Draftkings Review - Legal Fantasy Sports For Real Money
Sports fans from far and wide are now able to gather online at sites like DraftKings to get down on some amazing daily fantasy sports action. There are plenty of mediocre sites out there that offer limited sports leagues and a couple of contest types, but DraftKings is a shining example of a top-tier fantasy hub operating on all cylinders. This site operates out of Boston, and is fully legal to use for almost anyone in the US.
This review is going to take you through the inner-workings of DraftKings, as well as shed some light on the legality and safety of daily fantasy sports sites. By the end of this review, you will probably be chomping at the bit to sign up, so keep on reading if you have any interest whatsoever in sports.
Is DraftKings Legal?
Many people don’t know the difference between fantasy sports and regular old sports betting when it comes to the law. While there are plenty of trustworthy online sportsbooks for US players out there, they must follow certain guidelines in order to function legally. Daily fantasy sports sites have more freedom to operate as they please because fantasy sports are exempt from many of the restrictions that are put on regular sports betting. For instance, sports betting sites cannot set up shop in America because the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and a few other federal laws forbid them to. Fantasy sports, however, gets a pass because it is considered a game of skill, and these laws exempt games of skill from the restrictions that plague regular sports betting.
DraftKings is one of newer sites to offer daily fantasy sports to US players. Established in 2012, DraftKings’ level of professionalism and security was unparalleled prior to them setting up shop. This site is one of a very few that are now the prime spots for every serious fantasy sports fan in America. This is because DraftKings puts safety and legitimacy at the top of their priorities, so you can feel secure when playing.
Who Can Play At DraftKings?
While daily fantasy sports sites are legal in the eyes of the federal government, there are still a few states that put restrictions on the activity. Because of this, DraftKings does allow residents of Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Washington, or Montana to play for cash, although players can still take part in free contests. State laws change all the time, so all 50 states might soon be able to participate, but as of now, those few states are out of luck. If you are from anywhere else in the nation, you can sign up and play for real money as long as you are over 18.
How To Sign Up At DraftKings
Now that you understand a little bit of the magic that makes DraftKings great, let’s take a peek behind the curtain and learn about the inner-workings of a legal daily fantasy sports site. The first step in getting in on the action is signing up. There is a big green button on the front page that you can click, and then you will fill out a form consisting of a password, contact information, and an email. Once you fill this out you will be all set. The next thing to do is make a deposit.
Making A Deposit Into DraftKings
Since playing fantasy sports for money is considered a game of skill, the usual restrictions on funding methods do not apply. For instance, many sports betting sites do not allow credit card transactions because they cross the boundaries of certain federal laws like the UIGEA. Fortunately, fantasy sports are games of skill as far as the federal government is concerned, so these funding restrictions do not apply. DraftKings accepts deposits from all major credit/debit cards, PayPal, and certain gift cards. Adding funds to your account is as simple as choosing the method, entering the amount, and waiting about two minutes.
Collecting Your Winnings At DraftKings
While we are on the subject of funding methods, we might as well talk about the most important aspect of all, collecting your winnings! When you create an account at DraftKings you will have a bankroll that displays your current funds. Once you feel like getting a piece of your winnings into your hands, you can request a payout on your “my account” page. Credit and PayPal withdrawals are processed immediately, and can take as long as three days, although they generally transfer within a few hours.
DraftKings Bonuses + Rewards Program
DraftKings has a special deposit bonus for new members that will add $1 to your account for every 100 frequent player points that you accrue. You stack up frequent player points every time you participate in a paid contest. This basically means that DraftKings pays you to play, which we think is awesome. The bonuses don’t stop there though, as you will also find refer-a-friend benefits that will reward you every time your friend makes a deposit, and DraftKings dollars that add up like credits that you can use to enter big contests. Also, don’t forget about the VIP store, where you can use your frequent player points to purchase awesome DraftKings swag.
Fantasy Sports That You Can Bet On At DraftKings
One of the many things that make DraftKings superior to most other daily fantasy sites is the amount of sports that are available. While many sites only offer big league games, such as MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL, DraftKings allows you to also enter contests for college football, basketball, PGA Tour golf, UFC and other MMA events, soccer, and even. The slogan “a site for everybody” really describes DraftKings well, as you will find something to suit your tastes. Having more sports also means that there are plenty of special tournaments to get in on as well. There is always something exciting and profitable going on at DraftKings.
DraftKings Contest Types
DraftKings offers a wide variety of contests and tournaments that range from simply picking a team and watching them play, to teaming up with others and strategizing every detail. Guaranteed tournaments are the most straightforward options. The prizes are guaranteed and will not be cancelled even if the contest doesn’t fill up. The prizes for guaranteed tournaments are usually lower than the other contest types. Qualifier tournaments usually have low entry fees, and can win you tickets to compete in larger tournaments that usually cost a lot to enter, and have giant payouts. Head-to-head tournaments are just what they sound like, a contest between two players. This is a great way to play against a friend, or even a complete stranger in a one-on-one battle.
If you are new to fantasy sports or hesitant about your team, you might want to check out the 50/50 contests. Finishers in the top-half of the field will win money no matter what, making this a great way to get your feet wet. All of the contests we describe are popular, but they are just scratching the surface. DraftKings also offers leagues, multipliers, steps, and beginner contests. Check out the site to see what else you can join in on.
Special Tournaments Available At DraftKings
Now that you know about some of the ongoing contests that are available, we would like to show you yet another reason why DraftKings towers above the competitors. The team constantly comes up with exciting and amazingly profitable special tournaments such as the $10 million fantasy football world championship. Yes, you did read that correctly. For a $27 entry fee, you could have the chance to be a multi-millionaire. In fact, making people millionaires seems to be the “theme” of DraftKings, as there are “millionaire maker” championships ever week. These are just two of the special tournaments that they offer; there are plenty more which we urge you to check out.
Overall Thoughts On DraftKings.com
Are you excited yet? We wish we could re-discover this site for the first time, and hope that you are as blown away with what DraftKings has to offer as we were when we first signed up. If you are a sports fan, this is a no brainer, but even if you are just dipping your toe into the world of daily fantasy sports betting, we guarantee that DraftKings will win you over with their combination of professionalism and fun. This is seriously the best legal daily fantasy sports site in existence right now, and there has never been a better time to join.