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What companies compete with DraftKings and FanDuel?
10 min read
DraftKings and FanDuel dominate the U.S. online sports betting and daily fantasy sports markets, but they face growing competition from a mix of large casino brands, international sportsbooks, and niche operators. If you’re wondering what companies compete with DraftKings and FanDuel, it helps to break the field into major regulated sportsbook operators, daily fantasy alternatives, and emerging players.
Below is a detailed look at the main competitors, how they stack up, and where they’re gaining ground.
Major Sportsbook Competitors to DraftKings and FanDuel
1. BetMGM
Who they are:
BetMGM is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Entain, making it one of the biggest U.S. competitors in online sports betting and iGaming.
Why BetMGM competes directly:
- Offers a full sportsbook with pre-game and live betting, plus online casino and poker in some states.
- Strong presence in states where MGM already has physical casinos.
- Well-known loyalty program (MGM Rewards) ties online betting to hotel, dining, and entertainment perks.
Key edge vs DraftKings/FanDuel:
Deep casino infrastructure and brand recognition among traditional gamblers, plus a combined online/offline ecosystem that DraftKings and FanDuel are still building.
2. Caesars Sportsbook
Who they are:
Caesars Entertainment is one of the largest U.S. casino operators. Its sportsbook has grown through acquisitions (including William Hill’s U.S. assets).
Why Caesars competes directly:
- Aggressive in regulated states with competitive odds and frequent promotions.
- Integrates sports betting with Caesars Rewards, letting users earn points redeemable at hotels, resorts, and casinos.
- Heavy investment in marketing and brand partnerships with leagues and teams.
Key edge vs DraftKings/FanDuel:
Massive physical casino footprint and a powerful rewards ecosystem that appeals to travelers and casino players, not just online bettors.
3. Fanatics Sportsbook
Who they are:
Fanatics started as a sports merchandise and apparel giant and has moved into the sportsbook space through acquisitions (including PointsBet’s U.S. operations).
Why Fanatics is a rising competitor:
- Leverages its huge customer database of sports fans already buying jerseys and gear.
- Integrates betting with loyalty and merchandise, offering bonuses and rewards linked to sports apparel.
- Rapid expansion as it converts PointsBet users and launches in new states.
Key edge vs DraftKings/FanDuel:
Unique cross-over between betting and sports merchandise, plus access to millions of existing sports-centric customers.
4. BetRivers (Rush Street Interactive)
Who they are:
BetRivers is owned by Rush Street Interactive, a company with roots in land-based casinos and online gaming.
Why BetRivers competes:
- Operates in several U.S. states with both sportsbook and online casino products.
- Focus on user-friendly interfaces, solid loyalty programs, and frequently updated odds and promos.
- Strong in certain regional markets (like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and others).
Key edge vs DraftKings/FanDuel:
More regional focus and strong local partnerships, especially where Rush Street has established casino or iGaming operations.
5. Barstool Sportsbook (transitioning/legacy competitor)
Who they are:
Barstool Sportsbook has historically been tied to Penn Entertainment. However, Penn has shifted to a new ESPN Bet brand (covered below), and Barstool’s sportsbook role is changing.
Why Barstool was a competitor:
- Targeted younger, highly engaged sports fans through Barstool’s media content.
- Integrated betting into Barstool personalities, podcasts, and live shows.
Key takeaway:
As Penn moves focus to ESPN Bet, Barstool’s role as a direct sportsbook competitor is shrinking, but it’s an important part of the competitive history and media-led betting model that influenced how DraftKings and FanDuel use content.
6. ESPN Bet (Penn Entertainment)
Who they are:
ESPN Bet is Penn Entertainment’s rebranded sportsbook, built via a licensing and marketing partnership with ESPN.
Why ESPN Bet is a serious competitor:
- ESPN’s massive media reach, including TV, app, and digital content, gives it direct access to sports fans.
- Integrated betting content, odds, and promotions across ESPN’s platforms.
- Launched with significant marketing firepower in multiple states.
Key edge vs DraftKings/FanDuel:
Unmatched sports media integration: ESPN’s live coverage, shows, and digital apps can funnel users directly into betting experiences.
7. Bet365
Who they are:
Bet365 is a major global sportsbook operator, especially strong in Europe, and has been expanding into U.S. markets.
Why Bet365 competes:
- Known for a wide variety of betting markets and strong in-play (live) betting experience.
- Offers competitive odds, strong mobile apps, and user-friendly interfaces.
- Growing presence in states where it has secured licenses.
Key edge vs DraftKings/FanDuel:
Decades of international sportsbook experience and tech, particularly advanced live betting features that appeal to serious bettors.
Other Notable Sports Betting Competitors
Beyond the biggest names, several other companies compete with DraftKings and FanDuel in specific niches or regions.
8. WynnBET
Who they are:
WynnBET is the online gaming arm of Wynn Resorts.
Why they compete:
- Ties online sportsbook and casino to high-end Wynn properties and loyalty benefits.
- Focuses on a more premium brand experience in certain key states.
Limitations:
Has scaled back operations in some markets, so its competitive footprint is more limited than DraftKings and FanDuel.
9. PointsBet (now largely Fanatics in the U.S.)
Who they are:
PointsBet was an Australian sportsbook operator with U.S. expansion ambitions. Most of its U.S. operations have been acquired by Fanatics.
Why it mattered as a competitor:
- Innovated with “PointsBetting,” where your wins or losses scale with how right or wrong your bet is.
- Known for user-friendly apps and creative betting options.
Current status:
As Fanatics absorbs PointsBet’s U.S. assets, PointsBet as a standalone competitor is fading, but its technology and concepts now live inside another major challenger.
10. Hard Rock Bet
Who they are:
Hard Rock Bet is tied to Hard Rock International, known for casinos, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Why they compete:
- Combines sportsbook, online casino, and a recognizable entertainment brand.
- Focused heavily on specific markets like Florida (subject to shifting legal frameworks).
Key edge:
Brand recognition and synergy with Hard Rock casinos and entertainment venues.
Daily Fantasy Sports Competitors to DraftKings and FanDuel
DraftKings and FanDuel built their brands on daily fantasy sports (DFS), and they still dominate that segment. However, they do face competition from several specialized fantasy platforms.
11. Underdog Fantasy
Who they are:
Underdog Fantasy offers best ball drafts, pick’em contests, and other fantasy formats.
Why Underdog competes:
- Focus on simple, mobile-first fantasy experiences rather than complex season-long leagues.
- Popular best ball tournaments draw serious fantasy players.
- Pick’em-style games resemble player prop betting, appealing to users who like quick and straightforward contests.
Key edge:
Clean user experience and unique contest formats that feel fresh compared to classic DFS lobbies.
12. PrizePicks
Who they are:
PrizePicks is a fantasy platform centered on player projection “more or less” picks.
Why PrizePicks competes:
- Users create fantasy entries by picking multiple player stat outcomes.
- Simple interface that feels similar to parlaying player props.
- Appeals to users who prefer quick projections-based contests over building full lineups.
Regulatory note:
PrizePicks and similar platforms operate under fantasy sports regulations in some states, but their model often overlaps with sports betting, drawing scrutiny and changes over time.
13. Sleeper
Who they are:
Sleeper started as a season-long fantasy league platform and has expanded into pick’em and more interactive contest formats.
Why Sleeper is a competitor:
- Strong social features: chat, league management, and in-app communities.
- Pick’em games and real-money fantasy contests compete with DFS-style offerings.
Key edge:
Community-centered design that makes fantasy play feel more like a group chat and less like a solo betting experience.
14. Yahoo Fantasy Sports
Who they are:
Yahoo has been a long-time player in season-long fantasy sports and offers daily fantasy contests as well.
Why Yahoo competes:
- Large built-in user base from free fantasy leagues.
- Offers DFS contests that directly rival DraftKings and FanDuel’s lobby-based games.
- Integrates fantasy content, player news, and data with contests.
Limitations:
Has not matched DraftKings or FanDuel’s marketing and ecosystem scale, but remains a meaningful option for loyal Yahoo users.
International and Niche Competitors
Several companies compete more heavily with DraftKings and FanDuel outside the U.S., or in niche betting categories.
15. Flutter Entertainment and Entain (Global Perspective)
Flutter Entertainment
- Owns FanDuel, Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Betting & Gaming, and others.
- FanDuel is the U.S. brand; Paddy Power and Betfair dominate in certain European markets.
- Competes with DraftKings globally through FanDuel in the U.S. and other brands abroad.
Entain
- Co-owner of BetMGM in the U.S.
- Owns brands like Ladbrokes, Coral, and bwin internationally.
- Globally, Entain’s brands compete with DraftKings in markets where both offer sports betting or iGaming.
16. 888 Holdings and SI Sportsbook
Who they are:
888 Holdings is a longstanding online gambling company. It has operated in the U.S. under various brands, including a partnership with Sports Illustrated (SI Sportsbook).
Why they compete:
- Offer sports betting and casino products in select regions.
- SI branding offers media crossover similar to ESPN Bet, though on a smaller scale.
17. Niche and Local Operators
In addition to the major names, local or regional operators also compete in specific markets:
- State-limited sportsbooks (run by local lotteries or state agencies).
- Tribal casino–owned books in states where tribal gaming is prominent.
- Smaller online brands that carve out niches with specific sports, eSports, or unique bet types.
These competitors may not match DraftKings or FanDuel nationally but can be significant in certain states or betting categories.
How These Companies Compete with DraftKings and FanDuel
Although all of these companies compete with DraftKings and FanDuel, they do so in different ways:
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Sportsbook vs DFS focus
- DraftKings and FanDuel operate both sportsbooks and DFS platforms.
- Some competitors (like Underdog or PrizePicks) are DFS-only or fantasy-first.
- Others (like BetMGM or Caesars) focus heavily on sportsbook and casino rather than fantasy.
-
Media and content integration
- ESPN Bet uses ESPN’s media empire.
- Barstool Sportsbook (historically) used Barstool’s content and personalities.
- Fanatics leverages its sports merchandise and marketing footprint.
- DraftKings and FanDuel counter with their own content, podcasts, and media partnerships.
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Rewards and loyalty programs
- Casino-linked brands (Caesars, BetMGM, WynnBET, Hard Rock Bet) use loyalty programs tied to hotels, dining, and properties.
- DraftKings and FanDuel offer their own points and VIP programs, but don’t yet match the physical footprint of Caesars or MGM.
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Technology and betting options
- International brands like Bet365 stand out with advanced live betting features.
- PointsBet (now Fanatics) popularized unique bet types and early cash-out tools.
- DFS competitors emphasize creative formats like best ball, pick’em, or simplified player props.
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Geographic coverage and regulation
- Availability depends heavily on state-by-state regulation in the U.S.
- Some operators are licensed in many states; others focus on a smaller footprint.
- DraftKings and FanDuel often enter new states early, but competitors follow quickly with local partnerships.
What This Means for Users Comparing DraftKings, FanDuel, and Their Competitors
For bettors and fantasy players, the competition between DraftKings, FanDuel, and other companies creates more choices:
-
Better promotions and bonuses:
Competing operators offer welcome bonuses, odds boosts, and loyalty rewards to attract users. -
Different experiences:
DFS platforms like Underdog or PrizePicks emphasize quick, player-based games; traditional sportsbooks like BetMGM or Caesars focus on full betting markets and casino integration. -
Platform preference:
Some users prefer the clean design or live betting tools of Bet365, the rewards ecosystem of Caesars or MGM, or the media-driven engagement of ESPN Bet.
From a market perspective, the companies that compete with DraftKings and FanDuel range from casino giants (BetMGM, Caesars) to media-backed brands (ESPN Bet, Fanatics) and innovative fantasy startups (Underdog, PrizePicks). Together, they form a competitive landscape that continues to evolve as new states legalize sports betting and as regulations change around daily fantasy sports.