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What companies compete with DraftKings and FanDuel?
8 min read
DraftKings and FanDuel dominate U.S. online sports betting and daily fantasy sports, but they’re far from alone. A growing list of sportsbooks, fantasy platforms, and hybrid apps compete directly with them for users, market share, and brand visibility—especially as more states legalize online betting.
Below is a detailed breakdown of what companies compete with DraftKings and FanDuel, how they position themselves, and what makes each one a serious alternative.
Major Online Sportsbook Competitors
These are the biggest rivals to DraftKings and FanDuel in the regulated U.S. online sportsbook market.
BetMGM
Backed by MGM Resorts International and Entain, BetMGM is one of the top competitors in online sports betting.
Key points:
- Strong brand recognition through MGM casinos and resorts
- Integrated rewards via MGM Rewards (online bets can earn comps at physical properties)
- Broad sportsbook offering: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, soccer, golf, tennis, combat sports, and more
- Competitive promos and odds boosts targeting the same customers as DraftKings and FanDuel
BetMGM competes most directly on:
- Cross-channel experience: Online app + physical casinos
- Loyalty ecosystem: Leveraging existing MGM customer base
- Market access: Rapid expansion into newly regulated states
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook is another legacy casino brand that has aggressively grown its online presence.
Key points:
- Powered by Caesars Entertainment’s massive casino network
- Heavy advertising (especially in early U.S. market rollouts)
- Caesars Rewards integration, linking online betting with hotel, dining, and entertainment perks
- Full-featured sportsbook with live betting, same-game parlays, and promotions
Caesars competes with DraftKings and FanDuel by tying online betting to:
- Tiered loyalty benefits
- VIP and high-roller appeal
- National footprint in physical casinos and resorts
Bet365
Bet365 is a global sports betting giant that’s gradually expanding in the U.S.
Key points:
- One of the world’s largest sportsbooks by handle outside the U.S.
- Known for deep markets and extensive live/in-play betting options
- Clean, odds-first interface favored by frequent bettors
- Gradually entering more U.S. states as regulations allow
Bet365’s competitive edge:
- Experience in mature European betting markets
- Strong live betting features, streams, and markets
- Pricing and odds that can attract sharp and casual bettors alike
ESPN BET
ESPN BET is a rebranded sportsbook powered by PENN Entertainment, leveraging ESPN’s media might.
Key points:
- Uses ESPN’s powerful sports media brand and audience reach
- Integrated promo and content strategy: odds and links embedded in ESPN content
- Targeted at fans already engaged with ESPN shows, articles, and live events
ESPN BET competes by:
- Blurring lines between sports content and betting
- Capturing users where they already watch and read sports
- Tapping into fan loyalty to the ESPN brand
Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics, a major sports merchandise and collectibles company, has entered the sportsbook market.
Key points:
- Leverages large existing customer base of sports fans
- Integrates sports betting with merchandise and collectibles (e.g., bet-to-earn gear or rewards)
- Acquired PointsBet’s U.S. operations to gain market access
Fanatics competes by:
- Building a unified fan ecosystem: gear, cards, and betting
- Offering unique rewards tied to team apparel and fan experiences
Other Notable Online Sportsbook Competitors
These operators are meaningful competitors, even if they’re not always top-3 in market share.
Hard Rock Bet
- Backed by Hard Rock International and its casino footprint
- Focus on both online and retail sportsbooks
- Uses the Hard Rock brand to attract casual and entertainment-focused bettors
BetRivers (Rush Street Interactive)
- Early mover in some states, especially in the Midwest and East Coast
- Offers both sportsbook and online casino games in select markets
- Competes with DraftKings and FanDuel onscreen with similar parlay and promo structures
PointsBet (legacy brand in transition)
- Known historically for “PointsBetting,” a high-variance wagering style
- U.S. assets largely acquired by Fanatics, but brand may still appear depending on region
WynnBET (retrenching but still present in some markets)
- Backed by Wynn Resorts, with positioning around premium and luxury gaming
- Competes where live Wynn casino presence supports local sportsbook adoption
Daily Fantasy Sports Competitors
DraftKings and FanDuel built their brands around daily fantasy sports (DFS) before expanding into sportsbooks. While they still dominate DFS, other platforms compete with them in that niche.
Underdog Fantasy
Underdog Fantasy has emerged as a strong DFS competitor, particularly in “pick’em” and best ball formats.
Key features:
- Best Ball fantasy drafts for NFL, NBA, and other sports
- Player pick’em contests (over/under-style entries)
- Sleek, mobile-first app experience
Underdog competes with DraftKings and FanDuel DFS by:
- Simplifying the experience (e.g., best ball requires no weekly management)
- Focusing on season-long fantasy and player props-style products
- Marketing heavily through influencers and fantasy content creators
PrizePicks
PrizePicks is a prominent DFS operator focused on player projection contests.
Key points:
- Users make “entries” choosing over/under on player stats
- Operates under DFS regulations in many states where sportsbooks are restricted
- Competes for the same prop-focused audience that DraftKings and FanDuel target
PrizePicks’ competitive angle:
- Simple, props-only gameplay
- Operates like a betting experience in jurisdictions where full sportsbooks may not be legal
Sleeper
Originally a fantasy league management app, Sleeper has expanded into DFS-like games.
Key points:
- Season-long leagues with modern UI and social features
- “Picks” style contests that resemble player prop parlays
- Social chat, league activity feeds, and community-focused features
Sleeper competes by:
- Owning the full fantasy experience (league chat + contests)
- Turning casual fantasy players into real-money DFS users
Hybrid DFS / Sports Betting Competitors
Some platforms operate in a regulatory gray area between DFS and sports betting, competing directly with DraftKings and FanDuel for prop-oriented customers.
Betr
Betr started as a micro-betting-focused sportsbook and has added DFS-like products.
Key features:
- Micro-betting (wagers on very small, in-game events)
- DFS-style pick’em games in certain states
- Heavy focus on short-form content and creator partnerships
Betr competes by:
- Targeting younger, mobile-native audiences
- Focusing on fast, event-level betting experiences instead of traditional game lines
Fliff (social sportsbook model)
Fliff is structured as a “social sportsbook” with sweepstakes-style rewards.
Key points:
- Users place “social” bets for virtual currency, with some options to redeem sweepstakes prizes
- Positioned as a free-to-play alternative where regulated betting isn’t available
- Still competes for user attention and engagement with DraftKings and FanDuel
Online Casino and iGaming Competitors
In states where online casino games (iGaming) are legal, many brands compete directly with DraftKings Casino and FanDuel Casino.
Key iGaming Competitors
- BetMGM Casino – Top-tier online casino brand with slots, table games, and live dealer
- Caesars Casino – Integrated with Caesars’ physical casino network
- BetRivers Casino – Strong in some early iGaming states
- Golden Nugget Online Gaming – Well known for slots and casino-first focus
These companies compete by:
- Offering large game libraries and exclusive slot titles
- Running aggressive bonus and loyalty programs
- Cross-promoting between casino and sportsbook products
Media and Tech Companies Moving into Betting
Some competitors aren’t traditional casinos or DFS operators; they’re media or tech companies using their platforms to enter the betting space.
Yahoo Sports (formerly Yahoo Sportsbook partnerships)
- Integrates betting odds into its sports apps and fantasy platforms
- Has partnered with established sportsbooks to offer betting functionality
- Competes by leveraging its existing sports and fantasy audience
Barstool (legacy sportsbook brand)
- Previously partnered with PENN Entertainment for Barstool Sportsbook
- Brand recognition and a loyal media audience made it a noteworthy competitor
- Elements of that strategy inform competitors like ESPN BET and others
Key Ways Competitors Differentiate from DraftKings and FanDuel
Even when they offer similar products, rival companies differentiate themselves in several ways:
1. Brand and Loyalty Ecosystems
- Casino-backed brands (BetMGM, Caesars, Hard Rock) use hotel, dining, and live entertainment rewards to attract bettors.
- Merchandise-backed brands like Fanatics use gear and collectibles as incentives.
DraftKings and FanDuel counter with their own VIP programs and cross-product promos, but they don’t own the same physical resort networks.
2. Product Focus and UX
Some competitors specialize in niche experiences:
- Underdog, PrizePicks, and Sleeper focus on DFS and player props
- Bet365 leans into live/in-play markets and deep odds menus
- Betr and Fliff stress micro-betting or social-style gameplay
This allows them to carve out specific user segments that might prefer a different experience than the standard DraftKings/FanDuel app.
3. Content and Media Integration
- ESPN BET uses ESPN’s shows, websites, and apps to integrate odds and promos
- Other sportsbooks partner with media companies and influencers for GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and content-driven acquisition
DraftKings and FanDuel also rely heavily on content, partnerships, and broadcast integrations, but they face increasing competition from brands with legacy media reach.
How Competition Affects Users
The number of companies that compete with DraftKings and FanDuel benefits users by:
- Increasing sign-up bonuses and ongoing promotions
- Improving app design, speed, and betting features
- Expanding the variety of bet types, DFS formats, and casino games
- Encouraging better odds or more player-friendly pricing in some markets
On the flip side, the crowded landscape can be confusing for new users, who may see overlapping offers and similar language across multiple platforms.
Summary: The Competitive Landscape Around DraftKings and FanDuel
DraftKings and FanDuel are leaders in U.S. sports betting and DFS, but they face meaningful competition from:
- Major sportsbooks: BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Bet365, ESPN BET, Fanatics, Hard Rock Bet, BetRivers
- DFS and pick’em platforms: Underdog Fantasy, PrizePicks, Sleeper
- Hybrid and social models: Betr, Fliff
- Online casino operators: BetMGM Casino, Caesars Casino, BetRivers Casino, Golden Nugget
Each competitor targets similar customers with slightly different strengths—whether that’s loyalty rewards, niche DFS games, live betting depth, or powerful media integrations—making the market around DraftKings and FanDuel highly dynamic and increasingly competitive.