DraftKings

DraftKings Inc. is an American digital sports entertainment and gambling company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 2012 as a daily fantasy sports (DFS) provider, DraftKings has grown into one of the two dominant online sports betting and iCasino operators in the United States, alongside FanDuel. The company generated US$4.8 billion in revenue in 2024 and is live in 26 US states for sports betting.

DraftKings operates through three primary product lines: DraftKings Sportsbook (online and retail sports betting), DraftKings Casino (online casino/iCasino gaming), and DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports (the original DFS product that established the brand). The company also operates DraftKings Marketplace for NFTs and acquired Golden Nugget Online Gaming to strengthen its iCasino offerings.

DraftKings is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol DKNG and is a component of the Russell 1000 index. The company employs approximately 5,100 people and is recognized as a Tier-1 operator in the US gaming industry. DraftKings and FanDuel together control approximately 70% of the US online sports betting market, making DraftKings one of the most important companies in the digital gaming space.

DraftKings Sportsbook — Market Leader

DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the two dominant online sports betting platforms in the US (alongside FanDuel), live in 26 states as of December 2025. The platform offers betting on all major US sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), college sports, international soccer, tennis, golf, MMA, esports, and more. DraftKings is known for its innovative betting features including same-game parlays, live in-game betting, micro-betting, and the "DraftKings Reign Makers" NFT-based rewards program.

DraftKings Casino (iCasino)

DraftKings Casino offers online casino gaming (iCasino) in states where it's legal, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut. The platform features hundreds of slots, live dealer games (powered by Evolution Gaming), table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat), and exclusive DraftKings-branded games. The 2022 acquisition of Golden Nugget Online Gaming significantly expanded DraftKings' iCasino content library and market access.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) — The Original Product

DraftKings was founded in 2012 as a DFS provider and remains the market leader in daily fantasy sports. The platform offers DFS contests for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, golf, NASCAR, UFC, soccer, and more. DraftKings' DFS product pioneered the daily fantasy format (as opposed to season-long fantasy leagues) and established the company's brand awareness and customer base before the legalization of sports betting.

Retail Sportsbook Presence

DraftKings operates retail sportsbooks at casinos across the US, including at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, DraftKings Sportsbook at Casino Queen (Illinois), and multiple retail locations in Mississippi, New York, Iowa, and other states. The retail presence complements the dominant online platform.

Major League Partnerships

DraftKings has official partnerships with all major US sports leagues: the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and UFC. These partnerships include exclusive DFS rights, content integration, and co-marketing. The company also has partnerships with individual teams including the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and Chicago Cubs.

DraftKings Marketplace & Reign Makers

DraftKings Marketplace is the company's NFT platform, launched in 2022. The "Reign Makers" program ties NFT ownership to sports betting rewards, offering NFT holders special promotions, boosts, and exclusive betting opportunities — a novel integration of NFTs and sports betting.

2012 — DraftKings Founded

Jason Robins, Matt Kalish, and Paul Liberman — former Vistaprint employees — founded DraftKings in Boston, Massachusetts. The company's first product was a one-on-one baseball DFS competition launched to coincide with MLB's opening day.

2013 — MLB Investment

Major League Baseball invested in DraftKings, becoming the first US professional sports league to invest in daily fantasy sports. The investment helped establish DraftKings' credibility and brand awareness.

2014 — Rapid Growth & DraftStreet Acquisition

DraftKings acquired rival DraftStreet (owned by IAC), increasing its user base by 50%. The company awarded $50 million in prizes in 2013 and reported 50,000 active daily users and one million registered players.

2015 — ESPN & Fox Sports Deals

DraftKings signed a $250 million advertising deal with ESPN and a $300 million funding round led by Fox Sports (with the Kraft Group and Wellington Management). These deals established DraftKings as the leading DFS brand in the US.

2018 — Sports Betting Expansion

Following the Supreme Court's PASPA ruling (Murphy v. NCAA) in May 2018, which struck down the federal sports betting ban, DraftKings began expanding into online and retail sportsbooks, leveraging its DFS brand awareness and customer base. DraftKings launched the first legal online sportsbook outside Nevada in New Jersey in August 2018.

2020 — Public Listing via SPAC Merger

DraftKings became a publicly traded company through a reverse merger with SBTech (a Bulgarian sportsbook technology company) and Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp (a SPAC). The combined entity began trading on NASDAQ under the ticker DKNG in April 2020.

2021 — Golden Nugget Online Acquisition

DraftKings acquired Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG) for $1.56 billion in stock, significantly expanding its iCasino content library, market access, and brand portfolio. The acquisition brought the Golden Nugget online casino brand under DraftKings' ownership.

2022 — Marketplace & Reign Makers Launch

DraftKings launched DraftKings Marketplace, an NFT platform, and the "Reign Makers" program that ties NFT ownership to sports betting rewards — a novel integration of digital collectibles and sports betting.

2023 — Path to Profitability

DraftKings raised its revenue guidance multiple times throughout 2023 as it expanded into new states and improved its path to profitability. The company launched in Massachusetts (its home state) and Vermont, and continued to gain market share.

2024 — $4.8B Revenue & Market Leadership

DraftKings reported $4.8 billion in revenue for 2024, solidifying its position as one of the two dominant US online sportsbooks (alongside FanDuel). The company continued to expand its state footprint and invest in product innovation, including AI-powered betting features and enhanced live betting.

2025 — Continued Expansion

DraftKings continued to expand its state footprint, reaching 26 states by December 2025. The company remains focused on achieving consistent profitability while maintaining market share in the competitive US online gaming landscape.

DraftKings is committed to responsible gaming across all its platforms. As a digital-first operator, DraftKings has implemented industry-leading responsible gaming tools and programs:

• My Stat Sheet — DraftKings' proprietary responsible gaming tool that provides players with detailed insights into their betting behavior, including time spent, money wagered, and win/loss history. This transparency helps players make informed decisions.
• Deposit & Spending Limits — Players can set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits, as well as spending limits, to control their gaming activity. Limits can be adjusted but increases require a cooling-off period.
• Self-Exclusion & Time-Out — Players can voluntarily self-exclude from DraftKings for periods ranging from 72 hours to permanent exclusion. Time-out periods allow temporary breaks from gaming.
• Reality Checks & Session Timers — The platform offers reality check notifications that alert players to how long they've been playing and how much they've spent, helping maintain awareness.
• DraftKings Responsible Gaming Ambassador Program — The company partners with former professional athletes to promote responsible gaming awareness and reduce stigma around seeking help.
• Partnerships — DraftKings partners with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and has donated millions to responsible gaming research and awareness programs.
• Underage Gaming Prevention — DraftKings uses advanced identity verification and age verification technology to prevent underage gambling. All users must be 21+ in most jurisdictions.

Players experiencing gambling-related harm can contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7.