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 growth.

Global downloads for sportsbook and casino apps saw year-on-year development of 34%, in spite of a decline of 6% in the US.

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

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 location.

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

"From the start, we comprehended that visibility alone does not develop commitment. Sustainable engagement comes from providing a constant, trusted and intuitive experience that builds trust over time.

"On the product side, the focus has actually been on functionality, platform stability and a broad offering that satisfies various consumer choices. This is supported by strong customer care and a clear dedication to openness, which are vital to retention and lifetime worth."

Globally, Indian fantasy sports platform Dream11 topped the list. Dream11's inclusion on the list will likely provide some relief to company management following the ban on real-money games in India last year, prompting the firm to start a comprehensive global growth drive.

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

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

"This double achievement highlights a rare supremacy in the mobile ecosystem: Flashscore is not just maintaining the largest international audience however is also obtaining brand-new users much faster than any rival in the sector.

"For the betting and sports marketing industries, these numbers represent an enormous, highly engaged audience that depends on Flashscore for instantaneous information, 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 provide some relief to business management following the restriction on real-money video games in India last year, prompting the firm to embark on an extensive international growth drive.

Despite a minor dip in the US - likely due to the introduction of regulative limitations in locations like California, Texas and Georgia - the introduction of Pick 'em apps halted the slide.

Apps such as Underdog (+39%) and Sleeper (+15%) saw considerable growth, while developed names consisting of betMGM (-33%), FanDuel (-17%) and DraftKings (-15%) all skilled double digit falls.

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

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

The gap in regular monthly active users share in the region has closed considerably, with 37% of users now on Pick 'em apps and 63% on sportsbetting apps. This is a stark contrast to around 3 years back, when sportsbetting apps had 79% of users.

Although the space is closing, FanDuel still ranked as the 3rd most downloaded sports app in the US, ahead of PrizePicks in fourth and fifth positioned DraftKings.

FanDuel also made the top 10 in Canada, ranking fifth, behind 2nd put bet365 and third positioned Ontario Gaming and Lottery Group (OLG), however ahead of Stake in 6th and DAZN in seventh. The latter was also the third 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 country which might see further growth this summer when it plays host to the World Cup.

So, how does a brand name protect its location on this list? How does one ended up being so well recognised that it ends up being the average customer's go-to when they first download a sportsbook? SuperBet's Marketing Director uses a description.

"From a brand name perspective, Superbet buys sports, entertainment and cultural platforms that develop authentic emotional connections with audiences, while incorporating these efforts into a more comprehensive media and material strategy," Bortolozo Prates mentioned.

"We have positioned ourselves amongst the leading players in Brazil's entertainment and cultural sectors, moving beyond simple exposure to deliver unique user experiences through high-impact sponsorships, consisting of Carnival, the Club's World Cup, and Brazil's leading music celebrations.

"Importantly, this engagement technique has evolved in lockstep with Brazil's regulated market. By adhering to the highest standards of governance and compliance, we differentiate ourselves through reliability and sustainable value development.