NBA betting is huge. In the build up to the 2024 NBA Finals alone, around 80% of bets at US sportsbooks were placed on the Mavericks (+180) to pull-off a major upset against the Celtics (-225) in a star-studded matchup, which the Celtics ultimately went on to win. Ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 season, it’s expected that NBA betting will once again skyrocket, with more fans than ever making the jump and signing up with different sportsbooks.

When it comes to sportsbooks in the US, the two most popular platforms are DraftKings and FanDuel. For years, these sportsbooks have dominated the industry and achieved a combined market share of around 67%, making them the go-to options for most NBA fans. And as a fan yourself, you might be wondering which one you should join in a time period where it seems like everyone is betting on the NBA.

Here’s a helpful overview of DraftKings vs FanDuel and which one you might want to join if you plan on betting on the NBA action next season.

FanDuel vs DraftKings: Overview for NBA Fans

In the sports betting world, one of the hottest topics is the FanDuel vs DraftKings debate. The truth is that both betting sites are great and bring something unique to the table, offering NBA followers pretty much everything that they need in terms of welcome bonuses, daily fantasy basketball, promos, betting markets, and competitive odds. However, there are some differences between them, too, so let’s take a closer look in order to help you make a decision.

What is FanDuel?

FanDuel is officially the most popular online sportsbook in the US, sitting with an impressive market share of 35% compared to DraftKings’ 32%. After launching back in 2018, it didn’t take long for FanDuel to catch fire and quickly become America’s crowd-favorite sports betting app, taking the crown for the #1 most downloaded sportsbook (in 2022 alone, the FanDuel app was downloaded 7.8 million times). It’s been one giant rise to the top for FanDuel, who have now become the default platform for a lot of experienced bettors and complete beginners.

Since 2018, FanDuel has earnt its position as market leader thanks in-part to:

$150 in Bonus Bets if your first bet wins
Extremely competitive odds on major events (e.g. NBA Finals)
NBA game lines, NBA prop bets, and more
“The FanDuel Players Club” loyalty program
Parlay insurance

Not to mention, FanDuel is also stacked with other benefits, too, such as daily odds boosts. However, these odds are usually only available for 24 hours, so it’s recommended you snap them up fast if you see any NBA odds that you like. For example, the Houston Rockets might have their odds for a game boosted from +150 to +300, meaning you’d win an extra $150 if you bet $100 to begin with.

As is the case with most of today’s NBA sportsbooks, FanDuel is available in both website and app form. In general, most people tend to use the app (available on iOS and Android) as it enables them to place NBA bets on-the-go without being glued to a computer. The FanDuel app also has an excellent reputation for its user interface and ultra-fast loading times, currently sitting with a 5-star rating.

What is DraftKings?

DraftKings came to the game a little earlier than FanDuel, first hitting the internet waves back in 2012. At the beginning, it was an exclusive daily fantasy sports (DFS) site. However, following the legalization of sports betting throughout most of the US, DraftKings decided to go all-out by expanding into the sportsbook world back in 2018, functioning as a direct competitor to FanDuel. Essentially, you have a DFS and sportsbook platform rolled into one that has over 1.9 million active users as of 2022.

Recently, DraftKings was the market leader in the US until FanDuel managed to once again pull back its market share. However, DraftKings still has plenty to offer as the #2 leading sportsbook in the US, including:

$200 in Bonus Bets
NBA DFS with daily prizes
NBA game lines, futures, and more
“Dynasty Rewards” loyalty program
Fast payout options

If you’re an NBA fan who wants to play Daily Fantasy Sports with your friends above everything else, then DraftKings is definitely up your street. You get to draft your fantasy line-up of NBA players each season, collect points based on the real-life in-game performances of those players, and even win daily rewards like contest tickets and DK Dollars. Plus, just like FanDuel, DraftKings has put together an epic app (iOS and Android) that runs extremely smoothly and gets you that extra bit closer to the all-important NBA action.

FanDuel vs DraftKings: Minimum Deposits

Betting has always been a big part of the NBA fan experience. As you would expect, though, not every NBA fan wants to bet big. Instead, they’re much happier placing smaller (but smarter) bets. This is why minimum deposits are a big topic of discussion in the NBA betting world, as they’re a big factor behind whether fans join a sportsbook or not.

FanDuel Minimum Deposit: $10

DraftKings Minimum Deposit: $5

These minimum deposit rates apply across all deposit methods, from credit card to PayPal. As you can see, DraftKings have the advantage here, as they’re one of the sportsbooks with a $5 deposit. If you want to save money on your first deposit, you can choose DraftKings over FanDuel and save an extra $5, which will appeal to you if you’re a budget-conscious NBA gambler.

FanDuel vs DraftKings: Accessibility by State

The good news is that both FanDuel and DraftKings are accessible in a large number of states in the US. And for those who aren’t from any of the legalized states, you can still access the sites using a VPN or other method.

FanDuel: AK, AZ, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WV, WI, WY

DraftKings: AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY

At this moment in time, FanDuel can operate in 36 states while DraftKings can operate in 25 states, giving FanDuel a slight edge in this department. Naturally, both sportsbooks have stated they have a shared ambition to keep expanding to new states, especially following the recent sports betting boom across the US since it became more widely legalized. Moving into the future, you can expect both FanDuel and DraftKings to be legally accessible in close to all 50 states if the legalization trend continues.

FanDuel vs DraftKings: Sign-Up Process

FanDuel and DraftKings both offer ultra-fast sign-up processes that only take a couple of minutes, whether you do it through their respective sites or mobile apps. Both platforms do require identity verification, so you’ll need to provide some form of ID. The reason for this is that FanDuel and DraftKings can confirm you’re above the legal gambling age in your country or state. Plus, don’t forget to activate your welcome offers upon creating an account with either of these platforms, as you can essentially boost your bankroll at no extra cost.

FanDuel vs DraftKings: Payment Methods for Deposits and Withdrawals

One of the main reasons why FanDuel and DraftKings remain on top of the US sports betting market is because they listen to the users. Over recent years, one of the biggest trends has been a rising demand for new payment methods, which is why both platforms have modernized their processes so that users can deposit (and withdraw) funds using a variety of different payment methods. These methods are:

FanDuel: Credit card, debit card, online banking, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and FanDuel gift card

DraftKings: Credit card, debit card, online banking, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and DraftKings gift card

The two sportsbooks are effectively identical when it comes to deposit and withdrawal methods, so neither have the advantage. Whether you’re comfortable using a debit card or Apple Pay, simply go with the option that you like the most. It’s also possible to switch between banking methods depending how you feel on any particular day. For instance, sometimes, you might want to withdraw specific winnings to your PayPal account, while other days you’ll withdraw them to your bank account.

Should You Use FanDuel or DraftKings for NBA Betting?

The battle between FanDuel and DraftKings continues to rage amongst NBA fans. If you’re personally unsure which sportsbook to join, FanDuel has a very small edge over DraftKings when it comes to the overall sportsbook experience due to its better odds and frequent promotions. On the other hand, if you’re a NBA DFS fan, then DraftKings is definitely the superior option. The same also applies if you care about welcome bonuses, with DraftKings currently offering $50 in Bonus Bets compared to FanDuel.

Something that millions of today’s NBA fans have done is join both sportsbooks. This is a smart strategy, as it ultimately enables you to get maximum Bonus Bets, compare odds more easily on specific game days, and also take advantage of sportsbook-exclusive offers. In this sense, you’re covering more ground, so it’s a great idea to create an account with both FanDuel and DraftKings if you frequently plan on betting on the NBA throughout each season.

Conclusion

Will the Celtics reach the NBA Finals again? Who will be ‘Rookie of the Year’? And will last year’s play-in teams make the play-offs? There are countless questions buzzing around ahead of the 2024-25 season, which is expected to be an all-timer. Whether you want to place live bets as games are taking place or place futures on any of the above-mentioned questions, you can easily do this through FanDuel or DraftKings. Whichever sportsbook you join, make sure to gamble responsibly.