Bovada vs DraftKings: Ultimate Comparison

Bovada and DraftKings are two of the biggest sportsbooks in the US. They are both known for their extensive betting markets and live betting options, including odds for every game from the NFL, MLB, and NBA. However, they have some key differences, especially concerning their legal status, promotions, and payment options.

In this article, we are going to analyze everything Bovada and DraftKings have to offer, including their bonuses, markets, odds, mobile betting, payment methods, and more.

After reading our review, you will know once and for all which online sportsbook is worth signing up to!

Bovada or DraftKings – Which One Is Better?

DraftKings is better than Bovada! First of all, DraftKings is a legal and regulated US online sportsbook, while Bovada is operating illegally in the American market. DraftKings also has a superior sign-up bonus where you get $200 worth of bonus bets when you wager just $5 on any market.

DraftKings has a better selection of payment methods and never charges fees, including Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and bank transfer, while Bovada charges big fees for non-crypto transactions.

DraftKings also has Bovada beat when it comes to mobile betting thanks to their dedicated app for Android + iOS, while Bovada does have a mobile-optimized site, it is a bit clunky.

What Do Players Think?

Players are split on whether DraftKings or Bovada is better. Redditors appreciate that Bovada offers more sports than DraftKings, and some posters claim the lines are consistently better at Bovada.

However, other sports bettors are not satisfied with Bovada’s lack of bonuses and give the edge to DraftKings especially when it comes to sign-up promos and odds boosts.

Overall most players conclude that if you live in a state where online sports betting is legal, you are better off sticking to a licensed site like DraftKings.

Bovada Or DraftKings – First Look

Bovada operates in all US states except Nevada, NJ, NY, MD, and DE. However, they do not have a license and operate illegally in the US. In contrast, DraftKings is licensed and legally operates in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, and WY.

At Bovada and DraftKings, you can bet on 20 + sports, including all major sports like football, baseball, basketball, tennis, and boxing, and the top leagues like the NFL, MLB, EPL, NBA, and ATP. Both sportsbooks have similar odds, but DraftKings tends to have lower juice and offers better value, especially in live betting markets.

Both Bovada and DraftKings have tons of bet types. You can make moneyline and spread wagers as well as parlays, over/unders, futures, and props. DraftKings has slightly more options and tends to have better odds for over/unders.

DraftKings has a better-designed website. Their site is easy to navigate with well-designed menus, while Bovada’s site needs a facelift. It is also disappointing that Bovada doesn’t have a mobile app, while DraftKings has a top-rated app that you can download for free from the App Store or Google Play.

Bovada and DraftKings have some juicy first deposit offers. At Bovada, you get a 75% deposit match up to $750 when you deposit via crypto. When it comes to DraftKings bonuses, you get either a 20% deposit match up to $1000 or a bet of $5 and get $200 bonus. However, Bovada is very light on promos for existing players while DraftKings has daily profit boosts for all kinds of markets.

Bovada vs DraftKings – Welcome Offers

Bovada and DraftKings are both in the business of attracting new players and don’t mind unleashing some of that marketing budget in the form of new player promos. Find out whether Bovada or DraftKings has the best new player bonus!

Bovada New Player Offer

Bovada has a 50% deposit match bonus up to $250 when you make your first deposit via Mastercard or Visa. It is a 75% deposit match offer up to $750 when you deposit via crypto. These offers come with a 5x wagering requirement and expire within 7 days.

DraftKings New Player Offer

DraftKings has two juicy new player offers. When you make your first deposit, DraftKings will give you 20% bonus cash up to $1000. The bonus cash has a 25x wagering requirement, and qualifying bets must be -300 odds or higher.

Alternatively, you can claim a bet $5 and get $200 offer. All you need to do is bet $5 on any market, and you will receive 8X$25 bonus bets, whether your bet wins or loses, that expire within 7 days. You get to cash out any profit you win from the bonus bets.

DraftKings’ bet $5 and get $200 offer is the superior deal. With this promo, you only have to invest $5 of your own money and are very likely to end up in profit. Also, there have been lots of reports of Bovada canceling bonuses for minor reasons, so you should be wary about claiming any of their promos.

Bovada vs DraftKings – Sports Coverage

Basketball and football aren’t the only sports in the world! The top sportsbooks give you the freedom to bet on virtually every sport, which is great for enhancing your viewing experience and also gives you more opportunities to find profitable odds. Here are the different sports you can bet on at DraftKings and Bovada:

The sports coverage is basically a tie. You can bet on 20 + sports at Bovada and DraftKings. Both of these online sportsbooks have markets for all of your favorite sports, including football, tennis, ice hockey, basketball, and soccer.

Based on our research, DraftKings seems to offer a few more leagues than Bovada, particularly when it comes to soccer and a few additional esports, but it is too close to pick a winner!

Bovada and DraftKings – Legal Status

Online sports betting is legal in 24 US states and brick and mortar sports betting is allowed in 36 US states. The industry is going through a rapid legalization and it won’t be long until sports betting is legal in every state.

Bovada Legal States

Bovada operates in all US states except Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Delaware. However, Bovada does not have a license and operates illegally in all US states.

Bovada is able to continue to operate because the World Trade Organization (WTO) essentially ruled that the US is in violation of its international trade treaties if it decides to apply heavy-handed tactics to stop off-shore gambling. As long as Bovada is based off-shore in Costa Rica and the owners stay out of the US, they are safe.

DraftKings Legal States

DraftKings is a US-based and licensed sportsbook that legally operates in:

• AZ
• CO
• CT
• IL
• IN
• IA
• KS
• LA
• MA
• MD
• MI
• NH
• NJ
• NY
• OH
• PA
• TN
• VA
• WV
• WY

As soon as other states legalize sports betting, DraftKings will quickly expand to those states. DraftKings operates in more US states than any legal sportsbook.

Technically Bovada has better coverage as they operate in 45 US states, while DraftKings operates in 20 US states, however, the operation is legal. Currently, the US has not shut down their operation and are hand tied due to the WTO’s decision, but that may change in the future.

Bovada vs DraftKings – Banking Options

Getting your money on and off a sportsbook is an aspect of online sports betting. Let’s dive into the different payment methods offered by Bovada and DraftKings and look at fees and processing times.

Bovada Banking Methods

At Bovada, you can deposit via:

• Bitcoin
• Bitcoin Cash
• Bitcoin SV
• Litecoin
• Ethereum
• USD Tether
• Visa
• Mastercard
• Vouchers
• Zelle

At Bovada, you withdraw via:

• Bitcoin
• Bitcoin Cash
• Bitcoin SV
• Litecoin
• Ethereum
• USD Tether
• Check by Courier
• Bank Wire
• Vouchers

DraftKings Banking Methods

DraftKings deposits and withdrawals can be made via:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Prepaid card
• DraftKings Gift Card
• Venmo
• Bank transfer
• PayPal
• Play+ Prepaid

While Bovada claims to offer a wide range of payment options, most players use crypto because card payments and wires often don’t work due to the illegal nature of Bovada’s operation.

DraftKings definitely has Bovada beat when it comes to payment methods, as they offer a wide range of secure options. DraftKings processes deposits instantly, withdrawals within 5 days, and they don’t charge fees. Bovada processes withdrawals faster than DraftKings, within 24 hours for crypto withdrawals, and their deposits are instant too, however, they charge fees which are 5% + for all non-crypto transactions.

Bovada vs DraftKings – Odds and Markets

Bovada and DraftKings are both known for having extensive betting markets and generous odds. Let’s dive in and see the different markets on offer and which sportsbook has the edge!

Bovada Odds and Markets

Bovada has tons of markets. They have a great mix of over/unders, totals, props, futures, spreads, and moneylines. You can find these bet types both in pre-match and live markets for virtually every sport, including football, soccer, tennis, basketball, and baseball. Bovada has above-average odds, but their lines are known for having some extra juice, overall, we give their odds 7/10.

DraftKings Odds and Markets

DraftKings has a solid range of bet types, including classic moneylines and spreads but also some excellent over/unders and futures. However, we wish they had some more prop bets, they are a little thin for some sports. DraftKings always has generous odds, especially when you combine them with daily profit boosts. DraftKings has massive financial resources, so they are able to charge less juice than some other online sportsbooks and still thrive.

DraftKings has superior odds to Bovada on average and charges less juice. However, Bovada has slightly more bet types, especially exotic wagers. DraftKings still has enough bet types to keep you satisfied, so thanks to their generous odds, we give them the edge!

Bovada Or DraftKings – Live Sports Betting

With in-game betting, you can make wagers as the game is being played. Bovada and DraftKings both offer live betting, but let’s see which sportsbook has the best live betting options!

Bovada Live Sports Betting

Bovada has live sports betting odds for NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and other major sports. They have 20 + bet types and a great mix of markets, you can bet on 10 + soccer leagues, every F1 race, and niche sports like table tennis.

DraftKings Live Sports Betting

DraftKings offers live sports betting for all 20 + of its sports. Virtually every pre-match betting market is available for live betting. DraftKings also has live streams, so you get a truly immersive experience. Some of the most popular live betting markets at DraftKings include the NBA, NFL, and EPL.

When it comes to live sports betting, it is pretty close, but we give the edge to DraftKings because they have HD streams while Bovada doesn’t. They both have excellent live betting markets for all of the most popular sports, including basketball, football, MMA, and baseball. They also have tons of bet types, including moneyline and spread and generous dynamic odds.

Bovada And DraftKings Features

Both Bovada and DraftKings have an early cash-out feature, which allows you to settle your bet before the game is over. This is a great way to reduce your risk and lock up a winner. Bovada and DraftKings also have VIP and loyalty programs that feature exclusive bonuses. However, VIP players aren’t satisfied with either VIP program, claiming the bonuses are too few and far between.

DraftKings has a unique feature, daily fantasy sports, which allows you to win real money playing fantasy sports. There are daily and weekly competitions, all you need to do is draft players, and then, based on their performance, you earn points. While Bovada doesn’t have daily fantasy sports, they do have an online poker room where you can play real money tournaments and cash games against players across the US.

Neither sportsbook has any groundbreaking features, but overall, DraftKings has slightly better features, especially when you factor in the daily fantasy markets and the daily odds boosts.

Bovada vs DraftKings Mobile App

Bovada sportsbook does not have a mobile app. However, you can still make sports bets and play casino games on your phone via their mobile-optimized site. Be careful there are fake Bovada apps out there that look convincing but have nothing to do with the official Bovada sportsbook.

In contrast, DraftKings has a professional and well-designed app for Android and iOS. Their Android app has a 4.6-star rating from over 80,000 reviews, while their iOS app has a 4.8-star rating based on over 500,000 reviews. The app is incredibly easy to navigate, has exclusive bonuses, and allows you to bet live on 20 + sports effortlessly from your mobile.

Bovada can’t compete with DraftKings’ mobile gaming experience. Their mobile-optimized site is very basic and is a serious downgrade from DraftKings’ sleek dedicated sportsbook and online casino app.

Bovada or DraftKings – Football Betting

Football is the top market on Bovada and DraftKings. Both online sportsbooks have extensive markets for all NFL games and the biggest college games, but which site has the superior odds?

Bovada Football Betting

At Bovada sportsbook, you can live bet on every single NFL game throughout the season, including the playoffs and the Super Bowl. They have an excellent selection of bet types, including moneylines, point spreads, and over/unders. Unfortunately, their lines have a lot of juice, and you can find better odds on other betting sites.

DraftKings Football Betting

DraftKings may have the best football betting markets of any US sportsbook. You can make all kinds of NFL bets, including moneyline, spreads, points totals, futures, parlays, props, and more. DraftKings always has market-beating odds on football games and also has the widest selection of college football games we have come across.

DraftKings and Bovada have similar football betting markets, you can bet on all NFL and CFL games on both sportsbooks, but DraftKings has a few more college football options. DraftKings also has slightly better odds and less juice which your bankroll will appreciate!

Bovada Casino vs DraftKings Casino

Both Bovado and DraftKings have fully fledged online casinos featuring exciting games from licensed developers. But which site has superior games and online casino experience?

Bovada Casino

Bovada has 130 + casino games, including slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, video poker, and live dealer games. Their games are powered by questionable developers, including RTG, Rival, Woohoo Games, Revolver, Spinomenal, Genesis, and Visionary iGaming Live Studios.

DraftKings Casino

DraftKings has 800 + casino games and has every title imaginable, including massive progressive jackpot slots, live blackjack, baccarat, video poker, roulette, and more. Their games are powered by industry-leading providers like Ainsworth, Big Time Gaming, DraftKings, IGT, Lightning Box, NetEnt, Nextgen Gaming, ReelPlay, Slingo Originals, and The Games Company. Every game at DraftKings Casino is mobile-optimized and looks incredible on Android and iPhone.

DraftKings has a superior online casino to Bovada. DraftKings has far more games (130 + vs 800 +) and a better selection of software providers than Bovada. Both casinos have all of your classic games, including a good mix of slots and table games, but DraftKings has far more variations, overall higher RTP options, and a better-designed site.

Bovada vs DraftKings Promotions

Bovada and DraftKings have a range of promotions for existing players, which are designed to encourage their current users to keep betting. Let’s break down which sportsbook has the better promos and some deals you can claim now!

Bovada Promotions

Check out the latest promos for existing Bovada players:

• Refer a Friend – When your friend signs up and deposits via your link, you get $25. You can claim a maximum of $275.
• Earn Points – Every time you bet with Bovada, you earn points, the more points you earn, the higher you progress up the VIP tiers and can convert them to cash bonuses.

DraftKings Promotions

Here are some of the new promos current DraftKings players can claim:

• Profit Boosts On Singles – DraftKings will add extra cash to your winnings for certain events. For example, they have a 33% profit boost offer for the French Open.
• DraftKings Refer a Friend – When your buddy signs up using your link and deposits at least $26, you get $100 in bonus bets.
• Parlay Profit Boosts – For selected parlays, DraftKings will boost your profit by as much as 100%!
• Daily Pools – Compete against fellow bettors and climb the leaderboard to win cash prizes.

As you can see, Bovada doesn’t really care about existing players. All of their bonuses are geared towards new users. DraftKings takes a different approach and tries its best to keep current players happy!

Bovada or DraftKings for New Players?

DraftKings has a better sign-up bonus for new players. When you bet just $5 on any market, you will get $200 worth of bonus bets, no matter if your wager wins or loses. DraftKings also has regular profit boosts on all kinds of markets, which supercharge your bankroll.

DraftKings has a better-designed website than Bovada, with a dedicated mobile app. It also has secure and free payment methods, while most players at Bovada are left using crypto.

Finally, Bovada has some shady terms and conditions which allow them to easily cancel your bonuses and ban your account. If you are a new player, avoid Bovada and bet with a legal and regulated sportsbook like DraftKings.

What More Should You Know About Bovada and DraftKings

Bovada has something you won’t find at DraftKings, a top-rated online poker room where you can battle against players across the US. They offer $2 million worth of tournament prizes and have tons of cash game tables and sit and gos. Due to Bovada being an offshore sportsbook and online casino, they are able to pool players from across the US, while legal US poker sites only allow you to play against players in your own state.

Both Bovada and DraftKings have solid customer support. You can quickly get in touch with support agents via live chat and email. We found Bovada’s and DraftKings’ support agents to be friendly. Unfortunately, a number of players have reported that Bovada’s support takes a long time to solve serious issues, and they are quick to lock your account. Due to their offshore status, you don’t have much legal recourse.

DraftKings and Bovada have similar betting markets. They both have some specialty markets like politics and entertainment. Bovada tends to have a few additional options compared to DraftKings.

Alternatives to Bovada and DraftKings

While Bovada and DraftKings are both top-rated betting sites, there are other great options for US recreational bettors, including:

• FanDuel – FanDuel is DraftKings biggest competitor and features extensive betting markets for 17 + sports and always has fantastic odds for moneyline bets, spreads, and same-day parlays! Check here how FanDuel stacks up against Bovada
• BetMGM – BetMGM is run by one of the biggest gaming companies on the planet! They regularly have competitive odds and a good mix of promos, including bonus bets and odds boosts.
• Caesars Sportsbook – Brought to you by Caesars Entertainment, this sportsbook has tons of low wagering requirement deposit bonuses, excellent live betting options, and the best customer service we have come across.

Verdict: Should You Choose Bovada or DraftKings?

If you are located in a state where sports betting is legal, then it is a no-brainer to register at DraftKings as they are a fully licensed sportsbook. Bovada is operating illegally in the US and has other shady practices like revoking bonuses and is quick to ban winners.

DraftKings and Bovada both have similar markets, you can bet on 20 + different sports, lots of live betting options, and tons of bet types. DraftKings tends to have slightly better odds and a superior online casino (800 + vs 130 + games). DraftKings also has a better welcome bonus + profit boost offers.

So we have settled the debate, DraftKings is a better sportsbook than Bovada. Sign up using this link and claim DraftKings’ juicy bet $5 and get $200 new player bonus!

Why Choose Bovada Over DraftKings

While Bovada does have some drawbacks, they still have some key advantages of DraftKings, including:

• Available states – Bovada is available in 45 US states, while DraftKings is available in 20 US states.
• Accepts crypto – If you want to bet using your Bitcoin or Ethereum stash, then Bovada is the sportsbook for you, you can deposit and cash out using crypto.
• Fast Withdrawals – You can receive your winnings within 24 hours, while at DraftKings, you can wait up to 5 days to get your money.

Why Choose DraftKings Over Bovada

DraftKings is a superior sportsbook to Bovada thanks to these factors:

• DraftKings is 100% legal – DraftKings is a legal and licensed sportsbook, while Bovada is operating legally in the US.
• Zero fees for transactions – DraftKings does not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals, while Bovada charges a 5% fee for non crypto transactions.
• Amazing online casino games – Bovada only has 100 + games, while DraftKings has 800 + games, including titles from top developers like Big Time Gaming, IGT, and NetEnt.