Sports betting is a booming business, with many countries allowing online and mobile wagering. But before you start betting, it’s important to understand how the industry works, including rules for legal sports gambling.

Betting laws vary from state to state, so it’s best to check your local laws before placing your bets. The laws also differ based on the type of sport you’re betting on, so it’s important to know how your jurisdiction treats these types of bets.

Soccer

In soccer, a bet on the total is often one of the most popular types of sports bets. It’s a low-scoring game that remains close, so it offers a lot of live betting opportunities and can be extremely profitable when you take advantage of in-game line changes.

College Football

The fall and winter months are typically dominated by the NFL, but college football has some of the highest volumes of betting action in the country. This makes it an ideal time to get started in the legal online sports betting industry, especially when it comes to collegiate bowl games and the NCAA playoffs.

Baseball

Baseball is another slow-moving sport, but it also has plenty of betting opportunities. You can bet on moneylines, totals, point spreads and player props, all of which offer a variety of ways to wager on your favorite team.

MMA and UFC

The MMA is an excellent candidate for prop bets, where you can bet on a fight’s outcome (knockout, submission, etc.). These types of bets are especially popular in the United States, where MMA is a big sport and the betting volume is high.