After patiently waiting for months, the West Virginia sports betting market finally re-introduced two online sportsbooks last month.
Even though it took nearly an entire year to launch a major sports betting app, the Mountain State released both DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.
The state had one previous online betting option go live, the BetLucky app, however, it was only on the market for a short period of time. It was also not near the quality of the two current sportsbooks.
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Now that bettors in WV have options, it’s time to determine which online sportsbook is actually better by comparing and contrasting West Virginia’s two mobile betting apps:
Both mobile sports betting apps have plenty to offer and both offer a wide variety of betting markets and types, as well as live in-game wagering.
Though they’re quite similar, DraftKings and FanDuel do have some differences that may impact which online sportsbook you’d prefer. Let’s examine the ins and outs of the mobile sports betting apps and determine which is best for gamblers in WV.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Sporting events
DraftKings and FanDuel are two of the best online sportsbooks in West Virginia, at least for now. They have a wide selection of different sports to choose from. At the moment, the following betting markets are available at DraftKings:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Golf
- Boxing
- MMA
- Motor sports
- Cricket
- Rugby Union
- Darts
- Cycling
- Australian Rules
This is clearly an extensive list of sports that range from things that are very popular in the US, to others that are more European.
The sports markets offered at FanDuel are:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Tennis
- Golf
- Soccer
- Boxing
- Motor Racing
- MMA
- Rugby
- Darts
- Australian Rules
- Cricket
While FanDuel may not have had this many options when it first went live, it has clearly caught up to DraftKings. The only difference in betting markets between the two online books is Cycling.
DraftKings has odds available for the 2020 Tour de France, but FanDuel does not.
With basically no difference between sports offered, bettors won’t be picking which sportsbook to use based on this. Although the markets are the same, the odds usually differ slightly from game to game.
Every week, an event’s odds will fluctuate, resulting in different betting odds at different times for each book. If you’re a seasoned gambler who likes to make sure they have the best line, then it is a good idea to shop lines between both apps.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Betting types
DraftKings and FanDuel don’t have many differences when it comes to the variety of betting types, either. Both mobile sports betting sites offer the following types of wagers:
- Straight
- Parlay
- Round Robins
- Teaser
- Live in-game
- Moneyline
- Point Spread
- Totals – Over/Under
- Futures
- Props
With all of these options, bettors of all experiences can find a bet they like. DraftKings and FanDuel provide plenty of bet choices and most are available for every sport.
One different aspect DraftKings offers that FanDuel does not is betting pools. While sportsbook pools on DraftKings aren’t available in West Virginia yet, they will be coming. It is similar to Daily Fantasy Sports where fans can join different contests.
These pools vary by the entry fee, prize pool, size, and type. The following are types of pools expected to be available:
- NFL pick’em
- NFL against the spread
- NFL props
- College football
FanDuel does not have any sort of pool at the moment, but it does have alternative betting types, too. Right now, FanDuel has a free game called “Keep The Cash.” In this betting mode, players are given $1 million in promotional money they must spread out over 20 prompted questions.
After answering and wagering on all 20 questions, bettors are eligible to receive the money that is leftover in sportsbook credit.
Live in-play betting
The online sportsbooks might have some differences, but they are very similar in their live-bet offerings.
The emergence of online sports betting has expanded in-play gambling’s popularity. DraftKings and FanDuel excel in this area, providing more options than any other sportsbook in every market.
Both sportsbooks have live wagering for just about every sport, but what sets these two online books apart is the amount of betting markets they provide. Whether it’s baseball, tennis, or football, both sportsbooks have an abundance of odds to bet on after a game begins.
DraftKings and FanDuel have upwards of 50 additional lines for each game beyond updating common lines like:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Totals
These range from multiple alternates for every listing as well as team and player props.
These online sportsbooks have a lot of options in general, but the difference between their live listings against other online sportsbooks is noteworthy. Sports bettors in WV can’t go wrong with live wagering on either platform.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Online platform
DraftKings and FanDuel offer mobile apps for sports betting in West Virginia, as well as a browser-based, desktop version. Luckily for bettors, all of the options are fairly similar and provide the same experience.
Although the color schemes and layouts aren’t the same, both online sportsbooks generally have the same interface. As soon as you log on, the book’s homepage is filled with useful information and tabs for the most popular sports or events.
DraftKings and FanDuel each show the current games available to live bet on and showcase the top sporting events for that day.
Besides just games, they each feature different promotions or odds boosts that bettors can take advantage of. These are scrolling along the top of both online sportsbooks.
Even though the order varies, both websites list the most popular leagues and sports as well as a menu with every sport available. They do a great job of putting relevant information in front of players to make it easier to place a bet.
While some may enjoy the appearance on FanDuel more, there is really a minimal difference. Navigating through both is simple and a very convenient way to bet online.
Both mobile apps are nearly identical to their desktop sportsbooks. Bettors are able to transition between the two seamlessly since everything can be found in the same location.
Unless you have a strong preference over a light or dark background, then the online platform and mobile app should not make too much of a difference. DraftKings and FanDuel both have elite products.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Welcome bonus
A place where the two sportsbooks actually differ significantly is with their welcome bonuses for new players. Upon joining each online sportsbook, new customers are provided with an offer to reward them for creating an account.
Let’s take a look at the two welcome bonuses in place:
DraftKings:
- Deposit-free $25
- 50% first-deposit match up to $500
- First bet bonus up to $200
FanDuel:
- First bet bonus up to $500
Even though these bonuses are different in some ways, they’re both very respectable in comparison to other online sportsbooks released in the US. They are also more similar than they might appear.
Personally, the DraftKings’ welcome offer is slightly better because it gives players a little bit of everything. The deposit-free bonus is crucial because it allows bettors to use the sportsbook and actually place real bets without ever having to use their own money.
DraftKings is confident that customers who use their free $25 will see the benefits of its online sportsbook immediately and then deposit. DraftKings also will match your deposit up to a total of $250 back and has insurance in place with its initial bonus wager.
FanDuel only gives back credit with the bonus bet, but by matching your loss up to $500, FanDuel is actually providing $25 more than DraftKings overall.
Bonus offers are key to acquiring new customers and DraftKings and FanDuel have done a great job. Residents in WV will have to decide which offer suits them best and go from there.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Promotions
Beyond the welcome promotions, both online sportsbooks offer weekly and daily promos, too. Although DraftKings has several running at this time, FanDuel does have a few others in place.
The most common used promotion on both sportsbooks is the odds boost. These are fixed games and odds given to customers that are either based around teams local in that state or for major sporting events. DraftKings and FanDuel will enhance the odds of the given line to provide bettors with a higher payout than usual.
Another popular promo is insurance for different sports and situations. FanDuel currently has insurance promotions running for NFL, college football and baseball bets.
While it seems that FanDuel has a slight edge in the number of promotions listed, both online sportsbooks provide their fair share.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Banking options
DraftKings, as well as FanDuel, offer a variety of ways to deposit and withdraw funds on and off their sportsbook account. Currently, players can deposit money onto both in the following methods:
- Online bank transfer
- Credit/Debit card – MasterCard or Visa
- PayPal
- Prepaid Card
- Wire transfer
While DraftKings also accepts Skrill, FanDuel allows the following other ways:
- ACH/eCheck
- PayNearMe
- Check
Both provide multiple ways to withdraw funds as well. They include:
- Check
- PayPal
- ACH/eCheck
DraftKings allows its customers to withdraw their money from a retail casino cage, while FanDuel will put the funds back onto your prepaid card.
Both sportsbooks have more than enough options, but FanDuel has a few more. It takes a narrow victory in the banking options category.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel: Customer Support
FanDuel also has an advantage in the customer support area of the sportsbook. Even though both have email and live chat support in place, only FanDuel provides a phone number to use as an option.
Bettors can fill out a form to have a DraftKings support representative call them back, but there is currently no DraftKings phone number listed for you to call for help at this time.
