Live betting is where sportsbook apps show their true colors. When you're trying to hammer a line before the next play, you need an app that's fast, stable, and offers the markets you want. We tested every major Ohio sportsbook during live games to see which ones deliver.
🏆 Best Live Betting App
Fastest updates • Deepest in-game markets • Most reliable
The Rankings
We evaluated each app on three criteria: speed (how quickly odds update and bets process), selection (variety of live markets), and reliability (crashes, freezes, bet rejections).
bet365
The gold standard for live betting worldwide—Ohio is no exception
FanDuel
Excellent speed, great selection, occasional slowdowns on big games
DraftKings
Deep markets, solid speed, slightly higher bet rejection rate
BetMGM
Good selection, moderate speed, stable performance
Caesars
Improved significantly, still lags leaders on complex markets
Category Breakdown
| App | Speed | Selection | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 | Excellent | Deepest | Rock solid |
| FanDuel | Excellent | Very good | Good |
| DraftKings | Good | Very good | Good |
| BetMGM | Good | Good | Very good |
| Caesars | Good | Fair | Good |
Why bet365 Wins
bet365 has been the live betting leader globally for years, and their Ohio product reflects that expertise:
Fastest Odds Updates
bet365's odds update in near real-time. While other apps might lag 2-5 seconds behind the action, bet365 stays current. This matters when you're trying to bet after a big play before the line moves.
Deepest Markets
bet365 offers more in-game betting options than any competitor. Beyond standard spreads and totals, you get next team to score, next drive result, player props that update in real-time, and markets on smaller sports that other books don't touch live.
Cash Out Excellence
bet365's cash out feature during live games is the best in the business. Options update constantly, cash out values are fair, and the feature rarely errors out—which can't be said for all competitors.
bet365's "Edit Bet" feature lets you add legs to a live bet or increase your stake mid-game. No other Ohio sportsbook offers this level of flexibility during live betting.
FanDuel: The Close Second
FanDuel is excellent for live betting and may be preferable for casual bettors:
- Interface: Cleaner than bet365, easier to navigate quickly
- Speed: Nearly as fast as bet365 on major markets
- Same Game Parlays: Best live SGP builder in Ohio
- Weakness: Can slow down during peak NFL Sunday action
If you primarily bet NFL, NBA, and MLB, FanDuel's live experience is essentially equivalent to bet365. The gap widens on smaller sports and more exotic markets.
DraftKings: Deep but Slower
DraftKings offers excellent live betting markets but with some frustrations:
- Strength: Massive selection of live player props
- Strength: Frequent live betting promos and boosts
- Weakness: Higher bet rejection rate than leaders
- Weakness: Odds updates lag slightly behind FanDuel and bet365
The bet rejection issue is notable. DraftKings will sometimes reject or delay bets when odds are moving, more frequently than competitors. Sharp bettors find this frustrating.
What Makes Live Betting Different
Live betting lines typically carry higher vig than pregame odds. Where a pregame spread might be -110/-110, live spreads often run -115 or worse on both sides. Factor this into your expected value calculations.
Other live betting realities to understand:
Speed Advantage Goes to the House
Sportsbooks have faster data feeds than you. They know what happened before you see it on TV. This is why odds update so quickly and why trying to "watch and bet" is harder than it looks.
Volatility Is Higher
Lines swing wildly during live games. A team down 14 at halftime might be +500 to win, but if they score quickly, that line vanishes. Live betting requires quick decisions and comfort with volatility.
Some Markets Close Fast
During key moments (fourth down, free throws, penalty kicks), live markets often close entirely. Don't expect to bet into crucial situations—the books are faster than you.
Best Live Betting Strategies
- Have multiple apps open: Odds vary more during live betting; shop quickly
- Bet during stoppages: Timeouts, halftime, and commercial breaks give you time to think
- Watch the game: Eye test sometimes catches things data doesn't (injury limping, player arguing with coach)
- Know your outs: Before betting, know what cashout values look like at different game states
- Avoid chasing: Live betting makes chasing losses dangerously easy—stick to your bankroll rules
The Verdict
For serious live bettors, bet365 is the clear choice. Their speed, selection, and reliability are unmatched in Ohio. FanDuel is the best alternative for a cleaner interface and strong NFL/NBA coverage. DraftKings is worth using for their promos but prepare for occasional bet rejections.
Whatever app you use, remember that live betting's higher juice makes it harder to profit long-term. Use it for entertainment and specific spots where you have an edge—not as your primary betting strategy.