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Best Sports Betting Apps for Real Money 2025

As Good As It Gets: The Most Useful Real Money Betting Apps to Download

Last Updated on 01/26/2025
Fact checked by: Mike Goodpaster

Betting via a website is fun and easy, but betting via a real money app is so, so much easier. If you’re interested in learning how and why this is, then you’ve most definitely come to the right place!

You’ll be amazed at just how easy it is to use betting apps for real money. You’ll be able to do all your betting on the move, waiting in line, or anywhere with a decent Wi-Fi signal. But what is the best real money sports betting app out there? If you want answers, you’re in good hands! Read on for more.

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Stand a chance to win real money with these operators

Our Top Picks
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DraftKings
Recommended
4.6/5
  • Superb range of different sporting leagues
  • Effective in-play betting feature
  • Exciting fantasy team building
DraftKings Bonus
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Go to DraftKings
Bet now
Payment Methods
PayPal
VIP Preferred
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0 – 5 Days
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License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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EGR – Operator of the year (2023)
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FanDuel
Hot Offer
4.6/5
  • Well-known company
  • Excellent range of markets
  • Clever site design
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
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Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Go to FanDuel
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Payment Methods
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PayPal
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1 – 10 Days
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Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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Global Gaming Awards (2022)
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BetMGM
Hot Offer
4.5/5
  • Excellent range of sports betting markets
  • Straightforward user experience
  • Competitive odds
BetMGM Bonus
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
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Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
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Payment Methods
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
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Withdrawal
0 – 3 Days
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License
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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GGA – Digital Operator of the Year (2023)
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Bet365
4.
4.5/5
  • Excellent range of sports betting markets available
  • World-renowned brand
  • Easy to navigate
Bet365 Bonus
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
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Players from Virginia accepted
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Bet now
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0 – 10 Days
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EGR – Operator of the year (2017)
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
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Caesars
5.
4.5/5
  • Exceptional range of betting markets
  • A fluid in-play betting section
  • Competitive odds
Caesars Bonus
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
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0 – 5 Days
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Fanatics
6.
4.3/5
  • Brings something new to the market
  • Solid sports betting options
  • An established name in sporting goods
Fanatics Bonus
$1,000 No Sweat Bets
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Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
Go to Fanatics
Bet now
Payment Methods
Skrill
Venmo
PayPal
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Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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Barstool
7.
  • First-time bettors can look forward to 100% up to $1,000 risk-free bets.
  • Barstool is available in close to ten US states.
  • Players can deposit and withdraw using a wide range of convenient banking methods.
Best Alternative
DraftKings Go to DraftKings
Payment Methods
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Withdrawal
1 – 5 Days
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Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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Bally Bet
8.
  • Generous risk-free bet on your first real money wager
  • Additional free bet available as part of your welcome bonus
  • Simple wagering requirements and very few restrictions
Bally Bet Bonus
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Players from Virginia accepted
T&Cs apply, 21+
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DraftKings Go to DraftKings
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BankWire
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0 – 5 Days
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The benefits of using apps for real money – Why are they so great?

We’re not exaggerating here when we say that there are absolutely LOADS of reasons why you might rather use a betting app for real money, rather than a desktop site when you bet on all your favorite sports online.

The fact that it’s so convenient is probably the most appealing benefit of using a real money betting app over betting via desktop site. By using an app, you’ll be able to bet on all your favorite sports wherever you are – provided that you have a decent Wi-Fi signal, of course. Seriously, what’s easier than taking your phone out of your pocket, sticking a bet on, and putting your phone away? It’s so quick and easy, and it saves having to boot up your computer, which, let’s be honest, can sometimes take FOREVER.

But why are we speaking so highly of real money betting apps? They’re convenient, but what else is it about them that makes them so special? Here are some of the benefits of using apps for real money betting.

  • Convenience –  The most obvious benefit of real money betting apps. You can place a bet from anywhere, anytime, all via your phone! It makes betting so much easier!
  • Amazing promotions – Some of the best real money betting apps will have app-specific bonuses. Sometimes these bonuses can be even better and more exciting than the bonuses you find on the desktop sites!
  • Notifications – Need a reminder to stick a bet on the next Lakers game? Your real money betting app will ping you when it’s time. You can also get notifications whenever a major event happens in the game! Thanks to notifications, you’ll be able to stay well on top of your betting schedule.
  • Faster – Apps are always going to be quicker than desktop sites. Thanks to the speed of real money betting apps, you’ll be able to keep completely up-to-date with scores, and catch that cash-out before it vanishes. Placing a timely bet could be the difference between winning big or going home empty-handed.
  • More markets – Some real money betting apps will offer customers more variety when it comes to betting markets, than those that can be seen on the desktop site. Betting via an app could give you so much more variety when it comes to what you put your money on!

If you’re not interested in real money sports betting apps, then we have poker app reviews and reviews of bingo apps for real money available here at thegruelingtruth.com

Service providers with the best apps

DraftKings
1.
4.6/5
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayPal
VIP Preferred
Play+
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel
2.
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
BetMGM
3.
4.5/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet365
4.
4.5/5
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
5.
4.5/5
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+

How we help you find the best online betting apps real money – A glimpse at our extensive checklist 

One of our main aims here at thegruelingtruth.com is to provide you with all the best information and tips so that you can go out there and download the best betting app for real money around.

We have plenty of reviews of betting apps for real money, and rankings of betting apps for real money, and we only recommend the best and most reliable to you, our loyal readers.

We have a strict checklist that must be met before we even consider recommending a sports betting app real money. Here are some of the things we look out for when we’re evaluating real money betting apps.

  1. Usability – No one likes using a betting app for real money that’s slow, laggy, or prone to crashing. No-one likes an app that’s super difficult to navigate and use either. The sleeker and more user-friendly the app is, the more points it’s going to score, the higher we’re going to rate it, and the more likely we are to recommend it to you.
  2. Payment options – In short, the more payment methods and options that the sports betting app real money has available, the better. Having a wide variety of payment methods available will give you, the player, so much more flexibility when it comes to making deposits and withdrawals to and from your account. If the app only accepts a couple of payment methods, we’re not going to rank it very highly – simple as!
  3. Exclusive app-specific bonuses – We touched on this briefly earlier – some operators will give players who use their apps a little extra for betting with the app, in the form of an app-specific bonus. It might not be a lot, but it’s a nice little touch, and an extra incentive for you to start gambling more via your chosen operators real money betting app! Plus, an app that has an app-specific exclusive bonus is going to rank higher than an app that doesn’t  – just saying!
  4. Customer support services – One of the most important things we look for whether we’re ranking the best real money sports betting apps or the best poker app with real money, is the quality of their customer support services. If they’re difficult to contact and slow in replying to you, then we’re not going to think highly of them, or rank them highly either. If the operator offers a range of different options for contacting the customer support services (which are easy to do via the app), and they have a speedy response time, then we’re going to give them extra points and rank them higher!
  5. Security – The very, very last thing anyone wants to happen when gambling online, via an app or otherwise, is to have their personal and financial details compromised. When we’re evaluating the latest betting app for real money, we’re keeping a keen eye out for the type of security the app has in place. It goes without saying that the stronger (and more visible) the security, the better. Information on an app’s security should be easy to find. We here at thegruelingtruth.com would never recommend an app we don’t think is safe, and that’s a promise.

Editor’s recommendation — the best app – FOX Bet 

This is a bit of a tough one for us, as ultimately, deciding which is the best app for you, is ultimately, down to you. What might be the perfect app for one person may not appeal to another person in the slightest.

However, if we were absolutely forced to recommend a betting app for real money to you, then we’d have to nudge you in the direction of the FOX Bet app.

If you’re after a betting app for real money with the same features as the website, an app in which you will get virtually the EXACT same experience, whether you’re using the desktop site or otherwise, then the FOX Bet app is for you.

There are absolutely loads of markets for you to choose from and bet on when using the FOX Bet app. Some of the sports that you can bet on include soccer, baseball, football, golf, hockey, and much, much more.

You can unlock all the same bonuses on the app as you can on the website, and it’s completely free to download! It’s only available for Android at the moment, though, which is a shame. But if it doesn’t tickle your fancy, here are some of the best Android betting apps out there.

There’s also a casino section on the app too, if you’re interested in having a game of roulette or poker anytime soon. If you want to learn more about some of the best casino apps real money out there, you can here!

Finding the right operator for you – Some key questions to ask yourself

We’re not exaggerating when we say that we have hundreds of reviews of betting apps available to choose from on our website here at thegruelingtruth.com.

But if you don’t fancy reading our reviews, and you want to go out and search for your new favorite online betting apps real money, then here are some things you should keep in mind on your search.

  • Does the app accept plenty of payment methods? – One of the key things you want to make sure is whether or not the app accepts payment methods that you have available to you. If it doesn’t, then it’s probably worth avoiding.
  • Is the customer support service any good? – The last thing anyone wants is garbage customer service. Is the customer support service on the app easy to contact? Are they quick in replying to you and sorting out your issues? If the answer to any of those questions is no, move on.
  • Are there any app-specific bonuses being offered? – This isn’t exactly an essential question to be asking, but it’s nice to be given a bonus by the operator just for using their app. Check out what bonuses are being offered by the real money betting app you’re looking for. There’s no harm in checking!
  •  Does the app offer betting markets on your favorite sports – There’s no point committing to downloading an app and betting with it if it doesn’t offer markets on your favorite sports! Make sure you check out what markets are available before you sign up! You don’t want to regret your choice of sports betting app real money choice in the long run!

If sports real money betting apps aren’t your thing, then how about you check out our casino apps real money reviews instead!

What if an operator doesn’t have an app? – Our guarantee to you 

It may be 2022, but that doesn’t mean that every single gambling operator will have a betting app ready and waiting to be downloaded onto your device. You have to remember, online sports betting was only legalized in the US in 2018, and even then, it’s not in every state.

That’s not to say that there aren’t any real money betting apps out there – there are – but it does mean that not every single operator will have one available.

Here at thegruelingtruth.com, we evaluate gambling operators and their desktop sites. We have just as extensive a checklist as our betting app checklist. Believe us! Except, one additional little box needs checking when evaluating operators. “Does the operator have a mobile app?”.

If you check out our gambling operator reviews, you’ll know which operators have an app and which ones don’t – because we’ve done the research for you.

Don’t worry, we won’t knock your favorite operator down our ranking chart for not having an app available. We want you to know everything there is to possibly know about the operator you’re interested in, including whether they can make your betting experience even easier by having a mobile app available!

Five essential tips for betting on the go – Our top tips

Betting via an app is super convenient, as we’ve already covered, and it’s super quick and easy too. But it can also be a little dangerous if you don’t pay attention.

Here are five essential tips you should know before you start betting on the go.

Avoid public Wi-Fi

Your phone may connect public Wi-Fi automatically, but it’s not exactly the safest thing to connect to in the world. Especially if you’re going to be doing something important via that Wi-Fi, such as sorting out your online banking or gamble online. Public Wi-Fi isn’t always secure, so we’d always recommend you avoid it when gambling online, just so your financial and personal details don’t get compromised. Use your home Wi-Fi, or a network you trust!

Watch your data usage

Betting via an app can use up a lot of data, and you could see yourself burning through your data usage a lot faster than anticipated. If you have unlimited data, then it’s nothing to worry about, but if you don’t, keep an eye on it!

Don’t download from outside sources

If an app is available on the Android or Apple store, download it from there. Don’t download it from anywhere else, it might not be safe! You’re increasing your chances of having your phone compromised by downloading an app from anywhere else.

Take advantage of apps with encryption

An app with SSL encryption in place will keep you an awful lot safer than an app that doesn’t. SSL encryption is something you should look out for when choosing the perfect app for you. If an app doesn’t have any, perhaps it’s worth uninstalling it.

Make sure your app is legit

This should be the first thing you make sure of, even before you consider downloading the app to your phone. If it doesn’t have any information about licensing on it, get rid of it! You need to ensure the app you’re betting with is 100% legit.

Conclusion – Your betting journey via apps begins now!

So there you have it – everything you could possibly need to know about the best online betting apps for real money. You should be able to go out and find the perfect real money betting app for you now, remembering to use our tips and checklist, of course!

We’ve even nudged you in the direction of an app that we think is pretty great, but like we said, choosing the perfect betting app for real money is going to be a personal thing at the end of the day!

The best online bonuses

DraftKings
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Players from Virginia accepted
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FanDuel
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Bet365
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Online betting apps real money FAQ

🇺🇸 Which is the best betting app for real money in the US?

Deciding which is the best betting app for real money in the US is going to be a personal decision that’s down to you only. What may appeal to one person may not appeal to you in the slightest. We can turn you in the direction of an app that we think is pretty great, though. You never know, it might be one of the best online betting apps for you! Check out this article to find out what it is! If you’re interested in the best casino apps real money, rather than sport, you can learn more about them here at thegruelingtruth.com

🔒 How do I know if a real money betting app is legit?

One of the most important things you should be making sure of before you even consider downloading a sports betting for app real money, is making sure that it’s legit. You can do this in a few ways, which we have detailed in this review! Many of the points made in this article will be relevant to other types of gambling apps too. So if you want to know whether your bingo app games are safe, then read our reviews.   

🤔 Why should I download a betting app for real money rather than use a desktop site?

You can use the desktop site to bet on all your favorite sports, but we think there are a huge number of reasons why betting via an app is just as good, if not better. We’ve written a whole list of benefits to gambling via an app in this article. Check it out to see why you should consider betting via an app today!

Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.6/5
FanDuel
4.6/5
BetMGM
4.5/5
Bet365
4.5/5
Caesars
4.5/5
Fanatics
Fanatics
Fanatics Review
4.3/5
Barstool
Barstool Review
4.5/5
Bally Bet
Bally Bet Review
4.3/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Bonus
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
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T&Cs apply
4.6/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
Caesars Bonus
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4.5/5
Fanatics
Fanatics Bonus
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4.3/5
Barstool Bonus
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4.5/5
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