Best Betting Apps

A short history of online betting in the US

Mobile gambling refers to games that are played on a device that involve chance or skill for money. Online betting includes poker, casinos, lotteries, bingo, sports betting, horse racing betting, etc. In the United States, the legalization of online gambling was first drafted in the late 1990s but those bills were not passed. Then, in November 2010, New Jersey became the first state to legalize certain forms of online gambling. Despite this attempt to legalize online gambling, only three years ago the Supreme Court opened the door to legal sports betting apps in the US. Now several US states have legalized online sports betting too.

The legality of gambling in the US

Despite that gambling is not illegal in the US, the full story of it is much more complicated. Placing a bet in the state you are a resident in, is not considered illegal. But if you place a bet on a gambling site located in another state, you are breaking the law. The US government has left it up to states to decide about the legality of gambling which is legal in some form in 48 out of the 50 states.

Utah and Hawaii have completely banned gambling. If you live in those states, just look no further about gambling legality or apps. But if you fortunately live in other states, then it’s important to check your state laws to find out what types of gambling are legal in your area. Remember that even if your state allows betting, it probably doesn’t allow all types of gambling, or maybe betting is legal only in some areas.

Also, not all states that allow sports betting will choose to use online wagering platforms. And don’t you even try to download a betting app that operates in another state because it won’t work. The app will verify your geolocation, and you will be rejected if you live outside the legal borders.

State regulations

States that allow online gambling

• Delaware
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

States that expect to legalize online gambling

• Illinois
• California
• Connecticut
• Nevada
• New York
• Indiana
• Massachusetts

States that allow online sports betting

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Oregon
• Washington, DC
• Wyoming

Reasons to use a betting app

In the 21st century, everything has moved online. So, it is no surprise that a lot of betting operators have created apps or that they have modified their sites to be more mobile-friendly. Some sportsbooks operators have even designed a layout that is mobile-first and desktop-second for their sites. At the end of the day, the majority of online access happens through mobiles.

As long as you have a decent phone connection and Wi-Fi, you can bet from anywhere using a mobile betting app. But wagering on a phone has its limits too. It is way easier for bettors to take in the vast amount of information on a bigger screen like a desktop. A bigger screen is more efficient. But still, the sports betting apps’ convenience is undefeatable. Its pros outweigh the pros of a bigger screen. Moreover, some brands even offer unique mobile features that are not available to desktops.

Things to look for in a betting app

If you are looking for a top-quality betting application, there is plenty of choice for you as the majority of gambling operators have understood the importance of launching a mobile app. There are major differences between apps in terms of user experience and quality of services. But what should you look out for in a betting app? Find out below.

Betting Options

A good mobile betting app should cover vast amounts of casino games and sports, so users have plenty of choices for betting on the go. This is mostly important for sports bettors. Best sportsbooks have a large catalog of sports available to bet on. Smaller sportsbooks don’t have that same selection. The option to bet live is also very important so make sure the app you are downloading offers this feature.

Odds

Also, the best sportsbook apps have the best odds. Do some research on that because there are many apps out there that offer high odds just to attract new users. Odds also depend on how popular a sport is in your state.

Interface Design

Finally, a sportsbook app that is easy to navigate attracts a lot of bettors. Of course, the (sports)book is not judged by its cover, but sure it does help. Some sportsbooks are covered in promotions and some others use the space for betting lines. The best betting app depends on what you prefer.

Other features

Also, watch if the app is offered on iOS and Android. It is true that most major sportsbook brands offer their app on both devices, but some smaller brands don’t.