DraftKings Faces 10-Point Delinquency Spike Among New Bettors After Legalization
Platforms like DraftKings saw average quarterly deposits rise from $500 in 2020 to $1,250 in 2025, as 15% of U.S. adults placed online bets last year. Legalization correlated with a 0.3 percentage-point rise in delinquency rates overall and a 10-percentage-point jump among new online bettors.
1. Surge in Betting Deposits
Online sports betting adoption climbed to 15% of U.S. adults in 2025, driving platforms like DraftKings to report average quarterly deposits of $1,250, up from $500 in 2020. This rapid increase underscores growing customer engagement and expanding handle across legalized states.
2. Increase in Delinquency Rates
States that legalized online sports betting experienced a 0.3 percentage-point increase in 90-day credit delinquencies overall. Among the roughly 3% of adults who began betting post-legalization, delinquencies jumped by 10 percentage points, highlighting a potential credit risk tied to wagering activity.
3. Implications for DraftKings
The rise in borrowing defaults and stronger deposit growth could pressure DraftKings’ customer acquisition costs and raise regulatory scrutiny. Balancing expansion with responsible gaming measures may become crucial to sustain long-term profitability and investor confidence.