A bet placed on an event in a professional sports league is considered official betting. This includes bets on regular season games, playoffs, and championships. In addition, it also includes a number of other types of bets, including spread and money line bets. These bets are made on the outcome of specific events or teams in a game, such as whether a team will win or lose by a certain amount. Moreover, some sportsbooks offer a number of different wagering options for different leagues.
In some cases, a bet can be canceled before it is officially accepted. This is usually done for two reasons. First, it can be done to reduce the risk of losing more money than is expected. Second, it can be done to avoid a potential conflict of interest. In this case, the bet would be refunded to the bettor.
The NBA has a long history of betting scandals and is the only major professional sports league that has never publicly stated its position on legalized gambling. However, the NHL is considering allowing sports betting in its venues after it was approved in Nevada. This will open up more opportunities for fans to bet on their favorite teams.
Some leagues have banned players, coaches, and other personnel from placing bets. However, these rules are generally only enforced during competitions in which the participants are directly involved. In such cases, the leagues may require that the individuals refrain from promoting or advertising any betting activity they are prohibited from engaging in. This is particularly true for matches and competitions in which a player or other personnel is involved in official capacities, such as match officials.
Regardless of the league, sportsbook operators are required to report any prohibited activities to the state and to sports governing bodies. In addition, they must cooperate with investigations conducted by sports governing bodies and law-enforcement agencies. This cooperation may include providing account-level betting information and audio or video files relating to persons placing wagers.
In the NBA, bettors can place bets on individual teams and teams’ total points, as well as on game props. The over/under (total points scored) bet is one of the most popular. The over/under is set by the sports book and can change during the course of a game. The money lines, which are posted prior to a game, can also fluctuate. For example, a sportsbook might increase the money line on a favorite due to strong action from bettors.
Generally, covered persons are athletes and members of their immediate family and associates who participate in a sports competition. They are also umpires and referees, club or league staff, medical professionals who provide services to athletes, and athletic trainers. In addition, covered persons are individuals who own or control, or have the power to vote or cause to be voted five percent or more of the voting securities or other ownership interests of a permit holder or an affiliate of a sports betting operator.