Official betting is an alternative form of sports betting that allows bettors to place wagers on events that occur in an official manner. While not all official events are available for betting, this is an increasingly popular option in certain markets, including professional football and baseball.
The legality of official betting varies from state to state, so it is best to read up on the rules in your jurisdiction before placing your bets. For example, some states prohibit player props on college and pro sports games. Others allow them, but restrict specific subsets of bets such as the number of goals scored in a game.
There are also some states that prohibit the use of inside information, or bribes, to fix a sporting event. This is considered illegal and can lead to severe penalties, especially in the case of baseball.
Several sports leagues have partnerships with bookmakers, allowing bettors to make their wagers on those teams. The NHL, for instance, has a sponsorship deal with William Hill that includes access to in-play data.
Horse racing is another popular sport that has a lot of betting opportunities. Odds are based on the amount of money in the win pool, which fluctuates prior to every race.
The morning lines are released by a track official. These are not a true indicator of a horse’s odds; they’re simply a projection that shows how much money is expected to be placed on the horses at the starting line.