Best Sports Betting Apps

The sports betting momentum continues throughout the U.S., with additional states eyeing online sports betting as a new revenue stream. Meanwhile, eager sports bettors are enjoying the fruits of the expansion.

Despite its early (and widespread) success since the 2018 repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, sports betting still isn’t legal everywhere.

The repeal put the power in the hands of individual states, and many quickly took advantage of the opportunity. More states are on the verge of joining the sports betting game, but others continue to lag behind as they navigate regulatory red tape, await voter approval and/or battle opposing parties.

Many of the states with legalized sports betting have gone all-in, allowing sports bettors to place wagers through their mobile devices. Online sports betting apps are popular, but each has its own unique characteristics and bet offerings.

Are Sports Betting Apps Legal in the U.S.?

It depends where you’re located. Sports betting is legal in the majority of states, but not all.

Why the piecemeal approach? In 2018, the United States Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, which had effectively outlawed sports betting in the U.S. outside of Nevada.

However, the Supreme Court’s ruling didn’t authorize sports betting across the board. Instead, PASPA’s downfall meant that individual states could decide if they wanted to legalize sports betting.

Jurisdictions that chose to pass sports betting legislation also decided how bettors could place their wagers: in-person only at a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, online via computers and mobile devices, or a combination of both.

Residency isn’t required. As long as you’re physically located within a legal market’s borders, you can make online bets.

Can You Trust Sports Betting Apps?

Yes, you can trust sports betting apps for several reasons.

For starters, legal U.S. sportsbooks are regulated and face audits to ensure they’re operating correctly. They must meet certain requirements to become a licensed sportsbook operator, unlike offshore sportsbooks that are typically unregulated.

Sports betting apps are also safe. They have strict security measures to protect your personal information when you sign up for an account. They safeguard your payment info as well and don’t give it out, so you don’t have to worry about important info being leaked or stolen.

Lastly, sports betting apps use secure methods for deposits and withdrawals. Online bank transfers, PayPal and credit/debit cards are just some of the ways to move money into and out of your account.

At the end of the day, sportsbooks want to remain in business. They have millions of customers and don’t want to risk compromising that. Any hacks, scandals or scams would seriously damage their reputation and potentially put them out of business, so rest assured that they have plenty of measures in place to protect their customers.

Sports Betting Apps vs. DFS Apps

Before signing up for a sportsbook, it’s important to know the difference between a sports betting app and a daily fantasy sports (DFS) app.

A sports betting app is where you place wagers at a sportsbook. You can wager on a variety of sports betting markets there, including moneylines, spreads, Over/Unders and prop bets.

DFS is different from traditional sports betting. It’s where you build a lineup of players and try to score the most points relative to other bettors. It’s essentially playing fantasy sports for money.

It’s possible to do both, but just keep that in mind when signing up for a new account. Some companies like FanDuel and DraftKings offer both sports betting and DFS. They even have separate apps, so make sure you download the correct one.

Other operators only offer sports betting or DFS, so check before signing up.

How to Choose a Sports Betting App

Sports betting apps provide similar services but slightly different experiences.

Whether you’re a brand-new bettor or a seasoned odds shopper, it helps to seek out certain qualities in an online sports betting platform.

Looking for a good starting point? Try operating systems. Most sportsbooks offer Android and iOS apps.

You can check the App Store or Google Play to confirm. Any sports betting site worth your while will have an app available for download on either platform.

From there, dig into the details. Almost every sports betting site will offer a sign-up bonus, throwing some free money on top of your initial deposit.

Compare bonuses from multiple sportsbooks (where available), and ask yourself: Which one gives me the best bang for my buck?

That said, you can claim welcome promotions at multiple online betting sites.

Be sure to check the rules associated with the offer. Is a hefty deposit required to trigger the bonus? Do you need to bet a certain amount before the freebie hits your account?

Then, jump straight to the features and functionality, including odds and market coverage. A solid online sportsbook will offer plenty of lines with competitive odds.

It should also be easy to find your desired bet. A sportsbook shouldn’t require you to go down a rabbit hole to find a particular game or bet.

Sports Betting Apps That Give You Free Money

One good way to choose a sportsbook is to determine which one has the best sign-up bonus, especially if it involves free money.

That means looking at each sportsbook available in your state and comparing their welcome offers.

Many sportsbooks offer a first bet bonus that refunds your first wager in site credit if it loses. However, they are not giving you free money–they are merely giving you your money back if you lose.

Instead, you’re better off joining a sportsbook with a “bet and get” promotion where you earn bonus bets for wagering a small amount. For example, DraftKings gives new users $150 in bonus bets for betting just $5. They’re essentially giving you free money to bet with.

This is ideal for sports bettors because you can bet without risking your own money initially. You can also use these bonus bets to win real money and build up your betting bankroll without making a large deposit.

DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPN BET and Bet365 all feature “bet and get” offers for new customers.

What is the Best App to Bet on Sports?

No single sportsbook is the best. It’s all about the user experience, and every user has a different experience.

There are numerous sports betting apps worth investigating. You’ll find the app(s) you like best by trying different options and figuring out which best fits your betting habits and preferences.

The bottom line is that the “best” sportsbook can depend on many factors, including the state you live in (or can most reasonably visit), promotions and market depth.

That said, the sports betting landscape has some clear frontrunners when it comes to mobile apps.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Any experienced sports bettor will list FanDuel among their favorite sports betting apps, and for good reason.

For starters, FanDuel offers new customers $150 in bonus bets if they win their first $5 moneyline wager.

FanDuel’s app is a top choice for any type of bettor, particularly newcomers, because of the seamless navigation. It’s easy to jump straight to a specific sport or league from the home screen.

Sometimes you don’t even need to click on a specific sport, as the top games/events of the day are prominently displayed.

FanDuel also has some of the best market depth. You can find countless player props in any sport.

FanDuel has one of the most robust same-game parlay features of any legal sportsbook. If you’re feeling spicy, you can even combine multiple same-game parlays into a single megabet with astronomical odds.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings is one of the few sportsbooks that can rival FanDuel in ease of use and popularity. In fact, the two operators are often mentioned in the same breath because they have been fierce rivals since the early days of daily fantasy sports.

DraftKings is live in almost every legal U.S. market, making it a clear choice for bettors nationwide. DraftKings also seals the deal with a streamlined app and an excellent user experience.

New users at DraftKings can claim $150 in bonus bets with a $5 wager, regardless of whether it wins or loses.

Accordingly, DraftKings is hard to beat. It covers the world’s biggest sports, including every professional league you can think of. Top it off with international favorites such as rugby, cricket and darts, and you get a sports betting experience full of options.

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM is the self-proclaimed “king of sportsbooks,” and its platform backs up this slogan. BetMGM is right there with FanDuel and DraftKings as one of the most prominent sportsbooks in the U.S., operating in most of the country’s legal markets.

BetMGM’s biggest strength is market depth. It has lines and odds that rival or surpass those of its competitors. In fact, the sportsbook often isn’t afraid to “take a stance” on a game or event, offering value on one particular side of a bet that you won’t find elsewhere.

If you like to watch sports on the go and track your bets, you can also stream a variety of events straight from the app. It’s a function many other sportsbooks don’t offer on the same scale.

Customers who open a BetMGM account can claim up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first wager loses.

BetMGM works seamlessly from a user perspective. It loads quickly and has intuitive menus. You’ll find your desired bet within seconds.

Caesars Sportsbook

You may have seen actors J.B. Smoove and Patton Oswalt representing Caesars on billboards, internet ads and television commercials. Caesars has the cash to advertise in a big way, and the app backs up its empire-size claims.

Caesars offers new users up to $1,000 in site credit if your first wager loses. It also has competitive odds, robust depth and a fast-loading app.

In addition to its rewards program, Caesars also boasts rotating promotions and odds boosts. It often offers more promos/boosts at any given time than most of its competitors.

If you’re a bettor looking to stretch your bankroll as far as possible, this is the app for you.

Bet365 Sportsbook

After two decades of growing its brand in countries like Australia, Canada and Mexico, the British-based Bet365 is expanding throughout the United States as well.

Regarded as one of the best sportsbooks in the world, Bet365 is a great option for sports bettors. It has everything you could want in a sportsbook, including strong customer service, an easy-to-use app, plenty of payment options and a broad array of betting markets.

There are a few things that stand out about Bet365. One is its welcome offer, which gives new customers two options.

The first is a “first bet safety net,” which reimburses your first bet up to $1,000 in site credit if it loses. The second is a “bet and get” offer that grants new users $150 in bonus bets just for wagering $5.

Use the promo code FORBES to claim either option.

As an international sportsbook, Bet365 has an extensive selection of betting markets that include foreign sports and niche markets like darts and virtual sports. Bet365 also has some of the best odds in the industry for live betting.

Bet365 is only available in seven states, but it’s a terrific option if you can access it.

ESPN BET Sportsbook

ESPN BET is one of the most recent sportsbooks to join the market, launching in 2023. Despite being new, it’s already available in 17 states.

Previously Barstool Sportsbook, this app rebranded to ESPN BET after PENN Entertainment partnered with ESPN. For existing customers, the app still looks and feels mostly the same.

New customers can earn $200 in bonus bets by placing any wager at ESPN Bet after signing up. Your bet can be as little as $1 and doesn’t need to win for you to receive the bonus.

Beyond that, ESPN BET offers plentiful daily odds boosts and has everything you’d expect from a new, modern sportsbook. The app is easy to use, customer service is solid and there are numerous betting markets to choose from.

ESPN is a big name in the sports industry, and its official sportsbook matches its reputation.

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers is a popular brand in sports betting and operates in a number of legal sports betting states, including New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It initially launched in 2012 and has been in the U.S. sports betting space since 2020.

New users can get their first bet back up to $500 in bonus bets if it loses. The amount varies by state, so check before placing your first wager. Also make sure to use the promo code SPORTS when registering.

BetRivers Sportsbook has some pros and cons. Bettors are fond of their promotions, customer service and betting options. However, its app is clunky and the odds typically aren’t as favorable as at other sportsbooks.

As such, BetRivers isn’t regarded as a top-flight sportsbook. However, its welcome offer and ongoing promotions make it a decent secondary option.

PointsBet Sportsbook

PointsBet skyrocketed from its humble beginnings in Australia to become a popular U.S. sportsbook app.

The PointsBet interface is sleek and simple, making it easy to find your favorite sport. You can use the search function to find a particular team or game, scroll through the side menu that lists all available sports, or peruse the home screen for in-play matchups.

PointsBet’s new-user promotion offers up to $1,000 in second chance bets if your first wager loses.

Points Betting is one feature that sets PointsBet apart from the competition—a unique bet type that pays or loses more based on the margin of victory or loss in a game. It’s high-risk, high-reward, making it an interesting alternative to standard bets.

Don’t see your desired bet on the PointsBet app? Use the “Name A Bet” feature and request the wager you’d like to make. PointsBet will price odds for your requested wager, at which point you can decide if it’s worth betting.