Betting Apps – Your Guide to the Top Mobile Platforms in the UK
It is sometimes very easy to take things for granted, in all walks of life, but if you were to go back only a few short years, it would be fair to say that some aspects of online gambling are unrecognisable to what they once were.
Betting apps are a case in point as it is now possible to place bets from your mobile device, and the quality of these apps and mobile browser websites is first-class and improving all of the time.
You can basically place a bet from anywhere with an internet connection, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that many punters now use their mobile device as their preferred method to place a bet as opposed to their laptop or desktop computer.
There is an ongoing battle between the best betting apps to improve their offerings, so that has to be regarded as excellent news for punters across the UK and the world.
Best Betting Apps in the UK for January 2025
Rank | Bookmaker | Bonus Offer | Live Bets | CashOut | Rating | Sports | More |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Betway Review |
£30 in Free Bets if your first Acca loses | yes | yes | 25 | Visit Site Betway | |
*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply | |||||||
2. | Betrino Review |
Bet £25 Get £50 Free Bet | yes | yes | 12 | Visit Site Coming Soon | |
3. | Unibet Review |
Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses | yes | yes | 38 | Visit Site Unibet | |
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Once your qualifying £10+ bet is settled you will receive your £10 Free Bet on Bet Builder, £10 Free Bet on Accumulator and £20 Casino Bonus Money. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD | |||||||
4. | Bet365 Review |
£30 in Free Bets* | yes | yes | 37 | Visit Site Bet365 | |
New Customers only. Registration required. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. #AD | |||||||
5. | Betfred Review |
Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses | yes | yes | 32 | Visit Site Betfred | |
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. #AD | |||||||
6. | 10bet Review |
100% up to £50 bonus | yes | yes | 32 | Visit Site 10bet | |
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+ #AD | |||||||
7. | Grosvenor Review |
Double The Odds | yes | yes | 30 | Visit Site Grosvenor | |
New customers only. Deposit min £10 (exc. PayPal) for 50 Free Spins at 10p on selected games + 100% odds boost token (Max £10), Max win from spins £1000. *T&Cs apply. 18+ #AD | |||||||
8. | 32Red Sports Review |
- | yes | yes | 32 | Visit Site 32Red Sports | |
9. | William Hill Review |
Bet £10 get £30 Credited as 3 x £10 bets | yes | yes | 30 | Visit Site William Hill | |
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad | |||||||
10. | Casumo Review |
50% back on your first bet up to £25 | yes | yes | 30 | Visit Site Casumo | |
#Ad 18+ New customers only. Min stake £2. Min legs 3. Max win £1,000. Min odds 3.0. Max £25 back as a Free Bet on losing bets only. 7 days to use free bet at odds 2.0+. Full T and Cs apply. Play responsibly www.gambleaware.org T&Cs apply |
How to Use Online Betting App
When it comes to using a mobile device to place bets, there are two options open to you. Some sportsbooks have what are known as native apps, and these are mobile applications which are downloaded onto your mobile device, and you then have to log in to place your bets.
The other option which some sportsbooks have in place are mobile versions of the sportsbook which can be accessed from your mobile internet browser. Most of the larger sportsbooks offer online betting apps, and most punters would surely agree that this would be the preferred method due to the ease of use.
How to Get a Betting App?
If you are using one of the larger bookies such as bet365 or William Hill, which app you download onto your mobile device will depend on what type of device you have – Android or Apple. If you have an iPhone, you will need to visit the App Store, and if you have an Android device – the Play Store.
Before we go any further, it is worth mentioning that some bookies have different apps for different aspects of their operation, such as an app for their casino or poker room, so make sure that you download the app which suits your requirements.
Provided you already have an account with the sportsbook, once the download is complete, you will need to enter your login details, and you will be ready to go. If, however, you aren’t signed up with the bookie, you will find the registration process on mobile extremely easy. You will need to click on the ‘Register’ button and follow the steps to fill in your details.
The vast majority of the best betting apps operate of the same wallet, so if you make a deposit into the desktop version of the website, you will be able to use that balance for your mobile betting requirements.
Some people get confused when they have made a deposit into their account, but the balance does not show in their sportsbook account.
The reason for this is because, with bookies such as bet365, it is easy to inadvertently deposit funds into the casino section of their website as opposed to the sportsbook. If this happens, all you have to do is to go to the bank section and transfer the funds over to the sportsbook. Bookies like Paddy Power operate off the same wallet, so you won’t come across this problem if you use their betting app.
Which Is the Best Betting App in the UK?
Whilst almost every bookie has either an app or a specialised mobile website, some of them are better than others so with that in mind, let’s take a quick look at the best betting apps.
1. bet365 – If we had to give a one-word answer to “What is the best betting app?”, we’d probably go straight for bet365. Their app has exactly the same layout as the desktop version of the website so you will have no problem finding the bets you would like to place and managing your account.
There is not a specific bet365 mobile bonus as such, but the main sign up bonus of £100 can be accessed by using the app as well as the desktop version of the bookie.
*New Customers only. Registration required. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. #AD
2. Unibet – This is another one of those apps which is available in a variety of different formats, but the sportsbook version is widely regarded as being one of the best online betting apps.
At the time of writing, they are offering a risk-free £10 bet to account holders who are using the mobile app for the first time.
*18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Once your qualifying £10+ bet is settled you will receive your £10 Free Bet on Bet Builder, £10 Free Bet on Accumulator and £20 Casino Bonus Money. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD
3. Betfair – The Betfair app has to be regarded as the most advanced on the market, but you should be aware that there are separate apps for the Betfair sportsbook and the Betfair exchange.
The Betfair exchange app, in particular, is in a league of its own but, as is the case with most apps, there is no specific mobile bonus. Still, any other bonuses can be accessed by using the app.
*New customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £20 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. #AD
4. 888sport – This bookie could perhaps be forgiven if they had gone down the route of adding various casino games to their sports betting app due to the casino connection, but the 888sport app has resisted that temptation.
There is no specific mobile bonus, but the main sportsbook bonuses can be used on the app.
*Min deposit £/€/$10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £/€/$10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount 40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & Full T&C’s apply. #AD 18+ GambleAware
5. 10bet – This sportsbook has been making waves recently regarding the bonuses that they offer to their customers.
They actually have a 50% matched bonus up to £50 for customers who sign up to an account with their mobile device so as you can probably imagine, the 10bet mobile app is extremely popular.
*New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+ #AD
6. Paddy Power – Along with bet365, Paddy Power are regarded as the main players when it comes to the best online betting apps, but this is another organisation which has different apps for their casino, bingo etc.
Their sports betting app is first-class, and it looks the same as the desktop version of their site. They don’t have a dedicated mobile bonus, but any of the sportsbook bonuses can be used on the mobile app.
*18+ T&Cs apply to each offer. Click “Claim Bonus” for more information. #AD
Best Betting Apps Offers
Whilst some sportsbooks have dedicated bonuses to entice their customers to use their betting app, it is usually the case that you will be able to claim the regular sportsbook bonuses when you’re using the mobile platform.
What usually happens, though, is that if a particular sportsbook brings out a new app or makes drastic changes to the one that they already have, a bonus will be offered to tempt punters to use it.
With that in mind, if you are interested in using one of the top betting apps in order to claim a welcome bonus, it would be a good idea not to concentrate on the mobile offers but instead, look at the best betting offers in general because you will usually be allowed to use the mobile app to claim it.
*New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. #AD
The likes of bet365 should be your first port of call because their sign up and ongoing offers really do take an awful lot of beating. Something else to bear in mind is to be aware of the many other types of bonuses which are out there which can be used on a mobile app.
Acca insurance being a prime example because of the sheer number of football matches which this insurance can be used on, the chances are that you will place some of these acca bets on your mobile so be aware of these offers as they are usually more lucrative than welcome bonuses over the long term.
Going back to bet365, their ‘Two Up’ promotion is another offer which can be used on a mobile app. The way it works is that if you place a bet on a football match on the home or away win markers, if your selection goes two goals up you will be paid out as a winner, another ideal type of bet to be placed on a mobile app.
UK Betting Apps Design
Most punters will agree that when it comes to the design and functionality of the best betting app, simplicity is the key. When mobile apps first became popular only a few short years ago, you could often tell when someone was trying to place a bet on their mobile device by the look of sheer frustration on their face.
It used to take a long time even to find the bet that you wanted to place, never mind trying to place the bet, but now, the process is about as simple as you could possibly imagine. You usually find that the layout of a betting app is exactly the same as the desktop version of the sportsbook that you are using.
Some of them have the menu running down the right-hand side of the mobile screen whilst others require you to touch a button in the top corner of the app, and the menu will appear. It is always a good idea when you first download one of the best betting apps in the UK to give yourself a few minutes to get familiar with the layout but placing a bet really couldn’t be any easier.
What you will probably notice with any of the best betting apps UK / UK betting apps is that there is an optimum of space in order to contain all of the betting features. As long as one of these top betting apps do not use any of this optimum space to advertise casino and bingo games, you will find it to be very easy on the eye.
It has to be said though that you could be using any of the top betting apps, but if the mobile device that you are using is not up to scratch, the experience will be poor. So, make sure that your mobile device meets all of the recommended requirements which will be on display in the app store which you are using.
Special Features
The great thing for online punters is that there is enormous competition amongst sportsbooks to constantly improve their apps in terms of the overall performance as well as the features that are available.
It is now possible to bypass the login and use Touch ID to log in to your betting account (providing your mobile device allows this). Live streaming is also available on some of the best football betting apps with an ideal example of this being the bet365 app.
Who’d have thought that you could watch a high-quality stream of a live football match whilst placing in-play bets, all from your mobile device, when you think about it, it really is quite extraordinary. Something else which is worth mentioning which has been pioneered by some of the best football betting apps is the bet builder options (which can also be used on the desktop version of a sportsbook).
The William Hill ‘Bet Builder’ is an ideal example, and the way it works is that you choose different options on one or more sporting events and you will instantly be presented with the odds on these options occurring, a bit like an accumulator.
It is all very clever and something that you can access from the very best football betting apps such as William Hill.
The Difference Between Responsive Sites and Native Apps
The main difference between responsive sites and native apps is that responsive site requires you to type the URL of the sportsbook into your mobile browser to access the mobile version of the website.
With an app, once it has been downloaded, all you need to do is tap the icon on your mobile screen, and the sportsbook will load if you have touch id enabled you won’t even have to enter your user name and password.
Whilst it should be noted that the mobile responsive versions of these sportsbooks can be excellent, the top betting apps offer a far easier way to use your sports betting accounts.
It could be argued that it is a first world problem, but mobile betting accounts are often used when the user is out and about, and more often than not, they don’t want to be messing around with the URL of a sportsbook, especially if their eyesight is not so good or if they have ‘fat fingers’.
Some of the newer sportsbooks don’t offer an app (usually because they are so expensive to develop) and concentrate on the quality of the mobile version of their website, but this could be regarded as a big mistake as most punters prefer to use an app rather than any alternatives.
Downloading the Best Betting Applications
When it comes to downloading the best betting applications, you have two choices.
If you have an iPhone, you will need to download from the App Store on your phone or if you have an Android device, from the Google play store.
You will also be able to download any of the best betting applications from the link in the sportsbook which you would like to download (the link will take you to the stores mentioned above)
One thing which you need to be careful about when downloading one of the best betting applications directly is to make sure that the app is genuine.
You may find that some apps will have a similar sounding name to the one you require, and when you download it is, it will be something like a tipster app which you are not interested in.
Just make sure the name of the app is exactly the same as the sportsbook, and you won’t experience any problems.
The Legislation and Regulation of Good Betting Apps
If you are downloading one of the good betting apps, the chances are that you will have already opened a sportsbook account with them so you will be aware that the meet the legislation and regulations that are required.
If not, check that they are authorised by the UK Gambling Commission before you go ahead and download.
If you are using an Android device, Google sports betting apps are geo-targeted, so if you are trying to download the app from another country, you will need to change the security settings on your mobile device to enable you to continue with the download.
The Important Aspect of Security
If you are using the mobile version of a sportsbook and there is something not quite right, your mobile browser will warn you if there is a problem by telling you that the site is not secure.
You will sometimes receive a warning when there is not a problem, but it is better to be safe rather than sorry. Once an app is downloaded, use Touch ID if your mobile device allows it but if not, always keep your password safe.
If you are using a mobile device in public, you never know who could be looking over your shoulder when you are logging into your sportsbook account so bear that in mind and always be aware.
The Payment Options
We have already spoken about how most sportsbooks operate off the same wallet when it comes to making deposits and withdrawals to and from your account.
With that in mind, you can make deposits into your account using debit cards, bank transfers and by web wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill.
If your betting app is downloaded onto an Apple phone, you can make a deposit using Apple pay, and there is also the option of using one of the mobile payment methods such as Boku and Zinger where the deposit is charged to your phone bill.
The common consensus within the online betting industry is that cryptocurrencies will also feature in a major way over the coming months and years so you will be able to make deposits and withdrawals with Bitcoin, for example.
Some of betting sites already offer this facility, but due to the constantly changing landscape, more and more will be getting involved.
When it comes to making withdrawals when using a sports betting app, the same time scales are in place in terms of when you will receive your funds which is usually up to five working days for card and bank withdrawals and a few hours for web wallet withdrawals.
Placing a Bet on the Best Betting App for Beginners
Placing a bet on one of the best betting apps is a piece of cake. All you have to do is tap on the app icon or if it is a mobile version of the sportsbook, enter the URL in the browser.
It is then just a matter of logging into your account, finding the market and the bet which you would like to place, enter the stake, submit the bet and the bet will have been made.
The great thing is that the app will look exactly the same as the desktop version of the website so you will have no trouble in navigating around the app.
If you are placing a multiple bet, the selections will automatically be placed in the bet slip, just the same as with the desktop version of the sportsbook.
As most sportsbooks operate off the same wallet when it comes to the financial transactions, the methods to deposit and withdraw into your account will be the same as you are used to so you will be able to ensure that you have adequate funds in place in order to place your bets.
Some markets will have the cash out facility where you will be able to cash out a bet in play in order to lock in a profit or minimise any losses.
The option to do this will be on display in the bet slip for an event where the cash out is available.
Live betting is also available on the best betting applications, and as you have probably gathered, the live streaming which can accompany live betting is also of a very high standard but dependant on the capabilities of your mobile device.
A Wide Variety of Sports to Bet On
Just as with betting on the desktop version of a sportsbook, there is a wide range of sports available for you to bet on.
Football would have to be the most popular due to the very nature of this type of betting, but other popular sports include horse racing, cricket, tennis and greyhound racing.
The answer to a common question which is often asked about the best betting app for beginners is that you only need one app to bet on all of the sports which are available to bet on as opposed to a different app for each.
Using the Best Mobile Apps to Stay up to Date
In the day and age in which we live, a football player can injure himself in training and the news will be all over social media within the hour.
If you take your betting seriously it would be a good idea to have Twitter, Reddit and Facebook accounts set up on your mobile device so that you will be able to react instantly to any news and place a bet before the bookies even realise what is going on.
Here Are Some of the Most Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the odds change when I’m placing a bet?
This is the reason why there is a buffer of around ten seconds between the time that you place the bet and when it is accepted.
Why can I now stream some events in the UK?
How do I download the app for iPhone/Android?
Why can I not install some apps?
Are the odds the same on the mobile apps and the desktop version of the sportsbook?
If you are using a mobile app for a betting exchange such as Betfair, you will be able to see that the liquidity is also exactly the same as the desktop version.
The Best Mobile Betting Apps Conclusion
There is no doubt about it, the top rated mobile betting apps are here to stay, and they will continue to get better and better.
If you had a time machine and could go back only a few years to tell punters what is now available on the best mobile betting apps, they would have thought that you had lost your mind and it is quite scary to think of the advancements which will be made over the next few years.
The best mobile betting apps are safe and secure to use whilst at the same time offering a wide range of features which means that punters have as much power on their mobile phones as they would if they were sitting at home in front of their desktop computer.
It is easy to find any selection which you would like to place a bet on and, providing you have funds in your account, the bets will be processed within an instant.
If you have not tried mobile betting yet, the best thing to do is to open an account with the likes of Bet365, download their app and get cracking.
There is no doubt that you will enjoy the experience and you will have another string to your bow when it comes to making money off the old enemy!