On this page
- Sports betting apps at a glance
- How sports betting apps work
- Licensed sports betting apps by state
- Offshore sports betting apps
- Free sports betting apps and social sportsbooks
- Free sports betting apps and tools we reviewed
- Betting tools: odds apps, bet trackers and calculators
- Sign-up bonuses, no deposit offers and minimum deposits
- How to download a sports betting app on iPhone and Android
- What to look for in a sports betting app
- How do sports betting apps make money?
- Sports betting and casino apps
- Sports betting apps FAQ
Sports betting is now mostly a phone thing. Whether you want a real-money sportsbook app, a free sports betting app to play for fun, or tools such as an odds tracker or parlay calculator, there is an app for it. The right choice depends on where you live: legal sports betting apps are available in some states, while players in Texas, California and other states without a legal market use offshore sportsbooks or social sportsbook apps instead. This guide covers every type of betting app, with our reviews and picks.
Best real-money sports betting apps
Bovada Casino App
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Sports betting apps at a glance
| Type of app | Examples | Real money? | Where it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed sportsbook apps | FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Hard Rock Bet | Yes | Only in states with legal online betting |
| Offshore sportsbook apps | Bovada, Ozoon (Canada) | Yes, often with crypto | Most US states via a mobile web app |
| Social sportsbook apps | Fliff, Rebet | Sweepstakes prizes only | Most states, with growing restrictions |
| Free prediction apps | Stadium Live | No | Everywhere |
| Betting tools and trackers | Action Network, Pikkit | No (you bet elsewhere) | Everywhere |
How sports betting apps work
A sports betting app lets you deposit, browse odds, build a bet slip and cash out from your phone. Mobile sports betting comes in two technical forms. Native apps are downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, which is only possible for licensed sportsbooks and for free apps without real-money wagering. Web apps run in your mobile browser and can be saved to your home screen. Offshore sportsbooks use web apps because Apple and Google do not list them in the US stores. In practice, a good web app feels almost the same as a native app, with live betting, push-style alerts and fast bet slips.
Licensed sports betting apps by state
Since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban in 2018, each state decides for itself. Legal sports betting now exists in 39 states plus Washington, D.C., and roughly 30 of them allow online sports betting apps. Missouri is the latest state to launch, on December 1, 2025. In Florida, Hard Rock Bet is the only legal online sportsbook. Licensed apps are regulated, but they only work when you are physically inside a legal state, and the minimum age is usually 21.
There is still no legal online sports betting in large states such as Texas, California and Georgia, nor in states like Alabama, South Carolina and Minnesota. See our USA casino apps guide and state pages such as Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Tennessee for local details.
Offshore sports betting apps
Offshore sportsbooks such as Bovada accept US players from most states, including states without a legal market. They are licensed abroad, not by US states, so you do not get state-level protection. In return, they offer wide markets, early lines, live betting, props and same-game parlays, and they work in states where licensed apps are not available. Most offshore books are best used with crypto: Bitcoin and other coins usually mean lower minimum deposits and faster payouts than cards. Check the minimum deposit and rollover on any sports bonus before you claim it.
Our Bovada app review explains how to use the Bovada sports betting app on iPhone and Android. Canadian players can look at Ozoon, the Canadian site of the former Bodog brand.
Free sports betting apps and social sportsbooks
Not ready to bet money, or live in a state without legal betting? Free sports betting apps let you make picks without a deposit. They come in two flavors:
- Social sportsbook apps such as Fliff and Rebet work like real sportsbooks, but with virtual coins. A second, sweepstakes currency can be redeemed for prizes in eligible states. California banned this model in 2026, and other states are tightening the rules.
- Free prediction apps such as Stadium Live are pure games: you predict results with coins that cannot be cashed out, compete on leaderboards and win occasional real-life prizes.
Free sports betting apps and tools we reviewed
Betting tools: odds apps, bet trackers and calculators
Serious bettors use extra apps next to their sportsbook. Action Network compares odds across books, tracks bets and publishes expert picks. Pikkit syncs with more than 30 sportsbooks and shows your real profit and loss. Both are free, with paid tiers for advanced data. Line shopping alone, getting -105 instead of -110, makes a real difference over a season. To work out a payout yourself, use our free parlay calculator.
How a parlay calculator works
A parlay calculator multiplies the decimal odds of every leg. Convert American odds first: a positive line of +150 becomes 2.50 (150 / 100 + 1), and a negative line of -110 becomes 1.91 (100 / 110 + 1). A three-leg parlay at -110, -110 and +150 pays 1.91 × 1.91 × 2.50 = about 9.12 times your stake. A $10 bet returns roughly $91, or $81 profit. Most sportsbook apps calculate this in the bet slip, and Action Network and Pikkit show parlay odds across books.
| Legs at -110 | Decimal odds | Payout on $10 | Chance if each leg is 50% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3.64 | $36.45 | 25% |
| 3 | 6.96 | $69.58 | 12.5% |
| 4 | 13.28 | $132.83 | 6.3% |
| 5 | 25.36 | $253.59 | 3.1% |
The table shows why parlays are popular and why they are hard to win: every extra leg raises the payout, but the chance of hitting drops even faster, and the sportsbook’s margin is built into every leg.
Parlay calculator: work out your payout
Enter the odds for at least two legs to see your parlay payout.
Sportsbook, casino and poker on one account and one balance. Read our Bovada Casino review
Availability differs by state. Check the terms before you sign up. 18+ (21+ where required). Bet responsibly.
Sportsbook and casino on one account and one balance. Read our Ozoon Casino review
Availability differs by province. Check the terms before you sign up. 18+ (21+ where required). Bet responsibly.
Sportsbook and casino on one account and one balance. Read our FanoBet Casino review
Not available in every country. Check the terms before you sign up. 18+ (21+ where required). Bet responsibly.
Sign-up bonuses, no deposit offers and minimum deposits
Searches for sports betting apps with a sign-up bonus, a no deposit bonus or a $5 minimum deposit are among the most common. Licensed apps often run “bet $5, get bonus bets” offers for new users in legal states. Offshore books usually give a deposit match on your first sports deposit, with rollover requirements. Real no deposit offers are rare at real-money sportsbooks; the closest thing is the free coins and sweepstakes currency at social sportsbooks. Always read the terms: bonus bets often return only the profit, not the stake.
How to download a sports betting app on iPhone and Android
- Licensed sportsbooks: download from the App Store or Google Play, create an account, verify your identity and allow location checks.
- Offshore sportsbooks: open the sportsbook website in Safari or Chrome, sign up, and use “Add to Home Screen” to create an app icon.
- Social sportsbooks and tools: download from the App Store or Google Play like any other app.
More platform tips are in our guides to iPhone casino apps and Android casino apps.
What to look for in a sports betting app
- Legal status: is the app licensed in your state, offshore, or a sweepstakes app?
- Odds and margins: compare prices; lower juice means more money back over time.
- Live betting: fast in-play markets and a quick bet slip.
- Markets: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, soccer, UFC, props and same-game parlays.
- Banking: minimum deposit, payout speed and crypto options.
- Responsible gambling tools: deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.
How do sports betting apps make money?
Sportsbooks build a margin, often called the vig or juice, into their odds. On a standard -110 / -110 line, you risk $110 to win $100 on either side. If the sportsbook takes equal money on both sides, it pays out less than it collects and keeps about 4.5% of the total. That is why line shopping and avoiding high-margin bets matter. Social sportsbooks earn from optional coin packages instead, and tools like Action Network and Pikkit earn from subscriptions, ads and sportsbook partnerships.
Sports betting and casino apps
Most offshore sportsbooks also run a casino and sometimes a poker room under one account. If you want to try other games, see our guides to slot machine apps, blackjack apps, poker apps and bingo apps. For free-to-play casino games with prizes, see our sweepstakes casino apps.
Sports betting apps FAQ
What is the best sports betting app?
It depends on where you live. In a legal state, licensed apps such as FanDuel or DraftKings are the safest choice. In states without legal online betting, many players use offshore books such as Bovada. If you only want to play for fun, Fliff, Rebet and Stadium Live are the best-known free options.
Are sports betting apps legal in Texas?
No. Texas has no legal sports betting, online or retail. Texans can use free prediction apps and, where allowed, social sportsbooks such as Fliff and Rebet. Offshore sportsbooks also accept Texas players, but they are not licensed by the state.
Are sports betting apps legal in California?
No. California has no legal sports betting, and since January 1, 2026 dual-currency sweepstakes apps are banned there too. Free prediction apps without cash prizes remain available.
Can you bet real money on a sports betting app?
Yes, at licensed sportsbooks in legal states and at offshore sportsbooks. Social sportsbooks and prediction apps do not take real-money bets.
Which sports betting apps have a $5 minimum deposit?
Several licensed apps accept deposits from $5 or $10 in legal states. Offshore sportsbooks often have a higher minimum for cards and a lower one for crypto. Check the cashier before you sign up.
Is there a free sports betting app?
Yes. Stadium Live is completely free, and social sportsbooks such as Fliff and Rebet are free to play with optional coin purchases.
What is the minimum age for sports betting apps?
Licensed sportsbooks usually require players to be 21, with a few states at 18. Offshore books generally accept players from 18. Social sportsbooks require 18 or older, and some states set 21.
How do I calculate a parlay?
Convert each leg to decimal odds and multiply them. Multiply the result by your stake to get the total payout. Most betting apps do this automatically in the bet slip.