DraftKings Ending Credit Card Deposits at US Online Casinos and Sportsbooks

^{Players will no longer be able to use credit cards on DraftKing sites, which comes not too long after receing fines from the Massachusetts Gaming Commision for allowing them in numerous transactions. (Photo: Zoonar GmbH / Alamy)}

DraftKings has announced that it will no longer accept credit cards as a funding option at its online gambling sites in the United States beginning Aug. 25, 2025, a move that follows a general trend away from gambling on credit at regulated gaming sites. 

The company announced the change in a message sent to its players on Thursday, Aug. 21. 

DraftKings Cites ‘Strategic Business Decision’ for Removal

DraftKings joins a growing list of gaming firms alongside companies including Fanatics that don’t allow for credit card deposits on their sites. There are also many states that do not allow for credit card deposits, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Illinois and Oregon among others. More states have considered such restrictions, with Connecticut debating a law banning credit card deposits this year. 

The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States has also proposed federal legislation that would outlaw credit card deposits altogether at regulated iGaming sites in the United States.

While DraftKings didn’t make a formal announcement about the new policy, it did inform players of the change.

“DraftKings has made the strategic business decision to remove credit cards as a deposit option for sportsbook and casino in the United States,” a message to players read. “The change is intended to help customers avoid cash advance fees and higher interest rates often associated with the payment method and otherwise improve the deposit experience.”

Decision Follows Heavy Fine in Massachusetts

But while that message emphasizes the issues players may face with credit card deposits, there’s no doubt that operators are feeling pressure to move away from the method in order to ensure they comply with the myriad of different state regulations across the country. 

That’s an issue that DraftKings may know better than anyone. In July, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) issued a $450,000 fine to DraftKings for accepting deposits from more than 200 different credit cards despite that option being banned in the state from the time when Massachusetts lawmakers approved sports betting in 2022.

“Even after discovering this non-compliance, DraftKings repeatedly failed to implement successful corrections to its platform to remedy the issue for nearly a year while also repeatedly reporting that the issue had been resolved,” the MGC wrote in its ruling.

Restricting credit card deposits is hardly a death knell for the sports betting industry, as users can make payments via a variety of methods ranging from bank transfers to debit cards and e-wallet platforms like PayPal. 

But as perhaps the most convenient option for players, a lack of credit card options may turn away some casual gamblers who aren’t willing to try multiple methods to put money in their accounts. On the other hand, responsible gambling advocates have pointed to that easy of use and the dangers of credit card debt as reasons why such deposits could fuel problem gambling issues.