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Sensor Tower's State of Mobile 2026 report showed that sports apps saw record downloads in 2025, with sportsbook and gambling establishment platforms at the centre of the development.

Global downloads for sportsbook and gambling establishment apps saw year-on-year growth of 34%, despite a decline of 6% in the US.

Adoption in brand-new markets including Brazil drove the sector-wide boom, with Betano being the most downloaded sports app in the country.

Meanwhile, Flashscore, Betnacional and bet365 rounded out the nation's top 4, and Sportingbet, H2bet, Betão bet and Superbet made the leading 10, hammering home the dominance of the sector in the area.

"Superbet's growth in Brazil has actually been driven by a long-term technique to client engagement, developed on the combination of product quality, brand importance and accountable operations," said Patricia Bortolozo Prates, SuperBet Brazil's Marketing Director.

"From the beginning, we comprehended that visibility alone does not create loyalty. Sustainable engagement originates from delivering a constant, dependable and user-friendly experience that develops trust in time.

"On the product side, the focus has been on use, platform stability and a broad offering that fulfills various consumer choices. This is supported by strong customer support and a clear commitment to openness, which are vital to retention and life time value."

Globally, Indian fantasy sports platform Dream11 topped the list. Dream11's addition on the list will likely offer some relief to company leadership following the ban on real-money video games in India last year, prompting the firm to start a comprehensive international expansion drive.

Following Dream11 were streaming platform and betting operator DAZN and football media app BeSoccer, while live ratings app, sports media and sports wagering affiliate marketing Flaschore ranked 5th.

"The State of Mobile 2026 report verifies what we see in our raw data: sports fans are increasingly demanding speed and depth over basic material," said Martin Matejka, Marketing Director of Flashscore.

"This double accomplishment highlights a rare dominance in the mobile community: Flashscore is not just keeping the largest global audience however is likewise getting brand-new users faster than any rival in the sector.

"For the betting and sports marketing industries, these numbers represent a massive, highly engaged audience that relies on Flashscore for instantaneous data, making it a vital touchpoint for real-time sports consumption."

Changing landscapes from India to America

Dream 11's inclusion on the list will likely supply some relief to business management following the ban on real-money video games in India last year, prompting the company to start a substantial worldwide growth drive.

Despite a slight dip in the US - likely due to the introduction of in areas like California, Texas and Georgia - the emergence of Pick 'em apps stopped the slide.

Apps such as Underdog (+39%) and Sleeper (+15%) saw substantial development, while established names including betMGM (-33%), FanDuel (-17%) and DraftKings (-15%) all experienced double digit falls.

The figures around BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings might indicate a plateauing of the US sportsbook market, as smaller competitors find their niche and predictions markets like Kalshi and Polymarket continue to grow - though the latter two were not featured on Sensor Tower's list.

Separetely, Underdog, Sleeper and fellow Pick 'em apps like PrizePicks and Betr Picks have actually targeted US markets inaccessible to standard sportsbooks, as they are often categorised as Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) apps and are exempt to the very same regulative requirements as betting platforms.

The gap in month-to-month active users share in the region has actually closed considerably, with 37% of users now on Pick 'em apps and 63% on sportsbetting apps. This is a stark contrast to around three years ago, when sportsbetting apps had 79% of users.

Although the gap is closing, FanDuel still ranked as the 3rd most downloaded sports app in the US, ahead of PrizePicks in 4th and fifth placed DraftKings.

FanDuel likewise made the leading 10 in Canada, ranking fifth, behind second put bet365 and third placed Ontario Gaming and Lottery Group (OLG), but ahead of Stake in 6th and DAZN in seventh. The latter was also the 3rd most downloaded sports app in Argentina.

Mexico's top 10 was betting-heavy, with Caliente Casino, DAZN, betmexico.mx and Betmaster making up the leading four respectively.

Playdoit (sixth) ranked ahead of Rushbet (seventh), Betano (8th) and LiveScore (10th) in a nation which could see more growth this summertime when it plays host to the World Cup.

So, how does a brand name secure its location on this list? How does one become so well identified that it becomes the typical consumer's go-to when they first download a sportsbook? SuperBet's Marketing Director uses a description.

"From a brand name viewpoint, Superbet purchases sports, entertainment and cultural platforms that produce real psychological connections with audiences, while integrating these efforts into a more comprehensive media and content strategy," Bortolozo Prates mentioned.

"We have actually positioned ourselves amongst the leading gamers in Brazil's home entertainment and cultural sectors, moving beyond mere direct exposure to provide special user experiences through high-impact sponsorships, consisting of Carnival, the Club's World Cup, and Brazil's premier music festivals.

"Importantly, this engagement method has actually evolved in lockstep with Brazil's regulated market. By sticking to the greatest standards of governance and compliance, we distinguish ourselves through credibility and sustainable value creation.