When it comes to betting on sports, many people are unaware of the nuances that can affect their winnings and losses. One such complication is official betting, which is the practice of placing a wager with a bookmaker that is officially licensed to offer such wagers. While the concept sounds simple enough, the reality is that this type of betting can be complicated and oftentimes results in a loss for the bettor. This article will outline the rules of official betting and help explain how to avoid getting ripped off when making your next bet.
Legalized betting has brought billions of dollars into the sports world, and a number of professional leagues have developed marketing relationships with sportsbooks. The major sports leagues have also stepped up in-house enforcement of their policies and work with independent integrity monitoring firms to monitor betting activity.
New Jersey passed laws that legalized sports betting, but the major sports leagues challenged the decision in court. The leagues won the case on the basis that New Jersey was not exempt from the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and that it could therefore not operate its own sportsbooks.
Despite the ruling, states have been quick to move forward with their own sports betting initiatives, and it is currently possible for people in most states to place bets at a variety of legal sportsbooks. Some of the largest betting markets are in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey, but sports betting is also available in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
In general, sports gambling is legal if it is conducted with a state-licensed bookmaker that accepts your preferred payment methods. It is best to research the different options in your area to find the most reputable and trustworthy books. You can also check out our sportsbook review page to learn more about the top betting sites and what to expect when you open an account.
When it comes to NFL players, there are a few specific rules about where and when you can bet on NFL games. Specifically, players are prohibited from betting on NFL games inside team or league facilities and while they are traveling with their teams. This includes at home and away games. The NFL also requires players to sign a document acknowledging the league’s rules on gambling.
The NBA has similar rules about sports gambling. Any NBA player or employee can’t bet on any game or event that is a part of the NBA, including the G-League, WNBA or Basketball Africa League. However, if someone is not affiliated with the league, they can bet on NBA-related events outside of those venues.
Colorado voters approved sports betting in 2019, and retail and online sportsbooks opened in November of that year. SugarHouse was the first legal sportsbook to go live, followed by DraftKings, FanDuel and BetRivers. New Hampshire has been another early adopter, with legal sportsbooks going live in December 2021. The state’s sportsbooks are tethered to its casinos and include options like DraftKings, PlaySugarhouse and PointsBet.