DraftKings DFS Review
DraftKings is the largest daily fantasy sports operator in the United States and one of two legal DFS apps that anchor the US market. For North Dakota residents; where DraftKings Sportsbook is NOT available; DraftKings DFS is one of the most attractive legal online wagering options. This review covers the welcome bonus, contest variety, mobile experience, banking, customer support, and how DraftKings DFS compares to its closest competitors.
Verdict
The deepest DFS product in the US market; and the most attractive legal online sports-wagering option for ND residents who want the biggest tournament prize pools and the widest sport coverage. Not for everyone (the player pool is sharp), but the gold standard.
DraftKings DFS Scorecard
Our DraftKings DFS rating across the six factors that matter most for ND players:
The DraftKings DFS Product
DraftKings has been the dominant force in US daily fantasy sports since the mid-2010s. Founded in Boston in 2012 and publicly traded on the NASDAQ (DKNG), the company has built the deepest DFS contest catalog in the industry. For North Dakota residents; locked out of the DraftKings Sportsbook product; DFS is the only DraftKings game in town, and a strong one at that.
Contest Variety
DraftKings offers four core DFS contest types:
- GPP Tournaments; large-field guaranteed prize pool contests with top-heavy payouts. The Millionaire Maker (NFL Sundays) and Fantasy Football Millionaire are the signature GPPs and produce six- and seven-figure winning lineups every week.
- Cash Games; 50/50s, double-ups and head-to-head contests where roughly half the field cashes for ~2x the entry. Lower variance, more bankroll-friendly.
- Showdown / Single-Game; build a lineup from a single game with a captain (1.5x scoring) and 5 flex spots. Available for marquee Monday Night Football, NBA Finals, big golf majors and select MMA cards.
- Beginner-Only Contests; restricted to users with limited contest history. Crucial filter for new ND players to find appropriate-stakes competition.
Sport coverage is exhaustive: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, college basketball, PGA Tour, UFC, MLS, NASCAR, plus niche events during their season (PGA Champions Tour, USFL/XFL when running, etc.).
Welcome Bonus
DraftKings typically runs a deposit-match welcome offer for new accounts in ND. The exact bonus dollar amount and match percentage vary by promo period, but the structure is consistent: deposit X, receive bonus dollars released gradually as you play. Bonus dollars are subject to playthrough; they release in fractional amounts as you enter contests, rather than as a single up-front credit.
Active promotions also include reload bonuses, Crown Reward loyalty tier accelerators, and event-specific bonus boosts (NFL kickoff, NBA Finals, March Madness, the Masters). Always read the current promo terms on signup.
Mobile App
DraftKings runs full-featured iOS and Android apps. Both are well-rated and offer the complete DFS product; every contest type, banking, customer support, live scoring with DraftKings Live integration. The desktop web platform is also full-featured for users who prefer larger-screen lineup construction.
Banking; Deposits & Withdrawals
DraftKings offers a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods. Key options for ND players:
| Method | Deposit | Withdraw | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACH / Online Banking | Yes | Yes | Standard method. Withdrawals 2-5 business days. |
| Debit Card (Visa/Mastercard) | Yes | Yes | Fast deposits. Withdrawal varies by issuer. |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes | Among the fastest withdrawal options. |
| DraftKings Play+ Prepaid | Yes | Yes | Reloadable prepaid card. Same-day withdrawals. |
| Wire Transfer | Yes | Yes | For larger transactions. Bank fees may apply. |
| Cash at Retail | Yes | No | At participating retail partners (PayNearMe). |
Withdrawal Speed
PayPal is consistently the fastest, often processing within hours. DraftKings Play+ is also same-day. ACH and debit-card withdrawals take 2-5 business days. KYC verification is required before first withdrawal; government ID and address verification are standard.
Customer Support
24/7 support across in-app live chat, email and phone. Chat is the fastest channel; typical wait times under 5 minutes during business hours and 10-20 minutes overnight. The help center has full contest rules, scoring details and FAQ. ND players have no state-specific support gaps; the same support team services every ND DFS user.
DraftKings DFS vs. Competitors
The natural comparison is DraftKings vs FanDuel; they co-lead the salary-cap DFS market. DraftKings wins on contest variety and prize pool depth; FanDuel wins on UX cleanliness and beginner-friendliness. See our DraftKings vs FanDuel DFS comparison for the full head-to-head.
For pick-em format, DraftKings does not directly compete; that segment is led by PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy. Many ND players use DraftKings for salary-cap and one of those for pick-em.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Largest contest variety in the US DFS market
- Deepest guaranteed prize pool tournaments (Millionaire Maker, Fantasy Football Millionaire)
- Beginner-only contests reduce shark exposure for new players
- Full sport coverage; NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college, golf, MMA, soccer, NASCAR
- Reliable mobile apps on iOS and Android with full feature parity
- 24/7 customer support across chat, email and phone
- DKLive in-app stream and prop integration during NFL Sundays
Cons
- Sharp player pool; beginners face skilled opposition in cash games
- No DraftKings Sportsbook in ND (only DFS available to ND residents)
- Bonus playthrough requirements can be restrictive for casual players
- High-stakes contests can feel intimidating for new entrants
DraftKings DFS; FAQ
Is DraftKings DFS legal in North Dakota?
Yes. DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports is fully legal and operational in North Dakota. ND does not restrict daily fantasy sports, and DraftKings DFS operates under the federal UIGEA skill-game framework. Note that DraftKings Sportsbook (the real-money sports betting product) is NOT legal in ND.
How old do I have to be to play DraftKings DFS in ND?
You must be 18 or older to play DraftKings DFS in North Dakota. ID verification (KYC) is required before first withdrawal.
Whats the DraftKings DFS welcome bonus in ND?
DraftKings typically offers a deposit-match welcome bonus for new accounts, with the exact amount varying by promotion period. Check the active promo on signup. The bonus releases gradually as you play, subject to standard playthrough requirements.
Whats the difference between DraftKings DFS and DraftKings Sportsbook?
DraftKings DFS is daily fantasy sports; salary-cap contests where you draft a lineup of athletes from multiple games and compete against other users for a share of an entry-fee pool. DraftKings Sportsbook is traditional fixed-odds sports betting. DFS is legal in ND; Sportsbook is not.
How fast are DraftKings withdrawals?
PayPal and Play+ withdrawals are typically processed same-day or within 24 hours. ACH and debit card withdrawals take 2-5 business days. Wire transfers vary by bank but are usually 1-3 business days.
Does DraftKings DFS have player props?
Yes. DraftKings DFS offers Showdown contests (single-game lineups) and player-specific contests during major events. For pick-em style player props, see PrizePicks or Underdog Fantasy; DraftKings DFS itself is primarily a salary-cap product.
Can I withdraw to a different account than I deposited from?
Generally no. For anti-fraud and AML compliance, DraftKings requires withdrawals to the same method used for deposits where possible. Some flexibility exists between bank-linked methods.
Is the DraftKings app safe?
Yes. DraftKings is a publicly-traded NASDAQ-listed company (DKNG) and is one of the most established and regulated DFS operators in the US. Account funds are held in segregated player accounts.
What sports does DraftKings DFS cover?
Full coverage of NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, college basketball, PGA Tour golf, UFC/MMA, MLS soccer, NASCAR, tennis (limited), and a few niche sports during major events.
Are DraftKings DFS winnings taxable in ND?
Yes. Net DFS winnings are taxable income on federal and ND state tax returns. DraftKings issues a 1099-MISC if you net $600 or more in a calendar year. ND state income tax tops out at 2.5% as of 2026.