Sports Betting Apps

States with legal sports betting apps enforce strict consumer protection regulations related to honesty, security, and responsible gambling.

However, those factors only tell part of the story when it comes to ranking real-money betting apps in overall quality.

Not even nationally recognized sportsbook brands are immune to business decisions that negatively impact customers’ experiences.

Licensed sports betting apps can provide slow customer support when bettors need help urgently, sharply limit winners, suffer security breaches, charge too much vigorish, or all of the above and remain in good standing with state regulators.

As a result, choosing wisely remains just as important today as ever. On this page, BettingUSA breaks down the best online betting apps in simple terms so bettors can get started on the right foot from day one.

Legal Sports Betting Apps

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BettingUSA considers these the best sportsbook apps in the USA. Each has the backing of an experienced gaming operator and has achieved significant market share in the US due to high-quality software, fair betting lines, and frequent promotions.

DraftKings Sportsbook App

• Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, & WY
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
• App Store rating: 4.8/5 (625K ratings)

DraftKings’ prior experience as one of the nation’s two largest daily fantasy providers has served the company well in its online betting pursuits. The DraftKings Sportsbook app looks and functions like a large-budget development, which it is.

As its high average user rating score indicates, the DraftKings sports betting app is highly regarded by real customers.

The high score is the result of multiple factors. Some of the most notable include customer-friendly terms, low vigorish on moneylines, and a tendency to post the odds earlier than other sportsbooks.

The DraftKings app also features a massive wagering catalog that spans a world of sports leagues and provides no shortage of alt lines, including alternate player props.

Additionally, the DraftKings app differentiates itself from the competition in multiple ways.

For example, DraftKings Sportsbook is the only operator among legal US sports betting apps with the following:

• Daily betting pools and predictions contests: Fans can visit the “Pools” tab within the DraftKings app for paid and free betting pools and predictions contests for major US sports.
• Integrated social network: The “DraftKings Social” tab allows bettors to follow verified users, share their wagers and picks, comment on each other’s wagers, add friends, create or join groups, and more.
• Reignmakers NFT contests: DraftKings Reignmakers is an NFT-based collectible trading card game where customers purchase packs of digital cards featuring professional athletes in the major US sports leagues. Fans can buy and sell Reignmakers cards on the DraftKings NFT marketplace and use them to build fantasy teams to compete for millions of dollars in prizes.

DraftKings’ most glaring weakness is its lack of a way to contact live customer support directly. Bettors can submit an e-mail or callback request through the DraftKings app and expect a response within 24 hours, but a 24/7 support line and live chat would be significant improvements.

Pros: Low vigorish, competitive lines, daily betting pools, quality promotional lineup, treats customers well, and a superior loyalty program via DraftKings Dynasty Rewards.

Cons: Only contact methods provided within the DraftKings app are an e-mail support form and a callback request form

FanDuel Sportsbook App

• Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, & WY
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
• App Store rating: 4.8/5 (1.2M ratings)

FanDuel is DraftKings’ chief competitor for US sports betting market share and customer ratings.

Its strong points include a high-value welcome bonus, a user-friendly app, and a vast menu of wagering options.

The FanDuel sports betting app specializes in comprehensive event coverage, market depth, alternate lines, props, same game parlays, and other special wagers not found elsewhere.

Odds pricing varies, but the FanDuel Sportsbook app is reliably competitive with other major US operators.

FanDuel’s pregame NFL lines and teasers are below average, but pricing on its in-play NFL markets is excellent. Additionally, the odds on just about anything NBA, MLB, or tennis-related are far above average.

Although FanDuel doesn’t boast as many features as DraftKings, the app gets a thousand small things right to make it feel like a sleek yet sturdy product.

Put simply, the FanDuel Sportsbook app just works. It doesn’t freeze, disconnect, or surprise bettors with other annoying issues.

Pros: In-game NFL pricing, low vigorish on NBA, MLB, and tennis markets, massive wagering menu, generous welcome bonus, live-streaming broadcasts, and reliable software

Cons: Subpar pricing for pregame NFL lines and teasers, lackluster promos for existing customers, and no loyalty program

BetMGM App

• Available in: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WA, WV, & WY + Puerto Rico
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
• App Store rating: 4.8/5 (177K ratings)

One of the BetMGM app’s most distinguishing traits is how it strikes a delicate balance between stuffing it full of features without hindering navigation.

For instance, the BetMGM Sportsbook app highlights the day’s most noteworthy wagers in the customer’s state, notifies users of available promos, and lists hundreds of betting markets per game without cluttering the interface.

Little touches like telling bettors where they can watch tonight’s NFL game live and listing which games are available for in-app live streaming add to the sense of quality users experience while interacting with the BetMGM app.

The BetMGM Sportsbook app also provides an above-average range of features and capabilities, ranging from early cash outs (close your bet early to lock in your winnings) to extensive same-game parlay options.

However, all these capabilities come with a price. The BetMGM app runs slower than its chief rivals. For example, there’s a slight lag when switching between pages.

The brief pause isn’t extreme, but it’s just enough to cause the occasional annoying instance where bettors think a button tap didn’t register, so they try again just as the new page loads and end up landing somewhere other than the intended destination.

BetMGM’s customer support team must also use the BetMGM app to respond to queries because they can be frustratingly slow. Like the app, the quality is high, but response times could improve.

Otherwise, the BetMGM sports betting app is all highlights. Other strong points include a massive wagering catalog for every event, low vigorish on pregame and in-play lines, frequent random bonuses for existing customers, and integration with the MGM Rewards program.

Pros: Low vigorish, BetMGM rewards loyalty program, live streaming video for some sports, detailed stats provided for in-play betting events, intuitive navigation, same-game parlay builder, many in-play betting events offered every day, frequent promotions

Cons: Mobile app lags slightly when switching pages; slow customer support

BetRivers App

• Available in: AZ, CO, DE, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, & WV
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
• App Store rating: 4.4/5 (2.4K ratings)

The BetRivers app has dramatically improved its average user rating since its launch, advancing from 1.8 to 4.4 out of 5 thanks to significant design improvements and new features.

BetRivers is now competitive with other prominent sportsbook brands regarding usability and features. However, it comes up short in stability as there are still regular customer complaints about the BetRivers app crashing or failing to load properly.

The BetRivers Sportsbook app ranks exceptionally well in the in-play betting category due to a busy calendar that covers many live events daily, live broadcasts, and uncommon features.

For example, BetRivers was one of the first online sportsbooks to debut BetVision streams that integrate betting slips and player stats into live in-app broadcasts. The result is the most interactive wager-while-watching experience bettors will find anywhere.

Other areas where the BetRivers app performs well are the betting odds, market depth, and welcome bonus. BetRivers beats most other mobile sportsbooks in each category.

Pros: Excellent welcome bonus, live streaming video powered by BetVision for select sports events, competitive odds, frequent in-play betting markets, and important games covered with 400+ betting markets.

Cons: Some users experience random app crashes; promotions for existing customers are decent but not great

Caesars Sportsbook App

• Available in: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WA, WV, WY + Puerto Rico
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
• App Store rating: 4.5/5 (5K ratings)

The Caesars Sportsbook app is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, it excels in offering things bettors have requested from other sportsbooks for years.

For example, the Caesars sports betting app does not limit winning bettors nearly as quickly as other major sportsbooks. It also tends to accept bigger bets and post lines earlier than other books on a wide range of markets.

On the other hand, the Caesars Sportsbook app can be supremely frustrating due to random crashes, the “swipe up to bet” feature that often causes iOS users to close the app instead of place the bet, and slow customer support.

Similarly, the Caesars Sportsbook app’s odds are all over the place. It provides excellent pricing on major US pro sports markets like pregame moneylines and spreads, yet its props and futures can be some of the most-juiced in the industry.

With all that in mind, the Caesars betting app is worth keeping an account on to take advantage of excellent pricing when available and for bettors who need to place bigger bets than they can at other online sportsbooks.

A busy promotional schedule and integration with Caesars Rewards help sweeten the deal as well.

• Pros: Excellent pricing in some cases, accepts bigger bets than average, isn’t as quick as other sportsbooks to limit winners, frequent promos, and Caesars Rewards
• Cons: Poor pricing in some cases, buggy app, slow customer support

Bet365 App

• Available in: AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, NC, NJ, OH, & VA
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
• App Store rating: 4.8/5 (59.9K ratings)

The Bet365 Sportsbook app doesn’t look impressive from the outset, but its homely appearance belies a powerful engine just beneath the surface with much to offer to customers.

For one, the Bet365 sports betting app charges significantly lower-than-average vigorish, even on major markets like pregame NFL and NBA moneylines.

Bet365 is also often the first to post lines for the big games, giving bettors a chance to secure favorable odds before the public pushes the line back into unfavorable territory.

Additionally, Bet365 is a deeply experienced operator with a long-term track record as a reliable, safe online sportsbook. Although the Bet365 Sportsbook app has only been available in the US for a handful of years, the company has decades of experience in international markets.

Bet365’s experience in European markets gives it a leg up on other major US operators when it comes to leagues that other sportsbooks tend to neglect. For example, Bet365 provides extensive prop betting menus and SGP options for tennis and soccer.

The Bet365 app doesn’t launch tons of new promos, but it has some excellent longstanding offers that provide value and ask nothing of return from customers.

One popular ongoing promo is the Bet365 app’s early payout policy on straight bets if the customer’s selected NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, CBB, or soccer team gains a big lead at any point during the game.

For example, Bet365 instantly pays if a bettor’s NFL team gains a 17-point lead at any point, regardless of how the game ends later.

Bettors can also launch the Bet365 app daily for multiple 30% profit boosts on popular sports.

The most significant and common customer complaints Bet365 receives are relatively frequent reports of the app crashing and a tendency to limit winners earlier than other legal sports betting apps in the USA.

Pros: Low vigorish on pregame lines, early lines, daily 30% profit boosts, and a long-term positive reputation among customers

Cons: Rarely launches new sports betting promotions, sporadic customer reports of app crashes

Hard Rock Bet App

• Available in: AZ, IN, NJ, OH, TN, & VA
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
• App Store rating: 4.9/5 (20.4K ratings)

The Hard Rock Sportsbook app has improved dramatically since its launch and is severely underrated as a result.

Most noticeably, the Hard Rock sports betting app is fast. It responds instantly to user input, locks in wagers immediately, and opens new pages with zero waiting. The difference is stark and refreshing for bettors accustomed to other online sportsbooks.

Some of the Hard Rock betting app’s other strong points include an intuitive same game parlay builder, flex parlays (win the bet even if some legs lose), daily odds boosts, live streams for select games, and an intuitive navigation scheme.

The Hard Rock Sportsbook app’s most glaring weakness is a weak promotional schedule. Daily promos other than odds boosts are infrequent, and the welcome bonus is underwhelming.

However, Hard Rock Loyalty Rewards is a viable alternative bettors can leverage for bonus bets, Mystery Wheel spins, and other merchandise.

The rewards pace picks up considerably once bettors earn 10+ Tier Credits to advance to the next tier, where they earn 2x Rewards Points on all their wagering activity. The multipliers increase from there up to 10x at the invitation-only Diamond level.

The Hard Rock sports betting app provides decent lines overall. Hard Rock Sportsbook occasionally has the best odds, even compared to operators like DraftKings and Bet365, but truly valuable lines are hit-or-miss.

Pros: Lightweight and reliable betting app, parlay betting options galore, flex parlays allow bettors to lose a leg or two and still win, daily odds boosts, live streams, and a loyalty program

Cons: Limited promos other than odds boosts, weak welcome bonus, only offers the best lines occasionally

Fanatics Sportsbook App

• Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, & WV
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android
• App Store rating: 4.7/5 (7.5K ratings)

The Fanatics Sportsbook app approaches mobile betting from a different angle than most, and it’s apparent from the first time bettors log in.

Rather than providing a long list of games and odds on the homepage, the Fanatics sports betting app greets bettors with a long list of featured bets, promos, and trending wagers.

Experienced bettors may find it off-putting at first because it challenges industry conventions. However, the Fanatics Sportsbook app learns from users’ preferences and should (in theory) present them with bets that are increasingly aligned with their interests over time.

However, in its current iteration, navigating the app is confusing. For example, selecting the “live” tab to view in-play wagering events brings users to a schedule that shows current and future events organized by league, but there’s no obvious way to view all in-play events that are live right now.

The Fanatics Sportsbook app also heavily promotes parlays and same game parlays (SGPs). That’s naturally a win for parlay bettors, but others will be annoyed by the app’s tendency to constantly push high-house-advantage bets.

One of the Fanatics Sportsbook app’s highlights is an excellent search feature that can save a lot of time, especially for bettors who want to find all markets related to a specific player or team.

The Fanatics sports betting app sports a simple but beneficial loyalty program that issues FanCash to bettors for every wager they place. Customers can use the cash on Fanatics.com or redeem it for bonus bets to use on the sports of their choice.

Other strong points include above-average pricing on futures and some props. Additionally, Fanatics offers lots of alternate lines with better-than-average commissions.

Pros: Loyalty program, props and futures pricing, and an advanced search feature

Cons: Confusing navigation, homepage pushes parlays heavily, limited in-play betting markets

ESPN Bet App

• Available in: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, & WV
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
• App Store rating: 4.9/5 (75.9K ratings)

The ESPN Bet app is relatively young in the US sports betting industry, but it uses technology PENN Entertainment developed for the now-defunct Barstool Sportsbook several years prior.

As a result, the ESPN Bet app feels like a more established sportsbook than its launch date indicates. That said, the ESPN Bet app receives mixed reviews from real customers online despite its overwhelmingly favorable App Store rating.

Generally, bettors find the ESPN Bet app adequate performance-wise. It runs smoothly, accepts wagers without issue, and doesn’t suffer noticeable lag when browsing the lines.

However, the ESPN Sportsbook app has room for improvement in multiple areas. One of the most common complaints currently regards withdrawal times. There are many customer reports that the ESPN Bet app is slow to process withdrawals and identity verification submissions.

Some of its promotions are excellent, but some have burdensome wagering requirements that drain them of nearly all value.

The ESPN Bet app also trails market leaders like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM in market depth.

The ESPN Bet app offers all the major markets like moneylines, point spreads, and props, but it’s still a bit shallow compared to other operators in some categories, including player props and alternate lines.

Ending on a positive note, the ESPN Bet app launched with competitive lines from day one. On average, ESPN Bet takes equal or less commission than its competitors.

Pros: Busy promotional schedule, responsive app, quality lines

Cons: Some promotions aren’t worthwhile, slow withdrawals, slow customer support

iPhone Betting Apps

All major sportsbook operators offer iOS betting apps. Customers can download any iOS sportsbook in one of two ways:

• Open the App Store and search for the betting app by name
• Visit an online sportsbook’s website for a direct link to the appropriate page on the App Store

Apple vets every mobile betting app to ensure it is legal and licensed before making it available on the App Store. The App Store does not list unlicensed betting apps, and there are no workarounds for illegal sportsbooks. In other words, betting apps for iPhone always cover the basics of security and legitimacy at a minimum.

App Store guidelines section 5.3.4 states:

Apps that offer real money gaming (e.g., sports betting, poker, casino games, horse racing) or lotteries must have necessary licensing and permissions in the locations where the App is used, must be geo-restricted to those locations, and must be free on the App Store. Illegal gambling aids, including card counters, are not permitted on the App Store. Lottery apps must have consideration, chance, and a prize.

Android Betting Apps

Google updated its App Store policy in March 2021 to authorize mobile betting apps developed by licensed operators in states where online gambling is legal. Now, the Google Play Store lists nearly all licensed operators’ betting apps for Android.

Google Play Store Sports Betting Guidelines

The Google Play Store only lists licensed sportsbooks and has additional guidelines they must follow to retain their listings. The current Google Developer Program Policy explains what it expects of all Android betting apps:

We allow real-money gambling apps, ads related to real-money gambling, and daily fantasy sports apps that meet certain requirements.

…

Eligible apps must meet the following requirements:

Developer must successfully complete the application process in order to distribute the app on Play;

App must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for each country in which it is distributed;

Developer must have a valid gambling license for each country or state/territory in which the app is distributed;

Developer must not offer a type of gambling product that exceeds the scope of its gambling license;

App must prevent under-age users from using the app;

App must prevent access and use from countries, states/territories, or the geographic areas not covered by the developer-provided gambling license;

App must NOT be purchasable as a paid app on Google Play, nor use Google Play In-app Billing;

App must be free to download and install from the Store;

App must be rated AO (Adult Only) or IARC equivalent; and

App and its app listing must clearly display information about responsible gambling.

Direct Download Still An Option (In Some Cases)

The Google Play Store refused to list real money sports betting apps for a few years after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA. As a result, most major betting sites distributed their Android betting apps independently so customers could download them directly from the websites of their favorite sportsbooks.

Google’s updated policy has made it much easier for licensed sportsbooks to onboard new Android users. Previously, licensed operators had to walk new users step-by-step to download and install their Android apps directly from each operator’s website. Now, bettors can search for operators by name to download Google Play betting apps with no additional steps.

That said, some operators still offer direct Android downloads on their websites. It’s relatively straightforward to download betting apps for Android from any operator’s website:

1. Visit your sportsbook’s website on your mobile device
2. Wait for a prompt to download the mobile app or look for the Android link to start the download
3. Trust the sportsbook .apk file (you may need to go to settings and allow installs from the current source)

Ranking Sports Betting Apps

Ranking the best sports betting apps is part art, part science. National name-brand sportsbooks boast quality apps from a technical perspective, and there are no concerns about the safety of licensed sportsbooks.

State regulators deserve credit for ensuring licensed betting apps have adequate security protocols, financial controls, and consumer protection measures.

Bettors can avoid 90% of adverse experiences by doing nothing more than sticking exclusively with licensed sports betting apps for real money wagering.

However, functional apps and adequate security are just baseline must-haves in the regulated US online sports betting industry. Other details that aren’t as obvious also significantly impact overall quality.

For example, there are several sportsbook apps that look and function marvelously but are known for sharply (and prematurely) reducing the betting limits of customers who win a few bets. If a customer can only bet pennies on their favorite teams, it doesn’t matter how well the app runs or what features it offers.

BettingUSA’s Ranking Factors

BettingUSA takes a systematic approach when ranking real money sports betting apps to minimize the effects of our personal preferences and opinions. Here are some of the key factors BettingUSA considers when evaluating the best sportsbook apps:

• Mobile app availability: Is a native app available for iOS and Android devices? Does the mobile website support betting with no download necessary? The more flexible our options at a sportsbook, the better.
• Reputation: What do we know about this operator? Does it have a troubled history? Are there a lot of disgruntled customers out there leaving negative reviews? Does it limit winners too sharply and too quickly?
• Quality of the odds: Are the odds comparable to what can be found at competing sportsbooks? Are the oddsmakers generous or greedy when they set the commission on their wagers? Some sportsbook apps offer highly competitive in-play wagers but poor odds on props, or vice versa. See BettingUSA’s sportsbook reviews and league pages for more details on how betting apps’ odds compare in various sports and categories of wagers.
• In-play betting interface: Is the live betting interface easy to use? Are live stats, live scoring data, and live streams offered? How frequently are new wagers offered throughout a game?
• Bonuses and promotions: How do the sportsbook bonuses and loyalty programs compare across betting apps? Does this betting app tend to shoot straight with customers or bury a bunch of surprises in the terms and conditions of its bonus offers?
• Ease of use: Is it effortless to set up an account, navigate the sportsbook, place wagers, and monitor outstanding wagers? Is it easy to deposit and withdraw?
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: How many deposit methods do real money sports betting apps offer, and how quickly do they process withdrawals?

Personal Preferences to Consider

One of the key differentiators among online sportsbooks is the quality of lines, but no mobile betting app has a lock on the best odds.

The quality of the lines for every league varies among online betting apps, with some sportsbooks better for NFL betting and others better for the NBA or other sports.

Yet other sportsbook apps provide a sleek interface and more promotions, often at the cost of less appealing lines.

Other considerations include whether the betting software is intuitive, if the sportsbook limits winning bettors, how often it launches new promotions for existing customers, and the value its loyalty program provides.

In addition, personal preferences impact which sportsbook offers the best betting app for any individual bettor.

Casual bettors will likely prefer a smooth, easy-to-use interface even if the vigorish is a bit higher, whereas a sharp might be willing to deal with an outdated product if the lines are good and they won’t get limited.

Speaking of lines, bettors can visit BettingUSA’s live betting odds page to compare the odds across multiple US sports betting apps.

There, bettors can use the live odds board menu to select their state of residence, favorite sport, and category of wager to quickly compare the lines across the most popular mobile sportsbooks.

Bettors should also consider maintaining funded accounts on several US betting apps to take advantage of the best lines for every bet. For example, a bettor with a $500 bankroll would be better served selecting two sports betting apps and depositing $250 at each rather than parking it all in one place.

That’s the easiest way to improve one’s bottom line in sports betting. Plus, it allows them to take advantage of more sportsbook promos.

Mobile Betting Apps And Geolocation

The Supreme Court struck down PASPA in May 2018 to authorize sports betting in states that regulate the activity, but the Wire Act is still in effect and prohibits sports wagers from crossing state lines.

As a result, the law in every state with legal sports betting requires licensed operators to ensure customers can only place wagers from within state lines. Mobile sportsbooks do so by contracting with third-party geolocation services such as GeoComply that use a combination of methods to accurately detect every customer’s physical location.

Most of the work happens behind the scenes. Customers simply download their preferred sports betting apps, sign up for accounts, and play. In the background, services such as GeoComply quietly work to detect and verify the location of every customer.

Geolocation was an imperfect science early in the legal US sports betting industry. Customers near state borders frequently reported trouble accessing mobile betting apps, even when located within state lines. In those early years, geolocation providers had no choice but to err on the side of caution.

The technology has improved drastically since then. Today, geolocation technology is very good at detecting the exact location of every customer. Today, bettors can launch a betting app and watch as wagering is restricted the second they cross state lines.

Federal law does not prohibit bettors from downloading mobile apps, signing up for accounts, or even making deposits when out of state. All major betting apps allow bettors to sign up from anywhere, which can be helpful for bettors who are planning to travel soon to a legal sports betting state.

The only restriction is on placing wagers when out of state. Bettors may view the odds and plan their bets from anywhere in the country, but they must be physically located within the boundaries of a state with legal online betting to place their wagers.

Sports Betting Apps FAQ