The use of sports betting apps in the US is at an all-time high, and sportsbook operators are pouring money into optimizing their mobile app. Not only can they elect to place a wager at a retail betting apps, but they also have the choice to utilize online sports betting apps as well.
Because of the versatility of sports betting apps, 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.
Top 10 US Sports Betting Apps
- Bet365 - Most markets and bets offered
- Caesars - Best overall loyalty program
- BetMGM - Top mobile app experience
- DraftKings - Best for new users
- FanDuel - Friendly interface + odds
- ESPN Bet - Upcoming Penn National app
- BetRivers - Best odds boosts + promos
- Fanatics - Exotic bets + live streaming
- Hard Rock Bet - Great user interface + welcome bonus
- Unibet - Large variety of markets + odds
What Makes a Top US Betting App
FanDuel Betting App
When you think of mobile betting apps, there are two that jump off the page. The FanDuel Sportsbook and the DraftKings betting app, which we will dive into next. The FanDuel betting app 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.
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 Betting App
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 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.
PointsBet Betting App
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 betting apps. Since then, the PointsBet Sportsbook went live in America in 2019 and is following a similar path.
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 betting app is called “Name a Bet.” Outside of the “clever” title, Name a Bet really is just a custom wager.
BetMGM Betting App
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 betting app is operational in 10 states - they include NJ, MI, PA, CO, IN, IA, TN, VA, NV, and WV. Like most betting apps 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 sports betting apps 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.
FOX Bet Betting App
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 betting app. 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.
BetRivers Betting App
BetRivers betting app 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 betting apps 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.
How To Pick Top 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 Experience
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.
Payment 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?
Competitive Odds
Just like anything else, not all sports betting apps 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.
Promotions and Rewards
When choosing a mobile betting app, it is imperative that you dissect each betting apps 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 betting app 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 betting apps’ 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:
Convenience
With the web-based version of an online sports betting app, 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 betting apps. 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 Options
Desktop betting apps 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.
Mobile vs. Desktop Sports Betting Apps
Although there aren’t many differences between the best sports betting sites and mobile betting apps, there are some. Notably, with a web-based betting app, 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 betting app 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 Sports Betting Apps
- Visit the Apple App Store.
- Search for the betting app 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 betting app website.
Types of Sports Betting App Promos
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 betting app 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 betting apps 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 betting app 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 betting app 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 betting app will match.
Normally, playthrough requirements will apply here.
Second-Chance Bet
A second-chance bet promotion is when a betting app 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 betting apps offer 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.
