DraftKings vs FanDuel (Vermont)
The two largest US operators, both licensed in Vermont. DraftKings (Boston-based, 31% revenue share, $5 min deposit) vs FanDuel (Flutter-owned, 33% revenue share, $10 min deposit). Most bettors should use both.
Verdict at a Glance
Quick Pick
- Pick DraftKings if: You want the lowest minimum deposit ($5) or the deepest Boston-team prop catalog.
- Pick FanDuel if: You care most about Same Game Parlay quality, prop depth across the board, or the fastest PayPal withdrawals.
- Use both: Recommended for any serious bettor. Line-shopping between them is the single best edge available in Vermont.
Side-by-Side
| Category | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Bet $5, Get $200 (instant) | Bet $5, Get $200 (instant) |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 |
| VT revenue share | 31% | 33% |
| HQ / ownership | Boston (publicly traded DKNG) | UK (Flutter Entertainment) |
| App quality | Excellent; deep menus | Excellent; cleanest UX |
| Same Game Parlay | Strong | Best-in-class |
| Prop depth | Best on Boston teams | Best overall |
| Live betting | Fast; markets freeze briefly | Fastest; rare freezes |
| Withdrawal (PayPal) | 2–6 hours | Often under 1 hour |
| Withdrawal (debit) | 1–3 days | 1–3 days |
| Banking options | DK + PayPal, Apple Pay, ACH, Play+ | FD + PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, ACH, Play+ |
| Customer service | Chat + email; phone via callback | Chat + email; faster average reply |
| UVM prop restriction | Applies (VT law) | Applies (VT law) |
Welcome Offer Math
The two welcome offers now match exactly: both are Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets, credited win or lose. There's no conditional trigger to weigh and no qualifying-bet selection that separates them.
- DraftKings — Bet $5, Get $200 (instant): $200 in bonus bets credit once your first $5 bet settles. Minimum deposit $5.
- FanDuel — Bet $5, Get $200 (instant): Same structure and the same $200 — but the minimum deposit is $10.
Because the bonus is a wash, the tie-breakers are the $5 vs $10 minimum deposit and the product itself — app, prop depth, and withdrawal speed. See the full breakdown on the FanDuel promo code page.
FanDuel: New customers only. Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. 21+ and present in VT. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Which Has Sharper Lines?
For mainstream NFL and NBA game lines, the two are usually within a half-point of each other and identical on price. The differences show up in:
- Player props: FanDuel typically posts deeper menus with tighter pricing on NBA and NFL; DraftKings has the edge on Boston-specific props (Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox)
- Same Game Parlays: FanDuel's correlation pricing is generally more bettor-friendly
- Live odds: FanDuel's live model updates faster and freezes markets less aggressively during big plays
- Niche markets (golf, soccer): DraftKings tends to be deeper than FanDuel
App Experience
Both apps are polished. FanDuel's UX is generally cleaner — the bet slip experience, navigation, and Same Game Parlay builder all feel tighter. DraftKings packs more density on each screen and feels slightly more cluttered, but offers more advanced settings (line-tracking history, advanced bet builders, etc.) for experienced bettors.
Customer Service
Both operators run chat + email customer service from their primary US offices. FanDuel responds slightly faster on average (sub-5-minute chat queue); DraftKings can stretch to 10–20 minutes during peak NFL Sunday hours. Neither offers true 24/7 phone — both use callback systems.
The Honest Conclusion
For a Vermont bettor with no preference, FanDuel has a small but real product edge. For Boston-team specialists, DraftKings has a small but real market-depth edge. For the lowest-friction welcome offer, DraftKings wins on accessibility. For most serious bettors, the right answer is "register at both" and line-shop every meaningful wager.