The Best Mobile Betting Apps in 2024

The mobile betting revolution has changed the face of sports betting forever, and one of the most significant changes has been the dramatic rise in popularity of mobile devices. Smartphone technology had been around since the early 1990s, but in the middle of the 2000s, the smartphone began to challenge the standard mobile as the communication device of preference. That sparked a digital mobile revolution, and in 2019, mobile devices are the most popular method for going online.

The rise of the smartphone forced online betting companies to upgrade their product. As people became used to having the ability to shop, do their banking and browse the web while on the go, they began to demand the freedom to bet on their favourite sports via their mobile. As a result of this pressure, betting companies began to rise to the challenge, and the betting app was born.

Top Rated Betting Apps in December 2024

Over the last fifteen years, the mobile app industry has grown from a niche business to a sector worth as much as $120 billion, and the online betting industry has claimed its share of that business. For instance, there is data to show that around 5 percent of iPhone users in the UK have used betting apps, and that figure is likely to grow as betting apps become more sophisticated.

It is now possible for online punters to use their favourite betting apps to browse markets at hundreds of online bookmakers, accessing all of the markets available to desktop punters, along with all of the essential account features. Some apps also offer the latest in technological identity features, such as Touch ID and other cutting-edge developments. Thanks to the innovations of mobile betting app designers, the future of betting on the go promises to be an exciting one.

Getting Started with Betting Apps

Online betting companies have made it easy for punters to get started and new punters are often advised to browse the web for the best betting applications. When you’ve found an app that you are interested in, you have two options. You may be able to download the app from Google Play if you have an Android device or the Apple Store if your device runs on iOS.

But both Google and Apple’s policies on gambling apps have changed and may change in future, so if you can’t find the app you are looking for on their sites, you will be able to download it directly from the bookmaker’s website, which may also give you the ability to download it using a QR code.

The original betting apps were limited in function and usually required you to first register through a bookmaker’s desktop site before you could use the app. But these days all good betting apps will allow you to register and use your sportsbook account without ever having to visit the desktop site. Registration differs slightly from site to site, but the basic process runs like this:

• Click on the Join Up or Sign Up options
• Complete your personal details including name, address, email and date of birth
• Choose a username and password
• Register your preferred payment method
• Start betting!

Punters who sign up with a mobile betting app will also be able to access a range of useful features that will soon be entering the mainstream of the betting industry. One of these is Single Wallet. This is technology, pioneered by companies such as Playtech, with their Neon software, that enables punters to use a single wallet to make deposits and withdrawals across multiple betting apps, making the process of betting, managing your account and checking your balance easy and convenient.

Another innovation that could prove popular with mobile betting punters is Omnichannel. This is a software platform that works through mobile betting apps to provide punters with a single account that covers both their online betting and their land-based betting. In theory, Omnichannel means that a punter could walk into a retail betting shop and place a bet or collect their winnings using their mobile betting app; a development with huge potential for making betting more convenient.

Best Mobile Betting Apps Review

There is a vast variety of betting apps available right now, and it would be impossible to cover all of them here, but to give you some idea of what’s out there, here is a quick review of some of the best-known betting apps in the modern industry.

bet365

One of the best-known bookmakers in the industry, Bet365 have a European-wide reputation and have developed a betting app that compares well with most of their rivals. The app can be accessed from the iTunes site for iOS users, or direct from the Bet365 website for those with Android devices.

The app runs smoothly and provides access to all of the markets offered by the main site, along with the Cash Out feature and the option to view Live Streaming and the Match Live, Match Alerts, and Results Archive sections. There is no dedicated mobile app bonus to encourage new users to download the app, but new Bet365 members can still claim their standard Welcome Bonus when signing up for a Bet365 account using the mobile app.

888sport

888 Sport began operating as a sportsbook at around the same time that the smartphone revolution was taking off, and it has developed one of the best mobile betting apps on the market. It can be downloaded from the 888sport site or the Google Play or iTunes site, depending on whether you have an Android or an Apple device.

Presented in the company’s distinctive orange and black colours, the 888sport app is easy to download and use, and offers access to all of their markets, along with their Live Betting platform and the useful Bet and Watch feature, which lets you watch live sports events by making a minimal bet of $1 on the event in question. 888sport mobile app users can also claim the 888 Sport Welcome Bonus and can benefit from regularly updated bonuses and promotions.

Betfair

Betfair have been making waves in the betting industry since the turn of the century, and they’ve produced a distinctive mobile betting app that reflects their cutting-edge reputation.

As the Betfair betting exchange markets are dynamic and fast-moving, their mobile app, which can be downloaded from the iTunes and Google Play stores, offers a stripped-down experience, with clear layout and less focus on presentation than you will find with most betting apps. The app offers access to all of the main Betfair features, including Cash Out and Acca Edge options, and new users can claim up to $100 in Free Bets as a Welcome Bonus along with regular mobile promotions.

Unibet

Unibet have been operating in the European betting market since the late 1990s and have produced a mobile app that can be used on iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch, along with any Android device. The site also offers help for those having trouble downloading the app. There may be flashier apps in the betting market, but the Unibet app is easy to use, provides access to all of the Unibet markets, and also allows punters to access Live Streaming content. Additionally, new users can claim the Unibet Welcome Bonus, of up to $50.

Paddy Power

A popular betting operator, Paddy Power have a reliable betting app, though Apple users may find it works better with iOS 8 or later updates. Unlike some sportsbooks, Paddy Power also provide a dedicated mobile betting promotion for those who opt to use the app, which gives you a $20 Risk-Free bet once you enter the Paddy Power promo code. The Paddy Power app is well-designed and offers access to a range of features including Quick Bets and Pitch View for In-Play betting. You can also apply for the PPlus card, which enables you to use your Paddy Power winnings to pay for items, through the mobile app. The Paddy Power app is highly recommended.

10bet

Another new operator in the sports betting sector, 10bet have produced one of the smoothest-running mobile apps, particularly for Apple users, as the iOS app is a joy to use. The 10bet app gives members full access to the sportsbook’s range of markets, along with a host of additional offers such as Cash Outs on selected events, Enhanced Odds, and Free Bets. New users of the 10bet App can also claim a 50% welcome bonus worth up to £50 when they sign up. If you’re looking for a slick, modern betting app, the 10bet mobile app certainly fits the bill.

Cashing in with Mobile App Bonuses

Attracting new customers by offering generous Welcome Bonuses is standard practice in the online betting industry, and any punter looking for a boost when they join a new site will have plenty of options to choose from, ranging from Free Bets to Deposit Match Bonuses.

Welcome Bonus offers change frequently, so it is always a good idea to check out the latest offers available on the leading sportsbook sites. Right now, there are a few excellent offers available to new punters, with Betfair and 10bet both offering tempting Welcome Bonuses worth up to $100.

Offers and promotions for mobile betting punters don’t just stop at Welcome Bonuses. Some sportsbooks have specific offers for mobile users, to encourage customers to download their dedicated apps, and these can include Best Odds offers, which guarantee the best odds in the industry on a particular market, or Acca Insurance, which offers compensation, usually in the form of Free Bets for punters whose accumulator bets are unsuccessful.

Best Betting Apps Design and Functionality

In the early days of the smartphone, when users were forced to access desktop betting sites using their new devices, they had to put up with slow, unresponsive scrolling, cluttered sites, and limited functionality. Fortunately, those problems are a thing of a best.

The top-rated betting apps in the modern market are designed to be clean and efficient, as space is at a premium, even if your device is relatively large. All of the clutter has been cleared away to ensure that your smartphone screen isn’t overwhelmed. Most modern sports betting apps enable you to access the markets of your choice through drop-down menus, one-click function, or swiping. Bookmakers apps these days are designed to replicate the look of the main site, but are tweaked to optimise their performance, and are built to run smoothly on devices of all types.

Special Features of Top Betting Apps

As technology advances and the ingenuity of software developers helps the industry to find new ways to get the most out of mobile devices, many of these developments have added convenience and useful functionality to mobile betting. Here are just some of the innovations that have shaped betting with mobile apps since the mid-2000s.

• Touch ID. Pioneered by Apple, this is an increasingly popular option for mobile betting punters, enabling you to open your account with just a touch of your finger. This technology, particularly when combined with a further piece of personal information to form a two-factor authentication system, provides both additional security and the convenience of quick access to your account.
• Picture in picture mode is a new form of technology developed for Android devices that enables users to open up multiple windows on the same device. This has distinct advantages for live betting punters, who can use their mobile betting app to watch a live streaming event or multiple events while making their bets across several different markets.
• Notification badges. These are handy tools that enable you to access new promotions and news on your mobile betting app quickly and easily (see section on Android devices below).
• Most forms of betting originated online or offline and have since been transferred to mobile app betting, but the Bet Builder is different. This concept has been most effectively developed on mobile apps and allows punters to construct their own bets without having to contact the betting company’s price-setting department.

Native Betting Apps versus Responsive Sites

As we’ve discussed above, technology doesn’t stand still, so even though mobile betting apps have been a considerable bonus for sports punters who like to be able to bet on the go, they are no longer the only effective way for mobile sports betting fans to get their bets on.

In the early days of the smartphone, using your device to access your favourite online sportsbook through your mobile browser was a non-starter as web site technology was not compatible with mobile devices. That’s why bookmakers developed their own apps. The downside with apps is that, until the advent of HTML5, it was necessary to create apps for each different operating system, which meant that some sites didn’t have apps to suit all devices.

As an alternative to the app, bookmakers began to work on making their sites more mobile-friendly, with the result that it is now possible to use your mobile browser to access most sports betting sites with the same ease that you can use a mobile app.

That’s also why some of the newer sites haven’t developed mobile apps as they are fully mobile compatible. And using a mobile browser means you don’t need to download a dedicated app. On the other hand, some punters prefer the convenience of having an easy-to-open app on their mobile device, particularly if they aren’t using the latest edition of their device, as many mobile-compatible sportsbook sites work most effectively with faster models.

Native Betting Apps

So, if you’ve decided that you’d like to try mobile betting and want to find an app for your favourite sports betting site, where do you start? The history of mobile betting apps hasn’t always run smoothly, and there have been periods when both of the main app retail stores restricted or banned apps related to gambling. These days, iTunes takes a far more liberal approach, but Android users looking for betting apps on the Google Play store may have a harder time.

If you are having difficulty finding the betting app you want, it’s usually a safe bet to head to the website of your favourite sportsbook. There you will find a link to download the app you want, along with instructions on installation. You may also find that you can set the app up on your mobile device using a QR code provided by the sportsbook, which makes the whole process incredibly convenient.

One word of warning, however. It is important to take care when you are downloading a betting app. There are plenty of fakes and scams out there, which will appear to show the branding of an official sportsbook, but on closer examination will turn out to be fraudulent. If you are in any doubt about the legitimacy of an app, head to the sportsbook’s site and download their official app.

Betting Apps on Android

Google Play originally took a hard line on real-money gambling apps, but that approach has been modified over the years, and you will be able to find appropriate gambling apps if gambling is legal in your jurisdiction, which is good news for Android-using punters.

And the latest version of the Android operating system, Oreo, makes it easier to bet using your mobile device. The new system is light and smooth to use, but more importantly, provides some key features such as picture in picture mode, which gives you the facility to bet while watching live sport on your device. Notification Badges are also a step forward. This notification system enables you to quickly and easily stay up to date on any changes or promotions that apply to any of your betting apps, simply by long-pressing on the relevant betting app icon.

And Oreo makes it easier for punters to download apps from other sources, as you can adjust your security settings quickly for each separate app store that you use, and the operating system will remember those settings, saving you time and inconvenience. And, as an Android user, you will also be able to employ Google Play Protect on your device for an extra layer of security.

iOS Betting Apps

Apple devices have the reputation of offering more sophisticated technology than their Android-powered rivals, and whether that is a well-deserved reputation or not, it is certainly the case that devices that run on the iOS system tend to have a lot of useful features for punters.

Certainly, those punters using the latest system, iOS 14, will find a host of useful technology. Touch ID is an incredibly convenient way to access your betting account via your mobile device, while top sportsbooks increasingly accept Apple Pay in the betting industry.

Apple devices can offer a better and more reliable battery life than their rivals, which is ideal for those who prefer to bet live, while the high-quality pixel density of devices such as the iPad can make them ideal for live streaming. State of the art app management and the ability to sort reviews on iTunes are among the other benefits that many punters derive from using iOS betting apps.

Betting Apps and Betting Regulation in the UK

The online betting industry is incredibly competitive, and new operators are springing up every month, so there are always plenty of sportsbooks to choose from. But as with using any sportsbook, you have to be sure before you download an app that the provider is legitimate.

One way to do this is to check out the license held by the operator. The best betting operators are licensed by leading jurisdictions such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority, which place stringent requirements on their licence holders when it comes to data protection, customer service, and financial security.

You should also be aware that Google Play will only allow users to download geo-targeted betting apps for the UK, Ireland, and France, where gambling is legal. So, if you want to download a betting app in a different country, you will need to tweak your security settings.

Betting App Security

Online security is hugely important. We’ve all read horror stories of people having their identities stolen or their bank accounts emptied by scams and online fakes. There are also countless examples of viruses and malware online that can entrap the unwary punter.

So, when you’re using a betting app, it is vital to choose a password that is distinct and tough to break. If you’re using a betting app that enables Touch ID, as part of a two-factor identification system, that will provide you with an additional layer of security.

Fortunately, most modern mobile browsers will help you out if you are about to enter a site that isn’t safe, but you should still take extra care only to visit the official site of your chosen bookmaker, using the correct address. And when it comes to data protection, look for apps provided by sportsbooks that are licensed by reputable European bodies such as the UKGC. Among the many rules that such bodies enforce are those relating to data protection under the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) which is a Europe-wide code designed to offer data security to customers.

Betting App Payments

A key part of any effective betting system is the quality and reliability of the banking methods that are available. Fortunately, most modern banking methods make it possible to make deposits and withdrawals using all of the traditional methods, such as debit and credit cards, along with an increasingly diverse selection of e-Wallet methods including PayPal and Skrill.

But the developing technology associated with mobile phones is also bringing new ways for punters to do their banking onto the market. Apple Pay, Boku and Zinger are all innovative ways to make deposits with your mobile by charging the amount to your phone bill, which for many people is a quick and convenient method of funding their online betting account.

Betting with Apps

Modern mobile betting apps make it easier than ever to bet. Drop down menus and touch-screen selection methods enable you to quickly navigate to your favourite markets, while the online betting slips available with mobile betting apps make it easy to adjust your stake at the touch of a finger. Here are some of the other options available to online betting fans:

Cashing Out

One of the most interesting developments in the betting industry in recent years has been the Cash Out facility, and this is a tool that is popular with punters who bet on the go. Cash Out enables you to take a profit or cut your losses before an event has finished, with the amount you can claim updated on screen as the event proceeds. Cash Out is available on selected events, but it is a handy way to lock in a profit when you are betting live with your mobile.

In-Play Betting Apps

The high-performance graphical configurations of modern mobile devices make them ideal for Live Betting and this is an increasingly popular form of sports betting for mobile punters. The high resolution and pixel density of devices such as the iPad provide for stunning high definition pictures for Live Streaming and betting on sports events, while the spread of LTE technology offers a faster smoother connection for Live Betting punters than standard Wi-Fi.

Betting Apps Variety

The development of ever more sophisticated betting apps means that no matter what your favourite sport, you will be able to bet on it using your mobile device. Betting apps make it possible to bet on football, cricket, tennis, horse-racing and greyhound racing, along with a host of more obscure sports. With a modern betting app, you should have access to all of the available desktop markets.

Innovations and Information

Information is power when it comes to betting and with the latest mobile devices you can access all of the information you need to bet, either through dedicated sports news apps or through connecting with social networks such as Reddit, Quora and Youtube. And as mobile devices develop, you will increasingly be able to get information, follow live sports action and place your bet through new methods which will build on the success of the Apple Watch and the Samsung Gear.

Embrace the Convenience of Betting Apps

No matter whether you are an experienced punter or a newcomer, mobile betting using the latest apps offers a taste of the future and the opportunity to bet on the go, while enjoying high quality live streaming, in-play betting and all of the features you expect from a top bookmaker.

Last Updated on: December 18, 2024