Official betting is sports wagering conducted through a licensed bookmaker and authorized by the state. This form of legal betting has gained in popularity since the Supreme Court ruled that states can regulate the industry within their borders. The sportsbooks that serve as an official betting partner work closely with the league to ensure the integrity of the games and monitor for any suspicious activity. The official betting partners also promote responsible gambling through social media messaging, public advocacy and partnerships with best-in-class platforms.

Almost all professional sports leagues have an official betting partner. The NBA and NHL, for example, have agreements with DraftKings and FanDuel to support responsible gaming, including best-in-class standards and limitations for betting-related advertising. The NFL works with multiple operators and is implementing its own responsible gambling initiative with the assistance of outside experts.

MLB officials and employees are not permitted to place bets on NBA games, but they can bet on other sports if the game is legal where they’re located. That includes the NBA G-League, WNBA and Basketball Africa League, as well as non-NBA events that the league sponsors. It doesn’t include futures bets on upcoming events like championship outcomes and player awards, however.

Those who violate MLB’s rules can be fined up to $100,000 and face a permanent ban from the sport. The organization also prohibits anyone from offering, agreeing to or accepting a bribe to fix a game. Anyone found guilty of a violation will be banned from MLB and will not be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame.