App usage is through the roof, with global smartphone downloads reaching an unprecedented 255bn in 2022. They’re getting bigger, better, more user-friendly, and just offer a superior experience compared to Chrome or Safari.
With online gambling quickly supplanting old-school brick-and-mortar establishments, companies have been scrambling to level up their app betting experience. And they’re succeeding.
In this quickfire guide, we’ll take you through the best sports betting apps on the market today. They’re snappy, offer the widest range of games, consistent bonuses, and just an overall solid experience.
Find a Solid Betting Company
It doesn’t matter how glitzy the betting app looks, the crucial must-have is that the provider is a known name in the industry. Would you place a bet on its traditional website or physical location? If yes, you can consider the app.
You want a reliable operator that has the chops, plus that trustworthy government seal of approval. Withdrawals must be quick, reliable, and in full. Odds have to be market-leading, with a wide range of options.
Our Top 3 Betting Apps
In the first instance, we’ll give you our top three providers based both on their app performance, but also on their overall reputation and excellence in the betting market:
William Hill
This bookmaker goes back almost 100 years, with a founding date of 1934. If you are in the UK, you’ll have seen their ads on television during pretty much any sporting event.
What we really like about William Hill’s app is that it has the streaming game down pat. You can watch dedicated channels, with horse racing being the company’s specialty. Free sports on a betting app? Yes, please.
BetMGM
An American juggernaut in the sports betting industry, BetMGM won the prestigious Casino Operator of the Year at EGR North America Awards in 2022. The company has a long track record and is known for its wide range of bonuses and the popular Money Monday Club, which gives bettors free bets based on previous wagers.
BetMGM is the leading operator in the United States. Considering Americans have only just seen an explosion of options when it comes to sports betting, the company had to get it right from day 1. Which is precisely what they’ve done with their app.
FanDuel Sportsbook
For those of us based in the United States, FanDuel is one of your top options. With the NFL Playoffs underway, it’s essential. The company is not just known for its app, but also for the novel same-game parlays feature.
What we really like about FanDuel is that they’ve really focused on experience. It’s not just about placing a simple bet on a result, but everything else as well. You can watch games, get the full race day experience, and opinions/commentary from celebrity hosts. All in all, it’s just a fun app to use.
Why Use an App?
So some of you may be wondering why you should use a sports betting app over a company’s mobile website.
Isn’t it pretty much the same thing?
Flatly, no. There’s a reason why users spend 88% of their time on apps, compared to just 12% on mobile sites. Apps tend to offer a far superior experience, if the company’s done it right.
Everything is integrated, content delivery is seamless, personalization just works, and you can get notifications for relevant offers. It’s that last one that’s particularly relevant for us sportsbook fanatics.
Companies often sweeten the app deal by offering deals that are only visible to app users. And if there’s a tasty bonus that’s just been released, notifications will let you know all about it. No need to refresh that website to check what’s new.
Honourable Mentions: Top Sportsbook Apps
You’re convinced, we can tell. We’ve already given you our top 3, but here are our honorable mention sports betting apps that you should also consider:
DraftKings
The first legal betting app outside the state of Nevada, DraftKings is an established name in the United States sportsbook market. Their apps have been around for a while, but they’ve really taken another step by moving to an in-house software solution in 2021.
We do have a bit of a gripe with the app, which is why it’s not sitting pretty at the top of our list. Its geolocation feature (important if you live and work in two states, for example) isn’t always perfect, and often requires an app restart.
Betfair
What sets Betfair apart is that it gives users the opportunity to be the sportsbook, in a way. You are able to place what’s known as lay bets; you’re betting on something not to happen (watch out for liability!). There are several companies that offer this, but Betfair is the trusted name (plus, it’s the most user-friendly of the bunch).
The app is particularly good, which is an achievement, considering users need to be able to place both lay and back bets in a limited space on a smartphone. App users also get access to a unique bonus.
It’s the Sportsbook, Not the App
When it comes to the best sports betting apps, we’ve obviously taken a slightly different approach to the usual lists you see elsewhere. This is because we want to stress our main (and final) piece of advice: it’s primarily about the sportsbook, not the specific app. Both have to be ticked before you decide to download.
You first trim the list by finding solid providers in your area (this is particularly relevant if you’re based in the US), then you try out the apps available from trusted providers, and then pick your favorite one(s). The best app on the planet will not fix lousy deposit and withdrawal systems, or a meager range of betting options.
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