Launch Year
2018 (sports betting)
2023
Welcome Bonus
Bet $5, get up to $200 in bonus bets (varies by state)
First bet match up to $1,000 in bonus bets (varies by promo)
States Available
25+ legal betting states
~20 legal betting states
Same-Game Parlay
Yes — robust SGP builder
Yes — basic SGP available
Live/In-Play Betting
Extensive — hundreds of live markets per game
Limited — key markets only in-play
Odds Format Options
American, Decimal, Fractional
American (primary), limited options
Prop Bet Variety
500+ props on major events
~100-200 props on major events
Cash Out Feature
Full & partial cash out available
Full cash out available
Deposit Methods
10+ options incl. PayPal, Venmo, crypto
6-8 options, no crypto
Min. Bet
$0.10 on some markets
$1 typical minimum
ESPN Content Integration
None — standalone app
Yes — scores, news & betting in ESPN app ecosystem
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Yes — original DFS platform included
No DFS offering
DraftKings Sportsbook
App & UX★★★★½
Live Betting★★★★½
Market Depth★★★★★
Customer Support★★★½☆
Odds Competitiveness★★★★☆
Promotions & Bonuses★★★★☆
Responsible Gambling Tools★★★★☆
ESPN BET
App & UX★★★½☆
Live Betting★★★☆☆
Market Depth★★★☆☆
Customer Support★★★☆☆
Odds Competitiveness★★★☆☆
Promotions & Bonuses★★★½☆
Responsible Gambling Tools★★★½☆
Worth knowing
- DraftKings has processed billions in wagers since launching sports betting in 2018 — it's not a startup.
- ESPN BET is powered by Penn Entertainment under a 10-year, $1.5B deal with ESPN signed in 2023.
- DraftKings offers a loyalty rewards program (Dynasty Rewards) where points convert to real betting credits.
- ESPN BET users can link their ESPN account and see personalized betting markets next to their favorite team's news.
- DraftKings has one of the most comprehensive live-betting engines in the US market, including micro-markets like next pitch outcomes.
ESPN BET is essentially Penn Entertainment wearing an ESPN Halloween costume — Penn ran Barstool Sportsbook before that, so they've changed brand identities more often than most people change their fantasy football team names.
If you wantYou want the widest market selection and best live betting
DraftKings offers vastly more props, live markets, and betting options than ESPN BET can match right now.
→ Pick DraftKings Sportsbook If you wantYou live inside the ESPN ecosystem and want betting integrated with your sports content
ESPN BET's tie-in with ESPN's app, alerts, and editorial content is a genuinely unique convenience for die-hard ESPN fans.
→ Pick ESPN BET If you wantYou want DFS and sportsbook in one place
DraftKings invented daily fantasy and keeps it fully integrated — ESPN BET offers zero DFS.
→ Pick DraftKings Sportsbook If you wantYou're a casual bettor who just wants a large welcome bonus and easy sign-up
DraftKings' welcome offer is proven, and its simpler onboarding makes getting started less friction-filled.
→ Pick DraftKings Sportsbook Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.