IPhone sports betting apps have totally changed the way we bet.  Gone are the days where we needed to rush down to the local bookmakers to place a bet a horse race or a sporting event.  Now, thanks to the iPhone and the arrival of sports betting apps, we can place a bet anytime, anytime.

Sports betting on the iPhone is easy, just sign-up for an account at any of the most popular mobile sportsbooks and download their free sports betting app.  However, there are a few common mistakes that some new mobile players make, so we’ve put together a list of hints and tips that we hope you will find useful.

FINDING THE BEST SPORTS BETTING APP FOR THE IPHONE

Does The Sportsbook Provide An iPhone App? 
This is the most obvious question but one that still need to be asked before you waste your time creating a new account.  Although most mobile sportsbooks now offer iPhone compatible betting apps, not all do.  Some still offer the horrible WAP style betting sites that are better suited to an old Nokia than an iPhone.

Native Vs Web Sports Betting Apps?
Would you like to download and install a betting app from the iTunes Store (Native) or would you prefer to use the web based mobile versions of popular sportsbooks.  To access a Web app you just need to browse to a ceartin web address on your iPhone (e.g. m.sportsbook.com )

A few months back we would have said Native App Store apps are by far the best, but not anymore.  The web based iPhone sportsbooks that we can tested and reviewed this year look and fuction in exactly the same way as their native counterparts (check out the Paddy Power native and web apps for example).  In fact, web apps have a number of advantages over native apps when it comes to sports betting that we will outline below.

Where Do You Live? 
Not all App Store sports betting apps are available in every country.  For example, the Paddy Power native app is only available in the UK and Irish App Stores.  The web based version, however, is available everywhere and is indistinguishable from the App Store version. 

In the United Kingdom only Betfair, Paddy Power and Ladbrokes have managed to get their sports betting apps approved by Apple and into their App Store.  No online sportsbook in the United States have so far managed to get a native sports betting app approved by Apple.

Do You Travel A Lot? 
Native sports betting apps (App Store) will not work in most countries depending on the legality of mobile gambling in those jurisdictions.  So for instance, your William Hill iPhone app may work perfectly well when you take off from London but will not work once you land in Paris.

Web / browser based apps are not restricted in this way, so if you tend to travel a lot it’s probably best stick with the sports betting web apps.

Will You Need To Make Deposits or Withdrawals Via The iPhone App? 
Not every iPhone betting apps allows you to access your funds from the iPhone app.  If you need to make desposits or withdrawals from your iPhone then we’d recommed you check the apps features list before you commit.

Do You Want Free Money? 
I think the answer to that is yes.  I’ve never met anyone who’d refuse a few hundred dollars for free.  And that is what most online sportsbooks will offer to get your business.  So many people sign-up for new betting accounts and do not take advantage of these amazing sign-up bonuses because they belive they’re too good to be true. 

Most mobile sportsbook will double the amount of money you deposit initially.  If you lodget $100, they will add at least another $100 to your account.  It’s as easy as that.  Check out our iPhone Sports Betting reviews to find out who offers the most generous bonuses.

If you are based in the United States we've put together a list of the best US friendly iPhone Sportsbooks.

Australian readers mind find this article useful - The Best Australian Sports Betting Apps for the iPhone.

The latest research into mobile gambling confirms what everyone pretty much knew already.  Betting on smartphones has gone through the roof in the United Kingdom, with the mobile gambling market doubling in size in only 12 months.

The latest mobile betting research commissioned by ISH Screen Digest shows that the mobile gambling sector has experienced massive growth over the last 2 years, jumping from just under £20 million in 2009 to over £40 million in 2010.

This phenomenal growth has been attributed mainly to the growing popularity of iPhone and Android smartphones, as well as the every increasing range of betting apps being developed by online gambling companies such as William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair. 

These online betting companies also dramatically increased their mobile advertising spend during the same period, as they all compete to get a slice of the booming mobile betting market.  Mobile gambling apps are marketed as being cool and hip, and are seen as an attractive alternative to the nicotine stained betting shops of old.  Online gambling companies have also cleverly and effectively used sporting stars to endorse their iPhone and Android betting apps, further enhancing the image mobile gambling.

The most astounding statistic is that nearly 14% of the United Kingdom population participated in mobile gambling in 2010, up 4% on the previous year.  This trend is sure to continue in 2011 with the arrival of cheaper Android smartphones and the release of the iPhone 5. 

The range of mobile gambling apps also continues to grow, with new sports betting apps, horse racing apps, casino apps, poker apps and bingo apps becoming available on an almost weekly basis.

You can now watch many sporting events live on your iPhone thanks to a new app that streams TV channels live to your iPhone from around the globe.  The TVU Player app broadcasts a wide variety of sports such as soccer, tennis, snooker, football, baseball, motorsports, golf and horse racing live to your iPhone for free.

The TVUplayers currently streams over 1,000 channels and although it doesn’t feature any BBC or Skysports channels, you will find some familiar names like Eurosport, Al Jazeera Sports, ESPN and UKTV Sports. 

Many of the TV stations featured in the app are national broadcasters so expect to hear a variety of different languages, including English, Chinese, Hindi, Russian, Japanese, German, Portuguese, French and Spanish.  Although foreign language commentaries can be a little annoying, we fell it is a small price to play for being able to watch your favourite sporting event live on your iPhone or iPad. 

To make navigation of all these channels easier, they are broken down into categories such as News, Sports, Movies, Lifestyle, Music, Science, Fun, Cartoon and Shopping.  At the time of writing the following sports were streaming live via the iPhone app - baseball (MLB), golf, angling, surfing, tennis, snooker, poker, soccer, athletics, horse racing, motor sports, basketball (NBA) and American football.  Not bad!!!

A free demo version of the app can be downloaded now from the App Store that allow you want channels to 2 minutes for free.  Upgrading to the full version costs $4.99 or € 4.99 - http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tvulite/id298423761

If you want to watch live Horse Racing from the United Kingdom on your iPhone we would recommend you check out this live streaming option.

Video Demo - Watching Live TV On Your iPhone/iPad Touch

There are number benefits to using betting apps on your iPhone.  Whether you are sports betting, playing real money poker or casino games ,or just having a flutter on the horses, here are a few reasons why iPhone Betting Apps are good for you and your pocket.

CONVENINCE - With iPhone betting apps you can now place a bet whenever & wherever you like.  Thanks to mobile betting you never need to miss another betting opportunity again.

FREE MONEY – iPhone betting sites offer very generous sign-up bonuses and reload bonuses to both new and existing customers.  When you download a new iPhone betting app you can benefit from a 100% initial deposit bonus or place a free bet.

24 HOUR ACCESS – While many conventional bookmakers, poker rooms and casinos keep regular office hours, with iPhone betting apps you can place a bet or play a few hands of Texas Holdem 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, every year.

BEST ODDS – iPhone betting allow you to  track the markets throughout the day, making sure you get the best possible odds.  Most iPhone sportsbook apps also guarantee the best odds on the iPhone so you never lose out.

SELECTION – iPhone betting apps give users full access to a wide range of sporting events.  Choose from over 90,000 different bets, on 100+ different sports every day.  iPhone casino apps now allow you play Roulette, Blackjack, Slots, Video Poker and hundreds of other casino games from your iPhone.

COMPARISON – Before you place a bet, use any of the odds comparison apps to ensure you are betting the best possible return. 

ACCESS YOUR FUNDS - Many betting apps give you full access to your account so making a withdrawal is just a click away.

STAY INFORMED – Get all the latest news, tips and updates, as well as real time stats and scores on your iPhone.  Many Horse Racing iPhone apps come with full form cards and tips from horse racing experts.