Official betting is putting money behind the outcome of a sporting event. It’s a form of gambling that is legal in some states and growing across the United States. It’s important for people to know about the different types of official betting, and how to place bets safely and responsibly.
In addition to betting on individual teams, bettors can also place wagers on a game’s total points, or a bet called a point spread. The spread is calculated based on how many points are expected to be scored in a game, and is determined before the action starts. Bettors can also place multiple wagers on a single game, known as parlays.
All sports betting is regulated by state gambling commissions, and some have their own unique rules for sportsbooks. It’s important to investigate each site before placing a bet, and to be sure the odds are accurate. It’s also important to research the reputation of each sportsbook and read reviews from other customers. While user reviews can be helpful, they shouldn’t be taken as gospel.
Some professional sports leagues have banned their players and other personnel from gambling, but these rules are generally only enforced during competitions in which the participants are directly involved. For example, NBA players cannot bet on games while inside team or league facilities or while they’re traveling with their teams. However, they can make bets on non-NBA-related events. This includes Super Bowl squares, NCAA tournament brackets and fantasy sports.