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Sports betting in America has changed dramatically over the last few years. What was once limited to a handful of states and physical sportsbooks is now a major digital industry, with millions of people using mobile apps to follow and wager on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college sports.
The market is not evenly split. A handful of companies dominate the U.S. sports betting business, with FanDuel and DraftKings sitting comfortably at the top. Behind them, BetMGM, Fanatics, and Caesars are fighting for the next tier.
Based on market share (primarily handle and gross gaming revenue), availability, product experience, and overall presence in the U.S. market, these are the five biggest names to know in 2026.
1. FanDuel
FanDuel has become one of the biggest names in American sports betting, with particular strength in some of the country’s largest markets.
The platform has a strong presence across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and other major sports. Its app is known for being relatively straightforward to navigate, which has helped it appeal to both experienced bettors and newcomers.
FanDuel has consistently performed extremely well in major states. It has held leading shares of gross gaming revenue in key markets such as New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in recent years.
That strength has continued into 2026. In New York, FanDuel generated more than $804 million in handle during June 2026, narrowly ahead of DraftKings. Together, the two companies accounted for more than 70% of the state’s online betting handle.
Why it stands out: Strong app experience, huge sports coverage, and an enormous customer base. (Note: FanDuel frequently leads or closely contests the lead in gross gaming revenue even when trailing slightly in handle.)
2. DraftKings
If FanDuel is one half of the U.S. sports betting powerhouse, DraftKings is the other.
DraftKings started primarily as a daily fantasy sports company before becoming one of America’s largest online sportsbooks. Today, it offers betting across practically every major American sport, along with extensive futures, player props, and parlay options.
DraftKings has been particularly strong in overall betting volume. Q1 2026 data showed DraftKings with roughly 35% of handle across 15 trackable U.S. states, compared with around 32% for FanDuel. Later 2026 figures have shown DraftKings maintaining or slightly widening a handle lead (in the mid-to-high 30% range in some reports).
Its position is even stronger in Massachusetts, where DraftKings has a huge home-state advantage. The company accounted for about 49% of online wagering in May 2026.
The competition between DraftKings and FanDuel is the defining battle in American sports betting.
Why it stands out: Huge market presence (especially by handle), extensive betting markets, and one of the strongest brands in the industry.
3. BetMGM
BetMGM sits behind the DraftKings–FanDuel duopoly but remains one of the most important sportsbooks in America.
The company benefits from its connection to MGM Resorts and has built a particularly strong position around major professional sports. Its NFL offering is extensive, with a large selection of player props, futures, and live betting markets.
BetMGM also has a significant physical casino footprint through MGM Resorts, giving it something purely digital competitors do not have to the same extent.
The competitive environment has grown tougher. BetMGM has faced pressure from both traditional rivals and prediction-market platforms.
Why it stands out: Strong sports coverage, MGM’s casino ecosystem, and a large live-betting operation.
4. Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics is the interesting newer force on this list.
The company already had a huge advantage in sports merchandising, with relationships across virtually every major American sports league and team. It has used that ecosystem to build Fanatics Sportsbook into a serious competitor.
Fanatics moved ahead of BetMGM in U.S. handle share during the second half of 2025 and held roughly 9% of trackable U.S. handle during Q1 2026 (according to Sports Business Journal tracking). It has remained a clear third- or fourth-place player depending on the exact period and metric.
The company continues to expand its product vision, including efforts to combine sportsbook, casino, and related features under the broader Fanatics ecosystem and FanCash rewards program.
Why it stands out: Powerful sports brand, FanCash rewards ecosystem, and aggressive expansion.
5. Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars is one of the oldest names in American gambling, and its sportsbook gives the company a major presence in the modern digital market.
The Caesars Sportsbook app covers the major professional and college sports, with extensive options for NFL and NBA betting.
The company does not have the market share of FanDuel or DraftKings, but its combination of physical casinos, sports betting, and the Caesars Rewards loyalty program gives it a significant advantage. The brand remains highly recognizable among mainstream sports fans.
Why it stands out: Established casino brand, large physical footprint, and a powerful loyalty program.
The American Sports Betting Market Is Becoming a Two-Horse Race
The most interesting dynamic in the U.S. sports betting market is not the battle for fifth place—it is the gap between the top two and everyone else.
DraftKings and FanDuel collectively control roughly two-thirds (or more, depending on the metric and period) of regulated U.S. betting handle. Q1 2026 figures put DraftKings at about 35% and FanDuel at roughly 32%, with the combined share often in the high 60s to low 70s percent range in later data. There is then a noticeable drop to the next group, led by Fanatics, BetMGM, and Caesars (with bet365 also rising in some trackable states).
That does not mean the smaller operators are irrelevant. Competing against two companies with enormous customer bases, technology platforms, and marketing budgets is becoming increasingly difficult.
And Then There Are Prediction Markets
Another battle is developing that could reshape the industry again.
Platforms such as Kalshi (and others like Polymarket) have rapidly expanded into sports-related prediction markets. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, which operate under state gambling regulations, these platforms have operated under a different federal regulatory framework.
That difference has become a major issue for traditional sportsbooks. Young adults between 18 and 21 (who generally cannot use traditional sportsbooks in most states) have already placed an estimated $5+ billion in volume on Kalshi, according to analyses reported in 2026. The growth has attracted significant attention from regulators and the traditional gambling industry.
Traditional sportsbooks are responding. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, and others are exploring ways to participate in this category rather than ceding the next generation of customers.
The Bottom Line
The U.S. sports betting industry is no longer a collection of small regional sportsbooks. It is becoming a battle between a few enormous technology and entertainment companies.
For now, the top five look like this (order can shift slightly depending on whether you prioritize handle, revenue/GGR, or other metrics):
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
There is little doubt that these five are among the most important sportsbook brands in America. And with prediction markets entering the picture, the next phase of the industry could be even more competitive.