Best Sports Betting Apps | Real Money Sportsbooks Apps 2021
These days, if you’re asked to imagine placing a bet online, chances are you’re imagining doing it with a cell phone.
Using mobile sports betting apps is fast becoming the most popular way to place sports bets online. We live in a superconnected world, with unlimited information and communication at our fingertips at all times, and the fact is that this is how the majority of people want to bet.
Sportsbook apps have loads of advantages over traditional ways to bet. They mean you can place a bet at any time, from anywhere. They are highly convenient, enjoyable to use and safe and secure.
There are also arguably some drawbacks to sports wagering on mobile apps, which we get into as well.
This page is your cheat sheet to choose the very best real money mobile sportsbook app for you. There are a lot out there and no two are exactly alike.
Our goal is to give you a comprehensive overview of mobile sports betting in general, and present some of our favorite apps available to download now in the US. Let’s jump in.
What is a Mobile Sports Betting App?
A real money sports betting app is a version of a sportsbook designed especially for mobile use, which bettors can download onto their device. Since they are available on your cell phone, mobile betting apps can be used on the go, at home or anywhere you have an internet connection.
With sportsbook apps, the software is designed especially for the small screen and can adapt to devices of different sizes. Browsing through sports betting apps is much more like playing on your phone – swiping and tapping – than searching on a traditional sports betting sites.
Sportsbooks generally make their betting apps available for both iOS and Android devices, although occasionally this is not the case.
You can think of sports betting apps as simply another way of accessing your favorite sports betting sites and wagering on your favorite sports, such as the NFL or NBA. Going to a physical sportsbook and placing a bet in person is one option. Another is using the company’s website via your laptop or computer. Downloading a mobile app is just another way to access the sportsbook.
What is the Difference Between a Sports Betting App and a Mobile Sportsbook?
Sometimes a bookmaker won’t have an app, but will have their website optimized for mobile access.
That means you can search for the website via your device’s browser (just like you would with a laptop) and when you access the site it will be designed for the smaller screen, and feel similar to an app.
Since you have to manually search for the site and sign in, it’s not quite as convenient as an app. However, it can be a good option if you have limited space on your device.
How is an App Different From a Regular Online Sportsbook?
The two platforms share similarities, since they are just different versions of the same sportsbook.
The biggest difference in practical terms is that you can access your mobile app at any time or place (as long as you have your cell phone), while traditional online sportsbooks are accessed via laptop or desktop computer.
This means you can place bets practically anywhere, at any time.
Apps are great for betting while at live sporting events for example, or if you get a hot tip in the bar. You can use them at home, on the train or at work – although maybe be careful with that last one!
In aesthetic terms, sports betting apps are specifically designed for the small screen, which means the platform feels a little different to a website. Space is at a premium, so mobile apps tend to be more economical with the information they display and make efficient use of things like hidden menus.
For the most part, anything you can do on a regular online sportsbook you can also do on a mobile app. There are occasional exceptions to this – promotions that are exclusive to one platform or banking options that aren’t supported for example – but the vast majority of the time the functionality is the same.
Since your mobile app is available at the touch of a button, it tends to be faster to use than a website.
Advantages of Betting Apps
- 24/7 access to betting. This is the biggest advantage betting apps have compared with other ways to bet. Having a betting app installed on your phone means you never need to miss an opportunity to bet – you can bet whenever and wherever you want.
- Speed and convenience. Not only are apps available at all times, they are also so easy to use. One touch of a button is all you need, instead of searching for the website and trying to remember your login details.
- Entertainment. Apps have all kinds of fun extra features that make them even more appealing. You can set notifications to let you know when your favorite team scores, or updates on how your bets are getting on. Lots of apps stream live updates or even video feeds from top sports. Apps are just more fun.
- Exclusive promos. Some sportsbooks create bonuses and promotions that can only be accessed via their apps.
Disadvantages of Betting Apps
- More compact. A smaller screen necessarily means less space, and some users may find apps a little crowded compared to a website. In truth, this is more an indication of bad design than anything else – but it’s fair to say some bettors find desktop sites easier to navigate around.
- Over saturation. Some players may not like having constant access to a sportsbook in their pocket. Like all gambling platforms, betting apps should be used responsibly.
- Phone space. Apps take up space on your mobile device.
How to Install a Betting App
Installing a betting app is very straightforward, and similar to installing any other type of app on your phone. It’s worth noting that some apps are only available in certain countries, but generally if you are using a sportsbook that’s legal in your country the app should be too.
iOS
If you use an iPhone, iPad or other iOS device, you can head to the App Store and search for the name of the sportsbook. You’ll need to be logged in using your Apple ID and password.
Once you’ve found the app, you can click “get”, confirm that you want to install the app and your download should start automatically.
Most apps are quite small so they don’t take long to download, and you should see it on your phone’s home screen along with your other apps.
Android
In the US, downloading betting apps on Android is a little more complicated. This is because the Google Play Store blocks gambling apps, so you can’t just search for them like on iPhone.
Instead, you need to manually download the app from the sportsbooks website. It’s a couple of extra steps, but not too difficult.
You’ll need to search for the sportsbook via your browser. Usually the site will detect that you’re using a smartphone and automatically direct you to the download link, although you may need to search for it in the menu.
Click the link and a pop up will appear asking if you want to download the file. Once it’s downloaded, you can open the file. A security pop up may appear, warning you against installing apps from “unknown sources”, and you may need to manually change your settings to allow you to do so.
Once you’ve cleared this hurdle, the app should install quickly.
Is Mobile Betting Legal?
It depends on where you are playing from. Mobile betting is totally legal in many US states and in lots of countries around the world. Since mobile betting is just another version of betting online, it’s often legal anywhere you can legally bet online.
However, there are some states that either explicitly don’t allow real money betting apps, or just outlaw sports betting altogether.
Sports betting in the US is right in the middle of something like a revolution. After decades of it being totally illegal everywhere in the country, states have been entitled to determine their own sports betting laws since 2018.
That’s thanks to the removal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) by the Supreme Court in May 2018. PASPA had acted as a federal ban on sports betting for all states except Nevada since 1992. Once it was removed, the scene was set for each US state to set its own laws.
This means that since then, state by state laws have been changing on practically a daily basis, with legal online betting arriving to new states all the time.
Even if mobile betting isn’t currently legal in your state, chances are it might be before too long.
Suggested Reading
- Where Can I Bet on NFL Games Legally?
- Where Can I Bet on College Football Legally?
- Where Can I Bet on MLB Games Legally?
What Bets Can I Place on a Betting App?
For the most part, any bets you are used to placing either in person or via a website are also available on betting apps. There may be the odd exception to this, with fewer markets appearing on some apps, but this is rarely the case.
A betting app is just another platform. It makes sense that sportsbooks want to have their full range of betting options available via their apps, not offer any kind of reduced version. This means bettors can also wager on all the same sports that they can on the website; NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football – you name it.
Depending on the sportsbook, you can expect to find all the classic betting options on mobile apps including the following:
Can I Claim a Bonus on a Betting App?
Yes. Whatever bonuses you can claim on the website can generally also be claimed on a betting app. Still, we always recommend checking in advance to make sure this is the case.
Some sportsbooks even create exclusive promo codes that can only be claimed on their apps, to encourage users to migrate to mobile betting. Most sportsbooks offer new customers bonuses in the form of a deposit match or a free bet on their first real money deposit, check out the best sportsbook bonuses and promo codes here.
Best Sports Betting Apps
Just about every top sportsbook out there these days has developed a betting app, or at the very least optimized their site for mobile betting.
This is great news for us, since it means we have our pick of very best sites in the US and from around the world.
No two sports betting apps are exactly the same, and there is no simple answer when it comes to choosing which one to use.
One app may have a deeper betting market than another, but fewer banking options. Certain types of welcome bonuses are more valuable to some players than others, depending on what your betting habits are like. Some players like simplicity in their apps, others love modern graphics and technology.
This section is all about making the selection process as easy as possible.
We’ve got our experts to put together a list of the very best real money sports betting apps available to players in the US. Every single app on our list has got something that made it stand out to our experts, and any one of them would be a solid choice.
Remember that the availability of all of these apps also varies depending on the state.
Settle in and check out our top picks.
BetMGM
BetMGM had plenty of experience in the sports betting market to draw on when its betting app was launched around the US in late 2018 – the company has had a similar platform available in Nevada for a few years previously. BetMGM’s sportsbook app, just like the desktop site, typically has a huge variety of sports available to bet on.
In fact, during our full review of BetMGM, our experts unanimously decided that they preferred BetMGM’s app to the desktop site. While the website feels a little old and clunky, the app is much smoother and more modern. It’s available for both iOS and Android in a handful of states.
BetMGM’s sportsbook app is powered by GVC as part of a partnership with the European sports betting giant. You may not recognize the name, but you certainly know some of the sites it owns, including Coral and Ladbrokes – both huge in the UK.
William Hill
Once the prospect of legal online sports betting became a reality in the United States, many of the top sportsbooks from Europe and around the world unsurprisingly began to look into expanding into the market. William Hill was one of the most proactive. The sportsbook is a household name in the UK, having been set up all the way back in the 1930’s.
William Hill’s decades of experience in the industry are clear to see. The app offers an excellent, scaled-down version of William Hill’s site and provides the same betting experience. The sheer number of sports available to bet on, from the US and international leagues, is very impressive. The sign up bonus for new members ($500 free bet when you deposit $250) is excellent – valuable without being overly complicated.
William Hill is a real bettors sportsbook – lots of sports and markets with a simple platform that prioritizes placing bets over extravagant effects. The company has well over 2,000 physical sportsbooks around the world, and it’s certainly welcome to see it in the US market. Check out our comprehensive William Hill review for more details.
Use the exclusive bonus code WSN500 when you sign up and get a $500 free bet when you deposit $250. Claim the offer here: New Jersey | Colorado | West Virginia
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings has its roots in Daily Fantasy Sports, where (along with FanDuel) it has been the biggest name in the US for a decade. As the potential for legal sports betting arrived in the US, DraftKings moved quickly to widen its scope from DFS and became the first sportsbook in the US outside of Nevada to book a bet in the Autumn of 2018.
Today, DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the best sportsbooks in the US, and has one of the best mobile betting platforms. DraftKings’ app is available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Colorado and New Hampshire – and that list is only going to grow. The app is very well designed: filled with all the functionality of the website.
That means full access to DraftKings’ frankly mammoth list of betting markets on tons of sports, and live streaming in association with Sportradar right on the app. DraftKings’ app is also very well designed, so even with all its features it never really feels overstuffed. Read our full review of DraftKings Sportsbook here.
You can get up to $1,000 free when signing up to the DraftKings app. Claim your bonus now!
bet365
bet365 is as good as it gets. The sportsbook is one of the most recognizable in the world, with its signature green and yellow design, and its reputation is built on being one of the most detailed and multi-functional platforms you can find. Formed in the UK in 2000, bet365 has expanded to become a leader in both the Australian and European markets – and now it’s turning its attention to the US.
Bet365’s mobile app is incredibly detailed and well designed. The number of different sports available to bet on is as good as you will find, as is the variety of bets on offer. You can live stream all kinds of content directly on the app, and for sports without a video feed you can find graphics and updates. Live betting is easy and fun. There are also whole sections dedicated to sports news and stats.
Despite the huge amount of options and information, bet365’s app never feels cluttered – a mark of how well it’s designed. That said, beginning players may prefer a more simple platform with fewer options to choose from. Check out our bet365 sportsbook review for more information.
BetRivers
BetRivers online platform originally comes from Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and was launched in June 2019. The site has grown in popularity since then, and currently accepts players from Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and Colorado.
For BetRivers’ online platforms, both the website and app, the sportsbook has chosen to focus on simplicity and ease of use over flashy software and graphics. BetRivers is perfect for players who like to keep things simple and logical, and place their bets with no fuss. That said, it’s not without some interesting features.
The parlay building tool is great for systematically creating bespoke parlays, and BetRivers live streams certain events right on the platform. It’s also nice to have a betting platform with a slightly more local feel, in comparison with so many multinational betting companies opening up shop in the US. Read our BetRivers review for more details.
Use promo code 250MATCH to get a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250 on your first deposit at BetRivers right now. Claim your bonus here: Pennsylvania | Colorado | Indiana | Illinois
Unibet
Unibet is another big name in European betting, having been founded in London in 1997. The company has expanded considerably since then – acquiring rival European sportsbooks under the name Kindred Group – and finally made its first steps into the US market in September 2019.
Unibet’s mobile app is very well designed, and incorporates all of Unibet’s signature features, including the Bet Builder tool and characteristic live betting platform. The in-play section of the app in particular works extremely well, with live graphics available from every game and notifications sent to your phone in real time. There’s also a tracker showing all the live events available at any time.
Unibet has been slightly slower to launch in the US than many of its European competitors, but its mobile app more than matches up to the other options out there. Read our full Unibet sportsbook review for all the details.
Get a $600 risk free bet with Unibet! Claim the offer here: New Jersey | Pennsylvania
888Sport
Lots of sportsbooks end up designing their apps a while after their website, and sometimes this means the app feels a little more modern and fun to use. This is the case with 888Sport’s app, which wraps up everything on offer at 888Sport’s website into an extremely well designed mobile site. The app is state of the art – fast and smooth to use while also very impressive visually.
888 has plenty of experience designing online betting platforms – the company has been one of the biggest names in online poker for almost 20 years now. While poker is probably what the company is most known for, 888 began to move into sports betting when 888sports was launched in 2008. In 2013 the site received a licence to operate in Nevada, marking its first steps into the US. In 2018 when legal sports betting became a reality in other states, 888 wasted no time in expanding.
Another sportsbook that is perfect for poker fans, 888sport already had plenty of practise optimizing its poker site for mobile gaming, so it’s no surprise the 888Sports app works so well. Check out our 888Sport review here.
FanDuel Sportsbook
The yin to DraftKings’ yang, FanDuel capitalized on already having a nationwide reputation and customer base through Daily Fantasy Sports to quickly become one of the top sportsbooks in the country, once online sports betting began to arrive in the US.
If many players choose to try FanDuel Sportsbook because they already have DFS accounts, they will stay because of the sheer quality of the sportsbook and mobile app.
FanDuel just has no weaknesses. The range of sports and betting markets is second to none, and the app is so well designed that it never feels like a chore to browse through them. The app is also full of extra features that make the betting process more fun and interactive. There are form guides for all major sports, which give you background information before you decide how to bet.
Some sportsbooks have a habit of neglecting promotions for existing players, instead focusing on welcome bonuses. This is not the case at FanDuel, who really put the time and effort into creating interesting on-running promotions – which can be claimed on the app. It’s a great choice. Check out our full FanDuel Sportsbook review here.
Fox Bet
Fox Bet was created as the result of a partnership between two of the biggest names in sports and betting – the Fox Corporation (best known for Fox Sports) and The Stars Group (best known for PokerStars online poker platform). In fact, The Stars Group originally set up their own sports betting platform known as BetStars, but the site was rebranded with the Fox name when the collaboration was finalized.
Fox Bet’s software is really strong across the board, including the mobile app. The platform looks great on the small screen – nice and clean and easy to use. Fox Bet is very adept at creating promotions and bonus offers, like their patented Spin And Bet and Odds Boost features. Creating an account with Fox Bet also gives you automatic access to Poker Stars, and the app lets you play on both (location depending). This is a huge bonus for fans of both sports betting and online poker.
Read our full Fox Bet review here.
You can claim up to $500 in free bets at Fox Bet right now. Claim your bonus here!
SugarHouse
SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia is one of the most well loved casinos on the East Coast, and after the Supreme Court decision in 2018 it moved to expand into online sports betting in nearby New Jersey.
SugarHouse’s platforms tend to overlap a lot and players on the app are encouraged to engage with other services like casino gaming or the physical casino resort. If you’re a regular at the casino or like to play online casino games online, you’ll love the promotions that SugarHouse has dreamed up. You can win things like trips to the casino and tickets to exclusive events. The app also gives you automatic access to casino games, in addition to the sportsbook. On the other hand, if this kind of thing doesn’t interest you the promos might not be too valuable.
The range or sports and bets on offer at the SugarHouse app are excellent, although the software does feel a little older than the most modern apps out there. Check out our complete SugarHouse Sportsbook review for a more in-depth look.
Use bonus code 250MATCH for a 100% deposit bonus up to $250 at SugarHouse. Claim the offer here!
Borgata
Borgata Sportsbook is the online sports betting platform of the world famous Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. When legal sports betting was launched in New Jersey, lots of existing multinational betting companies jumped at the chance to set up shop in partnership with local casinos. Borgata on the other hand opted to develop its own signature online platform to complement the physical sportsbook launched in the resort, complete with 40-foot video wall for watching live sport.
Borgata’s software is very well designed. The app is simple and clean, and very friendly for beginners. Placing bets is easy and intuitive, and players aren’t overwhelmed with options. Borgata also likes to encourage players to check out its casino games too, so you may see ads for them popping up in the sportsbook.
If you’re a fan of Borgata’s resort in Atlantic City, you’ll like this app. You can even deposit money into your account right there at the cage in the casino if you’re not a fan of modern payment methods like PayPal. Get the full scoop by reading our Borgata Sportsbook review.
Borgata are offering new customers $100 in free bets. Claim the offer here!
Caesars
Caesars sports betting app is another option with its identity firmly tied into a traditional New Jersey casino. Caesars Casino originally opened in Atlantic City back in 1979, and is one of the most recognizable brands in US gambling.
Caesars sports betting app is in truth evenly split between the mobile sportsbook and the mobile casino. For players who are interested in both, it’s an excellent platform. You can easily flip from the casino to the sportsbook at the touch of a button. If you have no interest in casino games however, you might prefer not to see them on the app at all.
Caesars app is user friendly. The customer support – which includes a live chat option inset on the screen at all times – is top notch. In-play betting works really well on the app, and the range of markets is impressive. Placing bets is also very easy. This app is great both for beginners, and for players who love both sports betting and casino gaming.
Honourable Mentions
There you have it. Our list of the best sports betting apps available in the US right now. Each one is different, and brings its own unique spin to the table. For each one, you can also read our full reviews to get a more in-depth picture of every single facet of the sportsbook as a whole.
If you sign up via our links, we’ll also hook you up with a valuable welcome bonus to get started on the right track.
Although those 12 apps are top of our list at the moment, there are other interesting options arriving for players in the US all the time. Below, we’ve listed a couple of honourable mentions of sites that are also worth a look, as well as some specialising in betting on horse racing.
The choice is yours.
We really are getting spoilt for choice for top class sports betting apps in the US at the moment. We recommend you take your time and read through our reviews of all the different options. Figure out what you value most in a sports betting app, and chances are you’ll be able to find your perfect platform among our favourites above.
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