The official betting rules for sports gambling in different states vary, but some common ground exists. For example, any bet that is placed on a game that has been officially canceled or shortened is considered void. Likewise, a bet that is made on a player prop is only settled if that particular player participates in the game at issue. In addition, a bet on the total bases of a batter will only be settled if that player hits a single (1 base), double (2 bases), triple (3 bases) or home run (4 bases).
The NBA has a strict set of betting rules that apply to players and team staff members. All players must sign a statement acknowledging the league’s gambling rules as spelled out in their contract. They also undergo a thorough screening process in which any criminal charges or convictions involving gambling or sports wagering are flagged. Moreover, players may not place bets while in uniform at team or league facilities or when they are on the road with their teams.
Baseball games often get shortened, which can affect the outcome of bets. In general, a game must go at least five innings to be considered official and to have action on a full-game moneyline or totals. Other markets that specify the “6.5 innings rule” will be settled based on that number of innings, regardless of whether the game is shortened.
For bets to have action, a player must be in the starting lineup of the game that is wagered on. Similarly, the game must be played in its entirety for over/under and futures bets to be settled. The same is true for player props, where the player must be in the starting lineup to have action on a player-specific market.
There are some exceptions to this rule, though. For instance, a player can make a bet on their own team during the regular season. This is not a problem, provided the player can remove his or her bias and choose the most likely outcome of the game. However, a player should be aware that this could cause an imbalance in the odds on his or her team.
In addition to the aforementioned rules, it is against NFL regulations for players or team staff members to place bets on any event during a playoff or postseason game that has not yet been determined. This applies to any bet that would involve a team advancing or losing a Wildcard playoff game. It is also against regulation to seek, offer or accept a bribe to fix a game or any individual bet. A player who violates this code can be banned for life. The same is true for anyone who attempts to manipulate a game to their advantage, which includes attempting to provide inside information. It is also illegal to publish or distribute any information that can be used to fix a wager. In some cases, violators can face jail time or other penalties.