Betting Apps & Mobile Gaming

Mobile sports betting apps are convenient ways for sportsbooks to reach bettors. New bettors only need a few basics to get started. You first need to create an account and download the app, deposit funds, then select betting markets to wager on.

The mechanics of mobile sports betting are easy. Bettors can find popular sports — like NFL football — and more obscure sports, like darts, as well. Moneyline wagers (on which team or individual athlete will win an event), point spreads, and point totals are among the most common types of bets.

Many sportsbooks have player and game props, plus live betting available for in-game wagering. Bettors can cash in on the best odds in real-time.

Pros & Cons of Online Sports Betting Apps

Mobile sports betting is the most convenient way to place a sports bet. Bettors can make wagers from their phones during post-pandemic get-togethers to make Sunday night football more interesting. But wagering on a phone can limit how many lines bettors can view at once. It’s easier to take in the vast amount of information on a desktop. The bigger screen clears the layout to move around the sportsbook more efficiently. But it’s hard to beat mobile sports betting’s convenience. That outweighs the clarity that a larger screen can bring to a sportsbook app.

Mobile Sports Betting Apps vs. Desktop Sportsbook Sites

Since most sportsbook apps have website counterparts, bettors may be wondering what the differences between them are. If bettors are just placing bets and using the app’s core functions, the website differences will be cosmetic in nature. Online sports betting apps offer a less immersive experience than a retail sportsbook. But that shouldn’t be surprising. Take away the TVs, lounge, and bar, and suddenly sports betting feels more strategic than social. Bettors should watch whether sportsbook apps are offered on iOS and Android. Most major sportsbook brands do. Some smaller brands do not.

How To Download Mobile Sports Betting Apps

Getting set up with a new sportsbook is usually a quick and painless procedure. Here are the steps bettors need to go through to place their first bets on a sportsbook app. Download the sportsbook app from the App Store or the Android link on the sportsbook’s website. Select “Register” and complete the registration process. Usually, this consists of creating a username and password, then providing an email, social security number, and a few other pieces of identifying information. But sometimes sportsbook apps will ask for more verification steps, like sending a utility bill. (Something to research before selecting a sportsbook.) Deposit funds by going to the account section, selecting ‘Deposit’, then a payment method and amount. Place a wager, but pay attention to bonus terms. Risk-free bets are often only good for the first bet. Deposit bonuses can come with funky terms, too. Check the fine print before trying to use a bonus. Withdraw winnings, bet again, or take a break as appropriate.

Apple iOS Betting Apps

Getting an app for sports betting onto the App Store requires operators to jump through a few hoops. For example, sportsbook operators had to change their code from HTML5 to iOS. (That’s the least technical way to explain it, anyway.) Gambling apps must also come with a 17+ rating, which is a much smaller obstacle than a new expensive coding requirement. That’s bad news for apps like BetRivers that have separate apps for each state they’re allowed to operate in. It was unsustainable before that requirement, but this new policy could push them to eventually adopt a single app.

Android Betting Apps

In the past, Google didn’t allow sportsbook apps on the Google Play store. This is changing, with DraftKings being the first app to be available for download directly from the Google Play Store. FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, WynnBET, and BetRivers also launched direct download in March 2021. Some of these apps only have direct downloads available in certain states. It will take some time for this process to roll out. Until an app is available for direct download, you will need to visit the website of the sportsbook and download the Android app from there

Difference Between Offshore & Onshore Apps

You are familiar with downloading a sports betting app from Apple or Google. But, what about offshore apps? Offshore sportsbooks do not use apps. They use mobile betting pages instead. The reason is quite simple. Onshore sports betting apps are patterned after every other app. Meaning, they collect all of your data and information. Look at the terms of service. You will see that onshore apps like Draftkings & Fanduel want access to your phones pictures, contacts and, the ability to make make calls. Yes, you gave them all of your info on your phone. Do they need this for you to make a bet? No, but they can sell your information to advertisers. Offshore books do not college all of that information because it is not required to make a bet.