Table of Contents
Last updated: 16 October 2026 | Reviewed by Mathibharathi Mariselvan, Co-founder, Pixel Web Solutions | 15 min read
To create an app like DraftKings in 2026, start where DraftKings started: daily fantasy sports (DFS), which it runs in 44 US states plus DC, then add peer-to-peer pick'em like Pick6, and only then a prediction market or a licensed sportsbook. DraftKings earns 63% of its revenue from its sportsbook and only about 7% from DFS and its other products, so a DraftKings clone that stops at fantasy contests copies the funnel, not the business. Industry ranges run from about $40,000 for a DFS and pick'em MVP built offshore to $180,000 or more for a multi-sport platform, before licences.
DraftKings is one of the best-known fantasy sports brands, widely known for its user-friendly interface and secure payments. Building a fantasy sports app like DraftKings lets users create virtual teams and compete for rewards based on real player performances. Pixel Web Solutions offers customizable, cost-effective DraftKings clone app development, with cross-platform builds for a smooth launch.
This guide explains what DraftKings is in 2026, the order in which it added products and why that order matters, the economics of DFS versus sportsbook, the licence each product needs, the features, what it costs with the maths shown, and how to choose a provider. For the sportsbook-first FanDuel model, read our companion guide on building an app like FanDuel.
Key Takeaways
- DraftKings is now a super app. In Q2 2026 it reported revenue of $1,443 million, 3.6 million monthly unique payers and its Super App "live nationwide", spanning sportsbook, casino, DFS, Pick6, lottery and Predictions.
- DFS is the funnel, sportsbook is the business. In 2025 the sportsbook made $3,827 million of DraftKings' $6,055 million revenue; DFS sits inside an "other" line of $423 million.
- Each product has its own licence. DFS needs state registration in 25 states, sportsbooks a licence per state (27 states plus DC and Puerto Rico for DraftKings), and Predictions runs under federal CFTC rules.
- Copy the build order, not the feature list. DraftKings launched DFS in 2012, sportsbook and casino in 2018, lottery in 2024 and Predictions in December 2025.
- Cost range: about $40,000 to $64,000 for a DFS and pick'em MVP offshore, $108,000 to $180,000 for a multi-sport build, plus licence and data costs. Pixel quotes per project.
What Is DraftKings in 2026?
DraftKings was founded in 2011 "with a singular focus on the DFS industry", according to its 2025 annual report. It is now a multi-product operator. Its second-quarter 2026 results (6 August 2026) report:
- Revenue: $1,443 million for the quarter, down 5% on customer-friendly sport outcomes and promotions, with full-year 2026 guidance of $6.5 billion to $6.9 billion.
- Sports Consumer Volume: $13.1 billion, up 15%.
- Monthly unique payers (MUPs): 3.6 million, up 9%, with average revenue per MUP of $132.
- Footprint: mobile sports betting in 27 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico (about 53% of the US population), iGaming in 5 states (about 11%), and sportsbook and iGaming in Canadian provinces covering about 51% of Canada's population after its Alberta launch.
A user who opens the DraftKings app in 2026 can reach these products:
| Product | What it is | Where it runs |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Fantasy (DFS) | Salary-cap contests, best ball and private leagues across NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, golf and more | 25 US states with fantasy laws, 19 states plus DC without them, and every Canadian province except Ontario |
| Pick6 | Peer-to-peer "more or less" picks on 2 to 6 players, from $1 an entry | 29 US states, DC and 12 Canadian provinces and territories (October 2026) |
| Sportsbook | Odds-based betting, parlays and live betting | 27 states, DC and Puerto Rico |
| Casino | Slots and table games | 5 states |
| Lottery (Jackpocket) | Digital lottery courier, added in 2024 | Selected states |
| DraftKings Predictions | Event contracts on sports and financial markets, launched 19 December 2025 | Federally regulated; aimed first at states without a DraftKings Sportsbook |
DraftKings is also the official sportsbook and odds provider of ESPN, a deal that took effect on 1 December 2025. That media reach is a moat no clone can copy, which is why positioning matters as much as features.
DraftKings Clone App Development: An Overview
Developing a DraftKings clone offers startups a real opportunity in the growing sports entertainment market. About 57 million people in the US and Canada play fantasy sports, and these platforms build high retention through interactive, competitive play.
Startups can earn from entry fees, ads, sponsorships, subscriptions and in-app purchases while building a loyal community. By targeting diverse sports audiences, startups can scale and establish themselves in the market.
Pixel Web Solutions offers DraftKings clone app development with customizable, scalable solutions tailored to business needs. With a focus on cost-efficiency, quick deployment and expert support, it helps businesses launch a high-quality, user-friendly fantasy sports platform.
DraftKings' Build Order: Copy the Sequence, Not the Feature List
Most guides list DraftKings' features as if they all launched on day one. They did not. DraftKings' own annual report describes the sequence:
| Year | Product added | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | DFS | Built a national user base before sports betting was legal outside Nevada |
| 2018 | Sportsbook and iGaming | Followed the Supreme Court's 2018 PASPA ruling, converting DFS users into bettors state by state |
| 2021 | Marketplace (NFTs) | Discontinued in 2024, along with the Reignmakers NFT fantasy game |
| 2023 | Pick6 | Peer-to-peer pick'em to compete with PrizePicks and Underdog |
| 2024 | Jackpocket lottery | A low-stakes product in more states |
| 2025 | DraftKings Predictions | Reach into states without legal sports betting, after buying the CFTC-licensed exchange Railbird on 21 October 2025 |
The lesson for founders: launch the product with the widest legal reach first, build a paying user base, then add higher-revenue products only as each licence becomes available. The one product DraftKings dropped, its NFT marketplace, is the one that ran into a securities lawsuit.
DFS-Plus-Sportsbook Economics: The Maths Behind DraftKings
This is the section that explains why DraftKings looks the way it does, using its own filings.
Revenue mix (full year 2025)
| Line | Revenue | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook | $3,827.1 million | 3,827.1 / 6,054.5 = 63.2% |
| iGaming | $1,804.6 million | 29.8% |
| Other (DFS, Pick6, lottery courier, Predictions, interest) | $422.8 million | 7.0% |
| Total | $6,054.5 million | 100% |
Source: DraftKings' 2025 Form 10-K. DFS, the product DraftKings was founded on, now sits inside a line worth 7% of revenue.
What one paying user is worth
DraftKings earned an average of $132 per monthly unique payer in Q2 2026, and spent $322.5 million on sales and marketing in the same quarter. Spread across 3.6 million MUPs, that is $322.5 million / 3.6 million = about $90 per paying user per quarter, or roughly $30 a month.
Worked example: a DFS-only startup
Take a startup with 10,000 monthly paying users, each entering $50 of contests a month, with a 10% net rake:
- Monthly entry fees: 10,000 x $50 = $500,000
- Net revenue at 10%: $500,000 x 10% = $50,000, or $5 per paying user per month
- If it costs $100 to acquire each paying user (an illustrative assumption), payback takes $100 / $5 = 20 months
Compare that $5 with DraftKings' $132 per paying user across all its products. A DFS-only app has to win on low acquisition cost, community and subscriptions, not on paid media. That is why DraftKings used DFS as a funnel into sportsbook and casino, and why a new DraftKings-style app needs a plan for its second and third products before launch.
Licensing Map: What Each DraftKings Product Needs
Each DraftKings product has its own legal route in the United States.
- DFS: DraftKings operates in 25 states that have fantasy laws (with a licence, registration or grandfathering) and in 19 states plus DC with no fantasy-specific law. Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Washington are closed to the major DFS apps, according to Saturday Down South's DFS tracker (updated 2 October 2026).
- Pick'em: treated as DFS in some states and restricted in others. New York allows only peer-to-peer versions, Arizona bars pick'em and best ball, and Missouri bars over-under props. Pick6's peer-to-peer design is a response to these rules.
- Sportsbook: 39 states, DC and Puerto Rico have authorized some form of sports betting, and 33 jurisdictions allow it online, according to DraftKings' annual report. Each needs a state licence, often tied to a casino or tribal partner. Fees can be steep: New York charged each mobile operator $25 million and taxes gross revenue at 51%.
- Predictions: DraftKings Predictions is registered with the CFTC as an introducing broker and is a member of the National Futures Association, and it earns introducing fees from the futures commission merchants that clear trades. Several states dispute sports event contracts, so this is the least settled route.
Outside the United States, rules differ sharply. India's Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 bans online money games, and its Rules have been in force since 1 May 2026, with a Supreme Court challenge pending; only free-to-play models, like the one in our guide to building an app like Dream11, are open there.
How Does the DraftKings Clone App Work?
A DraftKings-style fantasy app connects users and administrators in one engaging platform. Here is how it works on both sides.
For the User Side
- Registration and profile creation: users sign up with email, social media or mobile number, then pass identity and age checks before their first deposit.
- Location check: the app confirms the user is in a permitted state before every paid entry.
- Team creation: users join contests by selecting players within a salary cap, using live player stats.
- Joining contests: users pay entry fees for head-to-head, 50/50, guaranteed prize pool, best ball or Pick6-style contests.
- Live updates and scoring: users track live scores, standings and their team's performance through real-time updates and leaderboards.
- Earning rewards: winners receive prizes that can be withdrawn or used for more contests.
- Engagement features: referral programs, promotions and loyalty rewards keep users active.
For the Admin Side
- User management: admins monitor registrations, profiles and activity, and can approve, suspend or close accounts based on compliance.
- Match and contest management: admins schedule contests, set entry fees, define prize pools and switch formats on or off by state.
- Player database management: licensed real-time data feeds keep player statistics and rankings current.
- Revenue management: admins track rake, ads and other revenue while managing payouts and platform fees.
- Content and notification management: admins send push notifications and emails about contests, updates and offers.
- Reports and analytics: admins track app performance, engagement, finances and regulator reports.
By streamlining these processes, a DraftKings clone app delivers an engaging user experience and smooth operations.
Features of Our DraftKings Clone App Development
Pixel Web Solutions builds DraftKings clone apps with essential and advanced features. Here are the core features:
User Registration and Login: sign-up with email, social accounts or mobile number, with two-factor authentication and identity checks for paid play.
Fantasy Team Creation: users build teams within a salary cap, with player stats and real-time insights to guide selection.
Multiple Contests and Leagues: public and private leagues, head-to-head, 50/50, guaranteed prize pools, best ball and multi-entry tournaments.
Pick6-Style Peer-to-Peer Picks: "more or less" picks on player stats, where users compete against each other for tiered prize pools rather than against the house.
Real-Time Match Updates: licensed data APIs deliver live scores, player performance and leaderboard updates.
Advanced Player Analytics: detailed statistics and performance data for informed decisions.
Geolocation and Compliance: location checks before every paid action, age gates, deposit limits and self-exclusion. GeoComply ran 81.4 million geolocation checks on Super Bowl day 2026, which shows the scale this layer must handle.
Secure Payment Gateway: deposits and withdrawals through cards, bank transfers and e-wallets, with a single wallet across products.
Push Notifications: alerts for lineup locks, contest reminders, injuries, results and promotions.
Refer and Earn Program: rewards for inviting friends, within each state's promotion rules.
Admin Dashboard: a powerful panel for users, contests, revenue, risk and analytics.
Multilingual and Multi-Currency Support: language and currency options for global audiences.
For the full list, see our guide to the features of a fantasy sports app.
Add-On Modules of Our DraftKings Clone App
These modules elevate a DraftKings clone app and increase engagement:
Live Chat and Community Forum: users discuss strategies, player performances and contest results.
Social Media Integration: users share achievements and referral links on social platforms.
Fantasy Points Calculator: an automated calculator that shows how live stats turn into fantasy points.
Customized Leaderboards: rankings within specific leagues, contests or friend groups.
Dynamic Reward System: badges, trophies and loyalty points with no cash value, which stay legal in more markets.
AI-Based Recommendations: AI suggests players, contests and lineups based on user preferences and licensed data.
Best Ball Draft Room: fast drafts with automatic weekly lineups. DraftKings' NFL Best Ball Millionaire alone carries a $20 million prize pool for the 2026 season, according to InGame.
In-App Merchandise Store: users redeem rewards or buy branded merchandise.
Multiplayer Auction Mode: users bid for players in real time.
Multi-Tier Membership Plans: subscriptions with premium tools and benefits.
Prediction Market Module: event contracts through a CFTC-regulated exchange partner, the model DraftKings Predictions uses. Our guide on how to create a prediction market platform like Kalshi explains the exchange side.
Blockchain-Based Transparency: publishing contest results and random draws in a verifiable form. Avoid tradeable NFTs tied to prizes, which is the product DraftKings shut down.
Business Benefits of Our DraftKings Clone App
A DraftKings clone app, built on a proven base, offers startups these benefits.
Quick Market Entry: a pre-built, customizable solution lets startups launch before the next season starts.
Cost-Effective Development: a ready-made clone app reduces development costs compared to building from scratch.
Also Read: Fantasy sports app development cost
Customizability for Branding: the app reflects your brand identity so it stands out.
Scalable Architecture: infrastructure that handles growth and match-day traffic spikes.
Revenue Generation Opportunities: entry fees, ads, subscriptions and sponsorships, with room to add predictions or a licensed sportsbook later.
Global Reach with Multilingual Support: multilingual and multi-currency features widen the market.
Advanced Analytics for Business Insights: data on user behavior, engagement and revenue supports better decisions.
How Much Does It Cost to Create an App Like DraftKings?
Pixel Web Solutions does not publish a fixed price for fantasy apps, since scope and compliance vary widely. The industry ranges below use Arc's May 2026 developer rate benchmarks: $82 to $130 an hour in North America, $70 to $120 in Western Europe, $40 to $85 in Eastern Europe and $22 to $55 in South Asia including India.
| Build (by DraftKings product) | Scope | Effort | Rate | Industry cost range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFS and Pick6-style MVP | One sport, salary-cap and peer-to-peer pick'em contests, wallet, KYC and geolocation integration, admin panel | About 1,600 hours | $25 to $40 | $40,000 to $64,000 |
| Multi-sport DFS platform | Four sports, best ball, private leagues, AI assistant, referral engine, web app | About 2,400 hours | $45 to $75 | $108,000 to $180,000 |
| Predictions front end | Event contract trading screens and wallet through a CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing partner | About 1,200 hours | $40 to $85 | $48,000 to $102,000 |
| Licensed sportsbook | Branded front end on a certified odds supplier | See our FanDuel guide | From about $270,000, before licence fees |
How the MVP adds up: design 150, mobile 550, back end 500, admin panel 200, QA and compliance testing 200, for 1,600 hours. At $25 an hour that is 1,600 x $25 = $40,000; at $40 it is 1,600 x $40 = $64,000.
Add a commercial sports data licence (quoted per client), identity and geolocation vendor fees, card processing at Stripe's published 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction, state registration and legal fees, and roughly 15% to 20% of the build cost each year in maintenance. A white-label base shortens the first two builds; compare the routes in white-label vs custom fantasy sports app.
Development Process of Our Fantasy Sports App Like DraftKings
Pixel Web Solutions follows a systematic process to deliver a high-quality DraftKings-style fantasy app.
Requirement Analysis and Legal Mapping: define business goals, target states or countries, products (DFS, pick'em, predictions) and the licence each needs.
UI/UX Design: an intuitive interface for the lobby, lineup builder, pick screens and wallet.
Prototype Development: a clickable prototype to test flows with real users and refine features.
Backend and Frontend Development: a scalable back end with a separate wallet ledger, and a fast front end for mobile and web.
Integration of Features and APIs: licensed data feeds, payment gateways, identity and geolocation vendors, analytics and notifications.
Testing and Quality Assurance: functional, security, load and geofence testing, plus responsible-gaming controls.
Deployment: launch on Android, iOS and web, under app store rules for real-money gaming.
Post-Launch Support and Maintenance: updates, new formats each season and technical support.
This agile process keeps your fantasy sports app on time, within budget and ready for the competitive market.
How to Choose a Provider for an App Like DraftKings
Ask these questions before you sign:
- Can the contest engine switch formats by state without a code release, for example turning off pick'em in Arizona?
- Have they integrated licensed data, identity and geolocation vendors in a live real-money product?
- Is the wallet a double-entry ledger kept separate from the contest engine, with bonus funds segregated from cash?
- Can they add predictions or a sportsbook later through regulated partners, the way DraftKings added products over time?
- What do you own at handover: source code, infrastructure scripts, documentation and a runbook?
Why Choose Pixel Web Solutions to Create an App Like DraftKings?
Pixel Web Solutions is a trusted provider of white-label fantasy sports software and custom fantasy sports app development, with robust, scalable and feature-rich solutions tailored to your business. Backed by experienced developers, its software delivers a seamless user experience, real-time updates, analytics and secure payment gateways.
Pixel provides end-to-end solutions, from design and development to post-launch support, and plans the DFS, pick'em and prediction modules around the licences in your target markets. Pixel Web Solutions is a UAE and India based company, operating from Ras Al Khaimah, UAE and Madurai, India. Contact Pixel Web Solutions to scope an app like DraftKings for your market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to create a fantasy sports app like DraftKings?
Industry ranges in 2026 run from about $40,000 to $64,000 for a DFS and pick'em MVP built offshore, $108,000 to $180,000 for a multi-sport platform, and $48,000 to $102,000 for a prediction market front end, before data licences, compliance vendors and legal fees. A licensed sportsbook costs far more. Pixel quotes per project.
How long does it take to develop an app like DraftKings?
A basic fantasy sports app takes 3 to 6 months. A fully featured app with multiple sports, formats and integrations takes 6 to 12 months.
What are the essential features of an app like DraftKings?
User registration with identity checks, geolocation, fantasy team creation, multiple contest types including best ball and peer-to-peer picks, real-time updates, a secure wallet, analytics, push notifications and an admin panel.
What platforms are supported for a fantasy sports app like DraftKings?
Android, iOS and web. Cross-platform frameworks reach both app stores from one codebase, and real-money apps must follow each store's gaming rules.
How does DraftKings make money?
Mostly from its sportsbook, which earned $3,827 million of its $6,055 million revenue in 2025, and from iGaming at $1,805 million. DFS earns a rake on entry fees and sits in an "other" line with lottery and Predictions worth $423 million.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
A peer-to-peer pick'em game in which users choose "more or less" on 2 to 6 player stats, enter from $1 and split tiered prize pools. It is available in 29 US states, DC and 12 Canadian provinces and territories as of October 2026.
Does DraftKings have a prediction market?
Yes. DraftKings Predictions launched on 19 December 2025 as a CFTC-registered introducing broker, after DraftKings bought the CFTC-licensed exchange Railbird in October 2025.
Is it legal to build a DraftKings clone?
The software is legal to build. Operating it depends on the market: DFS needs state registration where required, sportsbooks need a state licence, predictions need a CFTC-regulated partner, and India bans paid online games since 1 May 2026. Plan these licences before you build an app like DraftKings.
Disclaimer:
We are not associated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the brands, companies, or platforms referenced. Our clone scripts are uniquely and independently developed to emulate specific functionalities of the mentioned platforms. They are intended as customizable solutions for entrepreneurs and developers. It is the sole responsibility of the user to ensure that any use, modification, deployment, or commercialization of these scripts complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and intellectual property rights in their respective jurisdictions.
