Mobile Betting

Mobile Sports Betting and Sportsbooks

Mobile sports betting and sportsbooks have revolutionized the way that people wager on various athletic contests. In the old days, a gambler had no choice but to hunker down in front of their PC and examine the available odds. That’s a thing of the past, however, as sportsbetting enthusiasts can now check the latest betting lines from anywhere on the planet, as long as there’s network coverage.

In this article, we’ll be taking a basic look at the world of portable sports betting, from the types of devices available to some of the best mobile-friendly sportsbooks. While the information contained within won’t allow you to consistently pick profitable underdogs, it will empower you to make the wisest possible decisions when it comes to buying a smartphone and picking a virtual bookie.

How Does Mobile Sports Betting Work?

The answer to this question is a simple one. Just whip out your smartphone or tablet computer and access your favorite online sportsbook. Then use your finger or a stylus to scroll down the screen and examine the current point spread, over/under, and prop bets. Once you’ve found one or more wagers that look tempting, click on the games and enter the amount of money that you want to risk.

That’s all there is to it. Casinos and sportsbooks want to make things as easy as possible for their mobile customers, especially since they may be viewing odds in a crowded setting or from inside a vehicle (hopefully in the passenger seat).

Differences between Mobile and PC Sports Betting

Once you’ve tried both options, you’ll realize that there’s little difference between mobile and PC sports betting. Both allow you to wager on a variety of games, and both feature crisp, uncomplicated graphics.

The most notable difference is the level of portability. PCs remain large beasts unsuitable for transport, while laptops have become increasingly light over the years. Neither can compare to a smartphone or tablet computer, however, as even a child can carry these devices in one hand with little effort.

If you were playing at a mobile casino, you might notice that fewer games were available, especially in the slot machine department. Luckily, that doesn’t matter with virtual sportsbooks, and you should have the same wagers available as someone camped in front of their PC.

Options for Mobile Sports Betting

Once you find an online sportsbook or casino that you can live with, you’ll also notice that many of them support a variety of mobile services and products. The following is a list of the most commonly available options, just in case you’re about to be in the market for a new smartphone or tablet computer.

• Android – Based on the Linux kernel and developed by Google, this mobile operating system mainly powers touchscreen devices such as tablet computers and smartphones.

• iPad – Designed by Apple, this line of tablet computers is powered by the iOS mobile operating system. Over 250 million iPads had been sold by January of 2015.

• iPhone – A line of smartphones developed by Apple that run their iOS mobile operating system. There have been eight generations of iPhones as of this writing, but expect that number to increase over the years.

• BlackBerry – One of the major smartphone vendors on the planet, their Internet service is available in over 90 countries.

• Nokia – A Finnish information technology company that develops mobile devices such as the Nokia N1, an Android-powered tablet.

• Windows Phone – The successor to Windows Mobile, this portable operating system supports both smartphones and tablet computers.

Best Mobile Sportsbooks

Finding the best mobile sportsbook to meet your needs isn’t always an easy thing, as the Internet is littered with online gaming sites claiming to be superior to the competition. In order to make your decision simpler, I’ve assembled a list of reputable sites to choose from. I have personally wagered at each of these sites, and I’ve found all of them to be of the highest quality. But don’t take my word for it; be sure to do your own research before signing up.

• Bodog – Offers both a casino and sportsbook for the customers. Solid software with a top-flight design. Supports iOS and Android users.

• Bovada – One of the biggest names in online gambling. Quality all-around service that supports all major mobile devices and platforms.

• BetOnline – Founded in 2004, this site offers fast mobile service and no downloads for users of BlackBerry and iPhone devices. Get up to $50 free on your first bet.

• TopBet – Solid, no-frills sportsbetting site that supports Android and iOS devices. They offer some of the fastest payouts in the industry.

• GTBets – European sportsbook that supports iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone. Known for their strong customer service.

• CarbonSports – All major mobile providers are supported, including BlackBerry, Windows, Android, and iOS. Generous sign-up bonuses.

• SportsInteraction – Android, BlackBerry, and iOS users are supported by this site that’s been serving customers since 1997. One of the highest-rated books when it comes to customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Mobile sports betting and sportsbooks are the future of online gambling, especially for those who enjoy risking their hard-earned cash on various athletic competitions. You can place single-game and parlay wagers while on the go, as long as you have access to a network. Some sites also provide live coverage of select sporting events, which is an even greater incentive to wager on those games.

If you’ve never tried mobile sportsbetting, you might be surprised by what you’re missing out on. The hobby is even more exciting when you can check the progress of betting lines throughout the day, and being a member of multiple virtual books allows you to take advantage of competing odds to find the best deals. Assuming you already own a smartphone or tablet computer, you’re only one step removed from an exciting new world of gambling possibilities.

Mobile Betting Questions and Answers

These days, more people are looking at their smartphones and tablets than they are at PCs. So it should be little surprise that mobile betting has grown to become a large part of the online gaming industry.

If you have any questions about placing bets from your smartphone or tablet, check out the following common questions among mobile bettors.

  • When you navigate to an online sportsbook through your mobile device, you need to navigate to the cashier section. Here you’ll find different banking options that you can use to make a deposit.

    Once your account is funded, you’re free to bet on whatever sports and lines you like.

  • You can bet on virtually any sport that you can think of. The smaller online sportsbooks only offer the major sports like baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, and soccer.

    But the larger sportsbooks even feature lines on obscure games like badminton, handball, Gaelic games, and table tennis.

  • Android and Apple iOS are the two most-common products that mobile sportsbooks are compatible with. Other phones/tablets from Blackberry, Nokia, Samsung, and Windows Phone can also be used in many cases.

  • Yes, most online sportsbooks offer a welcome bonus to first-time depositors. In some cases, you can even get a special bonus that’s specifically for mobile players.

    What rewards you receive beyond the bonus depends upon what sportsbook you’re dealing with.

  • It’s hard to pinpoint the absolute best mobile sportsbook because everybody has different tastes. But some of the top sportsbooks for US and Canadian bettors include BetOnline, Bodog, Bovada, GTBets, Sports Interaction, and TopBet.

  • Unlike online casinos and poker sites, where the smaller screen affects gameplay, mobile betting doesn’t have any disadvantages when compared to PC wagering.

    The lines are the same, and it’s not like you need a big screen just to place a bet or two. Plus, you get the obvious convenience benefit that’s associated with mobile gaming.

  • Skilled bettors can win long-term profits, but this is easier said than done.

    First, you have to win 52.4% of your wagers back just to break even because the house takes 10% vigorish from the losing side. Next, you need to study the sport(s) that you’re betting on to become good enough to pick winners over the long haul.

  • This answer varies depending upon what country you live in. Mobile betting is legal in Canada and many other parts of the globe.

    But the activity is technically illegal in the US due to the Wire Act of 1961, which makes it illegal for companies to offer interstate sports betting.

    However, these laws haven’t really been enforced, which allows offshore betting sites to offer their services to American customers.

  • There’s a tendency to worry about mobile betting because you’re sending information over the net with a handheld device. But luckily, you don’t have to worry about the safety of betting through a mobile device.

    Mobile sportsbooks feature encrypted technology that keeps would-be hackers out of your account and makes your betting experience totally safe.

  • If you’re worried that a mobile sportsbook will keep your money after you’ve requested a cashout, don’t be.

    Mobile sportsbooks stake their reputation on honoring cashouts in a timely manner, so it’s a poor business model to stiff customers.

    Even still, you should always do research prior to depositing your money at any mobile sportsbook.