What to look for in a Betting App?
Signing up for an account with an online bookmaker is the first step to more flexible sports betting. For most punters, downloading a betting app is the next step, giving access to betting markets and your active bets on the go. It’s a convenient, easy way to bet, to cash out and to manage your betting account, wherever you are. But not every betting app is the same, and some are definitely better than others. So what should you be looking for in a sports betting app to get the best experience?
Choosing the right betting app
While there are a million factors to consider when sizing up the right bookmaker for you, knowing what you’re looking for when choosing a betting app is one of the most critical. For a good user experience, and for the best chance of maximising betting opportunities, a solid app is a must. There are several criteria we recommend when choosing between different apps.
- Clear display and formatting
- Equivalent features to desktop
- Easy navigation
- In-play betting
- Live streaming
- Withdrawals and deposits
- Promotions and bonuses
Clear display and formatting
From a practical perspective, any good betting app needs to display the information you need to see in a way that is clear and well structured. It sounds obvious, but you shouldn’t take for granted that every app is user-friendly and well organised. The last thing you want is to accidentally pick the wrong selection, or to miss out on a market because of the structure and display on the mobile app. For this reason, it’s worth testing out a mobile app as you’re signing up, so you can be sure everything is displayed in a way that’s easy to use and understand.
Equivalent features to desktop
Some sports betting apps are scaled back versions of the desktop experience. This is fine to an extent, but you don’t want to find that you’re missing some key features on mobile that you get when you’re logged in on your laptop or PC. As a rule, modern apps do tend to share the same experience as desktop versions, and in the worst case scenario, should load effectively in browser, too. But it’s another one to be aware of when choosing your sports betting app.
Easy navigation
Another practical point here, but navigation really matters - especially when you’re on a smaller screen device like a mobile. Particularly if you’re betting in a hurry, or you’re trying to respond to changing events in real-time, you should be able to find everything you’re looking for easily and quickly. Look out for the main navigation menu, and try to make a note of where everything is - including deposit and withdrawal, customer support and other functions. You never know when you might need to access them quickly.
In-play betting
In-play betting has been a huge innovation in online sports betting in recent years, proving popular with punters who like to capitalise on live sports action. Fluctuating odds and cash out offers make this a much more engaging way to bet, while opening up a whole host of new strategies you can deploy to try and beat the bookie. A good mobile app must have access to in-play betting - it’s now an essential feature for anyone looking for a full mobile betting experience. Make sure it’s available, easy to use, and widely offered across key events when you’re choosing your sports betting app.
Live streaming
Leading sports betting platforms now also offer live streaming of key sporting events, giving you the ability to watch the action as it unfolds. Going hand in hand with in-play betting, live streaming is an amazing tool to have at your disposal. Not only does this give you the chance to follow along the action wherever you are, or to make decisions based on the sporting events unfolding in real-time, but it’s also a fun, easy way to watch sports whenever you like - available as they happen, in your pocket, without any subscription cost.
Withdrawals and deposits
Withdrawals and deposits are always a factor in choosing where to bet on sports, and sports betting apps are no exception. A good app should have support for multiple different payment methods, so you can always top up your account when you need to. There’s nothing worse than discovering you’re out of balance and you need to top up your account, but there’s only one or two payment methods that work - neither of which are convenient.
The same is true on withdrawal, where you need to be sure there are sufficient methods in place, as well as fast turnaround time on payment.
Promotions and bonuses
Promotions and bonuses are another important part of the sports betting mix. Fairly often, the welcome bonuses that apply on the desktop version are different from the bonuses available on mobile. In fact, it tends to be the case that some bonuses are dependent on downloading the mobile app. Make sure you keep an eye out for the welcome bonuses, plus ongoing promotions that are available via the app - this can make a huge difference to your sports betting journey.
Reputation and trust
A final point, but arguably one of the most important. You need to be sure you can trust any sports betting app you download, and that it’s backed up by a reputable bookmaker. Look at licensing information as a first step - if the bookmaker is not licensed by the gambling regulator, it’s probably best to steer clear. But you should also think about the wider reputation, and whether other customers are reporting a positive experience. While there will always be those that moan about losing money in online reviews, independent reviews can help shed impartial light on whether a betting app is one you can trust.
Choosing a sports betting app can be confusing - especially if it’s your first time, or if you’re not sure what exactly you’re looking for. By understanding what’s available and the types of features you should be thinking about when signing up for your app, you give yourself a better chance of finding the right app for your sports betting.
Read our best betting apps to find the one for you!
