benefits unlocked along the way.

Banking Options at DraftKings Fantasy Sports – Rating 4.5/5

Making transactions to and from your DraftKings DFS account couldn’t be easier. Further information about your options for deposits and withdrawals is provided below.

Deposit Options

As you can see, DraftKings accepts plenty of convenient and popular payment methods, with a minimum deposit requirement of $5 for each option. All transactions are completely safe, and your funds and financial information are both well-protected when making deposits to your DraftKings Daily Fantasy account.

Withdrawal Options

DraftKings also offers a handful of different options for withdrawals when you’re ready to collect your winnings. Funds can always be received by PayPal or check, but Venmo and debit cards are only available if you made a deposit to your DraftKings Daily Fantasy account using that particular payment method.

Mobile App & User Experience – Rating 5/5

The DraftKings Fantasy Sports mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices. Customers have found the app to be very well-designed and user-friendly, as it allows for easy navigation between different contest options, lineups, promotional offers, and score updates.

In addition, the DraftKings Fantasy Sports app is quite reliable, meaning you are unlikely to experience any buffering, lagging, or crashing while trying to set your lineup. Overall, the mobile app provides a seamless user experience whether you’re drafting your team at home or on the go.

Players will also have the option to use the DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports website on their mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer. The site is very similar to the mobile app and allows players to easily navigate through contests, player options, and account information. The website’s reliability ensures smooth gameplay and efficient processing of transactions, enhancing the overall user experience.

DraftKings DFS App Ratings From Other Users

DraftKings Fantasy Games & Contests – Rating 4.5/5

DraftKings also provides many different contests that vary in terms of the format, rules, entry fee, number of participants, prize pool, and many other important aspects. As a result, the DFS site ensures its collection of games appeals to players of all interests and preferences. A few of the most popular fantasy sports contests offered by DraftKings are discussed below.

Classic

Classic contests on DraftKings refer to the traditional format of daily fantasy sports competitions. In these contests, participants assemble their fantasy teams by selecting players within a given salary cap and typically compete against a large pool of opponents.

Classic contests provide the foundation of the DraftKings DFS experience, offering a balanced and competitive gameplay format for daily fantasy players of all skill levels.

Showdown Captain Mode

Showdown Captain Mode puts a unique spin on the standard DFS competitions offered by DraftKings. In this contest format, participants select a captain from the players available in a single game and earn 1.5 times the points for that player’s performance. This strategic decision of choosing the captain adds an extra layer of excitement and requires careful consideration to maximize scoring potential.

Tiers

Tiers contests involve selecting players from pre-defined tiers based on their projected performance levels. Participants must carefully analyze player matchups and skill levels within each tier to construct a competitive lineup.

It requires strategic decision-making and offers a unique twist to traditional fantasy sports contests. This type of game doesn’t use a salary cap and involves drafting your team from a smaller pool of players.

Flash Draft

Flash Draft is a mobile-only game that gives players an opportunity to draft their team while watching a live game. Each of these contests includes five rounds, and participants will have 15 seconds per round to choose one of the three players to add to their team.

With limited time to make each selection, participants must think quickly, adapt to changing circumstances, and strategically build their fantasy teams to maximize their chances of success.

Best Ball

Best Ball contests are season-long competitions in which participants pick their teams at the beginning of the season (via snake draft) and don’t make any roster changes throughout the year. There are no substitutions, trades, waivers, or in-season roster management of any kind. The platform automatically selects the best-performing lineup each week, allowing you to sit back, relax, and watch things play out.

Other Types of Contests

Here are a few of the other types of contests you can expect to find on DraftKings:

• 50/50s: In 50/50 contests, participants aim to finish in the top half of the leaderboard to double their money, minus the rake.
• Tournaments: DraftKings tournaments are large-scale competitions with significant cash prizes, where participants compete against a large pool of contestants for top rankings.
• Head-To-Head Matchups: Head-to-head matchups are one-on-one contests in which participants aim to outscore their opponent and secure a victory based on the total points accumulated by their respective fantasy teams.
• Snake Draft: In Snake Draft contests, participants take turns selecting players for their fantasy teams, with the draft order reversing each round, adding an element of strategy and fairness to player selection.
• In-Game-Showdown: Participants will draft teams in the middle of the game and earn points based on their stats in the second half and overtime, meaning you’ll need to pick players who you know will perform in the clutch.
• Satellites & Qualifiers: These contests provide an opportunity to win entry into higher-stakes tournaments.

In addition, you will have the option to create private contests and leagues, which allow you to set the rules, invite friends, and track your results on your league’s exclusive leaderboard.

Sports Coverage & Betting Markets – Rating 5/5

When it comes to providing a wide selection of sports and leagues, DraftKings is hands downs the best in the industry.

Players can enter contests and draft players from the most popular U.S. professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL), college athletics (basketball and football), the top international soccer leagues (Premier League, Bundesliga, etc.), all your favorite esports games (League of Legends, Call of Duty, Rocket League, etc.), and much more!

A full list of the sports and leagues covered by DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports is provided below.

• Football (NFL, NCAAF, XFL, USFL, CFL)
• Basketball (NBA, NCAAB, EuroLeague, WNBA)
• Baseball (MLB)
• Hockey (NHL)
• Soccer (EPL, Champions League, Bundesliga, La Liga, MLS, NWSL)
• Golf (PGA)
• Tennis (ATP, WTA)
• Motorsports (NASCAR, F1)
• MMA (UFC)
• esports (LoL, COD, VAL, CS:GO, DOTA 2, Rocket League)

Security & Fair Play at DraftKings Fantasy Sports – Rating 5/5

Before you sign up at DraftKings or any other DFS sites out there, it only makes sense that you’d have a couple of questions about the security and fairness of the platform. In this crucial aspect, DraftKings Fantasy Sports excels, earning a perfect 5/5 rating in this crucial category. Let us explain why:

Where Is DraftKings Legal?

First, let’s take a look at the U.S. states where DraftKings Fantasy Sports is currently legal and available:

As you can see, DraftKings is accessible in 44 of the 50 U.S. states, with Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington being the only exceptions.

It is important to note, however, that Louisiana fantasy players will need to check with their local laws and regulations, since DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports is only available in Louisiana parishes that have approved the proposition to authorize fantasy sports contests.

In addition, DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports is available in the nation’s capital (Washington, D.C.) as well as all Canadian provinces and territories (except Ontario). In most cases, you will only need to be 18 years or older to sign up and start playing; however, there are a few exceptions. The minimum age requirement is 19 in Alabama and Nebraska, and 21 in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.

Licenses From Reputable Gaming Authorities

DraftKings Fantasy Sports currently holds licenses to operate in a large number of U.S. states. The Ohio Casino Control Commission, Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, Arizona Department of Gaming, and many other state regulatory bodies that are responsible for ensuring fair and responsible gaming practices have granted licenses to DraftKings Fantasy Sports.

With the exception of states that have chosen not to regulate daily fantasy sports, DraftKings is licensed and authorized to offer paid DFS contests in every U.S. state where it is currently live and accessible, ensuring players can enjoy their fantasy sports experience within the framework of established regulations.

Is DraftKings Legit?

Yes. Absolutely. 100%. DraftKings Fantasy Sports is a legitimate DFS platform that has gained widespread recognition and trust in the sports gaming industry. As one of the leading daily fantasy sports providers, DraftKings is regulated and licensed in various jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with legal standards.

The platform employs robust security measures to protect user data and transactions. Moreover, DraftKings operates transparently, providing clear terms of service and fair gameplay. Its legitimacy is further evidenced by partnerships with major sports leagues and teams, solidifying its reputation as a reputable and trustworthy platform for fantasy sports enthusiasts.

Customer Service & Support – Rating 3/5

If there was one area in which DraftKings could use a little bit of improvement, it would be customer service. Although the platform provides a variety of different ways to get in contact with their customer support team (email, Twitter, submit a request, leave a voicemail, request a callback, etc.), you are unlikely to receive immediate assistance from a member of their staff.

In most cases, it will take a minimum of 30-60 minutes to get a response from a member of their customer support staff. This is partially due to the fact that there is no option to connect with a customer support agent via Live Chat. Instead, you’ll be paired with a computer bot that refers you to various help articles on the DraftKings website.

However, it is important to note that the DraftKings customer support team is very friendly and always working hard to get your questions answered and problems resolved.

You will also likely find the wide range of help articles (covering topics such as deposits, withdrawals, registration, contest rules, and promotions) to be useful. The only downside is the extended wait you may experience while trying to get help.

How Does DraftKings Compare to Other DFS Sites & Apps?

Before you sign up at DraftKings, you may be interested in learning more about how the platform stacks up against the competition. Well, let’s take a look. Here’s a general overview of how DraftKings compares to other popular DFS sites and apps on the market today:

DraftKings vs FanDuel

When it comes to DraftKings and FanDuel, they’re the two big names in fantasy sports, offering a wide range of contests and covering everything from mainstream American sports to niche sports and international competitions.

However, what sets DraftKings apart is its top-tier player rewards program that is integrated through its DFS, sportsbook, and casino offerings – making your gaming experience feel like a continuous win across the board.

FanDuel, on the other hand, scores big in the customer service department – they’re quick to help and super user-friendly. Plus, FanDuel’s got one of the best welcome offers in the industry, making sure all new players are able to get off to a great start on the platform.

DraftKings vs Underdog Fantasy

DraftKings and Underdog Fantasy offer different flavors for fantasy sports enthusiasts. DraftKings, with its established reputation from years in the game, provides a classic experience with various traditional DFS contests. You get to draft your lineup and compete directly against other users, embracing the timeless essence of fantasy gaming.

On the flip side, Underdog Fantasy brings a fresh perspective. Their annual Best Ball Mania tournament adds excitement and innovation to the mix. Plus, the Pick’em Contests allow you to challenge the house instead of fellow users, offering a unique dynamic that’s worth checking out.

DraftKings vs ParlayPlay

DraftKings and ParlayPlay bring different strengths to the table in the world of fantasy sports. DraftKings stands out with a massive player base, a stellar reputation, and a diverse range of contests that appeal to a wide spectrum of players and fans. The platform’s longevity in the industry has solidified its status as a go-to choice for fantasy gaming enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive and well-established experience.

On the other hand, ParlayPlay is making waves as a rising star. Similar to Underdog Fantasy, it introduces a fresh angle to the game. ParlayPlay’s Pick’em Contests add a sports betting flavor to the fantasy experience, blending props and parlays in a unique and engaging way.

Deciding between DraftKings and ParlayPlay (as well as the other DFS sites and apps discussed above) will ultimately come down to your individual preferences and priorities. However, it’s clear that you can’t really go wrong with any of these options.

How To Sign Up & Get Started

Final Verdict: Should You Choose DraftKings for Fantasy Sports?

After exploring all the major aspects of the platform, it is easy to see why DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports accounts for such a large share of the DFS market and has cemented itself as a leader in the industry.

Thrilling contests, huge prize pools, a top-tier mobile app, and a generous welcome offer are just a taste of what DraftKings has to offer its players.

Although DraftKings is clearly one of the top options when it comes to daily fantasy sports, choosing a DFS site will ultimately come down to your personal preferences and online gaming needs. Each platform brings something different to the table and could very well be your perfect match.

However, we highly recommend you download the DraftKings Fantasy Sports app to test it out and see if it’s the right fit for you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)