VIP/Rewards Grade: 5/5 Summary: DraftKings has one of the best available VIP programs. This is filled with exclusive offers such as deposit matches, larger profit boost, and a VIP representative.
Updated: Nov 22, 2024
4 min read
Note: If you are located in Ontario, we are not able to display any available promotions.
Matched Betting
What is the "Matched Betting Value" listed above? This is the amount of profit that you can make from the sign-up offer through a technique called matched betting. In short, it is a mathematical approach to sports betting that guarantees profit by hedging your bets. This allows you to cover all possible outcomes and secure a profit no matter what happens in the game. This is different from gambling because there is no risk of losing. Learn more in our What Is Matched Betting guide.
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What To Know
DraftKings is regulated by your local gaming commission. Regulated sportsbooks provide customer protections that you will not have when using an unregulated sportsbooks or sweepstakes sportsbooks.
DraftKings is unregulated. Unregulated sportsbooks do not provide the same customer proctections that regulated sportsbooks have.
DraftKings follows a sweepstakes model. Sweepstakes platforms are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and state sweepstakes laws instead of your jurisdiction's gaming commisison. These protections are less than those provided by a regulated sportsbook, and are designed for traditional sweepstakes, not a sportsbook.
DraftKings is a sportsbook. Sportsbooks, unlike exchanges, act as "The House" and often have more vig than a betting exchange.
DraftKings is an exchange. Exchanges often offer better odds than a traditional sportsbook, do not limit players, and are matched betting friendly.
In some states DraftKings operates as a betting exchange, and others they operate as a sportsbook. In both situations DraftKings will not limit bettors.
DraftKings is "Player Friendly". Player friendly sportsbooks/exchanges do not enact limits on players making them perfect for matched betting.
DraftKings is "Slower-to-Limit". Slower-to-Limit sportsbooks take longer than average to enact limits on winning bettors.
DraftKings is "Quick-to-Limit". Quick-to-Limit sportsbooks enact limits signifcantly faster than your average sportsbook. If you show signs of being a winning bettor, limits will quickly follow.
DraftKings has high limits. Sportsbooks with higher limits are useful for generating VIP status and hedging large promotions.
DraftKings has low limits. Sportsbooks with lower limits are can make hedging larger promootions, such as those assocaited with VIP status, difficult.
DraftKings seems to be more likely than other sportsbooks to limit bettors after a withdraw. Avoid withdraws from DraftKings as much as possible.
DraftKings is the second largest sportsbook in the United States, only behind FanDuel. They have one of the best VIP programs available and are a must-have sportsbook for all matched bettors. In addition to the VIP program they regularly offer promotions to all of their customers.
Where is DraftKings sportsbook legal? It is currently available in the following 19 states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
If you have a starting bankroll over $6,000 they should be one of the first sportsbooks you signup as outlined in our state/province guides. If you are starting with a smaller bankroll completing the smaller signup offers from other sportsbooks is recommended to before signing up for DraftKings. This allows you to build your bankroll and maximize the DraftKings deposit match. Then once you signup for DraftKings you can proceed to the larger available offer that are above the ~$500 profit range. This strategy is also outlined in our state/province guides.
DraftKings has an average MLB vig of 4.34%. DraftKings MLB odds are similar to popular sportsbooks (4.25%). This is considerably worse than sharp sportsbooks which are closer to 2.19%.
DraftKings averages -154.1 for MLB favorites which is about the same as popular sportsbooks (-155.0). DraftKings is worse than sharp sportsbooks which have an average of -147.6.
The average DraftKings MLB odds on underdogs is 128.8 which is marginally worse popular sportsbooks (130.1). DraftKings is worse than sharp sportsbooks which have an average of 134.9.
Notes Before Signing Up
There are a few things to note before signing up for DraftKings.
Make sure you signup for DraftKings Sportsbooks, not the daily fantasy. They are separate accounts and do not share funds.
When making your first deposit, change the deposit amount before selecting the deposit method. Only the first deposit is tied to the deposit offer and it defaults to a lower amount, $200. $5,000 is required to maximize the offer.
DraftKings is one of the easiest sportsbooks to become a VIP. Reaching out to DraftKings first and ask what they can do for a $10,000 or larger deposit often results in an extra deposit match and entrance into the VIP program.
Unique Terminology
DK Dollars = Site Credit
Crowns = DraftKings Rewards Program
Signup Offers
$1,000 Deposit Match
20% Deposit Match in Site Credit up to $1,000 on a $5,000 deposit
Amount: $1,000 Type: Deposit Match in Site Credit Bet Finder: Site Credit
Deposit: $5,000 Minimum Hedge: See notes Expected Value: $1,000
Notes: DK calls Site Credit DK Dollars. They are a 1x playthrough, but the initial deposit match is released at 25x. Meaning, for every $25 bet $1 of Site Credit is added to your account and automatically applied to your next bet. Minimum odds -300 and 90 days to meet the playthrough requirement. Be sure to use the sportsbook app/webpage. It is easy to accidentally use the casino or daily fantasy app/webpage. When making your first deposit, edit the deposit amount to $5,000 before linking the deposit method. This offer can be used to hedge other signup offers.
Available in: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming
Available in: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming
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VIP/Rewards Program
DraftKings is one of the easiest sportsbooks to become a VIP on. Often an email to DraftKings asking what offers are available for a $10,000 deposit or more will get their attention. This often results in a 20%+ first-time deposit match and an introductory VIP showcase. The VIP Showcase is three weeks of VIP offers. They are typically released on Thursday afternoons and go through the weekend. Typical offers include two different "Bet and Gets" and a "Loss Back". Here are some examples
Bet and Get: Every $1,000 you bet, you get $100 in Bonus Bets.
Bet and Get: Bet $2,500 and get a 100% profit boost on a $250 bet.
Loss Back: Get 15% of your losses up to $1,000 back.
All three of these offers are profitable and just the beginning of a great VIP program that DraftKings has to offer. Even if you do not reach out to DraftKings asking to be part of the VIP program you can still be invited based on your weekly bet amount, or handle as it is commonly referred to. They want at least $5,000 a week but have multiple tiers of VIP up to $25,000 a week in handle. The higher the tier you are the better the rewards. In addition to the VIP program they also have crowns. Crowns are accumulated based on handle. You accumulate 1 crown for every $2 wagered on straight and futures bets, and 1 crown for every $1 wagered on parlays and same game parlays. Crowns can be redeemed in the DK marketplace for a variety of items and even DK Dollars (Site Credit).
Example Promotion
DraftKings has a wide variety of promotions that range from Profit Boosts, Qualifying Bets, Deposit Matches, and more. Below is an example of a Profit Boost on an NBA game. They have an organized promotions tab that makes them easy to find. Opt-in is often required to qualify for the promotion.
Profit Boost
Here is a 50% Profit Boost on an NBA game with a max bet and max additional winnings. Through matched betting, you can mathematically guarantee profit by hedging your bet.
Profit Boost Bet Finder
You can use the Profit Boost Bet Finder on DarkHorse Odds to guarantee a profit of over $15. In addition to the Profit Boost Bet Finder DarkHorse Odds has all the tools needed to convert a wide variety of sportsbook promotions such as Bonus Bets, Second Chance Bets, Site Credit, and more. You can learn more about matched betting in our guides.
MLB House Rules
Each sportsbook has its own House Rules which determine how a bet is graded. These rules cover unlikely events, such as what happens to your bet when a game is canceled.
Usually, the different house rules across sportsbooks do not have an impact on matched betting. However, in Major League Baseball (MLB), there are notable exceptions. A simple example is when a game is postponed due to weather. Read our House Rules Comparison guide to learn more.
For MLB it is also important to understand what defines Action.
DraftKings is a top player in the US and Ontario or regulated and trustworthy online sports books.
Updated: Nov 22, 2024
4 min read
Note: If you are located in Ontario, we are not able to display any available promotions.
Matched Betting
What is the "Matched Betting Value" listed above? This is the amount of profit that you can make from the sign-up offer through a technique called matched betting. In short, it is a mathematical approach to sports betting that guarantees profit by hedging your bets. This allows you to cover all possible outcomes and secure a profit no matter what happens in the game. This is different from gambling because there is no risk of losing. Learn more in our What Is Matched Betting guide.
Available Locations
DraftKings is available in the following locations.
DraftKings is the second largest sportsbook in the United States, only behind FanDuel. They have one of the best VIP programs available and are a must-have sportsbook for all matched bettors. In addition to the VIP program they regularly offer promotions to all of their customers.
If you have a starting bankroll over $6,000 they should be one of the first sportsbooks you signup as outlined in our state/province guides. If you are starting with a smaller bankroll completing the smaller signup offers from other sportsbooks is recommended to before signing up for DraftKings. This allows you to build your bankroll and maximize the DraftKings deposit match. Then once you signup for DraftKings you can proceed to the larger available offer that are above the ~$500 profit range. This strategy is also outlined in our state/province guides.
DraftKings has an average MLB vig of 4.34%. DraftKings MLB odds are similar to popular sportsbooks (4.25%). This is considerably worse than sharp sportsbooks which are closer to 2.19%.
DraftKings averages -154.1 for MLB favorites which is about the same as popular sportsbooks (-155.0). DraftKings is worse than sharp sportsbooks which have an average of -147.6.
The average DraftKings MLB odds on underdogs is 128.8 which is marginally worse popular sportsbooks (130.1). DraftKings is worse than sharp sportsbooks which have an average of 134.9.
Notes Before Signing Up
MLB House Rules
Each sportsbook has its own House Rules which determine how a bet is graded. These rules cover unlikely events, such as what happens to your bet when a game is canceled.
Usually, the different house rules across sportsbooks do not have an impact on matched betting. However, in Major League Baseball (MLB), there are notable exceptions. A simple example is when a game is postponed due to weather. Read our House Rules Comparison guide to learn more.
For MLB it is also important to understand what defines Action.
