Official betting is the act of placing a wager on a sporting event. It is regulated by a state’s gaming commission, which ensures games are fair, bets are accepted and customers’ funds are safe.

There are different types of bets, which vary in size and risk level. They can include player prop futures, competition or tournament outrights (Super Bowl, Wimbledon, etc.), regular season win totals and points, as well as team and league handicaps.

The NHL, which is the first major professional league to place a team in Nevada, has partnerships with bookmakers that include access to real-time data. Other clubs in states with legal sports gambling also have similar deals.

During the regular season, you can also place prop bets. These bets are made based on star players’ performances, how a game will progress and more.

You can also bet on money lines, totals and run lines in baseball. These wagers are considered action when the team wins by a certain margin at a particular point in the game.

In football, you can bet on goal scorer, cornerback or a total goal score. They are considered action if they occur during the first quarter, halftime or the whole game.

If you’re new to betting on football, it’s best to start with the basics and get used to the process before placing a bet on a major event. This will help you avoid the common pitfalls and make sure you’re playing responsibly.