DraftKings Sportsbook in California – 2025 Legal Update

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Welcome BonusWelcome BonusUp to $1,250Up to $1,250
DraftKings Bonus CodeComing Soon!

Disclaimer: Online sports betting is not legal in California. This DraftKings Sportsbook review is speculative and will be updated as we get closer to DraftKings launching in California. The welcome bonus discussed below is also speculative and could change.

DraftKings was one of the main companies to popularize online daily fantasy sports and is now one of the leading US sportsbooks. It offers a light and functional app, competitive sign-up bonus, solid odds, easy registration, and a range of betting options, among other things.

For the sign-up bonus, new customers at DraftKings can get up to $1,250 in bonuses. Many other promos, as well as daily odds and profit boosts, await both new and regular customers.

While neither DraftKings nor any other online sportsbook is legal in California at the moment, should that change, you can bet that a wave of books will be jockeying for position in the state. Read on for a review of what DraftKings would have to offer California sports bettors in such a situation.

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DraftKings Sportsbook Quick Hits
  • User experience: One of the most user-friendly betting sites and apps.
  • Odds: Often has best or second-best pricing among CA sportsbooks.
  • Promos: Offers plenty of ways to boost your bankroll through sign-up deals, regular promos, free-to-play pools, and loyalty perks.
  • Best feature: Stats Hub offers a deep look into the numbers and analytics of each featured event, helping you make a more knowledgeable wager.
DraftKings Online Sportsbook Rating
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  • Payouts:
  • Mobile App:
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DraftKings California bonus code for January 2025

You don’t need to enter a DraftKings Sportsbook bonus code to claim the $1,250 welcome bonus. Sign up when DraftKings launches in California and you’ll automatically qualify for the total sign-up offer.

DraftKings California Bonus CodeComing Soon!
Maximum Welcome BonusUp to $1,250
Best FeatureStats hub
Launch DateCurrently unknown
Last UpdatedJanuary 8, 2025

Terms and conditions apply to all offers. Please see DraftKings Sportsbook California for details. 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER+ 

Expected DraftKings Bonuses in California

Once California settles on legalizing online sports betting, it is safe to assume DraftKings will be one of the first to tap into the new market.

One of the ways in which DraftKings draws in new customers is by offering some of the most competitive welcome bonuses around. DraftKings can change its sign-up deal to stay ahead of the competition. Therefore, once you join DraftKings in California, there could be one of the several types of bonuses available:

  • Deposit match: One of DraftKings’ longest-running deals is the 20% deposit match up to $1,000. This means you are awarded bonus funds equal to 20% of your initial deposit. To release the maximum bonus, you must deposit at least $5,000 and wager at least $25,000.
  • Bonus bets: Newcomers at DraftKings may receive a fixed bonus bet once they complete their first deposit. This is a bonus wager that you can use on any market and with any odds. However, remember that the stake part of a winning bonus bet will not be included in your return.
  • Bet & get: This type of deal grants you a certain amount of bonus bets once you make your first wager. For instance, you might get $200 in bonus bets once you deposit and wager at least $5.
  • Protected first bet: DraftKings may offer to insure your first wager on the sportsbook. Say you bet $100 as a new customer. If you lose, DraftKings will give you the $100 back, but only in the shape of bonus bets.

Aside from granting any of these bonuses individually, DraftKings can also offer a combination of two or more bonuses to its newest customers. For example, once you complete your first payment, you can get a deposit match bonus and an additional bonus bet.

DraftKings Welcome Bonus Terms to Be Aware Of

DraftKings bonuses are usually simple to understand, and you should have no problem using them as long as you adhere to the bonus terms. Although we advise that you read through the full terms and conditions page of any bonus offer, you should pay special attention to these specific ones:

  • Playthrough requirements: Usually tied to the deposit match, playthrough or wagering requirements tell you how much you need to wager before releasing the bonus. For instance, the wagering requirements for the 20% deposit match bonus are 25x. This means you must wager $25 for every $1 of bonus money.
  • Expiry date: As soon as you claim the bonus, the timer will start counting down. Depending on the offer’s type and size, you will have anywhere from a week to a couple of months to use the bonus and complete any potential wagering requirements.
  • Minimum odds and eligible markets: See if there are any odds and market restrictions on your bonus bets. For instance, boosted odds may be off-limits, or you won’t be allowed to make specific outright bets or create same-game parlays.

When might DraftKings Sportsbook launch in California?

Online sports betting in California is illegal, but that would change if and when legal sports betting bills are passed in California. As of January 2025, there is not schedule for when online sportsbooks will launch in California.

Getting started at DraftKings California

To get started using the DraftKings Sportsbook app in California, follow one of the links on this page, which will take you to the sportsbook’s sign-up page. Once there, do the following:

  1. Select the sign-up button and provide DraftKings with your personal details, including a username and password, email, name, birthday, home address and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  2. Enter your phone number and confirm that you are 21 or older, that you’ve read the sportsbook’s terms and privacy policy, and that the information you’ve provided is true.
  3. Install the GeoComply plug-in so the sportsbook can confirm your location.

The registration form will also contain a field where you can input a DraftKings Sportsbook promo code, although you don’t need a DraftKings code for this specific welcome bonus. Once your account is ready, go to the cashier to deposit and qualify for the best DraftKings Sportsbook welcome bonus.

DraftKings Sportsbook app and ratings

DraftKings boasts one of the top betting apps among legal online sportsbooks. The navigation and layout leave almost nothing to be desired, while the app’s speed is also solid. Here are our ratings for all of the DraftKings Sportsbook app’s main performance indicators:

  • Ease of logging in: 4.8/5. You can log in to your DraftKings account using the traditional method by typing in or confirming your email and password or via face ID. The face ID scan often fails, which can be frustrating, but this tech is far from perfect on any sportsbook app yet, so we’ll give DraftKings the benefit of the doubt for now.
  • Ease of placing bets: 4.9/5. Finding the bet you want and adding it to your slip is straightforward and easy. One handy feature of the DraftKings sports betting app is the double navigation bar that lets you select a specific type of bet and then display that bet across all the games from that sport. Data density is also great, showing more info without the need for scrolling. In this regard, DraftKings is better than Caesars and PointsBet and about on par with BetMGM and FanDuel.
  • Overall speed: 4.8/5. The DraftKings mobile app is responsive, so you shouldn’t have to deal with significant lags or delays. Moving between sports and betting options is smooth and quick, which makes the app ideal for making time-sensitive wagers.
  • Parlays: 5/5. As soon as you add a second selection to your bet slip, you’ll see the parlay and teaser options. Meanwhile, straight bets stay at the top of the same screen.
  • Single-game parlays: 4.6/5. You can turn on the SGP slider to see the available options. However, unlike on the DraftKings California website, where you can add or delete individual selections from an SGP, the app treats it as a single bet, so if you want to change something, you have to start over. Another minor inconvenience is the slight delay when adding each selection.
  • Overall: 4.8/5. The DraftKings online sportsbook app is quick and provides great navigation and functionality, which makes betting easy and intuitive. The downsides are mostly minor.

DraftKings Sportsbook vs. FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Sportsbook has been the biggest rival of DraftKings since the two of them only offered daily fantasy sports. They now compete as online sportsbooks and casinos and are two of the top names in online gambling. Here’s how they compare to each other today:

FeatureDraftKingsFanDuelAdvantage
Daily BoostsDraftKings has a solid selection of daily boosts that usually enhance the original odds by 20% to 30%. Unlike some books, DraftKings offers boosts on games well into the future.FanDuel’s odds boosts are usually available for parlays and props, commonly going above 40%. Still, the overall number of options is lower compared to some other books.DraftKings
PromotionsDraftKings' welcome bonus is worth up to $1,250. FanDuel's welcome bonus is worth up to $300. DraftKings
Single-game ParlaysSGPs are available for most popular leagues and competitions, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and UFC.Apart from the standard SGPs, FanDuel overshadows its competition by offering an SGP+ — a way to combine multiple SGPs into a single parlay.FanDuel
Standard OddsDraftKings often has the best pricing for point spreads and NFL underdogs.The odds are solid at FanDuel, as well, with standard odds usually at -110 and most other prices being in line with or better than the market.DraftKings
Top StrengthBetween the pristine app, above-average odds and stats hub, it’s difficult to pinpoint a single top benefit. It’s just a great sportsbook overall.FanDuel is best or tied for best in many categories, including the app experience, live betting responsiveness and same-game parlays.Tied
What's LackingMany users cite unresponsive or unhelpful support and difficulties cashing out as the main issues, all of which can create a lot of frustration if you need help or want to make a quick withdrawal.The relative lack of odds and profit boosts is one of the main shortfalls of FanDuel.FanDuel
App RatingThe DraftKings app provides excellent navigation and speed, which is in line with few other betting apps.But one of those apps is FanDuel. Game density, organization, and the ease of making a bet slip are all top-notch.Tied

When comparing two heavyweights like DraftKings and FanDuel, it’s frequently unclear which one is better. FanDuel often has better SGP options, while DraftKings tends to provide better sports betting promos and overall betting odds. In other areas, however, the two are pretty much equal.

Live betting at DraftKings Sportsbook

The live in-game tab is where you’ll find all currently running games on the DraftKings online sportsbook website and app. Once there, you can browse games by sport. Additionally, you can select a specific type of bet from a drop-down list and get a catalog of games where that option is available, which is ideal if you’re a fan of a particular bet.

The options for live betting are massive, with dozens available for every major game. Here are a few examples from LA Lakers games:

  • LA Lakers to score next over the Golden State Warriors (+200).
  • LA Lakers first to get to 20 points in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs (-120).
  • LA Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings under 215.5 points with 3:20 to go in the fourth quarter (+100).

Of course, there are also loads of bets that you can also make before the game starts, including plenty of player props. For instance, you can bet on whether LeBron James will record a triple-double or if Anthony Davis will go over or under DraftKings’ line for total rebounds for the game.

These are in addition to standard moneyline, spread, and over/under bets. Period and half-time betting is also quite popular for sports like basketball, football, and hockey.

Banking options at DraftKings

You can add funds to your DraftKings Sportsbook account in California using a variety of standard options, including credit, debit, and gift cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover), PayPal, VIP Preferred e-check, Play+ DraftKings card, wire transfer, and online banking.

The minimum deposit is $5 for all methods, which is lower than the $10 that many other betting sites require. And keep in mind, when you sign up with DraftKings California using our links, you’ll be eligible for the best DraftKings Sportsbook sign-up bonus, which is worth up to $1,250.

You can use most of the same methods to withdraw, excluding credit, debit, and gift cards. Withdrawal minimums are $1 for PayPal and $15 for checks, while most other options have no minimum limit. The maximums vary between $25,000 and $100,000 (wire withdrawal has no max limit).

DraftKings states that all withdrawal requests will process within five business days, although it usually takes less. A typical withdrawal timeline is three to five business days, although checks can take more when you withdraw smaller sums.

How to contact DraftKings customer service

The DraftKings iOS and Android app features an extensive help center where you can get info about everything from deposits and withdrawals to account management, identity verification, rewards, and responsible gambling.

If you want direct help, you can contact the 24/7 live chat or send a message through an email form. DraftKings does not have phone support, but you can request a callback.

How to set limits at DraftKings

You can set limits in three ways at the DraftKings online sportsbook in California — time limits (based on daily sessions), deposit limits (daily, weekly or monthly), and wagering limits. To set limits, head to your account menu and then the limits option.

The limits take effect almost immediately upon request, and you must wait for the previous limit to expire if you want to extend, lower or turn it off. There’s also a self-exclusion option that will block you from accessing your DraftKings account for a specific amount of time.

DraftKings betting locations and partnerships

Even though the DraftKings Sportsbook is not operational in California, that hasn’t stopped the company from entering multiple partnerships with CA pro sports teams. DraftKings has made sponsorship deals with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Sacramento Kings, as well as the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.

Further partnerships could happen if sports betting becomes legal in California.

DraftKings Sportsbook California FAQs

DraftKings Sportsbook is not legal in California as of January 2025. Currently, the DraftKings Sportsbook sign-up offer in states where it is legal is for up to $1,250 in bonuses.

The minimum deposit is $5, regardless of the method you use.

No, you can sign up and wager at DraftKings directly on the sportsbook’s website. However, if you’re betting on your phone, it’s much more convenient to use the Draftkings Sportsbook app in California.

You can download the DraftKings app via links on the sportsbook website that will take you to the correct page on the App Store or Google Play. And yes, the app is safe.

Because it is safer. DraftKings and other regulated sportsbooks won’t scam you, misuse your information or delay your payments, which you can’t say about many offshore betting sites.

DraftKings usually processes withdrawals within a couple of days, after which you’ll get your money in a few business days using most methods (PayPal, online banking, wire, Play+).

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