Official betting is wagering on events that have been declared official by the governing body, such as the final score of a game or the winner of a specific event (like the World Series or pennant). These types of bets are settled according to a set of rules that determine whether a bet wins or loses. If a bet is not settled, it is considered a push and the original amount placed is refunded.

There are currently 31 states that offer sports betting and more than half of them have passed legislation to allow the activity. In the last couple of years, there has been a lot of discussion about whether or not legal sports betting should be made available in California. However, in the end, voters chose to reject two major propositions that would have legalized sports betting.

The NFL has a number of rules that prohibit team and player personnel from placing bets on football games. Players are also required to sign a contract statement acknowledging the league’s gambling rules.