Official betting is gambling on events that have been officially sanctioned by a governing body. This ensures that the game is played fairly and bettors’ funds are protected. It also helps to avoid problems such as match-fixing. In the United States, sports betting is regulated at the state level. Licensed operators are required to offer bettors resources and tools that can help them make informed decisions.

In-person and online sports wagering is available in 24 states and the District of Columbia, with Florida set to launch in 2023. Regulatory bodies in the US are establishing rigorous licensing regimes to ensure integrity and consumer protection.

The American Gaming Association, the industry’s lobby group, supports legalization and believes it can help fight the black market. It also wants states to write their own laws, rather than rely on federal legislation.

A number of online sportsbooks have popped up in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling. Some are focused on a single sport, while others are more general and feature a wide range of options. BetRivers, for example, offers colossal markets on NHL games and around 400 different markets for soccer matches.

The online sportsbook industry is growing rapidly. Connecticut legalized online sports betting in October 2021, and DraftKings, FanDuel and PlaySugarHouse are now offering CT sports betting apps. Similarly, New Hampshire launched legal online sports betting in December, with DraftKings and FanDuel operating retail sportsbooks and providing their own online betting sites.