Official betting is the term used to describe sports betting that takes place before an event has begun. It’s also a term that describes wagers based on pre-game results and live betting.

Bettors can choose from more than 25 in-race bet types, ranging from exactas and quinellas to trifectas and superfectas. In addition, bettors can place pre-race props based on the odds for each team.

Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League have not made a public position on sports betting, but they have signed lucrative sponsorship deals with bookmakers, enabling in-play data access. Partnerships between sportsbooks and NCAA member institutions are growing, too.

SCOTUS overturns PASPA

The sports gambling debate has evolved in the US since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in May 2018. Leagues began lobbying for a legislative mandate that would force sportsbooks to use official league data, but state lawmakers have largely rejected that proposal.

Despite the debate over the merits of official data, many sportsbooks have adopted it for their betting products. As a result, the US market has seen a rise in both live and in-play betting.

How does official data differ from integrity fees?

While official league data is a more comprehensive feed than unofficial data, it does not cover every aspect of a game. Integrity fees are an attempt to cover the commercial cost of acquiring and distributing official data.

The NFL and NBA have both advocated for the use of integrity fees to help pay for the costs of acquiring, storing and delivering official data. While the NFL’s executive Jocelyn Moore has pushed for a legislative mandate, the NBA has endorsed a private commercial agreement.