Sports betting has exploded in the United States after the Supreme Court, in 2018, struck down a federal law that prohibited sports gambling. Before that, the only place in the United States where you could legally place a bet was Las Vegas, and you had to do that in a casino. Now, bettors can place a wager on their smartphone. There are many apps flooding the market, but which one is actually worth it? StudyFinds looked into it and made a list of the best sports betting apps to use.
Could bettors gain an edge if there’s a secret science to gambling on sports? A researcher from the City College of New York believes so. Jacek Dmochowski, associate professor in the Grove School of Engineering at The City College of New York, has proposed a novel way to approach sports wagers. “The central finding of the work is that the objective in sports betting is to estimate the median outcome. Importantly, this is not the same as the average outcome,” says Dmochowski in a university release. “I approach this from a statistical point-of-view but also provide some intuitive results with sample data from the NFL that can be digested by those without a background in math.” Take notes, amateur bettors!
With mobile platforms on the rise, casinos might be becoming a thing of the past. A recent survey finds four in 10 gamblers have never actually set foot in a casino. In fact, nearly a quarter of respondents (23%) who place bets online worry about getting it wrong in person. Another 22 percent fear they’ll look out of place in an actual betting parlor. One in five worry about having to travel to a physical casino or not having anyone to go with. Of those who have been to a casino, 15 percent have only done this once or twice.
Ready to place a wager? StudyFinds has compiled the top five best sports betting apps. Do you use one that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
The List: Best Sports Betting Apps, According to Experts
1. FanDuel
Topping the list for best sports betting apps is FanDuel. Gaming Today says FanDuel is best for new players. “As long as you’re within the borders of a legal sports betting state, you can take FanDuel Sportsbook mobile betting with you wherever you go. FanDuel gives bettors an opportunity to odds that are on par or better than competitors when it comes to the major sporting events in the U.S. FanDuel allows mainstream players to enjoy the staples such as NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, and college basketball. Niche bettors will enjoy the chance to wager on Aussie Rules Football, cycling, table tennis, and more.”
“The FanDuel sportsbook app offers competitive pricing, a generous welcome bonus, and seamless navigation, making it our choice for country’s best football betting app in 2023,” writes Covers.com. “If you’re looking to bet on games in progress, few can rival FanDuel’s mobile live betting experience. As for everything else? If you can find it on FanDuel’s website, expect to see the same features on its mobile app.”
USA Today notes FanDuel is the “No. 1 mobile sports betting app in the USA by market share.” “Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest online gambling company, launched this app after purchasing a controlling stake in FanDuel back in 2018. It offers quick withdrawals, great features, a user-friendly design and large promotions. There is also a FanDuel Casino and a FanDuel Racing app in some states, and it continues to offer Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests via a separate app.”
2. DraftKings
Bookies.com calls DraftKings “one of the powerhouses of the sports betting mobile market.” “Its ease of use and responsive interface has established DraftKings as perhaps the best sports app for Android and iPhone users in every state it operates in, which includes New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia. Boston-based DraftKings has been massively successful in the wake of the launch of Massachusetts sports betting.”
“You will find the Dynasty Rewards program at DraftKings and the customer service top-level,” says Lines.com. “This is besides a great selection of sports and bet types that are easy to navigate via the sleek and responsive app. The app, available for iOS and Android, is highly responsive, easy to update, reasonably sized, and features precise geolocation.”
Lineups refers to DraftKings as the best overall sportsbook. “DraftKings Sportsbook is built to appeal to a wide variety of bettors, particularly with a mobile application that features a stunning user interface and clean functionality. DraftKings has one of the best apps in sports betting, making the whole process simple for users. Even though DraftKings offers tons of different sports, the interface is approachable for new users. DraftKings also offers some of the best promos around for getting site credits and maximizing profits.”
3. Caesars Sportsbook
Not only is Caesars a top sportsbook app, but it already has some legendary commercials featuring JB Smoove from “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and the Manning family. “Boasting one of the industry’s most prolific and historic brands, Caesars has fabricated a sports betting app that lives up to its reputation. Users can look forward to frequent promotions — like their new $1,000 first bet on Caesars welcome offer for first-timers who use Caesars promo code SBRBONUS1000 — odds boosts, and more to enhance their betting experience,” writes Sportsbook Review. “A feature that makes Caesars’ platform one of the best sports betting apps is the availability of NFL live streams directly within the app, allowing users to watch football games they can bet on in real time. If you’re looking for the top NFL betting sites and apps specifically, Caesars may be the choice for you.”
“Overall, the Caesars Sportsbook mobile app experience ticks all the right boxes, especially if you prefer a non-cluttered, easy-to-read display. It’s pretty smooth and simple to deposit and withdraw funds (methods include PayPal), get in touch with support via live chat, and more within the app interface,” notes SportsHandle. “A couple tangential points: Caesars seeks to cater to the recreational better, and is rumored to limit or shut out long-term or big winning bettors. That said, nobody does a brick-and-mortar sportsbook better.”
Forbes is a fan of Caesars Reward program. “Caesars edges out some of its major competitors with its sign-up bonus: a $1,500 risk-free first bet. In terms of sheer profit potential, it’s one of the best bonuses at any online sportsbook. Beyond its generous new-user bonus, Caesars has a lot going for it: competitive odds, incredible depth and a fast-loading app. The biggest differentiator for Caesars, in our opinion, is the Caesars Rewards program. If you live in a state with a Caesars casino (or the Caesars Online Casino), you can earn rewards via the sportsbook and other Caesars properties in your market.”
4. BetMGM
BetMGM “grew its reputation through top-tier resorts,” according to Sports Illustrated. “The latest BetMGM welcome offer confirms why many consider them to have the best sports betting app. This time, you won’t need to enter a BetMGM promo code, so you can simply use this link to get up and running now. Then, make your first deposit of at least $10. Follow that up to a first bet of $10+ and up to $1,500, and then you can be stress-free. That’s because if your initial wager loses, you’ll be rewarded with bonus bets of equal value. Of course, if your first bet wins, you’ll still be paid out in full, making this mobile sports betting experience an incredible one.”
“BetMGM has terrific betting odds with player-friendly values for underdog bettors and folks who like placing wagers on their favorite team to win,” adds Gaming Today.
Covers.com notes that BetMGM “is packed with features.” “The sportsbook’s live betting, live streaming, and exhaustive list of betting markets have positioned it as a go-to option for many mobile sports bettors. BetMGM has long been considered one of the top sportsbooks in the country and now operates one of the more robust sports betting apps. The BetMGM app offers the same look, feel, and rotation of promotions its users have become accustomed to on its desktop website.”
5. bet365
Rounding out the top five on our list is bet365. “This is a user-friendly app that provides a great welcome bonus, a variety of features and detailed coverage of more than 20 sports,” says USA Today. “bet365 is the world’s most popular sports betting app, which is testament to the quality of its software and its trustworthy reputation. It particularly excels in terms of live betting and live streaming, but there are lots of appealing pre-game markets, too. You can also benefit from quick payouts, regular promos and 24/7 support via live chat or phone if you download this app.”
The first two games of the #MLB postseason 🔜 pic.twitter.com/BWwqiAIy7n
— bet365 US (@bet365_us) October 3, 2023
“A European powerhouse, bet365 entered the U.S. market with a well-established reputation and strong support system. It offers a variety of wager types in all the major sports and is considered a leader in the in-game market,” notes Bookies.com. “The mobile sports betting app also offers an elite level of options, including cashing out or editing unsettled multi-bet wagers. It has licenses with several sports leagues that otherwise would be unwatchable in the United States. Its signup bonuses are considered top shelf, too.”
Lines.com says bet365 offers a hefty sign-up bonus for new users. “While Bet365 offers numerous excellent qualities, including a fantastic selection of sports and bet types, what shines most is the odds. On average, Bet365’s odds are among the most competitive in the industry, making it a top choice for serious-minded bettors.”
You might also be interested in:
- Best Daily Fantasy Wagering Sites
- Best Fantasy Football Platforms
- Best NFL Quarterbacks
- Best NBA Centers
Sources:
- Gaming Today
- Covers.com
- USA Today
- Bookies.com
- Lines.com
- Lineups
- Sportsbook Review
- SportsHandle
- Forbes
- Sports Illustrated
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.