With legal sports betting now in place across the US, bettors can wager on everything from how many yards a quarterback will throw for in a game to whether the team that is playing in the first quarter will score the first touchdown of the day. Of course, there are some rules in play when placing a bet. These rules are regulated at the state level, but there is some variation in how they are enforced from state to state.
One of the biggest rules is that players and other team personnel are prohibited from betting on games they are involved in. The rule applies to both in-person and online betting sites and encompasses all league and team employees, from full-time to part-time. It also extends to in-uniform personnel, including coaches and managers. This includes those who are employed on a contractual basis with the league, as well as those who work for the team or league during the offseason and summertime.
Other rules prohibit seeking, offering, or accepting a bribe to fix a match or an event within a match. It is also against the rules to provide inside information that could reasonably be used for betting purposes. And, if an official is found to have violated these rules, they may be permanently banned from participating in the sport. However, there are some exceptions to these rules. For example, the Kentucky Derby is a big enough event that it can be wagered on by people who are not affiliated with any national sports teams or the WBSC.