Official betting is when a sports bookmaker sets the odds on a specific event. You can place bets on events such as the winner of a race, the number of home runs scored in a game, or the total points scored. The odds on these bets are determined by the sports books based on information they receive from their information providers. A few seconds of delay between the information and the betting provider is to be expected, but these seconds can make a difference when it comes to placing your bets.
Legal sports betting in the US is currently a mess. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling that struck down a federal ban on sports betting, state governments have been putting together their own policies. The following states have all made it possible to bet legally on sports.
Nevada was one of the first to launch its new sports betting industry after the Supreme Court decision. The state’s retail and online sportsbooks began accepting wagers in March 2020. New Jersey has also launched its own sports betting offerings, although only in retail venues and through its regulated mobile apps. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, and PointsBet are all offering NJ sports betting.
New Hampshire made it legal to bet on sports in 2019, but its online and mobile options were delayed until 2021. While sports betting is available, the lone retail location is controlled by DraftKings and all betting on in-state collegiate games, including player prop bets, is prohibited.