Official betting is a form of sports wagering that’s regulated by the state where the game takes place. It’s usually available at retail and online sportsbooks, and it can be a great way to make money betting on real-time events. But it’s important to know the rules before placing any bets.
Legal sports gambling became widespread in the United States after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 that opened the door for dozens of states to launch regulated sportsbooks. Since then, most of those states have done so and have begun offering sports betting to residents. But there are still a few states that have yet to launch.
Kentucky sports betting launched on Sept. 7, 2023, with the first Kentucky sportsbooks appearing in retail locations and then three weeks later with the launch of Kentucky online sportsbooks. The state’s first sportsbook operators include FanDuel, bet365, Caesars, DraftKings and Penn (ESPN Bet). All of these sites offer competitive odds and exciting promos, including a pre-registration welcome offer of $100 in bonus bets on launch day.
NFL players who’ve been caught placing bets on NFL games have faced harsh penalties, with Isaiah Rodgers, Rashod Berry and Demetrius Taylor all suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s sports gambling policy this season. But the NFL is catching offenders more easily than in the past, thanks to partnerships with sportsbooks and integrity firms that monitor betting activity and flag any unusual bets. It’s also been stepping up its in-house technology and dedicating security personnel to the space.