Sports Betting On Your Mobile
Sports betting has come a long way from the murky and shady bar rooms of the 1980s and the outdated betting websites of the ‘90s that would take a long while to load. In the 2000s, technology experienced a boom, and we haven’t looked back ever since. It has had a major impact on every conceivable field and industry, and naturally, its effects are felt in mobile sports betting as well.
Nowadays, betting on-the-go is not only easy, but the convenient method preferred by most online bettors as it gives them the chance to place bets on their favorite sports teams from anywhere. When talking about mobile sports betting, there are two approaches you can employ to place bets. Some online sportsbooks provide a mobile version of their website that users can find through the web browser on their mobile phones.
Other online sportsbooks have built dedicated downloadable apps that make it easier for users to navigate the sportsbook and be comfortable when placing bets. The sheer convenience of being able to place bets at any time of the day and from anywhere in the world has transformed sports betting as an industry and revolutionized the way people bet on sports.
Table of Contents
- Sports Betting On Your Mobile
- Why you should start betting sports on mobile
- Cashout Feature
- Bet-in-Play or Live Betting
- Mobile Streaming
- Mobile Apps
- Pay by Phone Mobile Payments
- Top Sportsbooks For Mobile Betting in the US
- Cutting Losses
- The US Legal Landscape for Online Sports Betting
Why you should start betting sports on mobile
Mobile betting being an option for punters is undoubtedly excellent, but it still has its unique set of advantages and disadvantages. The portability allows for a severe increase in bets, but overbetting can lead to a slippery slope into serious loss of funds. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the US online mobile sportsbooks, we first have to examine all the pros and cons of this phenomenon.
Advantages of mobile sports betting
- Comfort: One clear advantage of mobile online betting is the convenience of it. The ability to place bets from anywhere and at any time is a big appeal to the US punter. In the past, we were limited by our bookmakers and how many phone calls they were able to handle. Comfort and convenience are everything in today’s world, and being able to bet 24/7 from any device was unheard of just a few decades ago.
- Cost: Online Mobile Sportsbook apps are free to download and require absolutely no extra fees to bet with. Depositing via mobile is now possible as well besides placing a bet on any of the hundreds of matches each day. Withdrawing through the app is a bit harder; not all online sportsbooks offer this feature yet.
- Easier to cash out: Cashing out is the luxury given to players to cash out their bets before all the events settle. When playing on a desktop, you’ll need to be close to a computer to take advantage of the cash-out option, but when betting on mobile, you’ll only be a few taps away from cashing out early. Cashing out in mobile betting opens the door to countless betting strategies, which we’ll delve into in the section below.
- Option to play on mobile site: Mobile betting creates a world of comfort especially with dedicated betting apps. If your phone is used by family members or is regularly accessed, you have the option to play directly on the betting site, without having to download the mobile app. The betting experience is identical to that of the mobile betting app and can be used to its full extent. You’ll also save on memory when opting for the mobile site.
Disadvantages of mobile sports betting
- User-friendliness can be improved: While we see many online sports bettors convert to the app-variation of their online sportsbooks, some people still prefer the “old-fashioned” route. The desktop browser version does have the advantage that it sports a much bigger screen. Buttons are smaller on your phone, and with so many bets nowadays, it can get hard to navigate around in search of your favorite. Depending on your personal preferences, betting via app can be a bit user-unfriendly. With time though, we are sure that you will find that the pros outweigh this con.
- Tempting to keep playing: We support online sports betting and see it as a fun activity that can make some serious profits on the side, but we never want people to get addicted. Using an online sportsbook app does have some extra temptation for gamblers. Some can’t turn off the urge to bet more games. If this is a problem area for you as a bettor, it may be worth avoiding mobile betting options altogether.
- Smaller Screen: While mobile betting is incredibly convenient, it can create issues when using a small screen. Players unfamiliar with the mobile site can find it troublesome navigating through the site and the smaller buttons could be an issue for some players. It could take some time to understand how the betting markets are categorized on mobile, but betting sites keep improving their user experience and they’ve come a long way since the first days of mobile betting.
- Harder To Research: A huge element of building your bankroll in sports betting is research. Knowing what to bet on is crucial and research is usually best done on desktop. It can be hard navigating through multiple websites on mobile, which can lead to placing reckless bets.
Cashout Feature
The cashout feature has been used in sports betting for a number of years and it essentially involves cashing out your bet early for the amount proposed by the bookmaker. For example, let’s say you placed a parlay bet with three selections and two of them came through but your last selection is still in progress. The bookmaker will propose a cash out option depending on how your last selection is doing. The more likely your parlay bet is going to be successful, the higher the cashout option will be.
The cashout feature can be used strategically, especially if you’re watching the event. Once the cashout option is presented to the player, many opt to use it, taking the profit and wagering on different games. This is particularly useful with bigger bets and larger parlays. The real luxury lies in the cashout feature on mobile, as many times, players are not able to watch all the games they wager on and having the mobile cashout feature is a great way to potentially make a profit.
Bet-in-Play or Live Betting
Live betting involves betting on any sporting event as it is being played live. In-play betting is a huge part of any serious sports betting punter since it can be used in a number of ways to both increase profits and cut losses.
Live betting popularity exploded ever since it was launched on mobile and it has come a long way since its inception. Hundreds of in-play bets are available on mobile, including money lines and very creative prop bets to keep players entertained throughout. In-play betting on mobile creates convenience like no other and can be used as a method to lay your bets to counter any potential losses.
Mobile Streaming
Sure, you can use your desktop browser to stream any sports event, but finally, US bookmakers also started allowing this on mobile betting apps. As this is still an advanced feature, you might not be able to find it at every sportsbook. We do not doubt that soon enough, mobile streaming will be implemented all across the industry. Mobile streaming can even be used at home when you don’t want to turn to the sports channel on your big tv. It gives us yet another avenue to stream live sports.
Online sports betting fans are well aware that streaming is available on certain events but only available to those who wager on it. While mobile streaming is not yet available on all mobile betting sites, it will only be a matter of time until all of them start making it available. Needless to say, mobile streaming will consume large amounts of mobile data, so be sure to be connected to a WiFi network. Mobile streaming, when combined with live betting, takes the mobile betting experience to a whole new dimension.
Mobile Apps
Mobile apps are designed specifically to improve the mobile betting experience by having access to all the latest betting options in less than three taps. Mobile apps offer the same betting experience as players would on the mobile site, but with more flexibility.
Advantages of Mobile Betting Apps:
- Faster than the mobile site
- Can be customized to display your favorite sports
- Can be programmed to send notification of upcoming events
- Bookmakers use their mobile app to keep players informed of their latest promotions
Differences Between Mobile Apps & Mobile Sites
With regards to betting options, players who use the mobile site or the mobile betting app have exactly the same options. The main differences between the two comes down to features, flexibility and user preference. Mobile betting apps used to be far superior than mobile sites, but web technology has improved exponentially over the last few years, making mobile betting sites on par with native apps.
Mobile apps are faster than mobile sites but need to be installed on your phone for them to be accessed. The speed of a mobile site depends entirely on the internet connection and each page tends to refresh with every navigation, significantly increasing the time spent on the mobile site. Accidental bets, however, placed by kids who have access to their parents’ phone could be a major issue and can be easily avoided by using mobile betting sites instead.
Pay by Phone Mobile Payments
Pay by phone methods are becoming increasingly popular by sports betting fans due to their ease of use. Boku and Payforit and two of the most popular Pay by Phone payment methods and all players need to do to make deposit is:
- Pick one of the online bookmakers from our list
- Select a Pay by Phone method of choice, enter the deposit amount and your phone number
- You’ll receive a confirmation message with a code to be used at the online bookmaker
- After you receive a confirmation of a successful deposit, your depositing amount will be added to the next phone bill.
Pay by Phone is very simple to use and adds an extra layer of security, since you won’t need to use any credit or debit cards to make a deposit.
Top Sportsbooks For Mobile Betting in the US
As more US states legalize online sports betting, more bookmakers enter the market, increasing the competition and as a result, the user experience improves. There are dozens of online bookmakers available on mobile to US players, but we’ve shortlisted the best three that we think offer the best mobile experience as well as the best odds on all sports.
Bet365
Bet365 needs no introduction. It has over 20 years experience in delighting punters and they surely didn’t drop the ball when it comes down to mobile betting. Apart from offering the most competitive odds on the market, their dedicated mobile app makes life easier for all Bet365 players. Navigation is seamlessly delivered through lightning speeds, with a huge selection of American and International sports.
Currently, Bet365 is available to players who reside or are in New Jersey and it’s gaining huge popularity with US players. Bet365 has plans to launch in other legal US states, especially as even more states allow online sports betting.
BetMGM
BetMGM is the go-to bookmaker for all US sports betting. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, or MGM is a household name in the US and transition to an online bookmaker was welcomed by sports betting fans. BetMGM is predominantly focused on US sports, having some of the best odds throughout the nation.
BetMGM offers online sports betting in 11 different states, including Nevada, Colorado and Michigan and for an elevated mobile betting experience, download their dedicated sports betting app.
William Hill
William Hill is one of the most recognizable brands in online sports betting which originated in the UK but has a strong presence all over the world, even in the US. Currently, it operates in the following US states: Nevada, Virginia, New Jersey, Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado.
William Hill designed a great mobile betting app that’s been refined and optimized to create a user experience like no other. William Hill is one of the oldest bookmakers around, so you can rest assured to find some of the best odds on both US sports and international events.
| Mobile App | Bonus | Play Now |
|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | $500 in Bet Credits | Go to Bet365! |
| BetMGM | $600 Risk-Free Bet | Go to BetMGM! |
| William Hill | $500 Risk-Free Bet | Go to William Hill! |
How to Choose a Mobile Sports Betting Operation?
We understand that, with the extensive range of options available to gamblers today, it can be difficult to choose a mobile sports betting operation that is not only safe but also allows for easier withdrawal and payment processes. Keeping that in mind, we’ve shared the criteria that mobile betting operations need to meet to be considered for sports betting. These are:
Functionality/Stability
An online sportsbook must cater to its customers who prefer to use their mobile phones for gambling. To do that, functionality is vital. When dealing with an online sportsbook, you must check whether the website has been properly formatted on mobile devices. Only working with bookmakers who have created mobile versions of their website can help you avoid incompatibility issues.
All the betting options, links, and informational pages must be easily accessible, and it’s important that the website doesn’t have a habit of freezing or crashing down. There are going to be instances when time is going to be critical when placing sports bets, and no one has the time to wait around for poorly written code or for the website to reboot.
User Interface
Most sportsbooks are optimized for mobile betting, and some even have their own apps that can be downloaded onto smartphones. It’s important that the graphics are clean, and the website is easy to use so that you don’t have any problems placing bets from anywhere.
Range of Sports Offered
The best mobile sportsbooks allow you to place an extensive range of sports to place bets on. There are going to be lots of action going on North American staples such as NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, and college sports (NCAA Basketball, NCAA Football). Apart from that, there must also be betting lines for motorsports (NASCAR, Formula 1), combat sports (boxing, UFC), cricket, soccer, golf, and tennis.
Betting Types and Odds
Whether you’re a novice or experienced gambler, you’ll be pleased to know that mobile sports betting websites offer you with several betting types such as parlays, teasers, props, futures, point spreads, totals (Over/Under), and moneylines.
There is also the option for in-play betting that enhances your overall sportsbook experience, and it’s important that you opt for a sportsbook that offers live betting odds that change after every play.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Whenever you sign up for a mobile sportsbook, you’ll need to fund your online betting account. Most sportsbooks let you make deposits through e-wallets (Neteller, Skrill, PayPal), credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express), or through e-transfer, ecoPayz, and debit.
When it comes to withdrawing your winnings, most online mobile sports betting websites will offer you swift timing, and your money should be in your account within hours.
Bonus Programs
When it comes to sports betting, rewards go a long way in capturing the imagination of gamblers. So, naturally, the mobile sports betting website is going to be the one that offers the best bonus program. Most sportsbook websites give players complimentary stuff in the form of free bets, bonuses, and swag such as cash, concert tickets, and clothing.
The most common bonus is offered when players sign up to a sportsbook, which is known as a Welcome Bonus. They will generally match a percentage of your first deposit to an amount that is 100 percent up to $200, meaning that if you add $50 to your bankroll, you’ll gain an additional $50 to bet with.
Customer Service
One of the main aspects of online mobile sports betting is client support, and if something should happen to your account or if you’re facing problems withdrawing or adding funds, you’ll need to get in touch with the customer service team at all hours.
Most mobile sportsbooks have a customer team working 24/7 to help resolve their client’s issues that should arise when you’re betting on sports. You can reach out to them through telephone, email, and some websites also have the option of a live chat option.
Difference between Mobile Apps and Websites
When trying to figure out if you’re going to gamble through a website or through a mobile application, it all comes down to a matter of preference. There’s nothing wrong with either option, as they will provide you with the same service smoothly and efficiently.
In the end, it comes down to the gambler and the bookmaker they are using. Some sportsbooks even offer more comprehensive applications than others or give out greater bonuses to customers that have used their mobile app instead of the website. Sometimes, bookmakers on mobile-friendly websites offer better odds on bets, and it all comes down to what you prioritize.
Tips for Mobile Betting
Now that you’ve got an idea about what sports betting websites are safe and provide the best player experience, we’re going to leave you with some novice mobile betting tips. These will remain valid irrespective of what mobile betting option you’ve chosen.
Betting on mobile can be used to your advantage since you’ll have access to your phone throughout the day. Regardless of whether you’re able to tune into the live event you wagered on, you’ll still be able to make adjustments, lay your bet or even cash-out directly from your phone, from wherever you are. The following mobile betting tips are just a few ways you could be using to make a profit:
Cash Out: Timing is Everything
If the easier games you pick in your parlay bet are starting before the riskier ones, you’ll have a better chance of making a profit from an early cashout. For instance, if you have 4 relatively easy matches in your 5 parlay bet that are starting at 3PM while the risker match is starting at 7PM, the chances of making a profit from the cashout are higher than if you picked the riskier game first. Usually, after 3 matches come through from a 5 parlay bet, most bookmakers will offer you the cashout option, in order for them to potentially cut their losses. Mobile betting gives you the extra flexibility of being able to cash out from anywhere and take advantage of the situation at any given moment, especially since the cash out amount is constantly changing.
Cutting Losses
Live betting on mobile has saved many punters as it gives players the ability to lay their bets when their original bet is not going their way. For instance, if you placed a bet on the Nets to cover the spread but half way through the match they’re not looking like they will, you can place a counter bet to minimize your losses. This strategy is used to its full potential when betting on your mobile and most effective when betting in-play.
Data Usage
The one thing you want to be careful about when it comes to mobile betting is the data usage of your cellular operator. It’s not a concern when you’re using Wi-Fi, but one of the standout benefits of mobile sports betting is that you can place bets from anywhere.
Most of the time, you’ll find yourself in places where there isn’t any Wi-Fi, making you rely on your data connection solely. So, be mindful of the data that you’re burning when placing bets on mobile.
Battery Life
You’ll also want to monitor your battery life. However, if you’re thinking about placing bets in-game bets after every play, you must ensure that your phone has enough juice. You don’t want to run out of battery and be stuck with a dead phone in the final play.
The US Legal Landscape for Online Sports Betting
The United States had very complicated laws surrounding mobile betting but as more states vote in favor of full regulation, others are quickly following suit. There are currently 15 states where mobile betting is fully regulated and there are many other states in the pipeline that are earmarked for regulation.
Players that reside in states where mobile betting is not regulated will not be permitted to access the site. Players outside of these regulated states will be blocked by the bookmaker and any players who try to access the site through different sources might get penalized.
Mobile Sports Betting FAQ
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Can I make bets in a state with sports betting apps from other States?
No, you can’t. State and Federal law require you to reside within the state of the sportsbook where it is legal to officially play. -
What kind of device do I need for a sports betting app?
Any device works with all of the online sportsbook apps we show. As long as you use Android or iOS, you're good. -
What is the difference between an online sportsbook and a sports betting app?
Good question, there is no real difference except for the platform where you use it from. Online sportsbooks work from a desktop browser, while the applications are only functional in combination with a smartphone or tablet. Also, the app only works when you install it, such installation is not required with an online sportsbook. -
What do I need to get started with mobile betting?
To get started with mobile betting, simply pick a recommended bookmaker from the list above, sign-up, and make a deposit. Be sure to have a secure connection and you’ll be all set to place your first mobile wager! If you cannot access the site, chances are you are trying to access the site from a non-regulated state. -
Are the same features available when betting on mobile?
Yes! The exact same features that are available on desktop are also available in mobile betting. Many online bookmakers have dedicated mobile apps, so be sure to download them for a faster mobile betting experience.
