It is approaching four years since the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), paving the way for legal online sports betting across the US. Currently, mobile betting is available in 19 states, with efforts well underway to bring legal sports betting to Ohio and Maryland.
In states that have launched dedicated online betting apps, such as Arizona, New York, Michigan, and Louisiana, the competition has been fierce as the best sports betting apps continue to battle for market share.
With sports betting legal, lots of people are now looking to get involved and sign up with online sports betting apps and wager on their favorite sports teams. Fortunately, getting started is straightforward with a simple registration process that you can complete online or via your mobile in most states. This page will go through everything you need to know about legal mobile sports betting, how to sign up, the best online sportsbooks with bonuses, and more.
5 Best Sports Betting Sites in the US
Just like the NY mobile sports betting market differs from Tennessee mobile sports betting, not all online sports betting brands are created equal. There are some significant differences between legal sports betting sites and mobile apps in regards to user experience, reliability, responsiveness, depth of markets, and customer service. This article will look at the most prominent sportsbook apps currently widely available in the US market and how they rank.
The legal status of wagering in the US has been growing on a state-by-state basis since 2018. It seems there is a new online sports betting bill appearing weekly for new states looking to join the action. The number of betting apps varies widely from state to state, depending on how the state legislature decided to shape their laws and regulations.
States where mobile sports betting is legal
The list of legal online sports wagering states continues to expand in the United States. A number of states have taken a different approach, with some choosing to legalize mobile sports betting while others are still requiring you to bet in-person at retail sportsbooks.
So, what is the current state of play? What states have a complete online sports betting offering? What states will be launching legalized sports betting soon? Let’s take a look!
Online & Mobile Betting
Arizona
Arizona approved an online sports betting bill in April 2021 that permits mobile wagering throughout the state in addition to some of the country’s first in-stadium sportsbooks. A few online sportsbook sites went live on September 9, like Hard Rock sportsbook, the first day of the 2021 NFL season. Golden Nugget Sportsbook along with Bally Bet are the latest apps to get access to the AZ market.
Colorado
Colorado took its first online and retail bets in 2020 and has quickly grown turned into one of the most solid markets with all of the notable brands involved, like BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel, from the first day. In September 2020, Colorado reported more than $200 million in monthly betting handle and is one of the most operator-friendly markets in the country. MaximBet CO sportsbook, BetWildwood sports app, BetMonarch CO sportsbook, Sky Ute sportsbook app, and PlayUp sportsbook are one of the few brands exclusive to players in the state.
Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont signed a deal with the state’s tribes in 2021 that allows both parties plus the state lottery to open mobile sportsbooks across the state. The lottery also has the option to open 15 retail sportsbooks, while horse racing apps like AmWager were legal even before this bill.
Illinois
The Prairie State launched betting on March 9, 2020, with online betting following in June 2020. Illinois is one of the most populated states, full of passionate sports fans. The state is expected to be a major player in the US sports betting market.
Indiana
Indiana launched its market on September 1, 2019, and has flourished, making more than $200 million a month in handle in the 2020 NFL season. Indiana has continued to produce impressive numbers with a well-rounded market.
Iowa
Iowa mobile sports betting launched on August 15, 2019, and has steadily grown in the months since. The in-person registration requirement was removed in 2021, which should boost the market further. The state has a small population and has no professional sports teams but should still be among the country’s most lucrative per capita markets. A few operators launched there before moving to other markets, like the Elite app and Fubo Sportsbook. Q Sportsbook app is among the few companies exclusive to Iowa.
Louisiana
In 2020, voters in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes chose to support legal sports betting, including all those around Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans. Online betting got underway on January 28, 2022, with six sportsbooks.
Michigan
Michigan introduced in-person sports betting t the MGM Grand Detroit on March 11, 2020. Brands such as the DraftKings sports betting apps launched in early 2021. Michigan has become one of the biggest sports betting and online gaming markets in the US.
Nevada
Nevada is the pinnacle for in-person betting but still needs to streamline its online wagering options. The state requires bettors to visit a casino to register in person before placing wagers via the Internet. This really hurt revenues for Nevada during the pandemic; however, due to the bright lights of Las Vegas, it will always hold a special spot for American gaming. SuperBook Sportsbook app is among the few operators taking bets via mobile devices in the state.
New Hampshire
Online wagering launched on December 30, 2019. However, DraftKings is the only operator in the state, although a few retail betting locations have opened.
New Jersey
New Jersey will forever be linked to sports betting as the state that brought the gambling case to the Supreme Court. It is now enjoying the fruits of that labor, known as the “Gold Standard” for legal sports betting. It has frequently set state records thanks to a competitive, operator-friendly system. Although there are retail sports betting options in Atlantic City, over 80% of bets taken are online. 4NJBets is the exclusive horse racing betting platform of the state.
New York
After much anticipation, New York sports betting arrived on Saturday, January 8, 2022. Sports bettors can celebrate and wager from the comfort of their own homes instead of going through tunnels or crossing bridges to place their bets. Resorts World Bet sportsbook was the first operator to launch an app in NY, before venturing on other states.
Oregon
Like New Hampshire only has DraftKings as the sole operator in the state. Oregon officials determined the state lottery could start accepting bets without a separate act of the legislature. In January 2022, the lottery app switched to DraftKings.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania was among a couple of states to accept a legal retail sports bet in 2018. The Pennsylvania mobile sports betting market launched in 2019 and has grown to be one of the biggest markets in the country. Although operators face high fees to enter the market, Pennsylvania consistently sees the third-largest sports betting monthly handles.
Rhode Island
Legal sports betting has been available in Rhode Island since 2018. Caesars, which acquired William Hill, is the state’s only legal retail and online sportsbook.
Tennessee
Because there are no casinos in the state, Tennessee decided to make all sports betting operations online only. It is also the only state that makes the operators return a 10% hold. After its legislature technically legalized betting, it took around 18 months to launch its first sports betting app, although TVG was already there for horse racing fans.
Virginia
Virginia began accepting wagers in January 2021. There is a cap on the number of skins, although most of the top brands should be able to enter the market.
West Virginia
Mobile wagering got off to a shaky start in West Virginia, but it has been widely available since August 2019. There are a handful of operators active in the state, including DraftKings, Betly, BetMGM, and Caesars.
Wyoming
It was a shock to some that lawmakers approved statewide mobile wagering in Wyoming, as it became the second state to allow online betting without any retail sportsbooks. The first two mobile apps took bets on September 1, 2021.
Retail Only
The below states offer retail sports betting only. This means you must visit a retail sportsbook in person to place your wager.
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Washington
Not allowed
Wagering is not permitted in the below states, although there is hope there will be movement on some soon. Florida sports betting, in particular, has been up and down for the last year.
- Florida
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Vermont
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Minnesota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
Pending & Could Launch Soon
Legal sports betting has been approved in the states below and is just awaiting legislators to create the regulations and decide how the industry will look.
- Ohio
- Nebraska
- Wisconsin
Top mobile sportsbooks and betting apps in 2023
As we have mentioned above, not all of the apps are created the same, and some are vastly different from each other. The best sports betting sites will always ensure they provide a dedicated app that has lots of sports markets and betting types, including live betting and innovative features.
Although the apps are different, several of them are worth your time and action. Competition is good news for bettors, so it is great to see operators pushing each other. Below you will find the most prominent sports betting apps and how many states they operate in.
| 🏈Operator | 🇺🇸 Number of states available | 📱iOS & Android app |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 15 | ✅Yes |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | 13 | ✅Yes |
| Betway Sportsbook | 5 | ✅Yes |
| BetFred Sportsbook | 6 | ✅Yes |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 11 | ✅Yes |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 17 | ✅Yes |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | 14 | ✅Yes |
| Fox Bet Sportsbook | 4 | ✅Yes |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | 10 | ✅Yes |
| SI Sportsbook | 1 | ✅Yes |
| theScoreBet | 4 | ✅Yes |
| WynnBET Sportsbook | 9 | ✅Yes |
The above highlights the status of the top-ranked sportsbook apps in the US at the moment. The following section will list our picks for the best sports betting apps individually.
#1 FanDuel Mobile Sportsbook
FanDuel is known as one of the biggest daily fantasy sports providers in the US. The brand has successfully transitioned into a fully-fledged sportsbook. The operator also has one of the major names in iGaming supporting it, having been acquired by Paddy Power Betfair in 2018.
FanDuel is available on both iOS and Android devices and provides a top-quality user experience. You only have to look at the app reviews to see how much users rate the FanDuel mobile wagering experience. Bettors can access the full suite of the operator’s services through the app. The platform offers a fast, clean and intuitive app with excellent pricing and a wide range of betting options.
#2 BetMGM Mobile Sportsbook
BetMGM has done a fantastic job with its mobile app since it announced a partnership with GVC, resulting in a joint venture called “Roar Digital.” Users will discover a wide variety of betting types, including points spread, prop bets, futures, parlays, moneyline bets, and in-play betting.
The welcome bonus is generous, as we regularly see BetMGM sending out “Free Bet” offers through its “Money Monday” club and other ongoing promotions. You will find as many props on the BetMGM app as you would at the other sportsbooks in this list. All of the significant buttons you will need are out of the way at the bottom – home, my bets, bet slip, menu, etc. On top of all that, BetMGM also offers new players a $1,000 risk free bonus on sign up too.
#3 DraftKings Mobile Sportsbook
Like FanDuel, the DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the leading providers of daily fantasy sports. DK was one of the first books to offer online sports betting services in New Jersey, launching only three months after PASPA was struck down. DraftKings can boast that it was the first legal mobile betting app outside Nevada.
The app is well optimized and easy to navigate. It is speedy and responsive and has improved significantly since moving in 2021 from Kambi for its back-end software and risk management to its own system powered by SBTech. The depth of the markets has increased, and the pricing has also improved.
#4 Caesars Mobile Sportsbook
If you have ever participated in gambling, chances are you have heard of Caesars, one of the most well-known brands in the gambling and entertainment world. Following its acquisition of William Hill US, the Caesars Sportsbook has taken over as the company’s app name (apart from Nevada). Caesars kicked off this new chapter with an effective marketing campaign that features numerous well-known actors and comedians.
The Caesars app ticks all the right boxes, especially if you enjoy a non-cluttered, easy-to-read display. It is a smooth app that has a straightforward banking system, making deposits and withdrawals hassle-free. The app interface includes options for you to get in touch with customer service in case you run into any issues. New players can also claim one of the excellent risk-free bet offers the sportsbook runs.
#5 BetRivers Mobile Sportsbook
BetRivers is known as the PlaySugarHouse sportsbook in Connecticut and New Jersey. It is the product of Rush Street Interactive, who are a big name in the gambling world. The app has a nice design with intuitive navigation and a polished layout. We would go further and say the app is less cluttered than the desktop version, which is great news for those of you who prefer betting on your mobile device.
The app is powered by Kambi for its back-end software and risk management. Consequently, there are multiple betting options and, overall, reasonably competitive pricing. Although there aren’t as many promotions as at competitors, BetRivers does boast the iRush Rewards loyalty program, which is far more extensive than many other loyalty schemes.
Other legal mobile betting sites in the US
The above list contains who we think provide the best overall betting experience for those who enjoy wagering on mobile devices. However, there are more options out there, all legal and regulated and offering many options and an enjoyable experience. Other mobile sportsbook apps to keep your eye out for include:
- PointsBet App
- Fox Bet App
- WynnBET App
- Tipico App
- Borgata Sportsbook app
- Unibet App
- theScore Bet App
- BetFred App
- Barstool App
- Bet365 App
- Betway App
Basics for mobile sports betting
As most people spend a lot of time on their mobile devices, it is unsurprising that many bettors prefer the convenience of betting on mobile devices too. So let’s look further into what mobile sportsbooks and betting apps are and what customers will encounter when using them.
Mobile sportsbooks
A mobile sportsbook is an app provided by online bookmakers to allow people to wager on the go. All of the top operators typically ensure their apps are available to download for iOS and Android devices, which are the two most prominent operating systems.
The best mobile sports betting apps will give customers the full range of features they would have accessing the desktop version of the sportsbook. This means that players can register for an account, make a deposit or withdraw funds, place bets and take advantage of promotional offers. If the operators support live streaming, the service will also be available on their apps.
Mobile sports betting bonuses and codes
To encourage the download and use of their dedicated mobile apps, it is standard practice for bookmakers to offer mobile-specific bonuses. These bonuses can range from deposit matches, free bets, boosted odds, parlay insurance, and more. As more states decide to legalize sports betting, the competition intensifies, meaning each sportsbook needs to stand out from the crowd. Bonuses and promotions are one way of doing this.
The good news is these bonuses are easy to find. They are usually listed on the operator’s promotions button or page. Consequently, you will have full access to every promotional offer the betting site has if you sign up and access the sportsbook on your mobile device.
We should note here that, with any bonus, there could be restrictions on the markets you can bet on. This is done to prevent you from betting heavy (or very heavy) favorites. We know of one sportsbook that requires you to wager on sides with prices of -200 or higher. The restrictions vary from book to book, so a little research is necessary to find the best offer to suit you.
Additionally, some sportsbooks require a promo or bonus code that will give you instant access to the welcome offer. If you have a code, enter it during the registration process, and the bonus will be added to your betting account.
Sports and events to bet on mobile
Signing up to wager on your favorite sports isn’t tricky; however, what to do from that moment can lead to lots of questions. Fortunately, the learning curve for betting on sports is beatable. We have numerous resources on this site that cover all of the basics of how to bet on mobile.
Betting types
All of the best mobile betting sites will provide all of the most common bet types. These include:
- Moneyline
- Spread
- Parlays
- Totals
- Teaser
- Props
- Live Betting
The most basic type of wager is the moneyline and is perfect for beginners as a result. When wagering on the moneyline, you are only choosing which side you think will win. There will be odds given for both teams: negative numbers for favorites and positive for underdogs.
If you would rather have a more ‘involved’ type of bet, you can explore props. These can revolve around team or player performance during a game or the overall contest. If you want a bet that could give you a massive payout from a minimal outlay, try parlays.
Sports markets
One of the best things about sports betting is that there are plenty of choices to consider. You can do some window shopping for your favorite places to play and concentrate on one or more bets that suit your style. The same method applies to what you are betting on. For the most popular games and leagues to the more niche sports, there is something for everyone. Below is a list of the most popular sports to bet on.
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- College football
- College basketball
- UFC
NFL is the most popular sport for betting in the US. Wagering on the Super Bowl is the biggest annual single-day event for online sportsbooks, and they target this event with hundreds of prop bets for bettors to consider.
College basketball tournaments such as March Madness also draw a lot of attention, with sportsbooks often providing unique promos and bonuses just for the tournament.
Features available on mobile sports betting sites
There are tons of sports betting app options on the market. However, all of the best ones share common characteristics. To find the best sports wagering app for Android or iPhone, look for a platform that matches your wants and needs with overall ease of use. Some of the features to look out for are listed below:
- Ease of use
- Banking
- Betting options
- Customer service and live chat availability
- Live streaming options
- Promotions and bonuses
Any good mobile app will excel at all of the above, making your wagering experience a pleasant one.
Best mobile sports betting sites for beginners
All of the apps we have listed in this article are ideal for beginners. They have the most simple bet types available to ease you in and also make depositing and withdrawing funds a breeze. Additionally, if you have any worries or concerns, all of the operators have a 24/7 customer service center for you to get in touch and resolve any problems you have.
FAQ’s
-
Is sports betting legal in my state?
Online sports betting is currently legal in a select number of states. Check out our detailed rundown in the above article to see if your state offers legal online sports wagering.
-
Can I bet on an app if I'm in another state?
No. For you to make a bet through a sportsbook app, you must be located within the state where online betting is legal and regulated. State laws differ significantly, meaning sportsbook apps must be fitted with geolocation technology.
-
Can I deposit and withdraw using an app?
You certainly can. Mobile apps will give customers full control over their account management. This includes tracking your betting history and making deposits, and withdrawing funds.
