Official betting is the process of placing wagers on officially-sanctioned sports events. It is available on both retail and online platforms in states where sports betting has been legalized. The sportsbooks must follow official rules and regulations to ensure that the integrity of the sport is maintained, and that the betting market is free from fraud and corruption. The betting lines and odds are based on the rules of each sport and the official statistics provided by the game’s governing body.

The sportsbook industry sprang into action after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, with the first retail sportsbooks opening in West Virginia in September of that year. BetLucky was an early mobile option, but shut down the following year due to a technology dispute. DraftKings, FanDuel, and SugarHouse went live in the state soon after.

New York legalized sports betting in 2019, with retail options at commercial and tribal casinos and a full online rollout in April 2021. FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetRivers, and PointsBet all launched, with additional operators joining the market over time.

Pennsylvania was another state that acted quickly following the Supreme Court ruling, with its retail sportsbooks launching in November of 2021 and online sportsbooks going live in May of that same year. The launch was followed by a statewide advertising campaign, and SugarHouse, BetRivers, DraftKings, and FanDuel all went live in the state shortly after. The state’s legal sports betting market tethers online sites to its licensed casinos, with exceptions for pro sports teams that partner with a casino and the Kansas Speedway.