Betting 101 · Red Meat & Cigar Club editorial
How the Major Platforms Compare
A neutral overview — no promos, no affiliate links.
21+ only. Gamble responsibly. Sports betting is only legal in some states; check the laws where you live. Content is for entertainment and information only, not betting advice. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
This is a general, neutral overview of large U.S. sportsbook brands, based on public company information as of October 2026. We have no affiliate relationship with any of them. Availability varies by state — check your state regulator's list of licensed operators before using any app.
| Brand | Parent company (public info) |
|---|---|
| DraftKings | DraftKings Inc., publicly traded (Nasdaq: DKNG); also known for daily fantasy sports. |
| FanDuel | Owned by Flutter Entertainment, which reported owning 100% of FanDuel in 2025 (subject to an option held by Fox). |
| BetMGM | A 50/50 joint venture of MGM Resorts International and Entain plc, founded 2018. |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Part of Caesars Entertainment, which in 2026 agreed to be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment (pending regulatory approval at last report). |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Run by Fanatics Betting & Gaming, part of the Fanatics sports merchandise company. |
| bet365 | A UK-based online gambling company operating in several U.S. states. |
What they generally have in common
- Mobile apps and websites in states where they are licensed.
- Pre-game and live (in-game) betting on major sports.
- Spreads, moneylines, totals, parlays, props, and futures.
- Responsible-gaming tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion, which licensed operators are required to provide.
- 21+ age and identity verification and geolocation to confirm you are in a legal state.
What actually differs
Prices on any given game, market depth, app design, payment methods, and which states each operates in. Those change constantly, so compare current prices yourself — see line shopping.
Company facts change; verify on each operator's site and your state regulator. Nothing here is an endorsement.