A Financial Take on DraftKings Sportsbook: Tech, Funding, Apps and Stock
Yes, DraftKings is a sports betting company. One of the biggest and most successful on the market right now but that's not important. It's not about their success in terms of being a platform that offers excellent sports betting data, features, daily promos and betting options but rather to see the company from a financial stance. After all, it's a business at the end of the day and businesses have a bottom line, which is what the focus is here.
It's fascinating to see how this company has managed to gain so much attention and popularity over the past few years. There was an evolution from fantasy to fintech, that's for sure. Then, when micro-betting became a thing, that also pushed this market forward. The numbers of DraftKings don't lie and their numbers are rising because of the safe and reliable data that they have running behind the scenes. If this is something that sounds interesting to you, then great, because you're about to find out a whole bunch more.
The Evolution From Fantasy to Fintech
DraftKings didn’t start as a sportsbook. It was built for fans of fantasy leagues. But once U.S. laws started opening the door to legalized sports betting, the company had a head start with millions of fantasy users already plugged into the platform.
Now, DraftKings is a fully licensed sportsbook operator in 26 states. That expansion has allowed the company to rapidly scale its offerings beyond fantasy and position itself as a fintech-meets-sports platform. As more states go legal, that reach will only grow and the company's business model is built to keep absorbing that growth. If you ever wanted to see a company that started with nothing do really well, then this is the one.
Big Tech Moves Ahead of NFL Season
If you’re following the tech side of DraftKings, two words stand out right now: BetVision and micro-betting.
BetVision is a relatively newly launched. It combines live game streaming directly within the DraftKings app with the ability to bet on what’s happening in real time. No switching screens and no app juggling. If you’ve placed a bet on the game, you get to watch it live through the app and place additional bets while you do.
And then there’s micro-betting. Thanks to DraftKings’ acquisition of Simplebet, the app now allows you to bet on every play. Want to guess if the next snap is a run or a pass? That’s a bet. If you’re into fast-paced, rapid-fire engagement, this is your lane. European betting markets already see 70–80% of their volume from in-game betting, while the U.S. sits around 40–50%. DraftKings is aiming to push those numbers higher this season.
DraftKings by the Numbers
You can love football and still appreciate good data and DraftKings has had a strong run leading into the 2024 NFL season.
The below is going to sound very stock-focused and analytical but it's still super interesting and important:
- 3.1 million average monthly unique players in Q2 2024, up 50% year-over-year
- Fiscal 2024 revenue guidance raised to $5.05–$5.25 billion (up from $4.80–$5.00 billion)
- YoY revenue growth projected at 38% to 43%
- Highest platform uptime in the 2023 NFL season: 96.1%, beating out FanDuel and BetMGM
With every new state that legalizes betting, DraftKings gets more runway to scale. And the NFL season, as always, is the crown jewel of their calendar.
The Stock Picture: DKNG Heading Into 2025/2026
If you're tracking DraftKings stock, you’ve likely noticed it’s been riding in a strong uptrend. The stock has been moving within a daily ascending channel since September 2024, kicking off from $30.30 and moving higher with each swing. The anchored VWAP support level has crept up to $38.35, a bullish sign heading into the thick of the NFL schedule.
The relative strength index (RSI) hasn't broken the overbought 70-band yet, instead pulling back to the 61 range. That means it still has room to move up without being overheated, which is good news if you're eyeing an entry point. Are these words sounding a bit confusing? Don't worry, it's just stock talk and you'll soon get the hang of it.
Analyst consensus gives the stock an average price target of $49.74, with some bullish targets pointing to $60.00. That’s a decent runway if the NFL season delivers.
Here’s where you might consider action, if you're watching it as a trading opportunity:
- Buy-the-dip entries near Fibonacci pullback levels: $37.79, $34.47, $31.09 and $28.84
- Cash-secured puts at those support levels if you're aiming to enter with less risk
- Bullish call debit spreads to benefit from upside with less capital outlay than buying shares outright
The Bottom Line
DraftKings is no longer just a fantasy sports app; it’s a major tech-driven betting platform with strong financials and one of the highest brand recognitions in U.S. sports betting. With the NFL season in full swing and new tech features driving user engagement, the stock could have plenty of room to run.
You don’t have to be a diehard football fan to see the potential in DraftKings. Whether you’re watching the app’s growth, the stock’s technical setup or the wave of state-by-state legalization, this is one company at the intersection of sports, tech and finance that’s worth keeping on your radar. Just remember to engage with responsibility in mind.