In sports betting, if you’re placing your money behind a particular outcome, you’re taking on some risk. It’s important to understand that, especially when it comes to making bets on a team or individual player. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep the following information in mind when you’re betting on a game.

The leagues are looking to take a bigger role in shaping US state and federal gambling laws. They want to profit from legal sports betting, ideally via a share of the total amount wagered. If not that, they’re open to other mechanisms for getting their piece of the action. That’s why official data has become front and center in the sports betting conversation.

One example of the debate is a proposal to require that operators use official league data for in-play wagers. While some in the industry support the concept, others oppose it. They argue that the cost of using official data is artificially high and would force operators to raise their prices for everyone.

Colorado legalized sports betting in 2020 and went live with its retail and online offerings on May 1. The state allows residents to create accounts and bet at multiple operators, but it does not offer a centralized app. It also prohibits player prop bets in collegiate games. The state is working to change that. The Connecticut Lottery Corporation has named Fanatics Betting and Gaming as its sportsbook partner in the state.