DraftKings: The Leader in the US Regulated Gambling Market

DraftKings Affiliate Program is one of the most sought-after and prestigious offers for traffic arbitrage affiliates targeting audiences in the United States and Canada within the betting and gambling verticals. The program provides an opportunity to earn commissions by referring players to three key products of the market leader: sportsbook, online casino, and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). In this review, we provide a detailed breakdown of the terms, requirements, and strategies for effectively working with this CPA network.

DraftKings: The Leader in the US Regulated Gambling Market

The American company DraftKings was founded in 2012 as a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platform. Following the legalization of sports betting in the US in 2018, the company launched the DraftKings Sportsbook and DraftKings Casino. Today, it is a public holding (NASDAQ: DKNG) with billions in market capitalization and an official partner of the NFL and MLB. The brand’s reliability is a fundamental advantage for its partners.

How the DraftKings Affiliate Program Works

Traffic arbitrage affiliates earn a commission for referring active players. Management is handled through the professional Income Access platform, which provides a full suite of tools: creatives, deep links, and detailed analytics on clicks, registrations, deposits, and revenue.

Traffic Geography and Legal Requirements

This is the most important and strict part of the program. DraftKings operates only in regulated jurisdictions, and traffic must comply with these rules.

Accepted Traffic: Only from legal US states (e.g., New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Arizona) and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Affiliate Requirements: In certain states (e.g., New York), the affiliate must obtain a local gambling advertising license. This is a critical point to verify before applying.
Selectivity: The program is geared towards experienced affiliates with legitimate and relevant traffic sources (niche websites, YouTube channels, email lists). Applications from beginners are often rejected.

Commission Models: RevShare and CPA

DraftKings offers two models, allowing for flexible monetization approaches.

Model	How it Works	Potential Earnings
RevShare (Revenue Share)	Lifetime percentage of the Net Loss generated by each referred player.	From 25% to 40% (the final percentage depends on traffic volume and quality).
CPA (Cost Per Action)	Fixed payout for a completed action: registration and first deposit.	Sportsbook: $100 – $300; Online Casino: $200 – $600; Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): $40 – $100.

Strategy Choice: RevShare is suitable for long-term earnings from a stable player base. CPA is ideal for arbitrage on hot bonus offers and fast payouts.

Payout Terms and Financial Details

Minimum Payout: $75;
Payment Schedule: Monthly, on a Net-30 basis (for the previous calendar month);
Payment Methods: PayPal, Bank Wire Transfer, Check;
Sub-Affiliation System: Not publicly offered.

Step-by-Step Guide to Joining

Go to the official DraftKings affiliate program page.
Fill out the application, detailing your traffic sources, promotion methods, and experience in the betting/gambling niche.
Pass the manual review process (processing time ranges from a few days to several weeks).
Upon approval, gain access to the Income Access partner panel with creatives and tracking tools.

Important Note: DraftKings does not always send a rejection notification. Lack of response within 1-2 months most likely means the application was not approved.

Promotional Tools and Bonuses

For effective arbitrage, the program provides:

Banners, text links, and landing pages tailored to different states and verticals;
Deep links to send traffic directly to the casino or specific sporting events;
Detailed post-click analytics;
Access to current bonus offers for new players (e.g., the classic promotion: “Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets”).

Pros and Cons for the Affiliate

Strengths:

Partnership with a top-tier, legal, and financially stable brand (public company);
Transparent reporting and timely payouts;
High CPA rates and RevShare percentages on the market;
Three high-revenue verticals (sportsbook, casino, DFS) in one offer;
Professional affiliate platform with quality analytics.

Weaknesses and Risks:

Very strict geographical restrictions;
Selective approval process, high entry barrier for beginners;
Potential need to obtain expensive licenses in certain states;
Lack of a public sub-affiliate network;
Strict compliance rules; violations lead to account suspension.

Who is the DraftKings Affiliate Program For and How to Start

The DraftKings affiliate program is a premium but complex offer. It is designed for professional arbitrage affiliates who already have legal traffic from permitted regions and are prepared to comply with strict regulatory requirements.

The Ideal Candidate is an affiliate with experience in betting/gambling verticals, owning websites or channels with a US/Canadian audience, and understanding local legislation.

For a successful start, it is necessary to:

Thoroughly check the licensing requirements of your target state/province;
Prepare a detailed application with proof of traffic quality;
Set up analytics to track conversions across different verticals (Sportsbook, Casino, DFS).

If all conditions are met, the DraftKings affiliate program becomes one of the most reliable and high-earning sources in a traffic arbitrage affiliate’s portfolio. For other verified offers in this niche, explore our affiliate programs section.

FAQ

How can I join the DraftKings affiliate program from outside the USA or Canada?

Direct registration from outside the USA or Canada is not possible. The DraftKings Affiliate Program only accepts traffic from legal US states (e.g., New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania) and the Canadian province of Ontario. You must target audiences from these specific regions and provide details of your legitimate traffic sources during the application.

What commission does DraftKings offer: CPA or RevShare, and which is better?

DraftKings offers two models. The CPA (Cost Per Action) model pays a fixed amount for a first deposit. Rates vary by vertical: $100–300 for Sportsbook, $200–600

Do I need a license to promote DraftKings in the USA?

Yes, a license is mandatory in certain states. This is a critical requirement often overlooked. For example, to promote in New York State, an affiliate must obtain a local gambling advertiser license. Requirements differ by state. You must research the legislation of your target state before applying. Operating without the required license will lead to application denial or account termination.

How much does DraftKings pay per first deposit (CPA) and when are payments made?

The CPA payout depends on the product. For referring a player to the Sportsbook, the payout is $100–300; to the Online Casino, it's $200–600; and to Daily Fantasy Sports, it's $40–100. Payments are made monthly on a Net-30 schedule. The minimum payout threshold is $75. Available payment methods include PayPal, Bank Wire Transfer, and Check.

Why is DraftKings not responding to my affiliate program application?чему DraftKings не отвечает на мою заявку в партнерскую программу?

DraftKings has a selective approval process. Common reasons for no response include: having traffic from an unsupported region or irrelevant traffic sources; lacking experience in the gambling niche (the program favors experienced affiliates); potential legal risks, such as unaddressed state licensing requirements; or a high volume of applications where yours wasn't prioritized. If you don't hear back within 1-2 months, your application was likely not approved.