What are DFS sites?
DFS sites work on a similar basis to the fantasy sports games that you may have played before, but without the season-long commitment. Instead of waiting months to see how your fantasy team performs, DFS sites offer you quick, action-packed contests that last just a day or week. Each time you play, you have to draft a new team, and how these players perform determines if your bet will win.
How do you play and win DFS?
How gameplay works and how you win on DFS sites really comes down to which gameplay mode that you enter into. There are many different versions of DFS, but most sites tend to offer only a few different game modes at a time. Take a look at the table below which shows all of the different kinds of DFS that you can find on the
best DFS apps
and websites:
| Type of DFS | How to play/win |
| Salary Cap | In ‘Salary Cap’ gameplay you have to draft players within a set budget. Each player has a salary, and you must build a team without exceeding the salary cap. In this format, you will typically play to rank highly in a leaderboard, with the top ranked players winning a share of a prize pool. |
| Snake Drafts | In this game there is a draft format where users are assigned pick orders. The draft order reverses each round to maintain balance and fairness. This method also uses leaderboards. |
| Multiplier Mode | In Multiplier Mode, you have to pick players for your team, but if you go with star players you’ll get lower multipliers, while less popular players provide higher multipliers. To win, you need to rank higher than the other players in your leaderboard. |
| Multiplier Prop Contests | This DFS game is similar to traditional prop bets, but you have to correctly select whether your entire team of players will exceed or fall short of certain stat projections. The more predictions you make, the higher the multiplier on your stake. |
| Super 15 | Draft a team with a $15 budget, selecting players based on their assigned dollar values. This game uses leaderboards to win. |
| Matchup props | This format works as a ‘head-to-head’ contest, where you select which player, out of a pair, will perform better in a specific statistical category. There will be set odds for you to bet against, so to win, you have to wager your stake and see whether your prediction is correct. |
What sports are offered on new DFS sites?
The sports that are available for DFS depend on which operator you decide to sign up to. New daily fantasy sites are starting to incorporate more variety into their list of available sports as they increase in popularity. Take a look at some of the more common sports that you can expect to find at the newest daily fantasy sports sites:
- NFL (Football)
- NBA (Basketball)
- MLB (Baseball)
- NHL (Hockey)
- Soccer (e.g., EPL, MLS, UEFA Champions League)
- PGA (Golf)
- NASCAR (Auto Racing)
- MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
- College Football
- College Basketball
- Tennis
- Cricket
It’s important to let you know that some states have stricter laws on college and virtual sports betting sites and markets due to protecting minors and sports integrity, so some of these options may not be available in your state.
Our selection of top DFS sites
1.
Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!
Players from Virginia accepted
2.
100% up to $500
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
20% up to $500
+ free $3 ticket
Players from Virginia accepted
Play now
18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply.
4.
$65 value with just a $10+ deposit
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Play $5, Get $55
Players from Virginia accepted
How to sign up at a DFS Site
- Many of the sites will have different ways to register a new account, but they are often quite similar. Feel free to use the following step-by-step as a guide to help you sign up easily:
Visit the DFS official website.
- Look for the "Sign Up" or "Register" button and click it.
- Provide your personal details.
- Choose a unique username and a strong password.
- Input any promo code to claim welcome bonuses if you have one.
- Review and accept the terms and conditions.
- Complete any required verification, like email or ID confirmation.
- Make a deposit (if required).
- Start playing.
Why play at new DFS sites instead of established ones?
I personally like to try out all of the new DFS sites, as they tend to offer a fresh experience for me as a fantasy sports enthusiast. They often do have a lot of benefits that really make them worth checking out. One of the biggest advantages is the latest gameplay features that they bring to the table. New DFS sites often have new twists on classic game modes, such as creative player prop contests or hybrid formats like multiplier mode, which you may not find on more established sites.
Another reason to try new DFS sites is their use of the latest technology. To be relevant in the market, new sites tend to have really sleek and user-friendly interfaces that make using the site really smooth. They also tend to have faster loading times and better mobile apps, which work together to make drafting your lineup easier than ever.
Just like all new online betting sites, new DFS platforms are always throwing out some really good promotions to attract new users, which are really worth taking advantage of. If you do decide to go for a new DFS site, look out for the ones with the most generous welcome bonuses, or ones that have huge prize pools available for their competitions.
Are new DFS sites safe?
New DFS sites are generally considered safe, as long as you join up at a site that you have researched to be licensed and reputable - like the sites that I will recommend later in the article. Reputable DFS sites will use industry-standard security measures that can include things like SSL data encryption, which protect your personal and financial information.
On top of that, new DFS sites are typically regulated at the state level in regions where it’s legal to play DFS, which means that they will have to comply with the strict gambling laws of that state.
5 top tips for playing DFS
Now it’s time to dig in and look at a few tips to help you get your DFS game on point.
🔍 Tip #1: Research player matchups
Before you draft your lineup, spend as much time as you can researching your player matchups. If you’re doing a bet over a weekend, check how the players on your fantasy lineup perform against the team they are playing next. You can also look at what the conditions are like and how well they typically play in them. These 1% moves can all add up to make a big difference over a longer period of time.
🚑 Tip #2: Pay attention to injury reports
It goes without saying that injuries can make or break your lineup. Now, many DFS sites will generally have certain conditions that don’t make injuries too impactful on your lineup, especially for late withdrawal. But, always check the latest injury updates before locking in your team. A last-minute injury can open up new opportunities for you to sub in different players, instead of just wasting a spot on your precious lineup.
🧰 Tip #3: Diversify your lineups
To put it simply - don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Instead of just using the same lineup across multiple contests, I find that it always helps to create variations to spread out your risk. This way, if one of your lineups doesn’t work out, you can still fall back on some of your other predictions that have alternative player combinations.
📊 Tip #4: Understand the scoring system
You may think you know all about it, but I have always found that taking a bit of time at the beginning of a season, or when I try a new game mode, to learn the ins and outs of the scoring system for my game is really advantageous. Look out for different scoring opportunities in the form of bonus points for a certain number of yards or penalties for turnovers, or whatever unique rules your chosen sport has.
♟️ Tip#5: Use contrarian picks in large tournaments
In large DFS tournaments, where you are competing against a lot of different players, it can be a good idea to take a few risks with less popular or contrarian picks. The odds are that everyone is going to pick the big players, which means you’ll get the same amount of points, so with alternative picks you can set yourself apart from the competition and score some extra points. While it’s essential to have core reliable players, adding a dark horse can give you a unique edge if they perform well.
Recommendations: the best new DFS sites
Here are some of my top picks for the cream of the crop of current DFS sites.
ParlayPlay
ParlayPlay DFS Review
- Simple and beginner-friendly gameplay
- High payouts for parlay wins
- Fun over/under prop format
- Regular bonuses and free contests
- Limited compared to traditional DFS
ParlayPlay truly is one of the rising stars in the DFS world, as it offers you a fantasy sports experience that combines fun with ease of use. One of the standout features of ParlayPlay is definitely the current welcome bonus for new users, which includes a 100% deposit match up to $100. All you’ve got to do to claim this bonus is register a new account, enter the correct promo code, and deposit a minimum of $10 into your account. But, before you even have to make a deposit, the team over at ParlayPlay are giving out a free $5 bonus, which makes it one of the
best sports betting sites for beginners.
When it comes to what gameplay options are available, ParlayPlay has decided to focus on player prop contests, with their main gameplay mode being Pick’M. In this mode you have to decide whether the players in your lineup will achieve "more" or "less" than a set stat in a given game. If you’re the type of player that prefers to make quickfire bets based on your analysis, then you will love this style of gaming. Parlay Play also has multiplier contests available for you to try. This works similarly to regular gameplay, but, as you increase the number of correct picks in your lineup, you can significantly increase your multiplier. This is a great option for players who don’t mind those high-risk, high-reward scenarios.
When it comes to analyzing stats and selecting your team, both the website and the app are extremely well designed, making the entire process a breeze. In DFS, there are a lot of different players, sports and statistics that you can go through, so having a layout as well organized as ParlayPlays is useful.
Underdog Fantasy
Underdog Fantasy: Pros & Cons
- Top fantasy tournaments
- Safe fantasy provider
- Great welcome offer
- 24/7 customer support
Visit Underdog Fantasy
Underdog Fantasy is another great new DFS site that is perfect for players of all skill levels. If you’re a new user, you can currently take advantage of the Underdog Fantasy welcome bonus, where you can receive up to $1000 in Bonus Cash with a 50% deposit match. This means if you deposit $100, you’ll get $50 in bonus bets. Although you have to make a higher deposit, it’s not often that you get given the chance to get $1000 worth of bonus credits.
On the topic of the different gameplay modes, Underdog Fantasy has a lot to offer. Although it’s known for its Best Ball format that has some large prize pools, it also offers a range of different modes such as the short-term Daily Drafts, as well as Pick’em contests that focus on individual prop bets. If you like to have a bit of variety in which gameplay modes that you like to go for, then Underdog Fantasy is a great DFS site worth checking out.
Ownersbox
OwnersBox DFS Review
- Engaging weekly salary cap contests
- Multisport coverage with flexible options
- Great bonuses for new players
- Smaller user base and contests
Visit OwnersBox
The last new DFS site that I will recommend to you is Ownersbox. This site offers a unique take on fantasy sports, as it has both daily and weekly formats that you can choose between. The platform is user-friendly, and allows you to try out their game mode across a range of different leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Their standout SuperFlex is something that I thought was interesting, as it doesn't require you to fill out your lineup with players from different positions. You could have a team of all quarterbacks if you wanted.
As well as their unique gameplay, they also have a very generous welcome bonus to help you get started. After signing up you receive $5 to try out the platform without needing to make a deposit. Also, you can get a 100% deposit match up to $500. To claim this bonus you just have to deposit using an accepted payment method and then input the correct bonus code.
| Brand | Gameplay Modes | Pros | Cons | Mobile app available |
| ParlayPlay | Player prop contests, Pick'M, Multiplier contests | Well-designed site and app, Generous welcome bonus, Uncomplicated gameplay | Not available in all US states | Yes |
| Underdog Fantasy | Best Ball, Daily Drafts, Pick'em contests | Can claim up to $1000 in the welcome bonus, Multiple gameplay options, Multiple payment methods available | Limited customer service | Yes |
| Ownersbox | Daily and weekly formats, SuperFlex | Very generous first deposit bonus, Unique gameplay modes, $5 no deposit bonus | Limited sports offerings | Yes |
Bonuses at new DFS sites
Knowing what bonuses are on offer is really important to anyone that wants to get their DFS betting journey off to the best possible start. Have a look at the table below to compare the bonuses from the top DFS sites, so you can find the one that best suits your betting style.
| Brand | Deposit bonus | No deposit bonus |
| ParlayPlay | 100% deposit match up to $100 | $5 no deposit bonus |
| Underdog Fantasy | 50% deposit match up to $1000 | Not offered |
| Ownersbox | 100% deposit match up to $500 | $5 no deposit bonus |
New DFS sites with best apps
As you may have seen from the list of recommendations above, ParlayPlay, Underdog Fantasy and OwnersBox all have an optimized mobile app that you can download and bet on. After trying out all three of the apps, I noticed that all of the features that were available on the desktop sites were also available on the apps, which is a great sign.
Conclusion
With a new take on traditional fantasy sports formats, new daily fantasy sports sites are beginning to grow in popularity around the US. These sites are offering a range of different gameplay modes that can appeal to all different betting styles, as well as some generous bonuses. At some of the sites that I recommended in this article, you can even try them out for free with some no deposit bonuses, so there’s no reason not to have a go!
Our favourite bonuses for 2025
1.
Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!
Players from Virginia accepted
2.
100% up to $500
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
3.
20% up to $500
+ free $3 ticket
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 25x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $5
4.
$65 value with just a $10+ deposit
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
5.
Play $5, Get $55
Players from Virginia accepted
New DFS sites FAQs
🔍 What makes new DFS sites different from established ones?
New DFS sites often bring fresh features, like new game formats, more flexible lineup options, and more generous welcome bonuses than more established sites. This is because they want to compete with the bigger companies that are already in the market.
🔒 Are new DFS sites safe to use?
All new fantasy sites will need to adhere to strict regulations that ensure player security to be legal in the US. In saying that, it’s always important to check the licensing and certifications before depositing money. Look for sites that offer secure payment methods and have clear terms and conditions regarding payouts and promotions.
📱 Do new DFS sites have mobile apps?
Some new fantasy sports sites recognize the importance of mobile access and often launch with fully optimized mobile apps or mobile-optimized websites.
