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For U.S. readers in 2023, FanDuel and DraftKings were leading mainstream options, while BetMGM, Caesars and regional books could be a better fit depending on the state, odds, sports and payment needs. There was no universal winner: a sportsbook app is useful only if it is licensed where you are physically placing bets, and its terms suit you.
This is a historical 2023 guide, not a current list of legal states, available apps or offers. State rules and sportsbook brands change; check your state regulator and the operator’s current, state-specific terms before signing up. This article is about regulated sportsbook apps, not daily fantasy contests, horse-racing apps, casino-only apps, prediction markets or offshore books.
Best sports betting apps in 2023
The comparison below is a conditional guide, not a claim that one operator always had the best odds or performance. It does not report hands-on app testing or a standardized odds study. Availability, markets, banking and promotions varied by state; verify them with the regulator and operator for the date and place you plan to bet.
| App | Best suited to | Potential strengths | What to check | Official destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Readers seeking a mainstream, relatively straightforward sportsbook | Prominent live betting and same-game parlays | State availability, odds, market rules, payments and promotion terms | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Readers who want a broad menu of sports and bet types | Extensive betting options and a broad app ecosystem | Whether the range is useful to you, plus odds, bet limits, state availability and terms | DraftKings Sportsbook |
| BetMGM | Readers who value MGM casino loyalty integration | Casino-linked rewards and a major sportsbook presence | Whether loyalty benefits matter to a sportsbook-only user; check state terms and withdrawal options | BetMGM |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Readers who value the Caesars ecosystem | Sportsbook rewards and casino loyalty integration | State availability, sportsbook value and the rules governing rewards | Caesars Sportsbook |
| BetRivers | Readers comparing regional operators where available | A meaningful regional alternative in several legal jurisdictions | Whether it is licensed locally and offers the sports, banking and limits you need | BetRivers |
| PointsBet | Readers interested in its higher-volume PointsBetting-style product where offered | A distinct betting format in jurisdictions where available | Local availability and brand status; its U.S. business was later acquired by Fanatics | Official destination not established for the 2023 comparison |
| WynnBET and Bally Bet | Readers looking for a local alternative | Additional operators in jurisdictions where licensed | Current state operations, market selection, banking and terms | WynnBET; Bally Bet |
| Barstool Sportsbook / ESPN BET | Readers following the 2023 brand transition | ESPN BET launched on November 14, 2023, replacing Barstool Sportsbook in states where Penn operated the service | The relevant date and state; do not treat the two names as interchangeable across all of 2023 | ESPN BET |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Readers already engaged with Fanatics, where the sportsbook operated | Alternative in states where available | Whether it was operating in the relevant state and period | Fanatics Sportsbook |
New York’s regulator’s current sports-wagering page lists licensed mobile operators, but that list is not a historical 2023 snapshot. It is useful as an example of why operator lists must be checked by state and date: New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering.
#1 Best Overall
How to decide which app fits
Start with licensing and physical location
“Legal” should mean authorized by the regulator for the jurisdiction where the wager is placed, not simply reachable on a website or visible in an app store. An account may be created, yet an individual wager can still be rejected if the user is outside the permitted area or location verification fails. New York, for example, requires mobile wagers to be made from within the state and describes geolocation as a way to verify account activity: New York regulator information on mobile wagering and geolocation.
Rules also determine which sports and wager types an operator may offer. New York’s regulator says it controls the wagering menu; another state may have different rules. Never use a VPN, location-spoofing tool, another person’s account or a state-line trip to evade restrictions.
Compare prices, not just headline promotions
Look at prices for the wagers you actually consider—moneylines, spreads, totals, player props, parlays and live bets. Also check bet minimums and maximums, settlement rules and whether cash-out is offered. No contemporaneous, reproducible odds comparison is established here, so this guide does not declare an odds winner. A promotion can be worth less than consistently competitive prices over time; a cash-out offer is a new financial decision and may be priced unfavorably.
Match the market menu to your interests
Check whether the app covers your preferred leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, soccer, tennis, golf, motorsports or combat sports. A large menu is not automatically an advantage: it can complicate navigation and create more opportunities to bet. Regulators may restrict available leagues or markets.
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Check usability, payments and help
Without a hands-on test, claims about app speed or ease of use should be treated cautiously. Before depositing, inspect how clearly the app presents the bet slip, settlement rules, account limits, deposits and withdrawals. Compare available payment methods, withdrawal processing information, support channels and escalation routes. App-store ratings can reflect crashes, login problems, promotions or customer service; they are not a substitute for checking licensing, odds and rules.
Casino loyalty points are not necessarily equivalent to cash or sportsbook value. BetMGM or Caesars may suit casino customers, but their loyalty ecosystems may matter little to someone who only wants to place sports wagers.
Where mobile sports betting was legal in 2023
There was no single nationwide answer: U.S. wagering rules were set primarily by state, and a state could allow statewide mobile betting, limit operators, require a link to a casino or other facility, permit retail betting only, or prohibit sports betting. An undated or current state list cannot establish what was available in 2023, so this guide does not present one as a historical availability table.
Check the relevant state gaming regulator for the exact date and jurisdiction. New York’s legal framework required mobile wagers to originate within New York and be transmitted to equipment at a licensed commercial casino gaming facility; its regulator publishes operator and rule information at gaming.ny.gov/sports-wagering. Massachusetts created a licensing category for entities offering sports wagering through a mobile application or other digital platform: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 23N, Section 6 and Massachusetts sports-wagering license regulations.
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For New York’s 2023 operator and market context, the regulator’s June 2023 impact report is dated evidence, rather than a current availability list: New York mobile sports wagering impact report. The state’s first approved mobile operators began operations in January 2022, according to the regulator: New York regulator announcement.
How to download and set up a legitimate sportsbook app
- Check the regulator first. Confirm mobile wagering is permitted where you will be physically located and that the operator is licensed there.
- Use the official destination. Start from the sportsbook’s official website or its official listing in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Avoid unsolicited links, cloned sites and unofficial Android installation files. An app-store listing alone does not prove local authorization.
- Install the correct state version. Some operators route users by location or have state-specific app availability. Do not assume a page or app used in another state applies to yours.
- Register accurately. Expect to provide legal name, date of birth, residential address, phone number and email. Do not open duplicate accounts or use someone else’s identity or payment method.
- Complete identity checks. Operators may request a Social Security number or other identity details and a government-issued photo ID. Have current, legible information ready.
- Allow location verification. Enable device location and grant the app permission where required. A successful registration does not guarantee a wager will be accepted.
- Read house rules and offer terms. Check eligible sports, settlement rules, bonus restrictions and expiration before opting in or depositing.
- Set limits before funding the account. Choose deposit, wager, loss or time limits that fit your budget, then deposit only money you can afford to lose.
- Start small and keep records. Review the bet slip before confirming. Save transaction confirmations and account communications, and use an eligible withdrawal method when you request a payout.
How sportsbook bonuses work
Promotions are not all cash, and labels such as “bonus bet,” “deposit match,” “bet credit,” “no-sweat” refund, profit boost, odds boost, parlay insurance and loyalty points can describe materially different benefits. Offers change quickly and may differ by state; no specific 2023 dollar offer is asserted here.
Before accepting an offer, read the official state-specific terms and check:
- Whether it is limited to new customers and whether opt-in is required.
- The minimum deposit and qualifying wager, including any required odds.
- The maximum credit, how it is issued and when it expires.
- Whether a losing wager is refunded in bonus bets or cash, and whether the original stake is returned.
- Whether bonus-bet winnings exclude the bonus stake and can be withdrawn immediately.
- State exclusions and restrictions involving a household, device, IP address or payment method.
“Risk-free” commonly means a qualifying losing wager may be refunded as bonus bets up to a stated cap and under stated conditions. It does not, by itself, mean the stake is returned as cash, the deposit cannot be lost, the credit is immediately withdrawable or the offer is available in every state. Treat the written terms—not the marketing label—as controlling.
Deposits, withdrawals and common delays
Available banking methods vary by operator and state. They may include ACH or online banking, debit cards, e-wallets where permitted, or cash withdrawals at approved locations. Check the operator’s current payment page for supported methods, minimums, processing information and whether a deposit method can also receive withdrawals; no universal payout time is established here.
An advertised fast withdrawal can still be delayed by identity checks, payment-provider processing, anti-fraud review, chargeback concerns, promotion review or account-safety checks. A mismatch between the sportsbook account name and payment account, an outdated address, duplicate accounts or incomplete identity documents can also cause problems. Keep confirmation numbers, transaction records, screenshots and support transcripts, and use the operator’s support process before escalating a dispute to the state regulator.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do when location or verification fails
If the app cannot confirm your location
- Confirm device location services are on and the sportsbook has location permission.
- Turn off VPNs and mock-location or developer-location settings; do not attempt to defeat the geofence.
- Try a supported Wi-Fi or cellular connection, then restart the app or device.
- If you are outside the permitted jurisdiction, wait until you are physically within it; otherwise contact operator support.
If identity verification fails
- Check spelling of your legal name, birth date and current address.
- Make sure the identification document is current and its image is readable.
- Use a payment account in your own name.
- Contact support rather than opening another account or submitting altered information.
If a wager or withdrawal is rejected
First check whether you are physically in an authorized location, whether the sport or market is permitted, and whether the account has an outstanding verification request. For a disputed settlement, consult the posted house rules for the event, postponement or player-prop circumstance, preserve records and use the operator’s complaint route. Do not assume that access to an account means every wager is lawful or available.
Responsible betting tools belong in the comparison
Review limits and safety controls before depositing, not after a problem arises. Depending on the operator and state, tools may include deposit, wager, loss or session limits, cooling-off periods, temporary suspension, permanent self-exclusion, marketing opt-outs and notification controls. New York’s regulator describes protections, treatment funding and requirements around clear disclosure of material promotional terms: New York regulator information on mobile wagering protections.
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If betting is affecting your finances, relationships or wellbeing, stop using the account and seek qualified help. Use the state regulator’s responsible-gambling page or a national gambling-support resource whose contact details you have verified for your location. Sports betting is not a reliable way to make money.
Which app should you choose?
For a broad mainstream shortlist in the 2023 U.S. market, compare FanDuel and DraftKings first, then consider BetMGM or Caesars if their loyalty ecosystems matter, and a regional operator if it is licensed locally and offers better-fitting terms. DraftKings’ broader menu may suit some experienced bettors; a simpler interface may suit casual users. These are fit-based judgments, not guarantees of best odds or app performance.
The deciding test is whether the book was licensed in your state on the date in question, offered your preferred markets and acceptable prices, supported a workable withdrawal method, and disclosed bonus and account rules clearly. If no app meets those conditions—or betting does not fit your finances—do not sign up.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
