Best Sports Betting Apps of 2023 Ranked
And thanks to a combination of gambling’s long history, liberal legislation, and strong regulation from the UK Gambling Commission, UK sports bettors have the option of wagering securely and conveniently across a range of sports.
Over the last few years, as mobile devices have become the main method through which people access the Internet, sports betting companies have responded by developing ever more sophisticated mobile betting platforms that enable you to bet on the go. But with so much competition out there, it can be tricky to work out which is the best site for you.
To help you narrow down the options, in this article, we’ve ranked the best sports betting apps available in 2023, and we’ve also pointed out the key factors that everyone should look at when choosing a sports betting app in the UK betting market.
How to Choose a Sports Betting App
To an extent, the app that you choose will reflect your personal sports betting preferences and that means that your top five may not be the same as another bettor’s. Whichever site you opt to bet at, however, you should consider these key factors before you sign up.
Licensing and Security
This factor applies to all betting operators that you are considering, whether you are betting through a desktop or a mobile device. Under no circumstances should you ever bet with an unlicensed site. Sports betting apps that are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission are under no obligation to protect your financial or personal data, and if they decide to withhold your winnings, you will have no recourse. Make sure that an app is fully licensed before you sign up.
Customer Interface
Good design and organisation are always important factors to consider but when you’re betting on a mobile device, it is particularly crucial. Look for apps that run smoothly on mobile devices and that are not too cluttered. This is particularly important if you are betting on live sports events as you need to be able to quickly navigate between markets and site features.
Mobile Compatibility
Most betting companies will have sports betting apps for all operating systems and devices, but if you are using uncommon software or an unusual or old device, double check that you can download and run the betting app before you sign up.
Payment Options
The days when the only payment options at a sports betting site were Visa and bank transfer are long gone. In 2023, sports betting customers expect to be able to pay with a host of different banking methods, ranging from PayPal and Paysafecard to cryptocurrency. It is always a good idea to make sure that any app you use will offer you the banking brands that you need for your deposits and withdrawals, and that there are no unnecessary fees or delays associated with transactions.
Bonuses and Promotions
You should never choose a betting app purely on the strength of its welcome bonus, but it is a good idea to check out the terms and conditions of these bonuses, along with the range of rewards and bonuses available to regular players. Ideally, you want to register with a sports betting app that provides fair bonuses and that looks after loyal customers.
Sports Coverage
A sports betting app may have a flashy design, great bonuses, and a range of payment options, but none of that matters if it doesn’t offer the sports betting markets that you are looking for. This applies particularly if you intend to bet on minor or obscure sports or markets. Take the time to ensure that all of the events you want to bet on are featured, in order to avoid future disappointment.
Strength of Odds
Getting the best price on your bet is fundamental to sports betting strategy and there are plenty of odds comparison tools available for you to compare the odds across different sites. It is worth taking some time to weigh up these odds from multiple betting companies over several days to get a picture of which app is consistently among the most competitive for your chosen sport and markets.
Extra Features
The UK betting sector is always coming up with new ideas designed to improve the betting experience for customers, and it is worth checking out which of these tools and betting features an app offers before you take the decision to sign up
- Live streaming of sports events
- News and betting guides
- Cash out
- Partial cash out
- ACCA insurance
- Bet builder
- Cash back
- Betting tournaments
- Player rewards
Top Sports Betting Apps in 2023
There are so many strong betting apps available in the UK sports betting market that it is difficult to draw up a shortlist, but in our opinion, these are the top five mobile betting platforms around.
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes is one of the oldest names in the sports betting business, and it is not surprising to find that the Ladbrokes betting app is one of the most popular and effective. The app, which is available on all operating systems, covers most sports and has the full range of live and pre-event markets.
This app also offers a variety of betting features and tools, including live streaming of many sports, price boosts, and cash out options. If you’re looking for a sports betting app that combines a host of modern features with the reliability of an established betting name, this is the one.
Boylesports
Boylesports has built a reputation as a serious betting company focused on the basics rather than flashy gimmicks, and the Boylesports app is a solid betting platform, particularly if you are planning to bet on horse racing, golf, or football, for which it has excellent coverage.
Like the Ladbrokes platform, this mobile app also gives players access to useful betting features, such as the latest Opta stats, price boosts, acca insurance, and extra place terms in horse racing and golf markets. The app runs smoothly on all devices and is one of the best around.
Betway
If you like to bet on live events, then Betway is a great option. The Betway app is one of the best-designed in the business, featuring intuitive navigation between the main markets. As well as offering good coverage of the main sports, which includes more than 2,000 events every week, the app is one of the best around for esports betting, one of the fastest-growing sectors of the sports betting market.
The Betway app has had excellent feedback from mobile users and provides some handy additional bonuses for sports bettors in the form of a bet builder and a free bet club.
bet365
One of the world’s biggest sports betting brands, you would expect bet365 to offer an excellent mobile betting platform, and you won’t be disappointed. The bet365 app provides the most in-depth sports coverage we’ve come across in the modern industry, and it is particularly strong on live betting.
The coverage of sports is matched by plenty of promotions, excellent live streaming support, and a well-designed bet building tool. This app is easy to download and use, and offers strong design, along with a fast and efficient banking and bet placing system.
Unibet
A big name in European betting, Unibet has one of the most advanced betting apps available in the UK, featuring a host of practical features, including touch or face identification login and 24/7 customer support through a range of contact options.
Their sports coverage is comprehensive and includes more than 40 sports, along with a good range of virtual sports markets, and it also has plenty of customer-friendly features, including bet building tools, daily promotions, live streaming, and price boost deals.
Use Sports Betting Apps Responsibly
The sports betting sector in the UK has been growing steadily over the last few years and that has provided more opportunities for those who like to bet on sport. Yet, at the same time, there have been growing concerns about the risks of gambling addiction and its effects on individuals and society.
While regulators and betting companies are being pressured to do more to protect people at risk of gambling harm, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself when you are gambling.
Remember that betting on sport is a leisure activity, not a solution to financial problems or a way to make money. While it can be fun to win a sports bet, the risks of betting on sport are significant and can be avoided by following these rules at all times
- Never bet with money that you cannot afford to lose
- Always set strict limits on the time you spend betting on sport
- Never neglect your family, friends, or work life to bet on sport
- Keep records of your bets and review your betting behaviour regularly
- Never bet on sport when you are drinking alcohol
- Periodically check your gambling behaviour by completing a problem gambling questionnaire
If you are worried about your gambling behaviour, get in touch with an organisation such as GambleAware or Gam Care for support and guidance.