Editor
Loading ...
Founded in 2009, FanDuel cleverly used the daily fantasy sports wave to its advantage. Just as online betting became more ubiquitous, the company used the same approach to target DFS fans. And it worked. People loved the fact that everything was in one place, especially when it came to stats. Soon enough, this also saw the introduction of prize pools, freeroll contests, and more. But this begs the question – how does FanDuel hold up in 2023?
That’s what we’ll find out in today’s FanDuel DFS review. We’ll explore the usability, mobile app, tournaments, contests, and more. Once you’re done reading, you’ll finally be able to tell whether FanDuel is better than DraftKings, or not.
All things considered, both daily fantasy sports sites have plenty to offer. If you ask Gambla, though, FanDuel might have the edge regarding usability.
Payment Provider | Deposit time | Withdrawal time | Safety | Approval rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
instant | low risk | |||
instant | high | |||
instant | 1 - 2 days | very high | High | |
instant | 3 - 5 days | very high | ||
5 - 10 days | medium | |||
very high | ||||
instant | high | |||
instant | high | |||
instant | 3 - 5 days | some | ||
instant | high | |||
1 days | high | |||
instant | high |
FanDuel’s website is designed with the user in mind. Although we don’t say things like this likely, using the site was a breeze. It features a clean interface, intuitive navigation, and clearly-signified options for selecting and entering contests.
The site is organized into tabs for easy access to different sports, contest formats, and account management. Yes, the platform is robust overall and contains many elements. However, FanDuel makes it easy for beginners to find their way. But at the same time, pros can make use of the simple UI. In our experience, it takes 3-4 clicks/taps to join a contest.
One thing we appreciate about FanDuel is the addition of QOL tools and features. This includes the likes of lineup optimizers, player news, performance history, etc. We’re glad to see this because it solves the problem of ‘scattering.’ Simply put, you can find everything in one place. There’s no need to scatter your attention to ESPN, Basketball Reference or another site.
The features continue with quick contest creation, where you can rapidly set up a private contest and invite friends to join. The platform also incorporates advanced filtering options. You’ll find contests matching your preferences, including entry fees, contest types, and prize structures.
If you ask us, this is where FanDuel is better than DraftKings. You don’t have to scroll for a thousand years before you find what you want. Think of this as a curated homepage of sorts.
The FanDuel mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices. It provides a seamless experience, mirroring the website’s user-friendly design. You can access all the same features, including contest entry, roster building, and account management. Although the smooth design was expected, the smooth performance surprised us.
In fact, this app uses a very low amount of mobile data. Therefore, you can even browse contests and stats when the reception isn’t all that great. If you know us at Gambla, you know we’re suckers for small details like this.
Additionally, the app offers push notifications to keep you informed about upcoming contests, promotions, and lineup updates. If we had to be honest, there should be a setting to customize the notifications. Sometimes, our reviewers didn’t want to see 10 reminders about Blake Griffin’s stat sheet impact in garbage time. But if you’re looking for in-depth coverage without entering the app, it’s great.
At the end of the day, this is one of the best DFS apps. We’d even recommend it to tablet users. It felt right at home on our 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the office.
FanDuel offers a variety of ways to deposit and withdraw funds. Some of the most popular options include credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers. Deposits are always instant, while withdrawals can take up to 48 hours for processing, depending on the method used. FanDuel also employs advanced security measures to protect users’ financial information, ensuring transactions are safe and secure.
As a result, it’s no wonder the company has a spotless reputation. They comply with laws in 40+ states, and their encryption is top-notch. That’s all you can wish for in a banking section.
But above all else, FanDuel is very inclusive with its attitude towards banking. For instance, you can make use of their flexible withdrawal policy, which allows users to request partial withdrawals. This feature provides you with more control over your funds and enables better bankroll management.
FanDuel provides customer support through multiple channels, including email, live chat, and a comprehensive FAQ section. Response times are generally quick, with live chat leading the way with a 1.2-minute average. But even emails arrived on the same day, which has become a rarity nowadays.
When we contacted an agent, the experience was smooth every time. No matter how vapid our questions were, the people at FanDuel maintained their composure and ensured we understood. That reinforces our belief that this is a good choice for beginners. They’ll even give you resources to learn about DFS.
FanDuel also maintains an active presence on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms. Follow them to stay updated on platform news and promotions. But feel free to ask them about specific conditions, contests, and more.
FanDuel offers a dedicated blog that features strategy articles, player picks, and other valuable resources to further assist users. This level of care sets FanDuel apart from other platforms. No DFS sites go out of their way to provide educational content for their users. If you’re looking for that something extra, this might be your top pick.
FanDuel is licensed and regulated by several US state gaming authorities, ensuring a safe and secure environment. You can access the DFS part of the site in all US states except Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Washington. This puts them right next to DraftKings in terms of pure availability.
Other FanDuel products require different licenses. As such, you can bet on horse racing in 25 states. The online casino is licensed in PA, WV, NJ, MI, and CT. As for the sportsbook, it’s now open in more than a dozen states. The full list is on the main FanDuel webpage.
FanDuel is also the official DFS partner or sponsor of major sports leagues and organizations, such as the NBA, NHL, and MLB. If the big leagues have been trusting them since the early 2010s, who are we to judge?
FanDuel offers a variety of promos for both new and existing players. Throughout our time on the site, we felt engaged. New users can take advantage of sign-up bonuses and deposit match offers. Later on, you can benefit from ongoing promotions, such as free contest entries, loyalty rewards, and referral bonuses.
FanDuel also has a multi-tiered loyalty program called FanDuel Players Club, which gives you points for participating in contests. These points can be redeemed for contest entries, merchandise, and other exclusive benefits. It’s not life-changing, but it’s still fair and provides value.
In addition, FanDuel regularly hosts special promotional events, such as the FanDuel Championship Series. These events consist of multiple qualifier contests leading up to a grand finale. When you realize FanDuel was the first to popularize eSports DFS, it’s clear where the influence comes from. Honestly, this PvP format may be our favorite way to enjoy DFS.
FanDuel covers a wide range of sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, golf, soccer, and about ten more. We found contests for various skill levels and preferences, from casual to highly competitive. The platform offers unique contests for special events, such as the Olympics and the World Cup. If you like to indulge in DFS from time-time to time, FanDuel is great for casuals.
The site stands out by offering a Friends Mode feature, allowing you to create private leagues with friends or co-workers. This feature fosters a sense of community and friendly competition, which is Gambla’s main trait of all good DFS sites.
The platform boasts a diverse selection of prize pools, ranging from small, head-to-head contests to big guaranteed prize pool (GPP) tournaments. There are contests to fit everyone’s budget and skill level, with buy-ins ranging from free to high-stakes. Believe it or not, FanDuel also has progressive jackpot contests. Here, the prize pool increases over time until a winner claims the jackpot.
FanDuel’s unique Beat the Score contests are another way the platform differentiates itself. In these contests, your goal is to achieve a specific point threshold rather than competing against other users. If multiple participants reach the threshold, the prize pool is shared evenly among the winners. Now that’s what we call democracy.
There are more than fantasy 15 sports at FanDuel. This includes basketball, football, hockey, soccer, college sports, winter sports, big events, and more. Using a simple formula, this DFS provider streamlined basic stuff, such as roster creation. If you experience one sport, you’ve seen them all. And we don’t mean this in a negative or monotonous way.
FanDuel prides itself on offering a diverse array of contests. For starters, you can enjoy classic salary caps and snake drafts. But we’ve also seen hundreds of available Pick ‘em matchups every night. This format allows you to choose between, let’s say, LeBron and KD and pick who’ll score more DFS points.
Of course, you can also have a go at holiday tournaments, satellites, and more complex qualifiers. If you’re a pro, we’d definitely recommend FanDuel over DraftKings. Rookies will also find the whole setup enticing.
While FanDuel has its fair share of large-scale tournaments, there are plenty of qualifiers and freerolls. This is probably the most balanced DFS site we’ve reviewed. Usually, brands miss the mark and focus too much on high-profile satellites. At FanDuel, we always felt like we leveled up. This feeling of linear progression is important, especially if you want to maintain healthy betting habits.
Just like DraftKings, FanDuel offers the essential tools of modern roster-building. Together with the constant stream of news, it’s easy to whip up lineups in a frenzy. What’s more, the intuitive controls make it by far the easiest process Gambla has experienced. It takes some time to get used to the tablet interface, though.
FanDuel is legal in 44 states. You only can’t access it in Hawaii, Idaho, Connecticut, Nevada, Washington and Montana.
Visit the FanDuel website or download the app, click “Join Now,” and follow the registration process.
Players must be at least 18 years old (21 in some states) to bet on fantasy sports at FanDuel.
Yes, you can edit your lineup until the contest’s start time. Check the T&C for more specific information.
Yes, winnings from daily fantasy sports are considered taxable income in the United States. Consult a tax professional for guidance.
Without a doubt, FanDuel is one of the best daily fantasy sites in the US. They seemingly check all the boxes. Availability is at a particularly high level. You can access the DFS site in 44 states (as of April 2023), but even the casino and sportsbook are fairly accessible. Don’t forget about the brand’s many sponsorships and awards, either.
When it comes to DFS offers and contests, only DraftKings can compete. Gambla counted 15+ sports at all times, with a great balance between FanDuel and player-created leagues. The bonuses serve as a nice way to spice everything up. All things considered, our experts are pleased with what they see. FanDuel DFS handles things the right way and is beginner-friendly.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.