DraftKings vs theScore Bet; North Carolina
A head-to-head comparison of DraftKings Sportsbook and theScore Bet for North Carolina bettors. We compare welcome bonuses, app quality, market depth, payment options, and withdrawal speed; and call a winner in each category.
DraftKings Sportsbook
theScore Bet
DraftKings vs theScore Bet; At a Glance
| DraftKings | theScore Bet | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Welcome Bonus | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets |
| Bonus Condition | Instantly + 20% deposit match up to $1,000 secondary · valid through July 1, 2026 | If first bet wins · rebranded from ESPN BET Dec 2025 · PENN Play loyalty · valid through July 31, 2026 |
| Promo Code | No code required | No code required |
| Min Deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Withdrawal | 24-72 hours | 24-72 hours |
| App Rating | 4.8 ★ | 4.4 ★ |
| Same-Game Parlays | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cash Out | ✓ | ✓ |
| NC Partner | Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians | PENN Entertainment / Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians |
| Launched in NC | March 11, 2024 | March 11, 2024 (as ESPN BET, rebranded December 2025) |
| Best For | Deep Markets | News + Betting Integration |
Category-by-Category Winner
DraftKings scores 4.9/5 vs. theScore Bet at 4.5/5.
DraftKings app rates 4.8/5 vs. theScore Bet at 4.4/5 on the App Store.
DraftKings accepts deposits as low as $5 vs. $10 at theScore Bet.
Both process withdrawals in roughly 24-72 hours.
theScore Bet offers Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets — larger headline value than DraftKings's Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Read the bonus conditions before claiming.
Welcome Bonus Comparison
DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
DraftKings offers an "instant bonus bet" structure; wager $5 on any market and you immediately receive $200 in bonus bets, regardless of whether your first bet wins or loses. Bonus bets are issued in eight $25 tokens and must be used within seven days. The promotion typically stacks with a separate ACC and NCAA Tournament profit boost during March, making DraftKings particularly strong for college basketball bettors in NC.
theScore Bet: Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets
theScore Bet NC offers $250 in bonus bets after a $10+ first wager; issued regardless of whether the first bet wins or loses. Bonus bets come as ten $25 tokens with a 7-day expiration. The platform also runs My Score Cashback weekly: bettors who finish a calendar week with net losses receive 5-15% back as bonus bets, with higher tiers for higher-volume bettors.
App & User Experience
DraftKings App (4.8/5)
The DraftKings NC app holds a 4.8 App Store rating from 2.6M+ users; second only to FanDuel in volume. The app supports same-game parlays, live betting carousels, and DK Live (in-app stat tracking). Some users find the home screen cluttered compared to FanDuel's minimalist layout, but power users appreciate the density of options.
theScore Bet App (4.4/5)
The theScore Bet NC app holds a 4.4 App Store rating. The standout feature is integration with theScore's mainstream news app; news alerts about player injuries, lineup changes, and weather can deep-link directly to relevant betting markets. The rebranding from ESPN BET in December 2025 changed the visual identity but preserved all account balances and history.
Market Depth & Live Betting
DraftKings
DraftKings covers all major NC sports including the Panthers, Hornets, Hurricanes, Charlotte FC, NASCAR, and college sports (Duke, UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, ECU). The standout is live betting; DraftKings consistently posts more in-play markets per game than any competitor in NC, including alternate spreads, alternate totals, and quarter/half props.
Live betting:Industry-leading; most in-play markets per event in NC
theScore Bet
theScore Bet covers all major NC sports with particular strength in ACC college basketball; a natural focus given PENN Entertainment's broader NCAA marketing. Player props are solid on NFL and NBA. Live betting menu is thinner than DraftKings but covers all major events.
Live betting:Good; solid coverage but trails leaders
Payment Methods & Withdrawal Speed
DraftKings
DraftKings supports online banking (ACH), PayPal, debit cards, Play+, and wire transfers. The $5 minimum deposit is the lowest in NC. Withdrawals via PayPal arrive in 24-48 hours; ACH withdrawals take 2-5 business days. Cash deposits are available at Harrah's Cherokee retail locations.
theScore Bet
theScore Bet supports online banking, PayPal, debit cards, Play+, and wire transfers. Minimum deposit is $10. Withdrawals via PayPal arrive in 24-48 hours. ACH takes 3-5 business days. No retail counterpart in NC since PENN does not operate retail sports betting locally.
Rewards Programs
DraftKings:DK Dynasty Rewards (multi-tier with status, crowns, and reload bonuses)
theScore Bet:My Score Cashback (weekly rebate on net losses)
Final Verdict
Across the 5 categories we evaluated, DraftKings wins 3-1 against theScore Bet. But "winner" is contextual; DraftKings is the better pick for bettors who value deep markets, while theScore Bet suits users who prioritize news + betting integration. NC bettors are not limited to one operator: registering at both is a common line-shopping strategy.
DraftKings is our co-#1 with FanDuel; both score 4.9. Choose DraftKings if you want the deepest live betting menu, the lowest deposit minimum, or a formal rewards program. The DFS heritage means DraftKings is especially strong for player props and exotic markets.
theScore Bet is a solid second or third sportsbook for NC bettors who already use theScore news app. ACC fans and college basketball bettors will appreciate the deep coverage. Casual users are likely better served by FanDuel or DraftKings as a primary book.
DraftKings vs theScore Bet FAQ
Is DraftKings or theScore Bet better in North Carolina?
DraftKings wins 3 of 5 categories we compared (overall rating, mobile app, min deposit, withdrawal speed, welcome bonus). However, the "right" pick depends on what you prioritize; DraftKings is best for deep markets, while theScore Bet is best for news + betting integration. Many NC bettors register at both to line-shop.
Can I have accounts at both DraftKings and theScore Bet?
Yes. NC bettors can register accounts at all 7 licensed sportsbooks. Many serious bettors hold 2-4 accounts and line-shop; comparing odds before each wager to capture the best available price.
What is the welcome bonus at DraftKings vs theScore Bet?
DraftKings offers Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets (Instantly + 20% deposit match up to $1,000 secondary · valid through July 1, 2026). theScore Bet offers Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets (If first bet wins · rebranded from ESPN BET Dec 2025 · PENN Play loyalty · valid through July 31, 2026). Both bonuses are for new NC users 21+ and require minimum first deposits of $5 and $10 respectively.
Which has the better app, DraftKings or theScore Bet?
DraftKings app rates 4.8/5; theScore Bet rates 4.4/5. DraftKings The DraftKings NC app holds a 4. theScore Bet The theScore Bet NC app holds a 4.
Are DraftKings and theScore Bet legal in NC?
Yes. Both DraftKings Sportsbook and theScore Bet are licensed by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. Both launched in NC on March 11, 2024 (day one of legal online NC sports betting).