Welcome to our essential guide to your app comparison journey
The world of
online gambling
in the US is an exciting place to be. We hope we can introduce you to that world right here at PlayersBest. We have designed each one of our comparisons to bring you targeted, accurate, detailed information on that topic. In this case, we’re focusing on gambling apps – and more specifically, gambling apps that pay real money. As you’ll soon see, some apps give you access to demo casino games and the chance to try your hand at some poker before playing the real thing. We’ll cover this in greater detail too. You can also learn more about specific providers and sites via our gambling reviews. We like to think of PlayersBest as the only source of information you’ll need on online gambling apps.
America is a little different compared with other countries on the betting front. Some residents of other countries can go online, download an app for their favorite sportsbook, casino, or poker site, and place legal wagers without worrying about where in that country they live. You may already know that’s not the case with America. However, our experts are going to bring you the latest information on whether you can take advantage of using some gambling apps. You’ll discover all the possibilities, learn about the perks of using these apps, and find out why to try them if you haven’t already. All the details are right here, so you won’t need any other source for all the facts you need.
Is our guide to good gambling apps ideal for you?
Absolutely – and we can say that with confidence because we’ve made sure everyone can get their fill of information and advice from this comparison. You’re now in the heart of this
gambling comparison
section at PlayersBest. Think of it as the nerve center for all things related to gambling apps. If you live anywhere in the US, you’ll need to know whether you can legally use these apps in your state. We’re going to cover that topic next in this guide. Even if you know the answer to that already and you’re online playing at one or two casinos, poker sites, or sportsbooks, you can learn plenty more here if you’re thinking of switching to an app instead of using a regular website.
It’s possible that you’re experienced with online gambling and yet you’ve never used an app before. It’s a whole new experience for sure, giving an entirely new slant on gambling. We’ll show you the elements you ought to look for and how to make sure you only ever choose the right app for you. You can also expect to find apps designed for Android and iOS devices – two of the leading platforms for tablets and smartphones today. For people betting on sports, casinos, or poker in the US, this PlayersBest app comparison is the ideal place to begin. If you’re up for finding out more, then we’ve got all the details you could possibly need.
Does your state allow gambling apps for real money?
The basic premise here is that if a state allows a specific type of online gambling to go ahead, you can look and see if there is an app you can use for that site. Not all sites have apps – some simply use an alternative, mobile-friendly design for the site instead. However, you’ll know that if there are online betting sites for your state, you can check and see which apps you might be able to download.
The law divides online gambling into three areas:
- Online casinos
- Online sports betting
- Online poker
Even if your state allows access to one of these types of online gambling, there’s no guarantee it will allow all types. New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia currently allow all three. However, if you live in Colorado, you can only get stuck into sports betting. Those living in Montana and Rhode Island are faced with the same scenario. Meanwhile, residents of Delaware are in the opposite situation. They can access online poker and casino games, but sports betting is out of the question.
Gambling apps for real money are only legal in accepted states
Here’s a quirk of the law that is worth learning more about. One of the advantages of having an app on your tablet or smartphone is that you can place a wager whenever it suits you to do so. If you wanted to place a bet on the Super Bowl or basketball match and you could only do so on your home computer, you’d need to wait until you got home to do so. With an app on your phone, you can do it wherever you are. You need to be aware of data use, of course, so check the plan you’re on to see how much monthly data you’re allowed.
However, there is a caveat here that you need to know about. If you live in New Jersey and you’ve found some good gambling apps you’d like to use, you can of course do so. But you always need to be within state boundaries to use those apps without breaking the law. Even if you hopped across the boundary into Pennsylvania for the day, you couldn’t legally use your betting app while you were there. Once you’ve got that straight in your mind, you’re good to go.
Why you ought to avoid offshore sites offering gambling apps
It seems tempting to take this route if you live somewhere that hasn’t yet legalized online gambling – whether that involves online casino action, online sports betting, or online poker. However, even though these offshore-based sites do sometimes offer apps for these services and they do welcome players from the US, they cannot do so legally. That is the crux of the matter. You may have read that thousands of Americans use these sites every day, betting on whichever sports, casino games, and poker games they want to. It’s very unlikely you’d be charged with breaking the law if you joined those people… and yet that’s exactly what you’d be doing if you live in a state that does not allow online gambling. Enforcement aside, there are some major downsides to using such sites. Read the following pointers to find out more.
No US-based license
A change in the law means that any American state can now allow legalized online gambling. Each individual state can decide whether to allow sports betting, casino betting, poker wagering, or a combination of those elements. The state then licenses each site or provider to supply whichever services the state has approved it for – including access to relevant apps for players who would like to use them. That’s not the case for offshore businesses. They don’t have a state license because they would rather offer their services to all Americans. So, even if you see a provider offering app downloads to all Americans, it doesn’t mean they’re doing so legally.
No security for your cash deposits
There are a few seasoned sportsbooks and casinos based offshore that have catered to US residents for years. Many have deposited and withdrawn funds without any issues. However, you’re never going to have the same protection you’d have if you chose to bet at a US-based sportsbook, casino, or poker site legalized for your state. This means that no matter how good the apps or how well-known the provider is, you’re still running the risk of losing any funds sitting in your account. If you cannot get hold of the team or receive a withdrawal, you cannot do much about it either.
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What are the advantages of using good gambling apps?
It could be that you’re reading this because you’re already a member of an online betting site and you want to know whether that site is best to use if you would rather play using an app. Alternatively, it could be that there’s a better app out there. Trouble is, you won’t know for sure without a framework to compare it to. So, our app experts have compiled a handy list of the main perks to using apps rather than visiting the traditional online website you may have thought about (or even used) before.
You can play from anywhere in your state
We’ve covered this already, so we won’t dive into it further here. However, you’re not tied to one computer or laptop when you’ve got access to a gambling app. That alone is one of the biggest draws for many people.
There may be targeted mobile-specific bonuses available
Some sites like to attract mobile players by offering specific bonuses. For example, a casino may offer free spins to players signing up to use the mobile casino. A sportsbook might offer a free bet the first time you use the mobile version.
You can often pay by phone
If you run down your balance while using gambling apps that pay real money, you don’t want to use your computer to make a deposit. You should be able to do so safely and conveniently using the app. Check the banking or cashier areas once you’re logged in and check the available payment methods.
Casino apps may offer demo play alongside real games
Casino games often come with demo versions, so you can check out how the game works before budgeting to play the real version. We’d always recommend doing this even if you’ve already played that game on your computer. Mobile slots and casino games have touchscreen controls rather than regular ones that use your mouse. This means it’s safer to try the game in demo format again, so you can see how the touchscreen controls work.
Poker apps may do the same
Take a seat at a demo poker table if you can. You might earn some practice chips to keep your seat for longer. You can work out how different poker games might play out, and make sure you’re confident to switch to the real games before doing so. Again, mobile controls do differ from regular computer-based controls.
A mobile sportsbook app means you can always catch the latest odds
Do you like to hold out and see if you can get better odds on your next sporting wager? It’s easier to do if you have access to one or more gambling apps that pay real money. Wherever you are, you can check the odds and place your bet whenever you’re ready. Additionally, you can keep up with live betting and in-play events more easily. If you rely on using your computer, you’re going to need to stay by it to get the latest information.
You can play whenever the mood takes you
If your computer isn’t always on, you know how long it can take to boot it up and get it going. If you suddenly feel like you’re keen to play one or two casino games or maybe check out the latest progress in a tennis Grand Slam or UFC match, you’re not going to want to sit through that boot-up process. If you’ve got a gambling app though, you can access your smartphone or tablet and be in it in seconds. If you forget to place that bet you thought about last night, you can complete it just as quickly. In fact, you could even wake up at night and do it then before dozing off again. The convenience factor offered by good gambling apps is crucial.
You can play whenever you’ve got a spare moment
You may feel as if you never get a spare moment, but if you do, there are always casino games or sports wagers at your fingertips. You might even have time for a quick poker game.
What to look for in the best gambling apps that pay real money
Which features should all gambling apps for real money carry? We’ve listed the most important ones here, so you’ve got one source of essentials you should tick off whenever you see a new app that you’re thinking about downloading.
Regular updates
The advance of technology often means apps can quickly go out of date. Make sure the gambling site supplying the app issues regular updates. If not, you may end up with a sluggish app or even one that has security issues.
Easy navigation
Getting around is hugely important. The best apps don’t need instructions to help you get around. If the app offers multiple betting areas, such as a casino and a sportsbook, you should be able to switch between them with ease. Excellent navigation should also be quick to achieve, rather than waiting ages for pages to load.
This should ideally be collapsible, so you only access it when you need to. A smaller screen means that the app needs to make the most of the available space. If the menu is always there, that can make it difficult to see everything you need to see.
Easy login and logout
Many apps use brightly colored buttons at the top of the screen to show you where you can login. There is usually a button for signing up via the app too if you need to do that. Logging out should also be easy once you’re inside your account.
Reliable tap and swipe features
Tapping a touchscreen and swiping up, down, right, or left – these are actions we’re all familiar with. They become even more important when you’re using gambling apps for real money. Even a tablet is going to offer a far smaller screen than a computer, with a smartphone smaller still. Moving around inside the app is crucial if you’re going to enjoy it rather than feeling frustrated with it.
Secure banking features
Some apps have specific mobile-friendly banking methods too, so that’s something else to look for. Even regular methods should be easy to deposit by, with mobile security features to keep your data safe. You can sometimes learn more about mobile apps and their features by reading content on the main website. If you find it easier to learn about the app that way, try it.
A decent text size
Not the first thing you’ll think of, we doubt, but certainly one of the most important things to look for. In fact, we’ve ditched gambling apps that are great in every other way, simply because the text size was too small. This ties in with a solid design, so make sure you’re happy with it before you go ahead and use it.
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Specific app comparison guides to put you on the right track
If you know where you stand in your state and you know which apps you may be able to use, sit tight. We’re going to take through specific app types, so you can get a feel for what to look for and what to expect. While the features we mentioned above are ideal to find with all apps, there are some specifics to look for with apps for sports, casino, or poker games.
Our guide to sports betting apps and features
What could you expect to find in the
best sports betting app? It all hinges on the sportsbook – a vast showcase of the best sports, matches, and events. You can expect a ton of information inside any sportsbook, so the app has a major task to undertake to make sure you can get around easily.
The sportsbook should have the standard elements you’d expect to find on the regular website. We’re talking about the best odds, a decent range of betting types, and perhaps in-play betting too. Navigation is more crucial here than anything else, so make sure you’re happy to use the app and you can find your way around without issue or delay. You can learn all the specifics of sports betting apps and features by checking out our full comparison guide on that very topic.
Our guide to casino apps and features
If you love playing casino games on your computer, think about finding an app to help you play them more often if you wish. Gambling apps win real money for their users regularly, so it’s worth finding out more about what makes the
best casino apps
tick. It’s reassuring to see an app that makes the game categories nice and clear.
A search facility is cool too, as you won’t get thumb ache scrolling through all the possibilities. You may find the app has fewer mobile games than the complete collection available on the official casino website, but nowadays most developers design their games to work on all platforms. It’s usually the older games that may not pop up on the mobile app. We’ve compiled comparisons on casino apps and casino apps that allow you to play for real money, so don’t miss those.
Our guide to poker apps and features
Let’s move on now to learn about the features you’d expect to find in the
best online poker app. You’ll want to look at the range of poker games you can play, such as Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven Card Stud, and Texas Hold ‘Em. Ideally, you should be able to play practice versions of all the available games too.
We think this is important because if you’re new to mobile gaming and using touchscreen controls instead of your computer keyboard and mouse, it can take some getting used to. Being able to play a few practice hands of poker in an app is the best way to get the hang of how everything works. Explore more info in our poker app comparison, and don’t miss the real money poker app comparison elsewhere at PlayersBest either.
How can you find the best gambling apps?
The journey can vary depending on which state you’re in, which betting sites you can visit, and whether they offer apps for you to use. Assuming there are legal betting sites available in your state, check the official websites to see if they mention an app. You can also check Google Play if you need an app for an Android device. Alternatively, iPhone or iPad users should visit the App Store. You can visit either of these on your device. There are some other considerations here too, so we’ll cover those now.
Does the site have a combined app?
We’ve seen that some states offer more than one type of online gambling. In these instances, a site may offer one app that covers all areas of gambling it can offer. This means you might see a casino and sportsbook you can access from the same app and menu. This works well if you just want one point of entry and you’re going to use all areas of the app. However, if you only want to use one service, you may be better looking for another betting provider to see if they offer separate apps.
Separate apps for various parts of the site
This is our preferred approach as each app can focus on an individual topic. For instance, if a site offers casino betting and sports betting, you can download one app for each betting type. If you’re going to use both areas, you may prefer a combined app, but if you’re just interested in one part of the site, it means you’re not going to need to pick your way through to that section of the app each time.
Conclusion: Rounding up our online gambling app comparison
You can see there is plenty to think about here, but we hope our comparison has helped you understand the sheer scope and opportunity offered by gambling apps online today. If you can legally bet online in your state, you’re in an excellent position to think about the convenience, accessibility, and enjoyable nature of such apps. Of course, you still need to find the best one to use, but you can see that it helps to work out which gambling areas you can legally use and would like to try.
We designed and researched our PlayersBest app comparison guide with you in mind. That research continues too, so you can always check back here to see if we’ve discovered any other vital factors to think about when you’re keen to download an app and start making those bets. From casino apps to sportsbook apps – and not forgetting poker apps too – you can see how the landscape of gambling in the US has changed. If you’re ready to give it a try, you now have all the information you need at your fingertips. Start using your favorite gambling apps in search of some real money wins and prizes today.
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