Mobile gaming is now the norm, and I think that most US residents prefer to game on their smartphones. If you are one such person, you’ll need to know about the best online casino apps.
This is why below, I’ve created a complete guide on online casino apps, including how they work, their pros and cons, and the features you should look for before downloading them. I’ve also given you five recommended sites that have some of the best smartphone apps available for Android and iOS devices.
Top-rated casino apps
What are mobile casino apps?
A live casino app or any online casino app is essentially a mobile-responsive version of a desktop casino website. The major difference is, that instead of a website, all the information, games, and features have been packaged into an actual app. So, you don’t need to open the site via a web browser – you just need to download and install the app like you would a mobile game.
These apps offer convenience as there’s no need to bookmark website addresses or remember long casino URLs. Additionally, it gives you the freedom to enjoy casino gaming wherever you want. You are not reliant on having access to your desktop computer or laptop, and you don’t have to be hidden away in a separate room – online casino apps allow you to be out and about while still having fun!
Pros and cons of free casino apps
I’ve outlined some of the benefits of iPhone casino apps and their Android counterparts above including improved flexibility, and a smooth gaming experience. But there are also some minor potential drawbacks to consider.
Firstly, you have to be careful not to eat your smartphone data – you can easily forget you’re not on WiFi and rack up a huge bill. Secondly, some people might not enjoy the gaming experience on a smaller screen as it could put strain on your eyes. These are only minor things, and they are easy to avoid simply by using a WiFi connection, and keeping your gaming sessions short. I’ve summarized these pros and cons below:
- Improved mobility
- You can play games from anywhere
- Easier functionality
- High data usage
- Potential strain on eyes
Features of the best casino apps
From my experience, like new social casinos, the best casino apps usually have common features. These are things you should look for that show their quality and include the usability, feature accessibility, and the mobile optimization of the games.
iOS and Android versions
Sites like BetMGM and FanDuel have smartphone apps for both Android and iOS devices. You should be able to download them either from the Google Play Store, or App Store as these are the main two underlying operating system architectures that modern smartphones use.
Mobile-responsive layouts
The mobile app should have a responsive layout that shrinks or expands to fit your smartphone screen size. This is a basic foundation of smartphone apps and I expect the best casino apps to give you superb usability. This will often mean you’ll get pop-out menus that can be expanded and minimized to give you more screen space, plus larger icons and links that make for easy touchscreen interactions.
Full desktop site functionality
I believe that there should be no difference between the features, promotions, and game libraries of the desktop online casino and its mobile app counterpart. Essentially, if you put the two side-by-side, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in terms of what you can do.
The best iPhone casino apps give you the exact same game library as the desktop site, and in some instances, you’ll even find additional games that are mobile-only, that aren’t on the main site. Similarly, you should still be able to get every online casino bonus including any welcome bonus, reload bonuses, and access to loyalty schemes or VIP programs. You can sometimes find mobile-specific promos too.
Mobile-optimized games
The best online casino apps feature mobile-optimized games. These are games that have been specifically designed for use on smartphones, and there is a major difference to non-optimized games. For instance, many older games that were developed before the 2010s, were created only for desktop computers and larger screens. As a result, if you try to load them on smartphones, you’ll notice the layout or game features don’t change, and the resolution can look strange or even pixelated. In contrast, mobile-optimized games will simply resize themselves to fit perfectly on whatever size screen you have. There will also usually be the option to tilt your phone sideways to play in either landscape or portrait mode.
Five of the best casino apps that pay real money to try now
So you can get started gaming on your smartphone today, I’ve picked 6 superb online casinos. Each of them is fully licensed, and has Android and iOS apps that have excellent ratings on their relevant stores.
Caesars – brilliant slot collection
The Caesars online casino app has a clean and modern design and the slots features on it all work brilliantly. I typically play the slots in landscape mode on the app as this gives you a larger game resolution.
New customers can get a $10 no deposit bonus, plus a 100% deposit match bonus for their first deposit of up to $1,000 which rivals other offers like the Real Prize Casino promo code. The Caesars app rocks when it comes to slots and it features classics like Fortune Coin, Huff N Even More Puff, Divine Fortune, Cash Eruption, and Fire Blitz Hot Stepper.
BetMGM – no deposit welcome bonus
I love the BetMGM app and I’ve used it for some time now. I prefer the Android version due to its fantastic game navigation and smooth mobile-optimized gameplay, but the iOS version works just as good.
If you use my links and get started here, you can get a fantastic $25 no deposit bonus, plus a 100% first deposit match bonus of up to $1,000. When it comes to gaming, I favor their Live From Vegas section where you can join live blackjack and roulette tables at Vegas casinos. There is also a superb range of BetMGM-themed live dealer tables.
FanDuel – exclusive FanDuel-only games
The FanDuel app remains one of the best-rated for both online casinos and sportsbooks, and I’ve been registered on it for a long time. It works perfectly, and I am always impressed with the mobile banking system. By using my links and signing up, you can get 500 free spins on Huff N Lots of Puff, plus up to $1,000 back in bonus funds if you have a net loss after your first 24 hours of gaming.
Speaking of, I recommend you check out the exclusive FanDuel games section. These are either games only available on this app, or titles that have been developed for FanDuel. Some of my top picks include Football Rush, PGA Tour Crash Cup, Diamond Nudge, and Slingo Cash Eruption.
Fanatics – three welcome offers to choose
Fanatics has online casino apps for Android and iOS, and the great thing about this operator is that it’s mobile-only. This means that there’s no desktop gaming, and the quality of the apps as a result are amazing.
What’s more, you get to choose from one of three potential welcome bonuses when you sign up. There’s up to $1,000 cashback in bonus funds, a $150 bonus, or the chance to get up to 1,000 free spins. I thoroughly enjoy playing the slots here as you can explore lots of different game mechanics such as Megaways, cascading reels, Hold and Win, and Bonus Buy features.
Top games to try at online casino apps
I know how tricky it can be trying to find a game to play when online casino apps usually have hundreds if not thousands to choose from. To help, I’ve picked five of the games I enjoy playing:
| Game | Developer | RTP | Volatility | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Eruption | IGT | 96.00% | High | Volcanoes, Destruction |
| Huff N More Puff | Play’N GO | 96.00% | High | Huff N More Puff series |
| Crazy Time | Evolution | 96.08% | Low-Medium | Live Dealer game show |
| All Bets Blackjack Live | Playtech | 99.46% | Low | Live Blackjack |
| Hypernova Megaways | ReelPlay | 96.09% | Medium | Universe, Space, Megaways |
You can find these titles at most of my five recommended sites and I’ve given you a mix of classic slots like Hypernova Megaways, modern slots like the Huff N More Puff series, and awesome live dealer games from renowned developers like Playtech and Evolution.
Take your gaming to the next level now with these online casino apps
Whether you’re playing at social casinos or real money sites, I believe that mobile gaming is the way forward, and having access to the best online casino apps will only benefit you. Apps give you increased freedom to game where you want, without being stuck at your desktop computer. Modern apps like those from Caesars, BetMGM, Fanatics, and FanDuel also work smoothly, and have an incredible range of mobile-optimized games to enjoy.
Remember to do your due diligence and look at reviews and ratings for the apps before you download them. Alternatively, you can simply go with my recommended sites. BetMGM is a top pick for its “Live from Vegas” games, while Caesars and Fanatics both have brilliant slot collections. If you want to get started at one of them, just click one of the links on this page, get signed up, and get the app downloaded.
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Online casino apps FAQs
Which are the top casino apps?
If you want a smooth and enjoyable mobile gaming experience, I recommend checking out FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, or Fanatics. They each have online casino apps for both Android and iOS devices. The apps have superb ratings, and I’ve tested the functionality of each one.
Are there casino apps with a sign up bonus?
Yes! Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Fanatics all have excellent mobile apps, and you can get a welcome bonus if you click the links on this page and register a new account.
How do you use online casino apps?
Usually, you have to download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store, or as an APK if it’s not available on the Play Store. You would then install it in the same way you would a mobile game. It’s then a case of registering an account or logging in using your existing account details.
Do casino apps have the same games as desktop sites?
In most instances, yes. Today, most online casino games are optimized for smartphone usage, so you will typically find the exact same game catalog whether you are using the desktop site or online casino app.