The 7 Best Real Money Sports Betting Apps: December 2024

The best sports betting apps can be had in all live and legal U.S. sports betting markets. With many valid options available to sports fans and bettors, how do you choose which app is best for you?

Our team of sports betting experts have been involved in this space since PASPA was overturned in May of 2018, paving the way for regulated, online sportsbooks for typical sports fans. We know not every sports bettor is a professional or a sharp, but may simply want a reliable app and experience in order to place wagers on sporting events for entertainment value. However you plan on moving forward, we’ve got you covered.

Sportsbook App Promos

Sportsbook	iOS / iPhone Rating	Google Play / Android Rating
FanDuel	4.9	4.6
DraftKings	4.7	4.6
Caesars Sportsbook	4.6	4.2
BetMGM	4.8	4.1
bet365	4.8	4.6
ESPN BET	4.8	4.3
Fanatics Sportsbook	4.7	4.5
Hard Rock Bet	4.9	4.7

Most mobile sports betting apps are available on both the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play store. Above, you can find some of the ratings for the best available sportsbook apps according to Saturday Down South as of December 2024.

Best Sports Betting Apps Available Now

Best New Sports Betting App: Fanatics Sportsbook

Fanatics Sportsbook is the newest sports betting app on the scene (available on both iOS and Android) and Fanatics brings both an excellent app as well as a very unique rewards program for regular sports bettors. Fanatics’ FanCash program means you can earn something akin to a “cash back” program you might be used to with regards to credit card spending. FanCash earned as a percentage of each wager can be transferred into bonus bets on the sportsbook app or into merchandise credit on Fanatics.com. Yep, that means you can exchange your FanCash for bonus bets or maybe a new jersey from your favorite team.

Fanatics is now offering a welcome bonus of up to $1,000 in value. The welcome bonus offers users a $100 Bet Match for 10 straight days, check out more information below.

Best Overall Sports Betting App: DraftKings

What started out as a daily fantasy monster, DraftKings has become one of the top sportsbooks in the U.S. through brand awareness, excellence around product and user experience, valuable offers and promotions and a strong loyalty program.

New users can currently unlock a Bet $5, Get $200 bonus when they sign up for DraftKings.

What our team says about DraftKings: “I think DraftKings does the best job in terms of player loyalty rewards. They’re good at giving you something each day that lines up with the sports calendar. Profit boosts that usually range between 50 and 100 on primetime NFL games, Sunday NFL, daily MLB action, and college football weekends has basically made it a must-play.” Read more from our real user app recommendations.

Sportsbook Apps in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and More

Hard Rock Bet is now live in the following states: AZ, NJ, TN, VA. New users can bet $5 on any game and get $100 back in bonus bets win or lose.

Underdog Sportsbook is live in North Carolina. Must use promo code SOUTHNC to take advantage of a “bet $5, get $100 in bonus bets” sign-up offer. Check out the terms and conditions.

The Latest Entrant Provides a New Sportsbook App Experience

Underdog Sports launched its long awaited sportsbook app on March 11, 2024 in the state of North Carolina. As expected, Underdog built an app with a full tech stack built in-house and introduced a user-friendly interface much more akin to fantasy apps than you might see in traditional sportsbook apps. Now that we’ve been able to get our hands on the Underdog Sportsbook app, let’s take a look at how this app differs from more traditional sports betting apps and consider how this might impact the industry moving forward.

Note that Underdog Sportsbook is only available on iOS currently, so only iPhone users will have access. Underdog Sportsbook is a separate app from the Underdog Fantasy app, but users will have a single account and shared wallet across both apps.

Underdog Sportsbook app Distinctives

This app brings two unique elements when compared to apps such as FanDuel and DraftKings: a different betting language and terminology and a different visual interface and navigation experience.

Let’s begin with the language and terminology. Underdog has chosen a clear departure from traditional sports betting language. “76ers to win” rather than “76ers moneyline bet.” Even spread bets have helpful and clarifying language “margin of victory” adjacent to the language. “Total game points” instead of “over/under total points.” These are examples of Underdog preferring more plain language, obviously aimed at attractive perhaps American sports fans that are not seasoned sports bettors.

The multiplier instead of traditional odds takes this even further, and if I’m honest, I’m torn here. The below screenshot shows how this varies across apps such as Underdog vs. FanDuel vs. DraftKings.

If you’re betting on the 76ers to win (moneyline bet) against the Knicks, you’re presented with the following for each app:

• Underdog: 76ers to win, 2.94x
• FanDuel: 76ers moneyline, +198
• DraftKings: 76ers moneyline, +190

Similarly for the spread bet, you’ll find the differences as follows:

• Underdog: 76ers +5.5, 1.98x
• FanDuel: 76ers +6, -110
• DraftKings: 76ers +6, -112

I’m not a sports betting junkie, but I’ve been aware of how sports betting works for decades and my familiarity with standard, three-digit American odds formats is making me bump on the multiplier format a bit. If you’re familiar with the latest crop of daily fantasy apps such as PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy, then you’ll recognize the multiplier which is big in the pick’em contests on these apps. Obviously, Underdog is leaning into this here.

We can drive home this unique difference here by looking at the betting slip as well across each of these sportsbook apps.

In our example above, we can see how Underdog’s multiplier is pretty similar to potential payout with FanDuel and DraftKings. Interestingly, Underdog and DraftKings show the full total payout, where FanDuel opts for the language showing how much you will win (in addition to getting your wager back). All three apps all you to toggle between multiple individual bets or stringing them together in a parlay as you can see in the screenshots.

Again, I’m a big fan of the navigation choices here, but I’m struggling a bit with the multiplier odds formats. It’s less intuitive for me, and I do wonder if it’s something Underdog will course correct on in the future. Reminder that this app is brand new, and we can expect plenty of updates and evolution here as they roll out to more states.

How will Underdog’s new app affect the industry?

We’ve been watching Underdog and CEO Jeremy Levine for some time, since he’s been one of the most vocal leaders in the sports betting and gaming space over the last year. Levine has bemoaned the lack of creativity and “lack of innovation and a lack of care for product-customer experience for sports fans in America” during a conversation in 2023 on the Joe Pomp podcast.

Levine has articulated his vision of the sports betting landscape and believes the space is ripe for innovation and new apps and products: “If you look at the winners of wave one of sports betting in America, they’ve all taken the products from the UK and Europe, and just brought those products to America. They’re not differentiated products. At peak, there was over 60 different sportsbooks in America and they were all the same.”

“If you think of who these products are built for, and who the sportsbook was built for, it wasn’t the American consumer. The American consumer is so different. We didn’t grow up betting on sports. If we did we had to jump through a lot of hoops to do it, because it’s been illegal until five years ago. We grew up playing games. 60 million people in America play some form of fantasy sports. There were 90 million March Madness brackets done in March.”

“We think there’s so much more still to built, and as we go forward, that’s what this next wave of sports betting will be defined by. It will be defined by innovation and customer experience.”

Now that we have our hands on the Underdog sports betting app, we can see the fruition of some of these beliefs. But Underdog has a long way to go. While Levine might despise the apps of the sports betting incumbents, the reality is that millions of users use them, they function well, and users have been trained to use them for years now. There’s a lot of momentum in the incumbent’s favor.

Additionally, the app experience is one thing, but overall execution is a big part of success in this space. Underdog is currently live only in the state of North Carolina and will have to increase market access to gain a foothold in the sports betting space. Underdog’s success in the fantasy space is not to be dismissed, however, and the company is well funded and has a clear vision for its future. We are excited to see how Underdog’s betting app continues to evolve, and ultimately, competition means the end user wins.

Sports Betting App Reviews

To help serve our users, the Saturday Down South team has provided the following details about each sportsbook app to help users choose the best app for their needs.

How You Should Choose The Right Sportsbook App

What really matters when choosing a sportsbook app? Aren’t all of them kind of the same? These are common questions from users, and our experience will help guide you here.

The app experience

What matters in terms of the user experience with the app itself? You can take our word for what apps are well built and have a good user experience, but here are some things to consider and test yourself:

• How is the onboarding process? Was it a nightmare getting from the point of first beginning your registration process and actually getting money in your account so you can place a wager? The major operators work hard to remove friction and make this a pleasant experience.
• Is the app “snappy”? For me, this is a big one. If I’m going to use an app every day for sports betting, I want the thing to be fast and responsive. There’s nothing worse than using an app daily where you have to wait a second every time you tap an action on the app interface.
• How is the navigation? Can you find your favorite bets quickly and easily? Or do you have to do 5-6 taps just to find a bet you already know you want to make? The best apps will have easy ways to jump to key areas of the app. Finding the balance between a wide breadth of options while maintaining navigational ease and simplicity can be tough, but the best sportsbooks shine here.

Withdrawal Methods and Speed

Most major U.S. sportsbook apps now have a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods as well as withdrawal speeds within 24-48 hours. Online methods such as PayPal and Play+ accounts can be the faster options. Moreover withdrawing to a debit card can often take less than 24 hours.

Note that there can be a difference between the posted withdrawal times and what users often experience. For example, many users on the major sportsbooks report receiving funds on PayPal withdrawals within a few hours.

Sportsbook Loyalty Programs

As you can read in our app recommendations below, many of our experts really enjoy the rewards that they obtain through regular use on sportsbooks such as DraftKings.

With the launch of Fanatics Sportsbook, loyalty programs now have yet another interesting wrinkle. Through Fanatics, you can now earn FanCash which can be redeemed for sports betting merchandise via Fanatics.com. Will sports fans prefer this loyalty program to, say, Caesars Sportsbook which has a more traditional brick-and-mortar rewards program? Time will tell.

Here are some comparisons across the various sportsbook loyalty programs:

Sportsbook Loyalty Program	Description	Benefits	Consider if
FanDuel	FanDuel does not have a sports betting rewards program.	n/a	n/a
DraftKings Dynasty Rewards	Earn rewards through online wagering activity. The more rewards you earn, climb different tiers which unlock additional benefits	Exchange "Crowns" for bonus cash for wagering online, for fantasy contest entries or for items on the Dynasty Store.	You're focused on online rewards as well as getting access to more boosts.
Caesars Rewards	Earn rewards both online and offline. The more rewards points you earn, the higher your tier. Unlock more benefits at higher tiers.	Convert rewards to online bonus cash or offline at Caesars properties for hotel, shopping and entertainment options.	Travel and brick-and-mortar benefits are important to you.
ESPN BET / PENN Play	Earn points and tier status based on wagering activity online through ESPN BET or offline in-person at PENN casinos and destinations.	PENN Cash that is earned can be redeemed through the PENN Marketplace.	If you travel and visit PENN properties, or want a wide range of options for redeeming rewards.
BetMGM Rewards	Earn rewards and climb tiers through activity online at BetMGM sportsbook app as well as offline at MGM Resort properties.	Rewards can be exchanged for bonus credits online or MGM Resort credits which can be used at MGM properties.	Travel and brick-and-mortar benefits are important to you.
Fanatics FanCash	Earn FanCash for wagering activity.	FanCash can be redeemed for bonus bets at Fanatics Sportsbook or merchandise credit through Fanatics.com.	You're a die-hard sports fan that enjoys betting and merchandise.

How to Download a Mobile Betting App?

The best way to win real money with the thousands of bets available on all sites listed above is by downloading their mobile betting app for on-the-go access.

Apple

For Apple Products such as an iPhone or iPad, simply navigate to the App Store and type your sportsbook of choice. Once you’ve found the app, click “Get”.

You can check out reviews and screenshots for each app on the app store. In addition, it’ll show you the last update the app received and the version of the app in its section.

Google Play (Android)

The Google Play Store is similar to the Apple App Store. Simply look up your desired sportsbook and click “install.” Similar to the App Store, you can check out reviews, screenshots for the App and the number of downloads.

Real App Recommendations From Real Sports Bettors

Sports Betting Industry

Sports betting is currently legal in 38 U.S. states in some form or fashion. States such as Nebraska and Wisconsin have legalized betting in retail locations, but not online. Others allow it on tribal lands only while some don’t allow it at all.

Moreover, every sportsbook listed above is not available in all 38 states where betting is legal. DraftKings is only available in 25 of those 38 states while bet365 is available in 10 states. Fanatics, to drive the point home, is legal in 21 U.S. states.

Legalization of mobile betting and online betting apps for sports betting started in 2018 with the Supreme Court striking down PASPA, the law that made sports betting illegal in the United States. New Jersey and Pennsylvania legalized sports betting soon after and year after year, legality of online betting increased.

The legalization of sports betting is up to the states to decide, and you’d be surprised to find that a lot of lawmakers on either side of the aisle would rather accept it than shun it. The tax implications alone provide great revenue for states looking to legalize online betting apps, and legalization has garnered bi-partisan support across a number of states still campaigning for legalization today.

In some states, such as Minnesota in 2024, lawmakers simply cannot agree on how to implement online betting, which kills any attempted bill from reaching the voting public. As you can imagine it’s a highly complicated process that requires compliance with the DGE and CCC (Division of Gaming Enforcement and Casino Control Commission), tax rate and number of licenses allowed in the state.

States such as Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Minnesota could be next in line to legalize sports betting. But for now, it’s all a waiting game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best sports betting app?

The best sportsbook app is likely going to be determined by personal preference. All of the major sportsbooks listed on this page have achieved a certain level of quality and reliability. DraftKings and FanDuel are the two most widely used online sportsbooks in the U.S. currently. However, many new sportsbook users enjoy the simple and clean interface of ESPN BET, Underdog and even Hard Rock Bet.

What states are betting apps legal in?

Online sports betting is available in the following U.S. states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming.

The major sportsbooks are live in all or most of the above states, while other sportsbooks are live in a select group of states.

Can I download a mobile betting app from the Apple app store and Google Play store?

Most sportsbooks are available on both app stores. Underdog Sportsbook is a new app and is only available on iOS currently.

How many sportsbook apps should I install and use?

This will depend on your sports betting style. Some users like to “line shop” across multiple apps. Others enjoy taking advantage of promos and bonuses across multiple sportsbooks.

What security features do sports betting apps offer?

Major sportsbooks, such as those listed on this page, take measures to ensure your date stays safe, including encryption, firewalls and password-protected servers. Rest assured, your personal info is safe with these sportsbooks.

How do live betting and streaming work on sports betting apps?

Sportsbooks offer live odds that adjust and change with every passing minute in an ongoing sporting event. In sports such as basketball where the tide can turn very quickly, a line can shift dramatically after any given run.

Do sports betting apps offer casino games too?

Some sports betting apps, such as DraftKings, offer casino games right on the app in states where it is legal to do so. However, this is not a universal option for all sportsbooks.

How easy is it to deposit and withdraw funds on sports betting apps?

It depends on the sportsbook, but it’s almost always a simple process. Most sportsbooks take debit/credit cards for withdrawing winnings and depositing funds, which is the most popular among active bettors. Other options include PayPal, Play+ and online banking.

Do sports betting apps send notifications and alerts?

You can set up alerts and notifications with most major sportsbooks, which can alert you to specials being run that day, injury reports and more.