
For the many people new to sports betting in New York, there are many different options. For that reason, we have carried out this DraftKings New York review, to make the process easier for those wanting a simple, easy-to-use sportsbook.
DraftKings sportsbook and app certainly tick this box and have a unique bonus that is tailor made for those who like things nice and straightforward. That’s not the only benefit of DraftKings sportsbook NY, as there are other promotions and an excellent loyalty program too; so, read on to see what else you can expect when you open an account.
Welcome bonuses are vital to the successful running of a sportsbook, as this is the main source of new customers. This is especially important in states where the legislation has changed recently, so there will be plenty of new bettors looking to try sports betting online for the first time. What DraftKings has to offer is unique and will work well for those who are not happy with a 10x 20x or even 35x turnover requirement.
This is a deposit match bonus, but only 20%, and you get it credited to your account as you bet, instead of all at once. It applies to your first deposit between $5 and $5000, and it works like this:
For example, you deposit $500. So, your bonus amount is $100 and is released to your account a dollar at a time for every $25 you wager at -300 odds or longer, over the next 90 days. This unhurried approach will suit those betting for the first time, as they are not being rushed at the start to meet a wagering requirement.
What makes it even simpler is that you don’t need a DraftKings promo code NY to start the offer off; just make your deposit and you are good to go.
If you liked the simplicity of that bonus, you’ll also find using both the desktop site and the mobile app a breeze. We’ll look more closely at the app in a minute, but if you are one of the many new bettors coming to DraftKings, you’ll find the simple, almost monochrome color scheme welcoming and a lot less intimidating than some of the ‘in your face’ designs you’ll see elsewhere.
It's set out so things are easy to find, with a help button in the bottom left-hand corner and your account details sitting top right. The footer has all of the other sections you’ll need including some tutorials, and another link to the help/FAQ section. However, you could still easily place a bet without them as the whole process is quite intuitive.
The number of betting markets available should cover everything you need. These are accessed by picking your sport from the right-hand menu, giving you a list of events, and clicking on any one of those opens up a number of markets for that game, match or race.
Taking an NBA game at random, there were markets for the overall result, as well as player performance and team performances over quarters, and halves as well as the whole match.
While we were there, we also checked some of the odds/spreads and found them a worthy match for what was available elsewhere. There is also a same game parlay option and specific profits and odds/spreads boosts on certain days, like a 20% boost on NBA wagers on a Tuesday.
The live odds and spreads are equally competitive, although an exact comparison was not possible during a live game for obvious reasons. The markets available are expansive, and although we did not see any matches streamed live, we understand that some events are.
Using the app is even easier with the quick links option so you can go straight to your favorite market. You can see your balance top right and there is an offer to get $200 in DraftKings bonus bet tokens, although you should check the T&Cs to make sure you qualify.
Another area where a sportsbook needs to be at the top of its game when there are a bunch of new bettors coming on board is when it comes to payment options. DraftKings New York have done a great job here by offering methods that people will recognise like Visa, Mastercard and Discovery, as well as the recommended method of bank transfers.
In addition to this you can use your Play+ card or a gift card, PayPal like you might for online purchases, or VIP Preferred if you, well, prefer. Wire transfers are also possible, but carry a $100 minimum deposit instead of $10, and you can even fund your account at your local 7 Eleven or other affiliated store using cash.
You will have to make sure your account is verified before you request a withdrawal, and the DraftKings withdrawal time takes five business days to process. You can withdraw using bank transfer, PayPal and Play+ as well as VIP Preferred and even get a check in the mail. Withdrawals can be made using the method you deposited, then any balance to any other method if you choose. For example, if you deposited $20 via PayPal, and won $50 with it, you could withdraw all $50 using PayPal or $20 to PayPal, and the other $30 to any of the other methods listed.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, another key area in a state where sports betting has just become legal is customer service. Lots of new bettors will have questions, and to be fair, the extensive FAQ section is going to have nearly all of the answers. However, new bettors might also want to talk to somebody and that is where DraftKings can fall short.
There is no telephone support, and the only way to get answers to the more complicated questions, or at least not a generic answer from the support bot, is to fill in a form and wait. In a state where the majority of the customers have not placed a bet online before, this might set arm bells ringing unduly.
For many new bettors, this is also going to be an important question and if you want an answer for other states, see our DraftKings Colorado sportsbook review. They will know some of the ‘big name’ competition from their affiliation with casinos, but DraftKings is likely not to be known as a sportsbook, but more for its fantasy sports. To those people who were wondering, yes DraftKings is legal in New York and regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC).
As regards security, SSL encryption will keep your data and your transactions secure and private, and if you are in any doubt, a quick glance up at the address bar will show you the padlock symbol confirming it.
The VIP program is by invitation only, and an invite is likely to depend mostly on how you have progressed through the loyalty program, earning ‘crowns’ for your activity in all areas of the site. There are rewards available in exchange for those crowns, and the more crowns you earn, the further you progress through the tiers (from Bronze to Onyx), with greater rewards on offer as you go.
If you are a more casual player though, there are the odds/spreads and profit boosts mentioned earlier, free pools, and a refer a friend program where you can each get a bonus bet up to $100.
The chances are that if you are new to sports betting, there will be many areas that will be more important than usual. DraftKings New York has a straightforward bonus, a multitude of payment methods that should suit everyone, and a number of extra little sportsbook promo codes and a loyalty program to keep you going in the long term.
Customer service could do with a tweak, but this small niggle is outweighed by a host of positives, and worthy of a look if you are still deciding on a sportsbook in New York.
New York has a load of new bettors and if you are one of them, then you will need to be absolutely sure that you can trust who you are giving your data to. This question and more are answered in our DraftKings NY review, which will tell you what you need to know.
When something goes wrong, you’ll want answers quickly, especially if you are new to sports betting. To see what the contact options are for DraftKings New York, and if responses are fast, read our online review that has all the details.
If you are new to sports betting online, you are going to want to know how to get your money when you need it. You can find out what the withdrawal methods are, and the timescales involved, by reading our DraftKings New York review.
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