Best New York
Betting Apps: Mobile Sportsbooks
Legal online sports betting has finally come to New York State, and now is the time to get acquainted with the best sports betting apps. We’re going to share what we’ve observed in the time we’ve had our hands on the mobile sports betting apps, so you can get the lay of the land.
When it comes to the types of sports bets you can place, promotional offers, and other factors that go into choosing a New York sports betting app, you can’t have too much information. With analysts estimating over $1 billion in New York sports betting revenue annually, there’s plenty at stake. It’s time to get the lowdown and get playing.
Top 7 NY Online Sports Betting Apps
When the New York Sports Betting Law was enacted, it allowed multiple operators to open their doors in The Empire State to ensure competition. In the first round of licenses, the New York State Gaming Commission allowed for nine NY legal sports betting apps to launch, and several have already started accepting wagers. Here’s what we like about the New York sports betting apps we’ve been using.
1. Caesars Sportsbook NY: Best Betting App for Odds Boosts
Caesars Sportsbook is the online sports betting extension of the iconic Caesars brand, and it just launched in New York. The standout for sports bettors at Caesars Sportsbook is the number of daily odds boost promotions they roll out. In a market where the competition offers anywhere from one to ten odds boosts in a day, Caesars will regularly list at least 50.
Caesars’ loyalty rewards program is another highlight for the serious bettor. Your Caesars Sportsbook account can be added to your existing Caesars Rewards plan for perks and discounts around Caesars-affiliated hotels, restaurants, and entertainment, including the Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango, New York.
Caesars has been in the gambling business in some form since the opening of Bill Harrah’s bingo parlor in Reno, Nevada in the 1930s. Caesars Entertainment also recently acquired William Hill, which had successfully run sportsbooks throughout the UK.
✔ Largest Welcome Bonus On The Market
✔ Weekly Promotions
✔ Attentive Customer Support
2. FanDuel Sportsbook New York: Best Mobile Sportsbook Overall
With years of experience in DFS, FanDuel sportsbook has a real understanding of what sports fans want to see in their mobile betting apps and has answered the call in New York.
FanDuel Sportsbook consistently appears at or near the top of the lists of best NY mobile sports betting operators and it’s easy to see why. Players enjoy the easy-to-use betting experience and plenty of ways to bet on both the most popular sports as well as niche betting markets. Sports bettors can also take advantage of a friendly welcome bonus and easy banking options.
FanDuel Sportsbook was founded in 2009, strictly as a provider of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games, which have been popular in New York for years. Its mobile app and web platform launched in 2018, originally in New Jersey. FanDuel is also partnered with Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols, New York.
✔ $1,000 Bonus Bet
✔ NFL Odds Boosts
✔ Superb Mobile Apps
3. BetMGM Sportsbook NY: Best Sports Betting App for Novice Bettors
BetMGM is another NY online sports betting house that recently launched with a full array of markets and options. BetMGM is the New York betting app that’s friendliest to the first-time bettor, offering an excellent welcome bonus (a $1,000 risk-free bet is common), and helpful tutorials for beginners on the individual markets as well as the basics of sports betting.
The app itself is laid out cleanly, so New York bettors can quickly access the action they want, including live-betting. And BetMGM, as you might have guessed, is part of the MGM Resorts brand, and is affiliated with the Empire City Casino in Yonkers.
BetMGM is also connected to the M life Rewards Program. M life offers perks for on hotels, restaurants and gaming among others, and is a must for New York sports bettors who prefer to play BetMGM.
✔ $1,000 First Bet Offer
✔ Competitive odds
✔ Attentive customer support
4. DraftKings Betting NY: Best Sportsbook App for Competitive Odds
Like its longtime rival FanDuel, DraftKings Sportsbook is the mobile sports betting extension of a brand that began as a Daily Fantasy Sports experience. Across the New York sports betting landscape, DraftKings stands out for its odds on the most popular betting markets. DraftKings Sportsbook consistently posted odds that were often the best available to New Yorkers, especially in pro football and basketball.
And if you’re looking for a sports betting market that veers off the beaten path, DraftKings Sportsbook is probably the place you’ll find it, as they offer action on everything from college lacrosse and curling to darts and rugby union. You’ll also find free-to-play betting pools, daily odds boosts, and other promotions to keep you coming back.
If you prefer retail sports betting, the Del lago resort in Waterloo, New York and DraftKings Sportsbook have teamed up to enhance the brick and mortar experience.
✔ $150 in Bonus Bets
✔ Favorite NFL Team Option
✔ Same-Game Parlays on all Sports
5. BetRivers App: Best NY Sportsbook for Welcome Bonus Value
Part of the Rush Street Interactive portfolio, BetRivers launched among four of the bigger books on the first day of legal sports betting in New York. This sportsbook is one worth signing up for, based in large part on its generous welcome offer.
Its New York-specific app can be susceptible to glitches from time to time, but the odds boosts offered are superb, and the rewards program has many perks, especially if you plan on visiting any of the Rivers Casinos – they have locations in Schenectady, New York as well Philadelphia and Pittsburgh PA, and Des Plains, IL.
If Rush Street Interactive can get its mobile sports betting app to the level of its desktop experience, BetRivers could turn itself into the book to beat.
✔ $500 Welcome Bonus
✔ Reliable and Trustworthy
✔ Reduced Juice
6. WynnBET Sport Betting: Best App for Sportsbetting for Ease of Use
WynnBET is the online sports betting arm of Wynn Resorts, and managed to convince the publicity-averse Shaquille O’Neal to endorse its service. As we’ve observed in other states, the big strength of WynnBET will lie in how easy it will be for casual bettors in New York to get what they’re looking for.
It’s convenient to find the sports betting market you want, the specific game you want to wager on, and straight to the action without a lot of distracting clutter in the app to get in your way. You’ll also get to use WynnBET to rack up points on Wynn Rewards, for use at its resorts in iconic gambling destinations like Las Vegas, Macau, and… Everett, Massachusetts. Expect WynnBET to be live in New York in the coming weeks.
✔ $100 Welcome Offer
✔ NFL Odds Boosts
✔ Quick Payouts
Legal Sports Betting Apps Ranked By New York Sports
If everything else is all the same to you, you may just want to know where the best odds are going to be, since those are the nuts and bolts of the New York online sports betting experience. We keep tabs on the whole field, looking for trends, especially in the four biggest New York sports betting markets. It’s important to keep in mind that betting lines move as the action comes in and, in the context of live-betting, as the game itself plays out.
Best Football App for New York Sports Betting: DraftKings Sportsbook
If you do your own line shopping, you know that because football is the heaviest New York sports betting market, the odds tend to be razor-close across the board. There are so many analysts and algorithms crunching and re-crunching the numbers around New York Giants and New York Jets games, that a lot of times the odds look pretty similar, but there are small gaps out there and advantages to be had.
In our analysis, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and DraftKings were most likely to give the best football odds. In particular, if you like to bet the favorite on the moneyline, DraftKings gave the best lines most often.
✔ $150 in Bonus Bets
✔ Favorite NFL Team Option
✔ Same-Game Parlays on all Sports
Best Basketball Sportsbook NY App: Caesars Sportsbook
Now that the three New York football teams have been eliminated, the hottest betting action on New York sports teams goes to the NBA. We liked the lines offered by BetRivers and BetMGM, but the winner has to be Caesars Sportsbook. Caesars provided some of the most competitive odds out there when it comes to the NBA. Shop around and see what you like, though. The perks BetMGM offers through its partnership with the New York Knicks may make the difference for you.
Also of note, like football, a lot of the odds in the pro games are similar while the college games give much more variation. Speaking of college, remember that if a New York college team participates in a game, New York bettors can’t legally wager on it.
✔ Largest Welcome Bonus On The Market
✔ Weekly Promotions
✔ Attentive Customer Support
Best Baseball Betting App: DraftKings Sportsbook
Anyone in New York taking action on whether there will even be a season? Let’s just suppose the whole thing gets worked out and pitchers and catchers report as usual. At the moment New York bettors are still looking at futures bets only for MLB. Based on those metrics, the strongest odds on World Series futures for the likely contenders (including the New York teams) can be found on DraftKings. If you prefer an underdog, you’re more likely to find a bigger payout on FanDuel Sportsbook.
✔ $1,000 First Bet Offer
✔ Competitive odds
✔ Attentive customer support
Best Hockey Mobile Sportsbook App: DraftKings Sportsbook
Whether you’re looking to bet on the New York Rangers, the Islanders, or the Sabres, you’ll find that DraftKings Sportsbook is a standout when it comes to the straight odds. DraftKings is usually in the conversation for the best odds on puck lines and totals. But DraftKings delivers competitive odds on the moneylines and frequently gives the best out there. Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook are also in the conversation, as well as BetRivers New York, who also give some very favorable action on the moneylines.
✔ $1,000 Bonus Bet
✔ NFL Odds Boosts
✔ Superb Mobile Apps
Best New York Betting Apps NY Outlook:
NY Sportsbook Name |
App Store Rating ⭐ |
Android Store Rating ⭐ |
Caesars Sportsbook |
4.6 stars ⭐, 20k ratings | 4.4 stars ⭐, 7k ratings |
FanDuel Sportsbook |
4.8 stars ⭐, 390k ratings | 4.7 stars ⭐, 46k ratings |
BetMGM Sportsbook |
4.8 stars ⭐, 67k ratings | 2.5 stars ⭐, 1k ratings |
DraftKings Sportsbook |
4.8 stars ⭐, 276k ratings | 4.8 stars ⭐, 109k ratings |
BetRivers Sportsbook |
3.6 stars ⭐, 21 ratings | 4.6 stars ⭐, 12 ratings |
PointsBet Sportsbook |
4.7 stars ⭐, 13k ratings | 4.7 stars ⭐, 3k ratings |
How to Pick a New York Online Sports Betting App
There’s a lot of commonality between New York’s mobile betting apps. Any place that qualified for a license from the New York gaming commission will at hit the industry standard options: You’ll be able to bet on football, basketball, hockey and baseball, whether on the spreads, totals or moneyline.
There will be prop bets. There will be options in a couple more sports. But the differences are where the opportunities are for the operators to stand out and make their case to you. Here’s what we look for when we choose an app.
Mobile App Speed
Mobile sportsbooks demand software that’s fast and responsive. New York sports bettors like you need to know that you can navigate to, and place the wagers you want to make without waiting for the app to catch up. If you’re in your seat at Madison Square Garden and want to place a live-bet on the New York Knicks, it’s crucial that your mobile sports betting app can handle the bet before the lines move again. If your app can’t do what you want when you want it, you’re going to get frustrated and you just might start shopping for a new place for your sports wagers.
Enticing Welcome Offers
There’s enough competition in the New York sports betting arena that there’s just no excuse for not having a strong welcome offer. Fortunately, all of the mobile sports betting operators in New York that have launched or are slated to have some kind of bonus for new bettors. Two of the most common are the deposit match and the risk free bet. Having the house kick in part of your initial deposit is great, and we really like that some places will give you as much as a $1,000 risk free bet when you sign on with them.
Something as juicy as a $1,000 risk free bet will come with strings attached, so read the fine print. But the bottom line is that with so many operators angling for piece of the New York sports betting revenue pie, if you’re not getting some kind of risk free bet or match on your initial deposit, you’re better served taking your business elsewhere.
App Exclusive Promotions
So you’ve played through your $1,000 risk free bet, or you’ve worked through the deposit bonus you got from the house. Are you still going to be on board? Mobile sports betting operators understand that to keep New York bettors coming back, they need to make it worth it. Keep an eye out for promos for free bets and boosts in odds than can help you win more, and parlay insurance and smaller risk free bets to keep you from losing big. Most of the major online sportsbooks in New York have some kind of loyalty program with rewards for frequent users. The rewards can be anything from credits for free bets to perks around gambling-based travel.
There can be trade-offs, as the online sportsbooks spun off casino brands frequently load most perks around its physical locations, whereas the books that started as Daily Fantasy tend to have rewards that try to push you that way. See what’s being offered and decide if the loyalty programs are a factor for you.
Wide Sports Selection
Every one of the online sportsbooks app servicing New York will offer you the most popular sports betting markets out there: Those of course being football, basketball, baseball and hockey. And you’ll see soccer, combat sports and motorsports pretty much anywhere you go. But if you want to take your sports betting to a more niche market you may need to be a little more selective. Not every place is going to offer odds on women’s basketball from Lithuania.
If you fancy yourself an expert in, for instance, Division 1 Lacrosse, don’t be afraid to pick through the books and see who has the action you want. Just remember that no matter how vast the selection is, no legal sportsbook will offer action around New York college sports teams.
Competitive Betting Odds
Getting the odds you like is obviously an important piece of the New York online betting equation, and one you may consider the most important. If all the wagering you’re doing is $5 a week on the New York Jets to cover the spread, the lines will be similar enough that it won’t matter much where you go within the online sports betting world. But if you’re anything more than the most casual of bettors, line shopping is crucial, especially if you’re laying out for a big bet. When you do compare and contrast the odds, you may find one of the New York mobile sportsbooks consistently gives the best odds on the way you like to bet.
Incredible Betting App Interface
New York bettors won’t settle for anything less than the best user experience when it comes to their sportsbook apps. If an online betting app doesn’t have an intuitive design, one that makes it easy to find and wager on your preferred market, it stands to reason that you may prefer a different one. We prefer New York sports betting apps where the design doesn’t get in the way of the action – a clean interface without a bunch of distractions cluttering up the screen, but one where we can quickly and easily access our favorite sports betting options.
It’s also helpful if the app developers have seen fit to build a version of their product specific to tablet users, rather than simply enlarging the phone version.
Flexible Payment Options
If you can’t get your money into and out of your account, you’re not going to play there very long. When you have favorite New York sports betting provider, you’ll probably get accustomed to the banking method they offer that works best for you. But as you’re trying to choose which of the NY betting apps is going to get your business, take into account how quickly and easily you can deposit and withdraw funds.
Every place has its own preferred methods, and not every option will be available wherever you go. We prefer a wide variety of banking options and ideally a short turnaround time for funds to be released when we make our withdrawals.
Sportsbook Apps Security and Support
Security is essential when choosing where to bet. Fortunately, when New York saw fit to legalize online sports betting, the gaming commission began overseeing the sportsbook apps to ensure that the operators were running a secure game, and one that’s on the level. You’re also going to want to know that if there is a problem, it’ll be handled with speed and to your satisfaction. Take the time to explore what customer support features the New York sportsbook apps you’re considering provide before you lay any money down.
If there’s a chat feature through the app, that’s generally the best option for getting a support rep quickly. We’re also fans of email support, especially for a big issue, since that’s the easiest way to keep your own records of your interactions.
Mobile Sports Betting Apps Compared To Online Sportsbooks
Sports betting apps are just one way to access the market now that New York state has made sports betting legal. The New York sports betting sites are very similar to the apps, but there are a few important differences. Obviously, the size of the screen on the online sports betting sites are larger, whether you use a laptop or are looking at a desktop monitor. That’s just going to make it easier to see what’s going on. Conversely, having the app installed on your phone or tablet means you can get to your sports betting anywhere in New York without being chained to your desk. You’ll find as long as you stick to the same operator, you’re going to get the same kinds of odds and options, so don’t worry about that part.
Keep in mind that in New York, mobile sports betting or wagering through an online betting website has considerable advantages over a retail sportsbook. The promotional offers, especially the intro bonuses alone make the online experience preferable, but you’ll also find it’s easier to compare lines. Flipping from Caesars Sportsbook to Bally Bet to see who has a better moneyline on the New York Rangers is a lot easier and less time consuming than, say, driving from the Yellow Brick Road Casino to the Del Lago Resort.
Using a Mobile Sportsbook App: iOS and Android
If you’re planning on taking advantage of the New York mobile sports betting experience, be advised that what you see on the app may be different than if you’re using a betting site, even if you’re accessing a mobile version of the site. The sports betting apps across New York are optimized for the most popular mobile devices – if you have a device running the latest iOS or Android software, you should be ready to go.
iOS Betting Apps
The App Store features the full complement of online sports betting apps to choose from, including plenty that aren’t yet licensed under the New York sports betting rules. Don’t bother with those, though. Any app you select will insist on checking your location before it lets you place any wagers, and if you’re in New York trying to use an unlicensed app, it won’t work. You may also run into an issue if the app can’t access your location or thinks you’re somewhere they’re not allowed to accept wagers.
Finally, several of the sports betting apps out there have separate instances for each state where they operate, so be sure you have the New York instance. You don’t want to wait around for customer support only to have them tell you that you’re in New York and your app only works in Indiana.
Android Sports Betting Apps
As with their Apple counterpart, to use an online sports betting application on your Android device, ensure that your operating system software is up to date, and that you are also physically in New York. You may see several instances of your chosen app in Google Play, so make sure the app itself is also cleared to use in New York. Your device will also need to be able to access your location, so be sure your settings allow that.
Reasons To Use a NY Sports Betting App
Why use an app for your New York online sports betting when there are other options out there? Did you skip down to this part? You did, didn’t you? Fine, we’ll straighten you out. Go back and read the rest of this piece though, it isn’t bad.
✔️ Increased Usability for Sports Betting | If you’re doing your online sports betting in New York, you’re going to get more options, plain and simple. You’ll have access to more sports betting markets, and more options within them to fit your favorite way to play. You’ll be able to more easily line shop for the best betting odds available. And you can easily keep track of all your open bets without digging through piles of paper bet slips. |
✔️ Accessible Sports Wagering | Using an app for your sports bets means that you can play anywhere in New York state. Bet from a sports bar if you’re watching the New York Giants game with your buddies. Bet from your seat at the KeyBank Center while you watch the Buffalo Sabres. And if you have trouble getting around or just aren’t leaving the house, you can bet from home. |
✔️ More Betting Bonuses Available on Mobile Apps | The legal gambling operators in New York are constantly offering promotional bonuses to get bettors to keep coming back, and some of these offers are only available through the mobile betting apps. Not every promo is going to be up your alley, but if you want to maximize your chance of finding a juicy bonus, whether that’s free bets, parlay insurance or odds boosts, you’re most likely to find what you want in the apps. |
✔️ Sports Streaming On The Go | As the operators cut deals with sports leagues, some of the agreements provide for the ability to live stream games. Among New York operators, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings and FanDuel all offer live streams of some sports events. You can place live-bets while watching the streams, and keep a close eye on the action from around the world. |
✔️ Account Funding Is Easier With Mobile Wallets | One of the best payment options for sports bettors is the mobile wallet. With just a couple of taps on your phone, you can make a deposit or schedule a withdrawal for your winnings. Payment methods like Venmo and PayPal are becoming increasingly common. That said, they’re not universally adopted by all of the operators just yet. This is why it’s crucial to know which banking options are compatible with which sportsbook. |
Live-Bet on New York Sports Betting Apps
What could be better than going to see your favorite team and putting a wager on the action once the game has started? Maybe you saw Max Scherzer warming up before the Mets take the field and his fastball blew you away. If he were to fan the leadoff hitter in three pitches, wouldn’t it be great to bet the over on his strikeout total? Now you can. Sports betting apps were practically made for live-betting. You don’t even have to get out of your seat, just pull out your phone.
Start Betting at Online with NY Sportsbook Apps
That’s the top down view of betting with sportsbook apps in New York. Be sure to poke around the site some more, there’s plenty to check out including basics of sports betting and how to bet, which New York teams offer promotions around their official partners, and reviews of the top sportsbook apps in New York.
New York Sports Betting FAQs
👉 What are the advantages of New York sports betting apps?
The NY sports betting apps allow you to place bets anywhere in New York without having to go into a casino, racetrack or other retail betting location. Online sports betting also makes it easier to shop the lines to pull odds that are more advantageous. Finally, the endless amount of promotions that come from the NY sports betting apps provide ways to maximize the your betting experience in ways the retail books don’t.
👉 Does every online sportsbook have a betting app?
Each of the online sportsbooks regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission in the first round of licensing offers an app experience. Due to the many big advantages of placing sports wagers through apps, it’s going to be hard to compete in a market like New York without one.
👉 Are betting apps legal in New York?
The gaming commission of New York legalized sports betting through mobile apps. Several of the operators are already offering online sports betting, launches of the remaining apps are expected in the coming weeks.
👉 What is the best sports betting app in NY?
The one you like. We’re happy to tell you what features, promotions and user experience you can expect to find in New York, and the similarities and differences between the mobile sports betting apps. But the decision to use one app over another is your call.
👉 Does the state of New York offer retail sports betting?
Yes. In fact, some of the mobile sports betting apps have affiliations with retail locations in New York state, such as the DraftKings Sportsbook at del Lago Resort and Casino.