Official betting is the process of placing a wager on a game through an official bookmaker. This includes bets on a single game, individual players and teams, as well as prop bets on specific events within a game. Official bets are offered through licensed and regulated sportsbooks, and the results of these wagers are monitored to prevent any manipulation or fraudulent activities. In addition, the NCAA maintains a network of contacts to identify integrity concerns and protect the interests of student-athletes.

Legal sports betting in the US continues to expand as more states pass legislation and launch their services. Arizona, for instance, launched in April 2021 with retail and online betting options from DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, PointsBet, FanDuel, and BetRivers. The state also has a dedicated sportsbook app.

MLB betting

While the days of baseball being America’s most popular sport may be long gone, it still has a solid following and fans will be interested in their team’s odds for Opening Day and throughout the regular season. However, the real surge in interest will come during the playoffs and World Series.

A player, club or league employee who bets on a game in which he or she has a duty to participate is subject to a lifetime ban from the sport. This also applies to those associated with clubs at lower levels of the men’s or women’s league systems, as well as match officials at FA Level 4 and below.