Just a few years back, sports betting was a time consuming and expensive affair. That's because bettors have to factor in time and budget to gamble in a real betting shop. But that's in the past, thanks to the best betting apps.
So on this page you will know the best betting apps in 2021 and some useful information for mobile sports betting. A sports betting app is a mobile or desktop software where bettors place bets on a variety of sporting events.
Typically, the top betting apps are accessible through instant games (web-based) or dedicated apps for PC and mobile operating systems. Bettors start by creating a bet slip before placing a bet with real money or bonuses. In addition, the apps allow players to view live scores and statistics of the match, as well as track wins and losses.
First of all, sports betting has been around for as long as sporting events have existed. It all started more than 2,000 years ago when the Greeks introduced the Olympics, then spread to ancient Rome. In Rome, spectators placed huge sums on winning gladiators, and sports betting eventually became legal.
Later in history, betting became popular in the UK, with horse racing at the center of attraction. It didn't take long before English settlers exported this pastime to the shores of America and other parts of the world. Today, gamblers can bet on football, hockey, rugby, tennis, horse racing, greyhound racing.
In the 1950s, Las Vegas legalized sports gambling to make it more appealing to many people. However, bettors must plan their ride accordingly, with those living out of town being unlucky. It is because of that inconvenience that has led to the rise of online sports gambling. The first sports betting app (Interlops) was launched in 1996.
The success of this betting site prompted other bookmakers to launch. As expected, most of the bookies have had successful land-based operations. But like with the online casino industry, the competition is fierce. As a result, sportsbooks began to offer attractive bonuses such as free bets and bonuses to attract and retain players.
Meanwhile, live betting appeared much later in 2002. This marked an important milestone in the industry, when bettors were able to bet on live matches. For seasoned bookmakers, they know that live betting is more profitable and entertaining than pre-match betting.
Here, the bettors have had their jobs cut down as the outcome of the match is now more predictable. Overall, online betting apps have revolutionized the industry a lot.
No one can argue that online sports betting is currently the most prominent betting market globally. According to the results from Zion Market Research, the sports betting industry achieved a huge revenue of 131.1 billion dollars in 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the same report says the market will record around $179.3 billion by 2028. Now, this is an impressive 8.83% growth.
But why has the industry recorded incredible numbers even in challenging years? First and foremost, the increase in internet penetration couldn't have come at a better time.
According to the report, there are about 4.66 billion active internet surfers as of January 2021. Of these, almost 90% use their mobile phones to access the internet. If these stats are anything to go by, it means that around 63% of the world's population can gamble online.
In addition to wider internet coverage, the industry has received a boost from ever-evolving mobile technology. When the first iPhone and Android were released in June 2007 and September 2008, respectively, it only meant that the industry would get bigger and bigger.
Today, these mobile operating systems match desktop systems in terms of security and functionality. In fact, mobile betting is the only way to enjoy dedicated gambling app services.
Another often overlooked reason betting apps have become so popular is recent legislation in most markets. Take the UK, for example, where book production became legal in the 1960s.
Today, the industry boasts many licensed sites with over 100 betting shops spread across the country. The current market value is over £650 million with over 2 million active players. Impression!
Moving across the Atlantic to the US, states are becoming more receptive to online betting after years of political resistance. For example, lawmakers in Arizona unanimously passed an online sports betting bill in 2021 to allow mobile gambling.
As a result, many sportsbooks were released in September. Nevada, Colorado, Illinois and Iowa are other states where online betting apps are flourishing.
There are plenty of reasons to use the best online sports betting apps.
• Convenience: Just as it saves time making calls with a mobile phone instead of a static landline, the same applies to mobile betting. In other words, players do not need to find a desktop or a live betting shop to place their bets. Instead, pull out your phone, create a bet slip and win some money.
• Best Odds and Bonuses: Many land-based bookmakers will agree that there is no free lunch here. Placing a bet at one of these stores without a minimum deposit is almost impossible. In contrast, bonuses and free spins are the order of the day at the best betting apps. Usually, new players get free bets only upon successful account creation.
• Easy Withdrawals: Easy cash withdrawals are a key selling point for betting apps. To withdraw winnings, players only need to go to the cashier and select the withdrawal method associated with the account. And that's not forgetting quick deposits via phone bill payments.
• Betting Addiction: Bettors who don't control their thirst for betting may find themselves sinking deeper into the addiction. The fact that gambling apps accept bets anytime, anywhere does not mean that betting will replace other pastimes in your life.
• Limited Features: No matter how good, betting apps are somehow limited compared to instant web apps. In many cases, the website versions contain more features such as additional payment methods, extra bonus information and more.
This section discusses how to get started with the best gambling apps. You will learn how to choose the right operator, download compatible apps, and successfully set up an account.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a top gambling app:
• Legitimacy: This way, see how trustworthy the betting platform is. The best sports betting apps must be licensed and regulated by law enforcement to ensure fairness and safety. For example, if you are living in the UK, anything that is not approved by the UKGC is not an option to consider.
• Available odds: The higher the odds, the better the sportsbook. But first, learn how to read the odds. For example, most European sportsbooks use Decimal odds while US sportsbooks use American odds. Whatever the case, don't settle for less.
• Live betting: If a sports betting app doesn't offer live betting and streaming services, skip it altogether. As mentioned at the beginning, live betting is a real problem in the modern sports betting industry. In this type of gambling, the player can see how the odds fluctuate during play and make correct decisions.
• Betting Limits: The maximum and minimum bet limits vary depending on the sportsbook. The standard sportsbook allows players to bet as little as $0.50 and as much as $10,000. However, the betting limits for in-play betting are always different. Also, some jurisdictions like Germany put a limit on the maximum bet a bettor can place.
• Customer Support: Sometimes, bettors face problems such as late withdrawals, ID verification, betting account suspension, etc. In that case, the betting app's support will provide quick 24/7 service. Where possible, non-bot-managed live chat support is a must.
After identifying the perfect betting app, it's time to install it. However, the experience may differ slightly, depending on the betting equipment and the house. So, here are the things to keep in mind when placing bets on Android and iPhone:
Android is actually the most widely used mobile phone operating system. As such, it is clear that most mobile betting applications are adapted for Android. But surprisingly most of the sports betting apps are not available on the Google Play Store. In 2013, Google banned all real money gambling apps from the Play Store, and stated that there was no system for verifying the age of users.
Fortunately, the blanket ban was lifted in 2017, albeit limited to UK, French and Irish users. Earlier this year, the company added 15 more countries (including the US) to the list. While this is an important step forward, most users are still stuck outside. But don't worry because players can still install APK apps directly from the sportsbook's website.
Unlike Google, Apple is a more player-friendly platform. Therefore, the chances of downloading those legal sportsbooks directly on iPhone or iPad from the App Store are quite high. Even better, downloading and installing the betting app on iPhone is completely free, just like on Android.
To install the sports betting app on iPhone, follow these steps:
• Go to the App Store and search for the sports book title.
• Tap the name of the gambling app you want to download.
• Click GET and then INSTALL.
Creating a sports betting account is quite simple once the app has been installed. Note that the process is exactly the same, whether you are using an iPhone or Android gambling app. Just find the Sign Up, Join or Sign Up button and click it.
An electronic form will then launch to enter your name, gender, date of birth, social security number, and address. Most gambling apps also require new players to provide their mobile number and answer security questions. Finally, enter your email address and password.
Once you're in, go ahead and link up a sportsbook-backed banking method. Then, if prompted, make a minimum deposit before receiving the welcome bonus with a promo code. Finally, add your match selection to the bet slip and place your bet. Congratulations!
Determining which betting app is the best is not an easy task as one may need a long checklist. However, several key factors will lead you to the perfect choice. Here is the overview:
Safety and security: In order for a gambling app to be green-lit by BettingRanker, it must first pass a safety and security test. With a safe and secure sports betting app, bettors can rest easy knowing that their precious money is not at risk. Besides licensing information, the team of experts also mines information such as SSL encryption and player reputation.
Bank Selection: In an age where online banking is the norm, it's hard to review a sportsbook with only a handful of banking methods. As such, all the recommended bookies for iPhone and Android offer a variety of safe, secure and reliable deposit methods. Also, deposits are instant, with withdrawals taking only a few hours/day.
Accessibility: Before choosing a sportsbook, it is paramount to ensure that it is accessible in your local jurisdiction. Find out if your local watchdog will license sportsbooks to avoid getting caught up in the law. Alternatively, place your bets at the best foreign sportsbook licensed by legitimate international organizations.
Support: Professional and fast customer support is very important, especially for those who are new to betting. Players often contact sportsbook support to ask for information like withdrawal deadlines, bonus codes, etc. It is for this that the support department must be quick, responsive, and knowledgeable.
They must be reachable through live chat, phone, email, or even social media.
Bonuses: Finally, don't overlook the importance of bonuses and promotions. These bonuses help new bettors quickly join a gambling site. For loyal players, bonuses can help minimize losses.
And that is why bettors should pay attention to great bonuses with player-friendly terms and conditions. Interestingly, the best betting apps also give gamblers the best bonuses.