Football Betting Apps: What to Look For

10:12pm Oct 4 2022

Bettors have never had it so good when it comes to the wide range of choices available, with the number of online betting sites being greater than ever before.

One of the key questions facing the football punter – whether they be plotting their weekend Acca, or looking to support players in their Fantasy Football side – is how to choose between the wide array of options available.

In addition to the most obvious criteria of selecting a site with an excellent reputation which is fully licenced to supply betting products in your country, the modern bettor is increasingly beginning to favour those companies with great quality betting apps.

It seems there is an app for almost everything these days, and betting is no different. Offering the ability to bet on the go with ease, the betting app has become an almost essential tool. However, not all apps are created equally. Here we outline a selection of the key characteristics to look for when selecting a betting app.

What to Look for in a Betting App

Compatibility

First things first, you are going to need to select a betting operator which provides an app which works on your device. Most betting apps will be compatible with both Android and iOs powered devices. Not all, however, with some only available for Android, and some only for iOs. Common sense really, but be sure to make compatibility the first item on your checklist.

New Customer Offers

In such a competitive environment, betting companies must go the extra mile to stand out from the crowd. One of the main ways in which they do this is through their New Customer Offers. All manner of sign-up deals are currently available, but in general, they fall into two main categories.

Matched Deposit Bonus: E.g. Deposit £20 and receive £20 in bonus betting funds.
Free Bet: E.g. Stake £5 to receive a £5 Free Bet.

These offers sound very similar at first glance, but whereas the Free Bet must be used on one bet, bonus funds can be broken down into as many bets as you like, and as such are seen as the more flexible option. Be sure to shop around to find a bonus offer which most appeals to your style of betting.

Functionality

Having been designed specifically for use on small-screendevices, it goes without saying that all betting apps should function seamlessly. Be that through the ease of navigation, a clear and crisp layout, loading speed, etc. Should an app not meet this basic requirement, it most likely isn’t worth your time. Check the reviews in the app store before downloading– if an app has a series of low ratings, there will most likely be a very good reason for it.

Great Value Odds

A great sign-up offer and slick intuitive interface are all well and good but do still need to be backed up by a solid betting product. In the world of online betting, the best way to assess the quality of an operator is via the odds on offer. A quick check of the available odds against an odds comparison site will quickly show where a particular site fits in. Look for companies who offer at least the occasional standout best price, or joint best price – particularly on the sports you plan to be betting on.

Additional Features

Any app which ticks the above boxes is well worth considering, but it is still nice if they offer a little extra. When zeroing in on your final choice, look out for the following.

In-Play Betting: The betting experience needn’t end when the game begins. These days the majority of betting sites provide Live Betting odds which update throughout the match, enabling customers to place bets from kick-off right up to the final whistle – or at least until the 85th minute.
Live Streaming: And of course, if you are going to bebetting In-Play, or simply like to watch how your pre-event bet gets on, it’s a big bonus if your app enables you to watch the action. Many apps provide a Live Streaming service across a whole range of sports.
Cash Out: There’s nothing worse than a bet which looks like winning only to be let down by a last-minute goal, or one leg letting you down in an accumulator bet. The Cash-Out facility enables you to get out while the going is good and take a profit.
Regular Bonuses and Offers: Having attracted your attention with the initial sign-up deal, many sites provide a selection of regular offers to encourage loyalty. Bet Boosts, Free Bet Clubs and Acca Insurance are just a few examples.