What FanDuel Sportsbook is and how to get your free guide

FanDuel Sportsbook is a mobile and web-based platform where you place bets on professional and college sports. You read the app or visit the website, create an account, deposit money, and then place wagers on games, matches, and events. FanDuel operates legally in states that have passed sports betting laws — currently more than 30 states plus Washington, D.C. — but not in every state, and the rules about what you can bet on vary by location.

To use FanDuel, you must be at least 21 years old and physically located in a state where the platform is licensed. When you sign up, FanDuel asks for your name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The platform uses geolocation technology to confirm you are in a legal state before you can place a bet. If you travel to a state where FanDuel does not operate, you cannot bet from there, even if you have an account.

Deposits work through credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, or bank transfers, depending on your state. Withdrawals go back to the same payment method you used to deposit. FanDuel does not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals, but your bank may charge you for transfers.

Key Takeaways

  • FanDuel is available only in states that have legalized sports betting, and you must be 21 and physically located in one of those states to place a bet.
  • You can bet on professional sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer) and college sports (football, basketball), with odds and bet types that change based on the sport and event.
  • FanDuel offers different types of bets — straight bets, parlays, teasers, and prop bets — each with different payouts and risk levels.
  • Your account balance is held by FanDuel, not a bank, and the platform can limit or close your account if you violate its terms.
  • Responsible gambling tools on FanDuel include deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion, but using them is your choice.

Types of bets FanDuel offers

A straight bet is the simplest: you pick one team or outcome and choose your stake. If you bet $10 on the Kansas City Chiefs to win at -110 odds, you risk $10 to win about $9.09 (the exact payout depends on the odds). Straight bets on games that have not started yet are called "pregame" bets; bets placed during a game are called "live" or "in-play" bets.

A parlay combines two or more bets into one wager. All parts of the parlay must win for you to collect. If you parlay a bet on the Chiefs to win and the Lakers to win, and the Chiefs win but the Lakers lose, your entire parlay loses. The advantage is a larger payout if all bets hit; the risk is that one loss wipes out the whole ticket. A $10 parlay on two games might pay $25 or more, depending on the odds.

Prop bets (proposition bets) are wagers on specific events within a game rather than the final outcome — for example, whether a particular player will score more than 25 points, or whether the game will have more than 48 total points. Prop bets are available for most major sports and change throughout the season.

A teaser is similar to a parlay but lets you move the point spread or total in your favor. For example, instead of betting the Chiefs to win by 3 points, you might teaser that to 1 point in your favor. The tradeoff is a lower payout than a parlay with the same number of bets.

How odds work on FanDuel

FanDuel displays odds in three formats: American (also called moneyline), decimal, and fractional. You can change which format you see in your account settings. Most U.S. bettors use American odds.

In American format, a negative number (like -110) means you have to bet that amount to win $100. So -110 means you risk $110 to win $100. A positive number (like +150) means you win that amount for every $100 you bet. So +150 means you risk $100 to win $150. The negative number is usually on the favorite (the team more likely to win); the positive number is on the underdog.

FanDuel updates odds constantly, especially for live bets. The odds you see when you tap to place a bet may not be the odds you lock in — the platform shows you the current odds and asks you to confirm before the bet is final. If the odds move between when you tap and when you confirm, you see the new odds and can accept or cancel.

Deposits, withdrawals, and account balance

When you deposit money into FanDuel, that money becomes your account balance. It is not held in a separate bank account in your name — it belongs to FanDuel, and FanDuel is responsible for keeping it find. If FanDuel closes your account, you can request a withdrawal of your remaining balance, but the process can take several business days.

Deposits are when ready or nearly when ready for most payment methods. Withdrawals typically take 3 to 5 business days to appear in your bank account or payment method, though some methods are faster. FanDuel does not charge withdrawal fees, but your bank may charge you for incoming transfers.

FanDuel may place limits on how much you can deposit or withdraw in a given period. These limits vary by state and by your account history. If you want to increase your limits, you can contact FanDuel customer support, but the platform is not required to approve the request.

State-by-state differences and legal status

FanDuel operates in more than 30 states, but the specific rules differ by location. Some states allow betting on all professional sports and college sports; others restrict college betting or prohibit bets on in-state college teams. A few states limit the types of bets you can place or the maximum stake.

FanDuel is licensed and regulated in each state where it operates, meaning it must follow that state's rules and submit to oversight. If you have a dispute with FanDuel, your state's gaming regulator is the body that can investigate. You can find your state's gaming regulator through the North American Association of Gaming Regulators website.

FanDuel is not available in every state. If you live in a state where it does not operate, you cannot create an account or place bets, even if you travel to a state where it is legal. The geolocation check happens every time you log in.

Account restrictions and what FanDuel can do

FanDuel can limit your account, reduce your maximum bet, or close it entirely if you violate its terms of service. Common reasons include using someone else's payment method, placing bets from outside a legal state, or engaging in what FanDuel considers suspicious betting patterns (such as placing many bets on the same outcome across different accounts).

If FanDuel closes your account, you have the right to withdraw any remaining balance. The platform will tell you the reason for the closure, though it may not provide detailed explanation. You can contact FanDuel customer support to appeal, but the decision is ultimately FanDuel's.

FanDuel also reserves the right to void bets if it determines they were placed in error — for example, if odds were displayed incorrectly due to a technical glitch. If a bet is voided, your stake is returned to your account balance.

Responsible gambling tools and resources

FanDuel offers several tools to help you manage your betting. You can set a daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limit, which prevents you from depositing more than that amount in the chosen period. You can also set a time-out, which temporarily locks your account for a period you choose (usually 24 hours to 30 days). After the time-out expires, you can log back in.

For longer-term control, FanDuel offers self-exclusion, which closes your account for a period you set (typically 6 months to 5 years). During self-exclusion, you cannot log in, deposit, or place bets. Self-exclusion is permanent for the duration you choose and cannot be reversed early.

If you are struggling with gambling, the National Council on Problem Gambling runs a helpline at 1-800-522-4700 and offers resources at ncpg.org. Many states also run their own problem gambling programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use FanDuel if I live outside the United States?

No. FanDuel is licensed only in U.S. states and Washington, D.C. If you live outside the U.S., you cannot create an account or place bets. If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, you also cannot use FanDuel because the geolocation check will fail.

What happens if I win a large bet?

Winnings are added to your account balance when ready. You can then withdraw the money to your bank account or payment method, or use it to place more bets. FanDuel reports winnings of $600 or more to the IRS on Form 1099-NEC. You are responsible for reporting all gambling winnings on your tax return, regardless of the amount.

Can I bet on college sports through FanDuel?

It depends on your state. Most states allow college football and basketball betting, but some prohibit bets on in-state college teams, and a few restrict college betting entirely. Check FanDuel's sportsbook in your state to see which college sports are available.

What is the difference between FanDuel and DraftKings?

Both are legal sportsbooks available in most states, but they differ in odds, available bets, and promotions. FanDuel and DraftKings often offer different odds on the same game, so comparing them before you bet can help you find the best payout. Neither is objectively "better" — it depends on which platform you prefer and which odds suit your bets.

Can I place bets through the FanDuel app and the website at the same time?

Yes. Your account balance is the same across both platforms, so if you deposit through the app, that money is available on the website, and vice versa. However, you cannot place two bets simultaneously on the same game through different devices — the second bet will fail if the odds have moved.