DraftKings States (2025): A Parent’s Guide

Betting apps like DraftKings are highly addictive, yet dozens of U.S. states sanction the company to operate within their borders. 

Under the banner of “regulation,” these states also allow DraftKings to advertise heavily, which means that kids and teens are exposed to gambling promotions on TV, social media, and even inside sports arenas.

The legal age to use DraftKings Sportsbook is 21 in most states, but the company’s daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests are available at just 18. 

Many teens gain access to DraftKings through older friends or family members, similar to how underage drinkers obtain alcohol.

Parents need to know: Roughly 30–45% of online sports bettors develop gambling problems, according to the latest sports betting addiction statistics. 

Let’s break down the states in which DraftKings is legal and how its promos hook new users.

DraftKings Legal States in 2025

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal sports betting ban in 2018, DraftKings has rapidly expanded across the country. 

It’s nearly impossible to watch a sporting event today without seeing a DraftKings commercial.

As of 2025, DraftKings operates an online sportsbook in the following states:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky (age 18+ to bet online)
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Missouri (late 2025)
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming (age 18+ to bet online)

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports

For DFS contests, DraftKings is available in nearly every state except:

• Washington
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• Hawaii
• Oregon

DraftKings Online Casino States

DraftKings Casino has more limited availability, with operations in:

• Connecticut
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

Betting States Without DraftKings

There are some states with legal sports betting in which DraftKings Sportsbook does not operate.

• Arkansas: Online market limited to BetSaracen, Oaklawn Sports, and Betly
• Delaware: Single online operator (BetRivers) via the state lottery
• Florida: Exclusive to Seminole’s Hard Rock Bet
• Nebraska: Retail-only at racetrack casinos
• Nevada: DK/FanDuel exited and have not returned as sportsbook operators
• New Mexico: Retail tribal sportsbooks only
• North Dakota: Retail tribal sportsbooks only
• Rhode Island: State-run monopoly (IGT/Bally’s) until at least 2026
• South Dakota: Retail-only in Deadwood and tribal casinos
• Washington: Sports betting limited to tribal casinos
• Wisconsin: Retail tribal sportsbooks only

How DraftKings Promotions Work

DraftKings spends heavily on promotions designed to pull in new users. These state offers are marketed as generous “bonuses,” but parents should understand how they really function.

Common Tactics

• Misleading Ads: A promo like “Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets” sounds risk-free, but the fine print makes it difficult to turn those bonus bets into actual cash.
• Encouraging Riskier Play: Bonus funds push users into wagering more than they planned, often leading to guilt and shame. Nearly 40% of online sports bettors have reported feeling ashamed by their betting, according to a 2025 survey.
• Short Expiration Dates: Free bets usually expire within a week, pressuring users to gamble quickly rather than responsibly. DraftKings has been sued over these promos in various states.
• Gimmicky insurance-type bets: Promos like the DraftKings Ghost Leg can trick users into thinking the bet is safer
• Targeting Vulnerable Groups: Flashy ads often appeal to young adults and problem gamblers by making gambling look like a harmless game. Unfortunately, NBA star LeBron James decided that promoting predatory online gambling was worth the money.

These tactics are not accidents—they’re designed to maximize DraftKings’ revenue at the expense of users who may not fully understand the risks.

Online sportsbooks generate most of their revenue from problem gambling.

Parent Checklist: Reduce DraftKings Risk

Families located in any of DraftKings’ states can mitigate the risks.

Communication with teens and young adults is key to preventing DraftKings addiction.

• Talk early & often about how promos work and why “free bets” aren’t free.
• Lock down accounts/devices (unique passwords; no sharing logins; enable device-level biometrics; monitor Venmo accounts).
• Set boundaries around game nights (no phones in bedrooms after lights-out; delay scores; turn off push notifications).
• Watch banking: Frequent deposits or peer-to-peer transfers can be warning signs.
• Know the help lines: 1-800-GAMBLER, plus state resources and self-exclusion tools.

Harm in DraftKings States 

DraftKings is legal in more than 20 states, with different age restrictions depending on whether you’re using the sportsbook, DFS contests, or casino. 

While marketed as harmless fun, the company’s promotions are designed to keep people betting—and many of those people are vulnerable young adults.

A 2024 study out of California found that residents of sports betting states have worse financial health.

For parents, knowing where DraftKings is legal and how its promotions lure users in is the first step in protecting kids from gambling harm.