What is daily fantasy sports (DFS)?

Daily fantasy sports are skill-based contests where you build a lineup or make a set of player projections and win based on how those players actually perform. It is legally distinct from sportsbook betting: DFS is offered under state fantasy-sports law as a game of skill, not as a wager against the house, which is why it is available in some states that have not legalized sportsbooks.

How is DFS different from a sportsbook?

A sportsbook is a state-licensed operator you bet against on games and props, taxed by the state and limited to bettors 21 and older. DFS is a game of skill run under fantasy-sports rules, usually open at 18-plus (age varies by state), where you compete in drafts and pick-based contests. The two are separate products with separate rules, which is why we cover them in separate sections.

Is Underdog Fantasy available in my state?

Underdog operates in 40 states. It is not available in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Washington. Within the states where it operates, draft contests are available everywhere, while Pick'em (player-prop-style) contests are more restricted and vary by state.

Is DFS the same as prediction markets?

No. DFS is a game of skill under state fantasy law. Prediction markets are federally regulated event contracts, a different product on different (and currently contested) legal footing. We cover prediction markets separately and do not mix either into our sportsbook rankings.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Guide, Best Sites & Underdog Review

What DFS is, and what it is not

Daily fantasy sports are skill-based contests where you assemble a lineup or make a set of player projections and win based on real on-field performance. Crucially, DFS is not sportsbook betting. It is offered under state fantasy-sports law as a game of skill, not a wager placed against the house, which is why it operates in a different, and often broader, set of states than licensed sportsbooks, frequently at 18-plus rather than 21-plus.

That distinction is why DFS lives in its own section on this site. We never fold it into our sportsbook rankings or state operator tables, because they are different products with different rules. If you are looking to bet against a book on a game, start with the sportsbook guides; if you want to draft teams and enter player-projection contests, you are in the right place.

Sportsbook

State-licensed, bet against the house
21+ only
State RG tools, self-exclusion, geolocation
Taxed by the state

DFS (Underdog)

Game of skill under fantasy-sports law
18+ (varies by state)
Contests: Best Ball, Pick'em, drafts
Available in 40 states

Featured DFS site: Underdog Fantasy

Underdog is one of the two largest US daily fantasy operators and the clear leader in Best Ball, the season-long draft format. Its app is fast and well designed, entry is low ($5), and the current new-user offer is Play $5, Get $50 in Bonus Entries.

Featured DFS · Underdog Fantasy Play $5, Get $50 in Bonus Entries

4.6 / 5

Best Ball, Pick'em, and daily drafts across the major sports. Games of skill under state fantasy law, available in 40 states. 18+ (varies by state).

Play now at Underdog → Read our Underdog review →

Underdog Fantasy offer terms: New users only. Make a first deposit (minimum $10) and enter a $5+ contest to receive $50 in bonus entries. Bonus entries carry a 1x playthrough requirement and expire 60 days after issue. Available only where Underdog Fantasy operates. Offer subject to change; see the Underdog app for full terms.

Daily fantasy contests are games of skill, offered under state fantasy-sports law, not sports wagering, and are not available in every state. 18+ (19+ or 21+ in some states). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available: call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Where Underdog DFS is available

Underdog operates in 40 states. Draft contests (Best Ball and snake drafts) are available in every state where it operates; Pick'em contests are more state-restricted. It is not available in the states marked below.

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

Available · Not available (CT, DE, HI, ID, IA, LA, ME, MT, NV, WA)

Frequently asked questions

What is daily fantasy sports (DFS)?: Daily fantasy sports are skill-based contests where you build a lineup or make a set of player projections and win based on how those players actually perform. It is legally distinct from sportsbook betting: DFS is offered under state fantasy-sports law as a game of skill, not as a wager against the house, which is why it is available in some states that have not legalized sportsbooks.
How is DFS different from a sportsbook?: A sportsbook is a state-licensed operator you bet against on games and props, taxed by the state and limited to bettors 21 and older. DFS is a game of skill run under fantasy-sports rules, usually open at 18-plus (age varies by state), where you compete in drafts and pick-based contests. The two are separate products with separate rules, which is why we cover them in separate sections.
Is Underdog Fantasy available in my state?: Underdog operates in 40 states. It is not available in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Washington. Within the states where it operates, draft contests are available everywhere, while Pick'em (player-prop-style) contests are more restricted and vary by state.
Is DFS the same as prediction markets?: No. DFS is a game of skill under state fantasy law. Prediction markets are federally regulated event contracts, a different product on different (and currently contested) legal footing. We cover prediction markets separately and do not mix either into our sportsbook rankings.

Underdog offer and availability as of 2026-08-27 and subject to change; confirm current terms and your state's product availability in the Underdog app. DFS contests are games of skill under state fantasy-sports law, not sportsbook wagers. 18+ (age varies by state). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.