Now that sports betting is becoming more and more mainstream as the years go by, bettors have options. Not only can they elect to place a wager at a retail sportsbook, but they also have the choice to utilize online sportsbooks as well.
When it comes to online sportsbooks, there are two ways to use them. You have your desktop version and your mobile app version.
Because of the versatility of the mobile app, you can use it on multiple devices. It is no surprise that mobile sports betting apps are by far the preferred method for online sportsbook users.
The good thing about the mobile sports betting app is that there are many to choose from. However, choosing the right one may not be easy, especially if you are new to the game.
Choosing the right mobile sportsbook app is important for a novice player because not all mobile sports betting apps are created equal.
While most will feature your basic, cookie-cutter options, they all won’t have the same features that will be unique to a given sportsbook. The same could be said for promotions, rewards systems, and payment options as well.
Today, I am going to make your life easier by dissecting the top mobile sports betting apps on the market.
What Can You Do on a Sports Betting App?
With a mobile sports betting app, you can access everything that you normally would on a sportsbook’s desktop version. The only difference is that instead of having to be in front of a desktop computer, you have the versatility of using a mobile sportsbook at the palm of your hands.
As long as you are placing wagers within the limits of a state or region in which online sports betting is legal, you can bet from anywhere.
- Sign up for a new account.
- Take advantage of new-user sign-up bonuses.
- Place bets (all types).
- Track your bets.
- Cash-out (if featured at your choice sportsbook).
- Live stream events (if featured at your choice sportsbook).
- Banking — make a deposit or withdraw funds.
- Check out and utilize promotions and rewards.
- Live Betting (if featured at your choice sportsbook).
- Online Casino (if featured at your choice sportsbook and legal in your state or region).
Best Sports Betting Apps
FanDuel Sportsbook
When you think of mobile betting apps, there are two that jump off the page. The FanDuel Sportsbook and the DraftKings Sportsbook, which we will dive into next. The FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best on the market with something for everyone.
As one of the biggest and most tenured Daily Fantasy Sports brands in the industry for quite some time, naturally, they followed suit when they dove into the online gaming realm in 2018.
Currently, the FanDuel Sportsbook is live and legal in 10 states that include MI, NJ, PA, IN, WV, CO, TN, IA, IL, and VA.
While FanDuel offers a sportsbook, online casino, and DFS, you must download separate apps to access their online gaming platforms and the DFS. Outside of that, you can do everything you need to on their mobile sportsbook app.
Available on both the Apple and Android platforms, the FanDuel betting app ensures a high-quality user experience from soup to nuts.
Within the app, you can access everything you could on the desktop version in a condensed form, including registering and taking advantage of new-user signup bonuses.
Since FanDuel is one of the largest sportsbooks in the industry, they don’t fall short with sports you can wager or bet types. There is a wide variety of both.
Overall, the FanDuel betting app is fast, clean, and easy to use. You’ll be able to access everything you need right on the home screen and efficiently navigate to other pages in a timely manner.
It will also highlight the day’s top markets to bet on as well as promotions and boosts. The FanDuel betting spp should be one of the top go-to’s in your mobile sports betting arsenal.
DraftKings Sportsbook
Similar to FanDuel, the DraftKings mobile betting app is nothing short of spectacular in terms of top-notch usability. While the DraftKings betting app appears a tad more cluttered than FanDuel and other mobile sportsbooks, it will become a non-factor after you get used to it.
Another tenured, trusted, and popular brand in the DFS game, DraftKings sprung into the online sports betting scene back in August of 2018 in New Jersey. Now, the DraftKings Sportsbook is live and legal in 11 states that include IA, NJ, PA, IN, NH, IL, WV, TN, CO, VA, and MI.
Another similarity to FanDuel is that you can access their online casino in the mobile betting app. However, you will need a separate app to play DFS. This seems to be the industry standard for most online sportsbooks, however.
With availability in both the Apple and Android app stores, the DraftKings mobile betting app provides its users with one of the fastest and smoothest user interfaces on the market.
Despite the slight clutter on the home screen, you can easily find everything you are looking for right at your fingertips. It will also notify you of any bet boost, promotion, or reward that is featured for that day, including their exclusive DraftKings Missions.
From their monstrous variety of betting markets and bet types to endless revolving daily promotions, DraftKings provides one of the best overall user experiences in the gaming industry.
PointsBet Sportsbook
The PointsBet brand hasn’t been around in the United States for long, but it went live in Australia in 2017 and rapidly emerged as one of the country’s largest online sportsbooks. Since then, the PointsBet Sportsbook went live in America in 2019 and is following a similar path.
PointsBet broke into the United States sportsbook scene in a big way. It wasn’t long until they inked a partnership with NBC Universal, which came to fruition in August 2020. Not long thereafter, PointsBet also partnered with the NBA as a whole, as well as individual teams in MLB and the NFL, amongst other professional markets.
In addition to everything your normal betting markets and bet types, PointsBet has two features that are exclusive to them, which sets their mobile betting app apart from the rest. The first is Pointsbetting.
PointsBetting is a new way to wager contrary to your cookie-cutter bet types you will find everywhere else. PointsBetting uniquely differs because your potential winnings and losses from a wager fluctuate until the end of an event rather than your normal predetermined and fixed odds. Per PointsBet, “the more you’re right, the more you win and the more you’re wrong, the more you lose.”
The other unique feature at PointsBet’s mobile sportsbook is called “Name a Bet.” Outside of the “clever” title, Name a Bet really is just a custom wager.
Bettors can contact PointsBet with their custom bet. If PointsBet likes it, they will feature it on their platform for others to wager as well. Usually, these are multi-leg Parlays with terrific odds.
Another thing to note at PointsBet is their wide variety of betting markets and bet types. We’ve already discussed Pointsbetting. But wait, there’s more. Contrary to many sportsbooks, you will be able to place wagers on the Olympics, esports, and entertainment events.
Aside from esports, PointsBet’s affiliation with NBC likely plays a role in the reasoning on why you can place wagers on the Olympics and Entertainment events.
With a fast and clean user interface, solid promotions, and an attainable rewards program, PointsBet is one of my favorite Mobile Betting Apps to wager with.
BetMGM Sportsbook
When it comes to trust in the gaming industry, you can’t do much better than MGM Resorts International, which owns BetMGM (obviously). Contrary to similar large brands of note that include FanDuel and DraftKings, BetMGM’s mobile betting app is a lot less cluttered and just as user-friendly.
BetMGM emerged onto the mobile betting scene in August of 2018, initially launching in New Jersey. Since then, the BetMGM mobile sportsbook is operational in 10 states that include NJ, MI, PA, CO, IN, IA, TN, VA, NV, and WV. Like most sportsbooks that also offer an online casino, you can access both on one app.
Speaking of the app, one feature that I find unique to BetMGM is its Parlay Generator. Now, other sportsbooks have similar features, but they may have unique twists.
The Parlay Generator allows a user to customize odds per selection or your total winnings, then, it will build a Parlay that suits. From there, you can customize the Parlay by adding or removing legs. You can also lock legs that you find favorable and then regenerate.
Another note that I find extremely favorable about using BetMGM’s mobile betting app is the variety of Props and Futures geared toward the NFL. It really is one of the best NFL betting apps.
While they have most of the same you will find at the top sportsbooks, BetMGM also features Props and Futures that I have yet to find anywhere else.
FOX Bet Sportsbook
Although the FOX Bet name is new to the online gaming market, the platform isn’t. Confusing? Hear me out. FOX Sports partnered with The Stars Group, which powered the BetStars Sportsbook. With a name change and a facelift, BetStars rebranded as FOX Bet in 2019, and away we go.
Currently, FOX Bet is running in four states that include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Colorado. Because of brand recognition and the backing of one of the largest corporations in the world (FOX), their mobile betting experience is outstanding. The platform is fast and clean. Their color scheme is also easy on the eyes and blends well.
There are a few factors that separate FOX Bet from its competitors. First, the fact that you can fully customize your home screen lobby. With this, you can even choose to turn off marketing and promotional information as well as free bonus games. However, I wouldn’t recommend that.
Another terrific feature of note is Custom Bets. Like PointsBet’s “Name a Bet” feature, FOX Bet also has its own customized wagers.
Not only can a bettor suggest them, but FOX Bet will also feature wagers discussed on their FOX Sports programming by their top personalities that include Colin Cowherd, Skip Bayless, and Shannon Sharpe, amongst others. If Skip and Shannon are wagering a case of Dew on a certain outcome, you may also be able to bet it. That is pretty cool, especially if you are an avid listener.
FOX Bet is an up-and-comer in the mobile betting app market. Their app should be at the top of your mobile betting arsenal if you are using multiple accounts.
BetRivers
BetRivers Sportsbook is a sister brand of SugarHouse. While SugarHouse will eventually rebrand as BetRivers, they are only legal in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for now. For BetRivers, however, they are fully operational in seven states.
In addition to Pennsylvania, BetRivers is operating in Indiana, Iowa, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, and Michigan. BetRivers and SugarHouse’s mobile betting apps are carbon copies of each other, only with different names attached. Both brands are products of Rush Street Interactive.
One of my biggest knocks with the BetRivers website was the clutter despite the enhanced screen space. On their app, however, it is much more condensed and easier to navigate.
If you are familiar with the desktop version of BetRivers, you will remember that revolving list of winning players that took up the right side almost in its entirety. On the app, that list is now hidden. For me, personally, that is a tremendous win.
Although BetRivers may not have a huge name behind them, they are powered by Kambi, which also powers DraftKings. Thus, you can expect similar odds to one of the largest brands in the gaming market.
While BetRivers does offer promotions, they aren’t as good as other mobile sportsbooks in the industry. The same could be said about BetRivers’ iRush Rewards program. Still, I wouldn’t overlook the BetRivers promotions page. Like anything else, eventually, the pendulum will swing in your favor.
BetRivers isn’t exactly my favorite mobile betting app. However, they do feature one thing that keeps me coming back: Jackpot Parlays. The BetRivers Jackpot Parlay uses a similar methodology as your state’s quick pick lottery.
The Jackpot Parlay will randomly select a combination of eight different bets to include in the parlay. You must hit all eight to win. However, you can also customize the jackpot parlay if you are not happy with the randomly selected results. You can wager very little to win a large amount. This is something that is attractive to me.
I wouldn’t utilize BetRivers if I was only going to have one mobile betting account. However, if you are going to have multiple mobile betting apps, then I would include BetRivers in the fold, if for nothing else than for the aforementioned Jackpot Parlay feature.
How To Pick the Best Betting Apps
Picking the best mobile sports betting app is essential for your overall user experience and satisfaction. Here, I will highlight some of the most important principles you should be looking for when choosing the best mobile sports betting app to meet your needs.
User Interface (UI)
A mobile betting app’s user interface is essential for the user’s experience. Not only should it be aesthetically pleasing and easy to use, but it also should not lag when loading either.
When it comes to placing a wager in a timely manner, if an app’s load time lags, you may miss out on enticing odds or the event itself if you are in a time crunch and you don’t get there fast enough.
Banking Options
You need to make sure your mobile sportsbook app features multiple ways of depositing and withdrawing funds. The more banking options, the easier your life will be. Who wants to be pulling apart their wallet looking for the right credit card if you could use PayPal or a Wire Transfer?
Odds
Just like anything else, not all sportsbooks have the same betting odds. While one sportsbook features aggressive odds for basketball, another might be better for football or soccer. It is always good to shop around.
Live Betting
Similar to the mobile betting app’s web-based companion, not all online sportsbooks offer live betting. However, there are situations in which the desktop version has live betting but their mobile app does not.
If you are into live wagering, be sure the mobile betting app you choose has the live betting feature. This also applies to live streaming events as well.
Promotions and Rewards
When choosing a mobile betting app, it is imperative that you dissect each sportsbook’s promotions and rewards action, especially if you are a new user altogether. Most sportsbooks offer aggressive new-user signup bonuses to entice the user to play at their book.
However, just because one sportsbook gives you more, that doesn’t mean their mobile betting app is the right one for you. Make sure that they also have the features you are looking for as well. You want the complete puzzle, not just pieces.
This also applies to a sportsbook’s promotions and rewards as well. Everyone has different promotions and rewards systems. Make sure you pick the right one that suits your wants and needs.
Advantages of Mobile Betting Apps
Here are some of the advantages of using a mobile betting app versus a web-based version:
Push Notifications
Contrary to the desktop version of your favorite online sportsbook, you can get notifications via a mobile betting app. Notifications are an advantage to a user for many reasons, importantly, being alerted when your sportsbook offers a new promotion or an odds boost.
With notifications, you don’t have to log on and search through the sportsbook to see what’s new. They will just pop up on your device’s screen as long as you have notifications turned on.
You can also be notified of the status of your wagers as well as the results on select mobile sports betting apps. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
Convenience
With the web-based version of an online sportsbook, you need to be in front of a computer to access it. With a mobile betting app, you can use it just about anywhere.
However, if you want to place a bet, you must be wagering within the limits of a state or region in which mobile sports betting is legalized.
Timeliness
Sometimes, life happens and you can’t get in front of a computer to make a bet on a web-based version of your sportsbook. However, with a mobile betting app, you can still place your bets whether you’re stuck in traffic (as a passenger, please don’t use your phone while driving), at the gym, in a waiting room, or even at a wedding or funeral (I’ve done this at both, don’t judge).
More Menus
Mobile sportsbooks don’t have the same amount of space on their screen as their web-based counterparts. Therefore, to condense, the mobile app features more drop-down menus. This is a good thing because it takes away some of the confusing clutter you may find on the desktop site.
Is Wagering on a Betting App Safe?
Yes, wagering on a legal betting app is safe as long as you are using a reputable sportsbook that is fully licensed and regulated within the United States. When doing so, you have peace of mind that your money and personal information is safe and secure.
You also don’t have to worry about the sportsbook honoring your winning bets either. There are severe penalties if any legal and licensed sportsbook attempts any funny business.
Legal betting apps are equipped with safeguards to protect you from data breaches. With augmented levels of security, protection, and encryption software, you don’t have anything to worry about when using a legal betting app in the United States.
Bettings Apps vs Web-Based Sportsbooks
Although there aren’t many differences between the best sports betting sites and mobile betting apps, there are some. Notably, with a web-based sportsbook, you will benefit from the size of your computer screen. The larger the screen, the more information that fits on it.
With a mobile betting app, to compensate for screen size, you will find a lot of information in drop-down menus.
Another difference between the two is the ability to research. On a desktop, your computer likely has the capability of handling ample tabs being open. For example, in addition to the open tab with the online sportsbook on it, you can also open more tabs to do your betting research.
On a betting app, you will have to maneuver out of the app and into your device’s browser and do your research. You can also open research-based apps as well.
While there are some advantages to using a web-based sportsbook, the future of sports betting is on your mobile device. From simple, non-cluttered user interfaces to the sheer convenience of wagering on the go, the mobile betting app is the way to go.
How to Download an iPhone Betting App
- Visit the Apple App Store.
- Search for the sportsbook you want to download.
- Click on the app and click “Get.”
- Confirm the download — you may need to enter your password.
- Your app will now download.
- When it is finished, click on the app, sign in or sign-up and get ready to bet!
If you can’t find the iPhone betting app on one of the Stores, you can download it directly from the official sportsbook website.
How to Download an Android Betting App
- Visit the Google Play Store App.
- Search for the sportsbook you want to download.
- Click on “Install.”
- Your app will now download.
- When it is finished, click on the app, sign in or sign-up and get ready to bet!
If you can’t find the Android betting app on one of the Stores, you can download it directly from the official sportsbook website.
Why You Should Avoid Illegal Betting Apps
While some offshore sportsbooks have been around since the infancy of the internet, they were never, and will never be, regulated by the United States. You are unprotected as a result. Despite their past popularity, offshore betting accounts are illegal in the United States.
Here are a few more reasons why you should avoid offshore betting apps:
- Offshore betting sites are legal overseas, more so, in the Caribbean, which means they are not governed and regulated by the United States. Thus, they have never been held to acceptable operating standards since their inception.
- Offshore betting sites are illegal and mostly operate in the grey, which means they are unsafe. Your money is not protected.
- Since offshore sportsbooks are illegal and unsafe, they are a proverbial breeding ground for suspicious activity.
- Offshore betting sites do not protect their users or their user’s hard-earned money.
- Limited deposit and withdrawal options.
- No guarantees that you will get paid upon cashing out.
Pros of a Legal Mobile Betting App
- Legal and protected banking options with trusted online payment systems.
- Getting paid is a non-issue (as long as you’re with a reputable sportsbook).
- A wide variety of sports to bet on.
- Rewards, promotions, and new-user welcome bonuses.
- Overall peace of mind that your personal information and banking information is safe and secure.
Sports Betting App Offers to Keep in Mind
There are plenty of sports betting app offers available to new players. Keep in mind, these welcome bonuses usually attach a playthrough requirement.
A playthrough requirement means you need to wager a certain amount to unlock a fraction of your bonus. For example, for every $10 of real money you wager, you will unlock $1 of your bonus.
No Deposit Bonus
A no-deposit bonus is when a sportsbook offers you the ability to place a wager without making your first-time deposit. These are rare. To get this, all you need to do is sign up and in most cases, you can win real money.
However, most of the time, the sportsbook will attract a wagering requirement or playthrough requirement to this promotion so you can’t withdraw your winnings right away. Instead, they want to stay and play.
If every sportsbook offered a no deposit bonus and allowed users to take their money and walk away, they wouldn’t be in business.
First-Deposit Bonus
A first-deposit bonus is when a sportsbook matches a predetermined percentage of the money you are depositing into your account.
For example, if you are offered a 100% deposit bonus match up to $500 and you make a $250 deposit, they will match your $250 with that same amount in site credits or bonus money in one, half dozen in the other with the terminology.
However, if you deposit $600, you will only get $500 since that is the max amount the promotion said the sportsbook will match.
Normally, playthrough requirements will apply here.
Risk-Free Bet
A risk-free bet promotion is when a sportsbook offers to cover your first bet if you lose. Most of the time, there is a limit of how much they will cover up to a certain predetermined amount.
However, in most cases, if you lose, you won’t get your money back. Instead, the sportsbook will redistribute your losses in site credits to make another wager.
Bet & Get
A Bet and Get bonus is when a sportsbook offers to give you a certain amount of bonus money or site credits when you place a wager. For example, if you bet $200, you will get $200 after your wager is settled.
Normally, these come with playthrough requirements.
Where Can I Legally Bet On Mobile Apps?
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Mississippi (can only place mobile wagers while inside of a casino)
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
Choose More Than One Sports Betting App
If you are like me, you want options, which is why having an excess of mobile sports betting apps is imperative to your bankroll’s success. For one, having multiple accounts will give you access to the best odds in the business.
If you want to bet on the Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in the 2021 NFL season opener, you can go to each of the mobile betting apps you are a member of and compare the odds.
Who knows, maybe one of the mobile sportsbooks you belong to is offering an odds boost or another promotion so you place your wager with them.
Another reason why it is a good idea to have multiple mobile betting accounts is the ability to take advantage of rewards and promotions. Like I said earlier in this review, all sportsbooks offer different promotions and rewards programs.
On a weekly basis, sportsbooks will change their promotions. Perhaps one of them is offering an aggressive promotion for NFL props and if that is something you want to bet on, then you would choose that app to place your wager.
While most mobile sportsbooks allow you to place wagers on most sports and markets, not all of them have the obscure. Holding multiple mobile betting apps allows you the opportunity to search through your accounts and find the ones that have betting options for the Olympics, which is an event that only select sportsbooks will feature.
Finally, and this is one that I love, having multiple mobile betting apps opens up the chance for inactivity bonuses. Maybe you have five mobile betting accounts, but you favor four of them.
Well, the one that you use the least could send you a notification or an email stating that you have been inactive. In that email, they may entice you to come back and place a wager with them with a free bet or a new deposit bonus. You will miss out on this if you only have one mobile betting app.