Opps! You just got an error message when trying to bet or perform an action on your account? As a customer, this could be one of the most dreadful things to ever encounter when betting on the DraftKings sportsbook app or when you want to play daily fantasy sports.
Given that DraftKings is one of the largest legal online gambling sites in the US that provides over 15 sports markets to players with hundreds of betting options and casino games, it’s easy to see your frustration after getting locked out of your account.
While there are different reasons to get your DraftKings account locked, the consequence is the same for all users – you can no longer win money from betting.
In this DraftKings account troubleshooting article, we will be looking through the most common reasons that could get your account locked, how to prevent them from happening, and in case it’s too late, how to unlock your account.
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How to know when your DraftKings Account is Locked or Restricted
Usually, account restrictions are apparent as you wouldn’t be able to log into your account. However, this is far from being the only way DraftKings places limits on accounts. So, while some wouldn’t be able to access their account, some would have limited access to DraftKings’ app features. So, to know if your account is locked, you need to check for the following.
- Inability to login
- Limit is placed on how much you can deposit or withdraw
- You cannot place bets even though you have enough balance
Why is My DraftKings Account Restricted?
There are numerous reasons DraftKings can lock your account. The trigger would determine the kind of restrictions that could be placed on your account. So, in this section, we will be going in-depth on why your account can be locked and how to prevent it from happening.
Shady Logins
This is one of the most common reasons your DraftKings account can be restricted, and it happens for two reasons: when you try to log into your DK account through multiple computers or when you try logging in with the wrong details.
When creating a DraftKings account, your device’s IP address is automatically linked to your account to make subsequent sign-ins easy. So anytime you log in, the server runs your current IP address with the one registered to your account before granting you access. If anyone tries to access your account from a different IP address, DraftKings’ server will flag the new IP address and temporarily lock your account. Given how sensitive the information in your sports betting account is, this preventive measure is implemented to ensure that hackers or third parties do not gain access to it. When this happens, a message will be sent to your mail notifying you of this and further actions to take if you aren’t the one trying to log in.
Another reason that falls under the category of a shady login is if there are multiple attempts to log into your DraftKings account. Numerous attempts to log in with the wrong username or password are deemed suspicious activity and could temporarily lock your account. This is very similar to accessing your account on multiple devices, with the only difference being that you are 100% sure a hacker is trying to gain access to your account. When the server notices this, your account is locked and won’t be opened even if the correct username and password are later inputted.
Prevention: Have a single device you access your account with or download the DraftKings app for easy access. Likewise, we recommend activating the 2-Factor Authentication that sends a one-time code to your phone before allowing you to log in. This would curb suspicious activity that could get your account restricted. To activate this, head to the Login & Security tab and toggle on the 2FA button.
Multiple Accounts
According to the terms of service of opening a DraftKings account, one cannot have multiple DraftKings accounts. While this seems pretty straightforward, many have tried to enjoy more freebies like the DraftKings refer-a-friend bonus, free bets, and other promotions by opening multiple accounts. When found, DraftKings has the right to get your account locked, and you will indirectly forfeit all the active promotions and winnings you have on both versions.
DraftKings takes this one-account policy very seriously, and several software systems are put in place to ensure players breaching this rule directly or through VPN are quickly caught. As further deterrence, DraftKings is not known to rescind the account restriction caused by a customer having multiple accounts, so you might lose the money in your account.
Prevention: DraftKings allows customers to have a single account for all products, so if you have a DraftKings sportsbook account, you can sign in and play daily fantasy sports and casino games with the exact login details as long as you are in a legal state. So instead of multiple accounts, you’d get to access all DK products with just one signup.
One or More Responsible Gambling Features is Active
Gambling is an addictive venture, and whether you are on a winning or losing streak, it’s easy to get lost in the euphoria of winning quick cash through betting on daily fantasy sports, sports, or casino games on DraftKings. Due to this, DraftKings is constantly asking customers follow-up questions to ascertain that they are in the right state of mind to gamble. If, while filling out the questionnaire, your answer shows you might be addicted, your account can be restricted or locked depending on the severity of your addiction.
Most questions are about your mental state when you lose and your financial standing when betting. Some restrictions that can be placed on your account are deposit and withdrawal limitations, self-exclusion, and a limited session on the DraftKings website or app.
Prevention: If your account is locked for this reason, we best believe it’s for your good. However, many have unknowingly answered a questionnaire without proper knowledge. We advise you to read and understand a question before responding to avoid this error.
NB: If you or any person you know has a gambling addiction, we recommend calling any of these helplines:
- Gambling Anonymous National Hotline: (888) GA-HELPS (888-424-3577)
- National Council on Problem Gambling: 1-800-522-4700
- Gambling Assistance Hotline: (800) 522 – 4700
Providing False Information
To create a DraftKings account – Sportsbook, Casino, or Daily Fantasy Sports – you must fill in personal details like your full name as written on your government-issued ID, phone number, email, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your SSN. This information is then cross checked with other documents you’d be prompted to submit during the KYC verification. If during the verification, some information does not correlate with what you filled in when registering, access to your DraftKings account will be restricted, and you might need to contact support to know the step forward.
Prevention: Do not provide false information during and after you sign up on the site, as in addition to getting your account locked, you might be banned from betting at DraftKings if the false information persists.
You are Betting from an Illegal State
Due to the wide coverage that DraftKings has, it’s easy to sometimes assume it’s legal in all US states. Even though you can sign up from the 50 US states, some states do not allow DraftKings online gambling. So, if you try to access a DraftKings product that is unavailable in your state, it can result in your account being restricted.
DraftKings uses third-party geolocation software – GeoComply – to verify players’ location before accepting a bet. GeoComply is a powerful software that cannot be bypassed by changing an IP address. Even with VPN, the location issues will persist and will result in your DraftKings account locked temporarily.
Unlike other common reasons we’ve discussed earlier, the restrictions on your DraftKings account will be lifted when you move to a legal state. In the unlikely event that location issues persist, you should contact support. Not sure if a DraftKings product is legal in your state? Check the list below to confirm if your state makes the cut.
DraftKings Sportsbook – AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, and WY
DraftKings Casino – Legal in all US states except HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, and Washington
DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports – Legal in all US states except HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, and Washington
Prevention: Ensure that you are within a legal Stateline before betting on the app or site.
How Do I Restore a Locked DraftKings Account
Having your account locked is not a very exciting experience, especially when you are about to bet on your favorite sport. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to stay that way for long, as it can be quickly resolved. Some issues, like suspicious login, can be fixed with a quick password reset, but some would require you to contact customer support.
DraftKings customer support is always available 24/7 at support@draftkings.com, so no matter the time you realize this issue, you can contact the team immediately. When sending a ticket to the support team, we’d advise you to explain your issues in detail and possibly with a screenshot of the error message you are receiving. Note that users with multiple accounts might not regain access to their accounts, given the severity of the violation.
What happens if I cannot regain access to my locked account
As straightforward as getting the restriction on your account lifted is, customers sometimes cannot regain access to their accounts. In the unfortunate case of losing your account, you have two options. The first is to contact the customer support team to close down your account. That way, all your information will be deleted from the DraftKings database, allowing you to reopen a new account. Alternatively, you can try out other legal online sportsbooks which offer top-notch sports betting and online gambling services, just like DraftKings. Below are some of our top recommendations:
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FAQ
How long does it take to regain access when my account is locked?
This depends mainly on what caused it and how fast you are able to contact the support team. However, as a rule of thumb, you can get a response and a solution within 24 hours of opening a ticket.
Can I reopen a DraftKings account?
Yes. First, we’d advise that you contact customer support to find a solution to getting your previous account back. If there seems to be no way, you can request your account to be deleted after which you can open another account.
Can I use funds in my DFS account to bet on sports?
No. Only winnings from DFS can be used to bet on DraftKings Sportsbook.