Live betting is where sportsbooks make their real money—and where savvy bettors can find edges. But not all live betting experiences are equal. Some apps update instantly; others freeze at the worst moments. We tested them all.
🏆 Best Live Betting Experience
Fastest odds updates • Best market depth • Fewest lockouts
The Rankings
We evaluated each Ohio sportsbook on live betting speed, market availability, interface design, and lockout frequency during actual games:
bet365
Industry leader in live betting • Fastest updates • Deepest markets
DraftKings
Excellent speed • Great interface • Live SGP available
FanDuel
Clean design • Good speed • Strong prop selection
BetMGM
Solid performer • Good market variety • Occasional slowdowns
Caesars
Improved recently • Still some interface lag
Fanatics
Limited live markets • Growing pains
What Makes bet365 #1
bet365 built its reputation on live betting, and it shows. Their advantages:
- Speed: Odds update in real-time, not on a 5-10 second delay like some competitors
- Market depth: More live markets than any Ohio competitor, especially for soccer and tennis
- Fewer lockouts: Markets stay open longer during plays; competitors lock out sooner
- Streaming: Live video available for many events directly in the app
The tradeoff: bet365's interface isn't as pretty as FanDuel or DraftKings. Function over form. If you're serious about live betting, that's the right priority.
Speed Test Results
| Sportsbook | Odds Update Speed | Lockout Frequency | Market Variety |
|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 | < 1 second | Rare | Excellent |
| DraftKings | 1-2 seconds | Low | Excellent |
| FanDuel | 1-3 seconds | Moderate | Very Good |
| BetMGM | 2-4 seconds | Moderate | Good |
| Caesars | 3-5 seconds | Frequent | Average |
| Fanatics | 4-6 seconds | Frequent | Limited |
In live betting, a 3-second delay can mean the difference between getting +150 and getting locked out. During fast-moving situations (end of half, injury timeout, big play), slower apps become unusable.
Interface Breakdown
FanDuel: Best-Looking
FanDuel has the cleanest, most intuitive live betting interface. Markets are easy to find, odds are clearly displayed, and the app rarely crashes. It's not the fastest, but it's the most pleasant to use.
DraftKings: Best All-Around
DraftKings balances speed, design, and features well. Their live SGP builder works during games (most books don't offer this), and the interface updates smoothly. For most bettors, DK is the sweet spot.
bet365: Function Over Form
The interface looks dated compared to US-native apps, but it works flawlessly. Everything you need is there; nothing is wasted on fancy animations that slow things down.
Caesars: Work in Progress
Caesars has improved significantly since launch, but the live betting section still feels sluggish. Markets sometimes disappear and reappear, which is frustrating during fast action.
Live Betting Tips
- Have multiple apps ready: If one locks out, switch to another. Odds vary between books during live action.
- Watch the game yourself: TV delays mean you might see something before the sportsbook reacts. Legal edge.
- Pre-load your bet slip: Have your stake entered so you just need to tap once when odds appear.
- Know the lockout patterns: Most books lock near the end of quarters/halves. Anticipate it.
- Avoid congested times: Sunday at 1 PM, apps slow down. Less popular games have faster markets.
Sportsbooks charge more juice on live bets because they're pricing on the fly. You'll often see -115/-115 instead of -110/-110. Factor this into your expectations.
Best Apps by Sport
| Sport | Best Live App | Why |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | DraftKings | Live SGP, good prop selection |
| NBA | bet365 | Fastest updates for fast game |
| MLB | FanDuel | Clean interface, good innings lines |
| Soccer | bet365 | Deepest markets, live streaming |
| Tennis | bet365 | Point-by-point betting |
The Bottom Line
For serious live bettors: bet365 is the clear winner. Their speed and market depth are unmatched.
For casual live bettors: FanDuel or DraftKings will serve you well. Better interfaces, good-enough speed, and you probably already have accounts.
For everyone: have at least 2-3 apps ready for live betting. When one locks out, switch to another. The sportsbook that's available when you need it is the best one.