• The Pokerist app is powered by KamaGames, a social casino operator based in Europe.
• The social sports betting feature allows players to bet with virtual chips already in their Pokerist account.
• The sports betting feature allows you to bet on professional sports across the globe as well as eSports.

• Social Sports Betting App
• Legal Betting Apps

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – KamaGames, a European-based social casino operator, has introduced social sports betting to their flagship app known as Pokerist. The update will allow Pokerist players to use virtual chips from their account to bet on both professional sports and eSports.

“We strongly contend that social sports betting will appeal to players in the same way our social casino games do, allowing them to enjoy the thrill of wagering on live events but without the stress or risk associated with real money betting,” said Andrey Kuznetsov, CEO of KamaGames.

Quite possibly the most innovative feature associated with the update is the ability to bet on eSports. Even though mobile sports wagering apps have begun to dominate the market in states with legal sports betting, none of them allow putting money down on these types of events.

Esports has proven to be a growing market, with the Overwatch League Grand Finals having awarded $1.1 million to the winning team of the tournament just this past weekend.

The Pokerist update will have betting opportunities for games such as Overwatch, Counter-Strike, Dota 2, StarCraft 2, and League of Legends.

“The inclusion of eSports in our Social Sports Betting feature was very important to us. No one could have failed to notice the impact that the genre has on gaming in recent years and there’s significant overlap between those with an interest in traditional sports and eSports. We think our players will be very excited by the addition and this is an area we hope to expand on in the future,” said Kuznetsov.

When it comes to betting on traditional sports, app users will have a number of choices for how they want to use their virtual chips.

Reviewing any online sports betting app takes the app itself into account, too. Some apps are easier to navigate than others, and that can affect a new bettor’s chance of using it. JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - BetMGM launched its market leading sports betting and iGaming app in Michigan today, giving customers access to a wide variety of betting. The early PA sports betting market lacked iPhone options, but when FanDuel rolled out in July 2019, it brought a new gold standard in terms of betting apps. Not only did it bring a single app that worked in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but it also offered the state’s first iPhone app option.

According to the press release, “at launch, players will have several options when it comes to how they want to wager their chips through the availability of pre-odds as well as live odds, along with other betting options that include accumulator bets and single bets.”

Other updates include a new referral program, a revamped lottery scratch card, a new slot game, and a casino guide to take players through each one of the virtual casino’s offerings in an interactive way.

Many gamblers are still waiting for mobile U.S. online sportsbooks and casinos to reach their state. For now, Pokerist is filling that void in a safe and legal way.

Hasan began his career working in local and state government offices while studying marketing at Florida State University. After graduating, he began to write on the sports betting industry as a whole. This includes online gambling in the U.S. as well as news regarding the latest happenings in sports. In his free time, Hasan is both a creative writer and a life-long fan of the Florida State Seminoles football team. He also produces music, plays soccer, and travels.

Legal sports betting apps are blooming across the US. With new states legalizing and launching mobile betting, and existing states expanding their offering, there are a lot of options. Here are our recommendations on how to find the best sports betting apps in the US, including the best bonus offers, promo codes, and mobile betting odds.

Sports betting is continuing to spread across the United States, with new states continuing to legalize and launch apps throughout 2021. Moreover, existing markets are expanding sports betting, too, by launching new apps or easing up on restrictions to expand betting options.

Some states, like New York, are working to allow sports betting apps into the market. Betting on mobile apps increases sports betting participation, making it one of the most important new trends to watch in 2021.

Best US Online Sports Betting Apps: How We Rank Them

Bettors may be overwhelmed by the number of sportsbooks offered in their state. Telling one app for sports betting from another may be challenging when there are over a dozen to choose from. Colorado hadseventeen online sports betting licenses issued by the beginning of 2021. That’s a list of sportsbooks that rivals New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nevada.

Many of those states host the same sportsbook companies. Big brands like DraftKings and FanDuel pop up in most sportsbook markets. However, some states have their own homegrown sportsbooks. Colorado has local sportsbooks like Bet Monarch, Sky Ute Sportsbook, and Bet Wildwood. Bettors will likely find a mixture of big brands and local companies in their states–especially states that allow many sportsbooks.

Ranking The Best Betting Apps

Gaming Today ranks these sportsbooks for bettors by examining the factors most important to bettors. We compare sportsbook odds to help bettors find the best value for their wagers. Sportsbooks balance expected profit and risk differently, so bettors can find better odds on different parts of the line.

Welcome bonuses are important too. Some bettors want to know how many free credits they can get upfront. They may stick with a sportsbook that offers a generous bonus in the beginning. Reviewing any online sports betting app takes the app itself into account, too. Some apps are easier to navigate than others, and that can affect a new bettor’s chance of using it.

10 Best Apps For US Sports Betting

Depending on where bettors live, most if not all of these apps may be at bettors’ disposals. Here are the top ten apps bettors will likely encounter, regardless of where they live.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Visit: FanDuel Sportsbook and claim a $1,000 risk-free bet

Bettors may recognize FanDuel as a daily fantasy sports site. However, FanDuel capitalized on sports betting legalization and offered a sportsbook, too. In some states, FanDuel also offers an online casino, which seems to partner with its sportsbook and daily fantasy sites.

FanDuel considered one of the largest and most trustworthy sports betting brands. The brand is older than its sportsbook, so it’s had time to cement its reputation as a legitimate operator. The FanDuel app is available in these states:

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Tennessee
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Virginia

FanDuel also operates a retail sportsbook in both Mississippi and New York but doesn’t offer sports betting online in these states as online gaming is not legal.

Wherever FanDuel is available, bettors may be drawn to its competitive underdog odds. FanDuel doesn’t have the best odds on every underdog, but that’s the side of the line it tends to favor. FanDuel’s app is also available on iOS and Android, making it accessible to all smartphones in states with mobile sports betting.

FanDuel offers a $1,000 risk-free bet as a welcome bonus.

BetMGM Sportsbook App

Visit: BetMGM and claim a $600 risk-free bet

BetMGM is owned by Roar Digital, a joint venture between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings. It brands itself as a luxury sportsbook, and bettors who’ve seen its billboards and commercials have a sense of its luxury already.

Between BetMGM’s iconic golden lion and Jamie Fox’s sponsorship, BetMGM pushes its Vegas-style sportsbook hard. It seems to be working. Where it’s licensed, BetMGM positions itself with other states’ big brands. Bettors can find their apps for sports betting in:

• New Jersey
• Colorado
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Bettors who choose BetMGM will be able to contribute to their MGM Grand loyalty accounts. Anyone who plans to hit Vegas or any other city with an MGM Grand Resort should think about a BetMGM account. It’s available on iOS and Android, so bettors who want to contribute to these loyalty accounts have convenient outlets to do it.

BetMGM’s welcome bonus is a $600 risk-free bet.

William Hill Sportsbook

Visit: William Hill and claim up to a $500 risk-free bet

William Hill is the oldest sportsbook company on this list. It was founded in 1934 and has grown into a premier sportsbook company. It’s a UK sportsbook company that has found a home in the United States. William Hill came to Nevada in 2012, where it became known for its betting kiosks. But as states legalized sports betting, William Hill expanded into new markets. William Hill’s app for sports betting can be found in:

• Colorado
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Nevada
• Virginia
• Washington, DC

Bettors who are intimidated by cluttered sportsbook apps will find relief at William Hill. Its app is one of the most straightforward to navigate. Apps for sports betting can become crowded with ads for bonuses and promotions. Bettors can download the William Hill app on iOS and Android too see what we mean.

William Hill offers a $500 risk-free bet as its welcome bonus in most states.

PointsBet Sportsbook

Visit: PointsBet and claim up to $2000 in two risk free bets with code BIGBONUS

PointsBet is an Australian startup founded in 2019. Seemingly overnight, it has grown into one of the most recognizable sportsbook brands in the United States. PointsBet has won awardsfor top sportsbook operator and most socially responsible operator.

Despite its novelty, PointsBet has established itself as a major player in an American industry that’s only a year older than PointsBet. PointsBet’s app is available in:

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Michigan
• New Jersey

PointsBet is a great app for advanced bettors with the uncanny ability to make accurate game predictions. These bettors can try PointsBetting, which allows bettors to adjust point spreads and point totals predicted during a game. If bettors are right, their stakes are rewarded exponentially. But there’s no partial credit. They’re risky wagers reserved for the most>Colorado

DraftKings’ New Hampshire presence is unique. The New Hampshire lottery chose DraftKings to be the only sports betting operator in New Hampshire.

Bettors can download the DraftKings app on Android or iOS. Anyone interested in competitive odds on a line’s favorite should consider creating a DraftKings account. When DraftKings has the best odds on a line, it tends to be on the favorite to win. That should give bettors who bet conservatively something to think about.

DraftKings offers a $1,000 deposit bonus at a 20% match rate as a welcome bonus.

BetRivers Sportsbook

Visit: BetRivers Sportsbook and claim a $250 deposit bonus

BetRivers is owned by Rush Street Interactive, an online gaming company. After it started its Pennsylvania website, PlaySugarHouse.com, Rush Street Interactive launched BetRivers. It’s been one of the first few sportsbooks in several states, so it’s established itself as a staple in the sports betting industry. Its states of operation include:

• Colorado
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Virginia
• New Jersey (under the SugarHouse brand)
• Pennsylvania

Bettors in these states may be drawn to BetRivers’ rewards program. Bettors who wager consistently could unlock new bonuses and even expedited withdrawals. But BetRivers’ odds are often identical to DraftKings, so they may not stand out from other sportsbooks like the other sportsbooks on this list.

Interested bettors can download their state’s BetRivers app on iOS or Android. BetRivers is one of the few sportsbook brands that creates separate apps for sports betting in each legal state. The BetRivers iOS app is not available in all states in which they operate, but new states are added to the Apple iOS store regularly.

BetRivers offers a $250 deposit bonus at a 100% match rate as its welcome bonus.

Golden Nugget Sportsbook App

Golden Nugget Sportsbook is available in Nevada, New Jersey, and now Michigan. So, bettors may be more familiar with the hotel and casino than its sportsbook app.

However, it’s a hidden gem among the top sportsbook apps. It launched on January 19, 2017, becoming the first independent sportsbook on the Vegas Strip. It set its own lines and offered them on their own events. It’s retained its reputation as a casino sportsbook – especially because it’s exclusively offered in states with Golden Nugget casinos. But this app for sports betting also offers features that bettors may not find as easily at other sportsbooks.

Every sportsbook app shows bettors their wagers’ results. Some even have statistics sections that show each team’s past performance. Golden Nugget has its own spin on this feature. It shows the results of many different games and leagues. It’s a quick reference guide for bettors with “what-if” questions swirling in the back of their minds after placing their wagers. In its two states, bettors can download the app for iOS and Android.

Golden Nugget offers a $100 risk-free bet as its welcome bonus.

FOX Bet Sportsbook

Some big sportsbook brands have found success by incorporating their sportsbook with a sports media base. FOX Bet is one of the most prominent sportsbook brands to do so. Its partnership with Fox Sports gives it an audience ready to take Fox Sports hosts’ advice and turn it into sports wagers.

But it comes into its own with its social media outreach. FOX Bet has many bet boosts. But bettors can request bet boosts through Twitter. It’s one of the most unique ways FOX Bet engages its bettors. Bettors can find the FOX Bet app in:

• Colorado
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

Social media-savvy bettors may find FOX Bet more engaging than other apps for sports betting. FOX Bet’s many bet boosts are worth checking for bettors looking for the best value for their money. Anyone who wants to try FOX Bet can download its app on iOS and Android.

FOX Bet offers a $500 risk-free bet.

Caesars

Caesars sportsbook is another casino sportsbook available in only a few states. Bettors in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New Jersey can download the Caesars sportsbook app on iOS and Android. It is also anticipated that Caesars will launch in Michigan in 2021.

Bettors can enjoy a sportsbook that carries the weight and reputation of the Caesars casino brand. Bettors will recognize the same opulent design in Caesars Sportsbook as Caesars Hotel in Vegas.

But Caesars Sportsbooks’ attraction is its link to Caesars Rewards. Bettors can wager on Caesars sportsbook and earn points toward free entertainment, shopping, and dining. Like BetMGM, Caesars is a good option for bettors with an existing loyalty account or interest in creating one.

Caesars offers a $500 risk-free bet as its welcome bonus.

Unibet

Like the Beatles before them, Unibet is part of the British invasion of a popular American industry. Unibet was founded in London in 1997, headquartered in New York in 2018, and released its first app for US sports betting in New Jersey in 2019. Even though it’s new in the industry, Unibet has a good reputation. (Being licensed by Gaming Commissions in multiple countries certainly helps.) Like Caesars, Unibet is only available in three states:

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Indiana

Bettors who want to commune with other bettors will find value in Unibet’s community section. It’s a blog and forum wrapped together where bettors can read advice from Unibet bloggers and other Unibet users. If bettors want a virtual gathering – or a place to dispense their sports betting wisdom – Unibet may be their go-to app for sports betting.

Social Sports Betting App

Unibet offers a $600 risk-free bet as its welcome bonus.

–

Full table with US sports betting apps availability and app store reviews

Mobile Sports Betting Basics

Mobile sports apps are convenient ways for sportsbooks to reach bettors. But newbies only need a few basics to get started. All they have to do is create an account, deposit money, then select the odds they want to bet on. Once they have all their bets, they can send them in and see how they did.

The mechanics of mobile sports betting are easy. Bettors can find popular sports like football and other sports like darts. Bets on who’ll win, point spreads, and point totals are common, too.

Many apps also have live betting available, so bettors can cash in on the best odds in real-time during gameplay.

States With Legal Mobile Sports Betting Apps

Currently, online sports betting is legal in the following US states. These states include:

• New Hampshire

Additionally, sports betting legislation is under consideration in more than 20 US states including Connecticut and Massachusetts. Even more conservative states, like Texas, are considering the legalization of sports betting. With the current momentum, it’s likely that more states will legalize online sports betting in the coming years.

What To Look For When Choosing The Best Sports Betting Apps

The best online betting apps have a few things in common. They’re obviously available in states with favorable sports betting laws. But some online betting apps can get a boost from neighboring states, too. (A fifth of New Jersey’s sports betting handle came from New York. Many New Yorkers find it easier to place mobile bets in New Jersey than retail bets in northern New York.)

But the best sportsbook apps also have some of the best odds. Sportsbooks balance expected profit against great bettor odds. Each one strikes this balance differently, so bettors should do a little research on sportsbook odds before committing to one. Some sportsbooks, like DraftKings, have a large catalog of sports available to bet on. Smaller local sportsbooks may not have that same selection, limiting bettor choices.

Finally, bettors may be swayed by how easy sportsbook apps are to navigate. Some are covered in promotions for their ongoing bonuses. Others use the space for betting lines and little else. There’s more to sportsbook apps than these few factors, but this will get new bettors started as they judge sportsbooks for themselves.

Mobile Sports Betting Apps Versus Online Sportsbook Sites

Since most sportsbook apps have their 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. Online sports betting apps offer a less immersive experience than a retail sportsbook. But that shouldn’t be surprising. Take away the TV’s, 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.

Download Apple iOS Sports 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.

The highest-rated apps for sports betting are sportsbooks with complementary media presences. Barstool Sportsbook has the best fans because they rate Barstool Sportsbook at a 4.7 on the app store.

Download Android Sports Betting Apps

Google doesn’t allow sportsbook apps on the Google Play store. That may seem like an insurmountable obstacle. However, sportsbooks provide convenient workarounds. Bettors can download the Android app from sportsbook sites.

Most major sportsbook brands will offer Android apps, but smaller brands may not. The Apple Store has fewer barriers to entry than the Google Play Store. Consequently, some of the best Android betting apps will come from big brands like DraftKings and FanDuel.

How To Download And Use A Mobile Sportsbook

Getting setup 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.

1. Download the sportsbook app from the App Store or the Android link on the sportsbook’s website.
2. 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.)
3. Deposit funds by going to the account section, selecting ‘Deposit’, then a payment method and amount.
4. 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.
5. Withdraw winnings, bet again, or take a break as appropriate.

Best Bonus Offers On Online Sports Betting Apps

Bettors will encounter two main types of bonuses: deposit bonuses and risk-free bets. Deposit bonuses award site credits proportional to bettor deposits and wagers. Risk-free bets refund lost wagers up to a certain amount in site credits.

Bettors shouldn’t rely on redeeming these bonuses at retail sportsbooks, though. Bonuses are tied to individual accounts. So, if a retail sportsbook doesn’t let a bettor sign in to an account, there’s no reason to think a bettor would be able to use an online bonus at a retail sportsbook.

Online sportsbooks offer ongoing bets that award free credits for (often) risky wagers in certain popular leagues. Bettors will also find bet boosts that either offer better odds on (usually) risky wagers. They’re smaller than welcome bonuses, so don’t expect to rake in thousands of dollars on them.

Pros & Cons Of Sports Betting On Mobile Devices

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.

States With Retail Sportsbooks

Generally, sports betting can be broken into two categories: online and retail. When a state legalizes sports betting, it may choose to legalize both categories or only one category. With the exception of Tennessee (which allows only online sports betting), it’s by far more common to see states legalize retail sports betting without online options.

Typically, a retail sportsbook is a brick-and-mortar location inside of a casino where bettors can place bets in-person on sports games and events. While the idea behind an online sports betting app is essentially the same, it allows you to place bets remotely from anywhere within state lines.

Here are the states in which retail sports betting is legal:

• Oregon
• Nevada
• Colorado
• Montona
• New Mexico
• Arkansas
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Mississippi
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• New Jersey
• Washington, DC
• Delaware
• Rhode Island
• New Hampshire
• Washington State
• South Dakota
• Louisiana
• North Carolina
• Virginia (although none have launched yet)
• Maryland

FAQs: Best Sports Betting Apps In The US

Yes. All states have been allowed to regulate sports betting since the US Supreme Court ruled PASPA unconstitutionalin 2018. Now states can choose whether to legalize sports betting. Consequently, mobile gambling apps are legal in states where mobile gambling is allowed. As long as bettors are eligible to use them, there’s no legal issue.

Partially. Bettors cannot place wagers in a state where online sports betting is illegal. However, bettors can create accounts, deposit and withdraw funds, and perform other administrative tasks. Bettors just won’t be able to bet until they’re within a legal state’s borders. It’s generally legal for a bettor to register with a betting app and then travel to a state with legal betting to officially place that bet.

Security. Licensed sportsbooks are subject to strict industry rules that protect bettors. For example, some state Gaming Commissions set required cash reserves for sportsbooks so they never run out of money to pay bettors. Illegal sportsbooks have no regulatory body. So, if they run out of money, bettors aren’t entitled to compensation. (And that’s assuming illegal sportsbooks feel obligated to pay bettors who win.)

It depends. The best odds will come from either bet boosts or betting exchanges. That could be sportsbooks like FOX Bet or SBK, which gets its odds from a betting exchange in London. DraftKings and FanDuel offer some of the best bonuses. Bettors have to decide what’s important to them, then choose accordingly.

DraftKings, which has a statistics hub where bettors can see team performance histories. These insights could help strategic bettors decide how to place the most promising bets. (It should go without saying, but betting on a team because they’re your favorite team is a poor strategy.) DraftKings has a reputation for being one of the best football betting apps.

Yes. Sportsbooks make plenty of money off bettor losses. Charging bettors to download an app would create a barrier between bettors and the vig. Sportsbook lines have “house advantages” built into them, so if the favorite comes through, the sportsbooks make money. They’re more than happy to invite bettors in for free and entice them to spend money later.

Legal Betting Apps

If you want to bet, then yes. Bettors can create accounts and browse sportsbook lines without making a single deposit. But bettors can’t place bets for free. If you want to reap the rewards of an underdog win, then you need to put some skin in the game.

Infrequently. If you’re like most people, you won’t even know when your apps update. Sportsbooks and smartphone companies are staggeringly unlikely to require bettors to manually update apps. (What is this? 2007?) But sportsbooks can update one to four times a month. Debugging is a never-ending process, after all.