Many sports fans ask whether FanDuel and DraftKings are the same company because both appear at the top of app stores, run similar promotions, and offer comparable products. The short answer is no, they are not the same company. This article explains the practical reasons the brands look alike to consumers and the corporate differences that matter for reporting and regulatory disclosure. You do not need to be an industry insider to use this guide. It focuses on what matters to users: availability in your state, the difference between product similarity and corporate identity, and a clear checklist you can follow before signing up or depositing funds.

FanDuel and DraftKings compete directly but are owned and reported differently at the corporate level.

State licensing determines whether each brand can offer sportsbook, DFS, or casino products in your area.

Always read promotion terms and verify availability on state regulator and operator pages before depositing.

fanduel draftkings: quick answer and what this article covers

Short answer: FanDuel and DraftKings are not the same company; they compete in the same markets but operate under different corporate owners and reporting frameworks.

This guide walks through why the two brands can seem similar to users, how corporate ownership differs, what changes with state licensing, and a practical checklist you can use to confirm which services are available where you live.

What you will learn in each section: the basic consumer products both brands offer, how ownership and reporting differ at a corporate level, how state-by-state licensing affects availability, the regulatory and advertising constraints that shape promotions, and a compact decision checklist for choosing between them.

Quick verification checklist for platform selection

Check state availability
Read promotion terms
Confirm responsible-gaming options
Compare app features
Verify deposit and withdrawal limits

Use these checks before you sign up

fanduel draftkings: basic definitions and how the brands present to consumers

At the consumer level, both FanDuel and DraftKings operate platforms that present similar product lines: mobile sportsbooks, daily fantasy sports contests, and in some states, online casino games; availability varies by jurisdiction and license type.

Because both brands support core features such as mobile apps, live odds, contest formats, and promotional offers, the user experience often looks similar even though the companies behind them are different.

When comparing platforms, keep product facts separate from corporate facts: similar apps and overlapping markets do not mean the same ownership or the same regulatory disclosures.

Ownership and corporate structure: who owns FanDuel and who owns DraftKings

FanDuel is operated within the wider Flutter Entertainment group, while DraftKings functions as an independent U.S. public company with its own standalone filings, and that distinction affects how each reports financial and operational performance.

The difference in ownership is not only a matter of parent names; it changes what financial statements include how U.S. operations are consolidated and how much detail is disclosed about regional results, because Flutter reports FanDuel within a global portfolio while DraftKings files its own Form 10-K.

Are FanDuel and DraftKings the same company?

No. They are separate companies that operate competing consumer products, but they differ in ownership, reporting, and how they appear in public filings.

Products, features and consumer experience across FanDuel and DraftKings

Both brands commonly offer a set of consumer-facing products: a mobile sportsbook for real-time wagering in states where it is legal, daily fantasy sports contests in permitted jurisdictions, and, where state rules allow, online casino products such as slots or table games.

User-facing features like in-app betting markets, same-game parlays, live betting interfaces, and promotional offers have become standard across major operators, so functionality alone rarely distinguishes the platforms for casual users.

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To decide which app fits you, compare specific features such as bet types, deposit and withdrawal methods, the clarity of promotion terms, and responsible-gaming tools available in your state.

State-by-state availability and licensing for fanduel draftkings

U.S. sports betting and related products are licensed at the state level, which means both FanDuel and DraftKings must obtain approval and comply with each state's regulator before offering mobile sportsbook services or online casino products in that jurisdiction; check official regulator reports for confirmation when a new market opens.

For example, regulator reports in major markets list licensed operators and publish handle and revenue figures so users and analysts can confirm who is live and what services are available in a given state.

Funded Plays Challenges

Check state and promotion terms

Before you create an account or deposit, use your state regulator site and each operator’s help or availability page to confirm whether sportsbook, DFS, or casino products are offered where you live.

Regulation, advertising and promotion rules that affect FanDuel and DraftKings

Promotions and advertising for major U.S. operators are shaped by both state rules and industry standards; the American Gaming Association updated its Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering in March 2024 to tighten expectations around targeting, disclosures, and consumer protection.

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That industry guidance works alongside state regulator requirements to limit certain types of advertising practices and to require clear promotion terms, which affects how both FanDuel and DraftKings present signup offers and ongoing promotions.

Verify promotions and responsible-gaming tools first

Check current promotion terms and responsible-gaming resources on the operator and state regulator sites before accepting offers, and prioritize transparency in the terms and conditions you read.

Check state and promotion terms

How FanDuel and DraftKings compete and where they look the same to users

Both operators often compete for the same customers in major markets by offering similar products, app features, and promotional campaigns, and this market overlap is why many users perceive them as interchangeable.

Regulator reports showing handle and revenue for licensed mobile sportsbooks in states with mature markets illustrate that the brands are direct competitors rather than parts of a single company.

Users tend to compare short-term incentives, app convenience, and in-play features, which are practical ways to evaluate the experience rather than corporate structure.

How FanDuel and DraftKings differ in corporate reporting, governance and strategy

Flutter’s annual reporting consolidates FanDuel within a diversified global group, while DraftKings files an independent Form 10-K covering its U.S. business; that distinction leads to different levels of granularity about U.S. operations in public filings.

For analysts and observers, the differing disclosure practices are important because they change how much detail each company must make public about regional revenues, growth drivers, or strategic initiatives tied to the U.S. market.

These reporting differences have practical consequences for stakeholders who follow regulatory filings and financial statements, even though the consumer products may appear similar.

Promotions, marketing and consumer protections compared

Marketing and promotions are subject to both state rules and industry codes that seek to limit misleading offers, protect vulnerable audiences, and require clear promotion mechanics; operators must also integrate responsible-gaming tools in line with guidance.

Because the AGA code updated in March 2024 tightened standards for responsible marketing, both FanDuel and DraftKings adjusted promotional practices to align with new expectations around disclosures and audience targeting.

When you evaluate a promotion, always read the full terms and conditions, check the expiration or rollover requirements, and confirm the eligibility rules that apply in your state.

Decision checklist: how to choose between FanDuel and DraftKings

Top criteria to compare: confirm state availability first, then compare which specific product features you care about, review deposit and withdrawal options, and read full promotion terms and responsible-gaming provisions before committing funds.

Questions to ask include whether the operator supports your preferred bet types, what the minimum and maximum deposit or withdrawal amounts are, and what consumer protections or self-exclusion options are available in your account settings.

As a background check, remember that corporate governance and reporting differences exist, but your immediate decision should be driven by state licensing, concrete product features, and clear promotion terms.

Common mistakes and misconceptions when comparing the two brands

A frequent mistake is assuming similar branding or product sets imply common ownership; in reality a planned merger was challenged by federal regulators in 2017 and did not result in a combined company.

Another error is using the presence of an aggressive promotion as the sole reason to choose a platform; promotions change frequently and should be evaluated alongside terms, responsible-gaming measures, and long-term convenience.

Avoid taking short-term availability or temporary bonus structure as permanent differentiators; licensing and product rollouts can change by state and over time.

Practical examples and scenarios: when the difference matters to you

Scenario 1: Availability matters if you move across state lines. If only one operator is licensed in your new state, you will not have access to the other operator’s mobile sportsbook until it obtains a license and launches; consult the regulator reports to confirm who is live in that state.

Scenario 2: Promotion terms can change eligibility. A signup bonus that looks generous may include wagering or rollover conditions and state limits that make the practical value different from the headline offer, so reading terms is essential.

Scenario 3: Tracking regulatory reporting. If you want to follow market share or revenue trends, state mobile wagering reports publish handle and revenue figures for licensed operators, which lets you verify how major operators perform in key markets.

Checklist: what to verify right now before signing up or depositing

Quick verification steps: confirm your state allows the product you want, check that the operator is listed on the state regulator site, read the promotion terms and any wagering requirements, and review responsible-gaming tools that are available in the account settings.

Where to find official information: state regulator pages and the operator’s help or legal pages are primary sources for live status, licensing information, and promotion mechanics.

Remember that corporate ownership affects public reporting but does not always change the consumer product set available to you on a day-to-day basis.

Conclusion: the short answer and a practical takeaway about fanduel draftkings

The short answer remains: FanDuel and DraftKings are separate companies with overlapping consumer offerings and direct competition in many U.S. markets.

Your practical takeaway: verify state availability and promotion terms before you sign up or deposit, and use regulator reports and company help pages for the most current confirmation.

Are FanDuel and DraftKings owned by the same company?

No. FanDuel is part of Flutter Entertainment, while DraftKings is an independent U.S. public company.

Can I use the same promotions on both platforms?

Promotions vary by operator and by state; read each offer’s terms and check state restrictions before accepting any promotion.

How can I confirm which operator is live in my state?

Check your state gaming regulator’s website and the operator’s official help or availability page for the most current status.

If you need a quick verification step, start with your state regulator’s operator list and the operator’s help pages. That will confirm whether sportsbook, DFS, or casino products are available where you live. Decisions about which app to use should be based on current licensing, transparent promotion terms, and available responsible-gaming tools rather than on branding alone. FundedPlays positions itself as a skill-focused alternative in the sports prediction space and emphasizes transparent challenge rules and responsible participation. Use the checklist in this article to verify availability and terms before you participate in any platform activity.