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Home > Best Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in the US

Best Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Sites in the US 2024

Last Updated on March 5, 2024
Fact checked by: Chris A

Looking for DFS sites in the US? You’ll find the best American Daily Fantasy Sports sites with promos in this article!

Daily fantasy sports sites have come a long way. However, it’s not just about drafting and sports coverage anymore. You need things such as bonuses, unique formats, and compelling tournaments to keep going. Thankfully, we have just the thing. 2023 looks like it’s going to be the best DFS year yet, and our experts prepared the ultimate crash course. It’s unique to this occasion and has all the data you need to start playing successfully. Of course, our top list of US daily fantasy sports sites is the centerpiece.

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Underdog Fantasy
Recommended
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4.7/5
  • Tournaments
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ParlayPlay
Hot Offer
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4.7/5
  • Great App
  • Free Welcome Bonus
  • Modern DFS
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Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
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Mastercard
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Withdrawal
3 – 5 Days
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OwnersBox
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4.6/5
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  • New DFS Site
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Go to OwnersBox
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FanDuel Fantasy
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1 – 10 Days
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Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Award
Global Gaming Awards (2022)
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DraftKings Fantasy
5.
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4.5/5
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  • Trusted Brand
  • Biggest DFS Lobby
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Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
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Our Top DFS Picks for US Players 

The Gambla team couldn’t be happier with the rising popularity of DFS. While there are more sites than ever, that’s for sure. But that also means it’s more difficult to find the best daily fantasy sports in the US.

Fortunately, our testing methods ended up fruitful and helped us compile the latest Gambla top list. It features seven of the top DFS sites for Americans, and they go as follows:

DraftKings

DraftKings is one of the biggest Daily Fantasy Sports operator in the US

As a pioneer of daily fantasy sports, DraftKings definitely provides the most versatile experience. Their platform supports a wide variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, among others. DraftKings stands out by offering unique features such as late swaps. This perk lets you change the lineup even after contests have begun.

With a comprehensive selection of contest types and an intuitive mobile app, DraftKings remains a popular choice for both casual and seasoned players. Gambla’s tests also revealed a treasure trove of bonuses for regular players, especially daily and weekly tournaments and reloads.

When it comes to legality, DraftKings DFS is available in most US states. Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Hawaii and parts of Louisiana are the only exceptions. Without a doubt, this is the most widely available DFS site in the US.

FanDuel

FanDuel Live Dealer Casino is popular in the US

A frontrunner in the daily fantasy sports arena, FanDuel entices users with its sleek interface and extensive sports options. Their innovative single-game contest format sets them apart, allowing users to focus their lineups around a single event. For this reason, Gambla would recommend this DFS site to beginners.

FanDuel’s platform features diverse contest types, such as tournaments and head-to-head matchups. The user-friendly mobile app and attractive promotions make FanDuel our second-favorite DFS website. Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Washington are the only excluded states. Even though the combination is a bit weird, they still rival DraftKings in this particular department.

Overall, we also like how many GPP tournaments there are. They’re nicely balanced with qualifiers and plenty of free rolls. So, if you want to play without financial burdens, FanDuel is the place to be.

JockMKT

Jock MKT Is a Daily Fantasy Sports Brand with a great app

JockMKT revolutionizes the daily fantasy sports landscape by merging DFS with stock market-style trading. Therefore, we’d say this is a perfect choice for anyone looking for something new. Overall, the principle may be a novelty, but it’s easy to understand. The investment part might be a bit hard for beginners, so make sure you understand how the shares system works.

Participants buy and sell shares of athletes during games, creating a dynamic and exhilarating experience. Jock MKT’s platform supports NFL, NBA, MLB, and PGA, catering to a limited but still specialized audience. However, the format as a whole is engaging enough that it makes up for the lack of available sports. Nevertheless, we have to praise the recent addition of ice hockey and European soccer.

The only thing we’d like to see improved is availability. According to JockMKT themselves, you can access the platform in 34 states. Nevertheless, this doesn’t take away from the fact they’re the most unique US daily fantasy site.

ParlayPlay

ParlayPlay is a great Daily Fantasy Sports brand in the US

ParlayPlay offers a refreshing and simplified approach to daily fantasy sports. While DraftKings sticks to the basics and JockMKT experiments, this DFS site tries to strike the balance. Instead of creating teams, you pick player props and create your own fantasy parlay. There are only between 2 to 4 legs on each slip, which is great news for rookies.

If you like props on NBA and NFL matches, you’ll definitely love ParlayPlay. We’d definitely recommend them to sports bettors looking to get into DFS. Regardless, our team members were still surprised by the depth of these props. Even traditional bookies don’t cover NBA blocks and rebound markets this extensively.

And even though they were launched only recently, ParlayPlay is widely available. You can find them anywhere except Idaho, Hawaii, Louisiana, Washington, Nevada, and Montana. We love new formats like this, especially when the payouts are fair and straightforward.

OwnersBox

OwnersBox Is a Daily Fantasy Sports Brand with a great app

Blending traditional season-long fantasy with the excitement of daily fantasy sports, OwnersBox delivers a novel hybrid experience. The platform focuses exclusively on contests that span multiple weeks. This includes plenty of visualization features and opportunities to compete against other players. The system as a whole provides users with an experience similar to managing a traditional fantasy team. In fact, this is the closest you’ll get to becoming a real-life sports GM.

OwnersBox boasts an intuitive interface and various contest types, including tournaments and head-to-head matchups. The addition of social features, such as private leagues, adds a competitive edge for users seeking a more interactive DFS experience.

ThriveFantasy

Get started on ThriveFantasy by signing up

The best way to describe ThriveFantasy would be as a modern twist on fantasy sports. They take all the basics and repackage them into a 2023 version. Thus, it’s no wonder that the majority of the offer revolves around eSports. So, if you’re into DOTA, Valorant, or even FIFA, this is by far the best daily fantasy sports site for this. In addition, we’ve noticed ThriveFantasy’s exceptional coverage of UFC and even selected Bellator matches.

But just like ParlayPlay, this DFS site focuses on player parlays instead of drafts. It’s a hybrid form of sports betting, but Gambla’s experts generally enjoy this format. There are no annoying drafts or month-long preparations. Just like at our recommended US sportsbook, you can see what’s going on and just create your own parlay. But there’s also enough strategic depth for pros to enjoy themselves.

Once again, availability is the only thing we don’t like. A whopping 20 states are excluded, which puts the brand at a severe disadvantage. However, we think you’ll like the mobile app and this fresh approach to DFS gameplay.

Underdog Fantasy

Get started on Underdog Fantasy by signing up

At first glance, the whole point of Underdog Fantasy seems to be to maintain activity. The brand succeeds in this by offering some of the largest sports selections on this list. In total, there are 10+ sports at all times, with tennis, NASCAR, and even hot dog eating being available. Plenty of our readers also rate them as the best daily fantasy sports site for MLS and European soccer. So if you want to take a trip across the pond – Underdog has your back.

This also includes equal coverage for all available sports. Even NASCAR had around a dozen or so competitions at the time of writing this review. Moreover, high-stakes players will appreciate the hefty prize pools.

Licensing-wise, Underdog is available in a total of 40 states. However, NCAA tournaments and Pick’em pairs are banned in a couple more states. Check the brand’s official website for up-to-date info on this.

What Are Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is an innovative and fast-paced alternative to traditional fantasy sports. In DFS, you create a virtual team composed of real-life athletes from various professional sports leagues. These usually include the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, but motorsports and soccer are also popular. Overall, your team’s performance is determined by the actual stats of the athletes you’ve chosen.

Some key features of DFS include:

  • Short-term commitment. Unlike traditional fantasy sports, which typically span an entire season, DFS contests can be as short as a single day or last for a week, depending on the sport.
  • Variety of contest formats. DFS offers a wide range of contests, such as tournaments, head-to-head matchups, 50/50s, and more.
  • Cash prizes. Most DFS platforms provide cash prizes, which can range from a few dollars to millions, depending on the contest’s size and entry fees.
  • Flexibility. With DFS, you have the freedom to create new lineups for each contest, allowing you to adapt to injuries, player matchups, and other variables that impact athlete performance.

How to Get Started with Daily Fantasy Sports 

To get started with DFS, follow these steps:

  • Choose a platform. Select a reputable DFS site available in the US, preferably one of our top picks listed above.
  • Create an account. Sign up for an account using your email address and personal information. Most platforms offer sign-up bonuses or promotions to attract new users.
  • Deposit funds. Add funds to your account using your preferred payment method. Most platforms accept credit cards, PayPal, and other online payment services.

How to Select Your First Competition 

Once your payment lands and you familiarize yourself with how the site works, it’s go time. Pick a sport you want to start with and focus on the following:

  • Select a contest. Browse through the available contests, which vary in terms of entry fees, prize pools, and contest formats. Some popular contest formats include guaranteed prize pool (GPP) tournaments, head-to-head matchups, and double-up contests.
  • Draft your lineup. Build your team by selecting athletes from the available player pool while staying within the salary cap. Each athlete is assigned a salary based on their expected performance, with higher-performing players typically costing more. Be strategic with your selections to maximize your team’s potential.
  • Monitor your team. Track your team’s performance in real-time as the games unfold. Your team’s score is determined by the cumulative stats of your selected athletes. Different points are awarded for various accomplishments, such as touchdowns, rebounds, or goals.
  • Compete for cash prizes. If your team scores high enough, you can win cash prizes based on the contest’s payout structure. In many cases, the top finishers in a contest will receive a share of the total prize pool.

In addition to these basic steps, successful DFS players often conduct extensive research and analysis to gain a competitive edge. This may involve staying up-to-date on player news, analyzing matchups, and utilizing advanced statistics to make informed lineup decisions.

DFS vs. Sports Betting: What’s the Difference?

While both DFS and sports betting involve predicting outcomes in sports events, there are some key differences between the two.

DFS Characteristics 

  • In DFS, you’re by building a virtual team. Therefore, you are directly responsible for what happens later on. Real-life events also play a role, but only to a certain extent.
  • DFS contests are skill-based games that focus on your ability to analyze athlete performance. Therefore, they require much more knowledge when compared to sports betting. It’s not enough to watch games, you must also know how to read and identify key stats.
  • DFS often features multiplayer contests. So, it’s not enough to just beat the house. You’ll be facing opponents with all kinds of skill levels, depending on the entry fee and the prize pool.
  • DFS platforms usually offer a wider variety of contests and entry fees, while sports betting primarily consists of straight bets, parlays, and prop bets. For instance, there are one-day DFS tournaments for NBA assists only. The best daily fantasy sites let you create custom leagues, private competitions and more.

Sports Betting Characteristics 

Best Daily Fantasy Sports sites in the US

  • In sports betting, you’re placing bets on odds set by a bookmaker. That’s it, you don’t have to count on other players messing up your mojo. DFS, on the other hand, features multiplayer contests. So, it’s not enough to just beat the house. You’ll be facing opponents with all kinds of skill levels, depending on the entry fee and the prize pool.
  • Sports betting involves wagering on specific outcomes of a game or event. There is no way you can impact the outcome in the end. The Timberwolves are stuck with Rudy Gobert — you can’t cheese your own team like in DFS.
  • Betting on sporting events lets you target sections of a game. DFS rarely lets you do this, with only a few sites offering quarter-by-quarter stats counting. The best sportsbooks, on the other hand, have plenty of markets for this.
  • When you bet on sports, you’re the only competition to yourself. On the other hand, DFS might see your chances of winning ruined by more skilled players.

In addition, the Gambla team thinks fantasy sports are much more flexible than sports betting. They’re a great way for beginners to learn the inner workings of a sport. DFS also gives meaning to otherwise meaningless games, much more than sports betting in some cases.

Nevertheless, sports betting is still much more lucrative. Even though the player’s impact is much lesser, the risk pays out in the form of high odds. Both styles of gambling have their pros and cons. But at the end of the day, most pros like to switch it up.

Frequently Asked Questions About Daily Fantasy Sports

What are some of the best daily fantasy sports sites in the US?

Some of the best daily fantasy sports sites in the US include DraftKings, FanDuel, and JockMKT. These platforms have a strong reputation, large user base, and a wide variety of sports and contests available. DraftKings and FanDuel follow a more traditional format, while JockMKT lets you buy player stocks.

Can I participate in DFS for free on the best daily fantasy sports sites?

Yes, most of the best US daily fantasy sports sites offer freeroll contests that don’t require an entry fee. These contests provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience and learn the ropes without risking any money. However, the cash prizes for freerolls are typically much smaller than those in paid contests.

How do I find the best daily fantasy sports sites for a specific sport, like the NFL or NBA?

To find the best daily fantasy sports sites for a specific sport, look at our rankings. While any of the top picks will do, consider your preferences before registering. FanDuel, for instance, might be the best for beginners, while JockMKT is the most unique. Generally, most of our top picks have a balanced offer, at least when it comes to US sports.

What strategies can I use at the best daily fantasy sports sites?

To increase your chances of success on the best US DFS sites, focus on strategies such as bankroll management and effective analysis. Also, you should understand tactics and know how to handle analytical software and formats. Keep up-to-date with player news, analyze matchups, and leverage advanced statistics to make informed lineup decisions. But most importantly, be adaptable and willing to adjust your strategy as new trends and insights emerge.

Are there any promotions or bonuses available on the best daily fantasy sports sites?

Most of the best daily fantasy sports sites offer promotions and bonuses for new users, such as deposit matches or free contest entries. These promotions can provide additional value and help you get started with DFS. Always read the terms and conditions of each promotion carefully, as there may be specific requirements to meet before you can withdraw any bonus winnings.

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