Official betting is legal sports wagering on real-time events that are regulated by state governments. It’s available through licensed sportsbooks and is an alternative to illegal gambling. The most common types of bets involve football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, but there are also specialized bets such as horse racing and golf. In addition, some states offer virtual sports betting.
Until recently, pro leagues fought against the legalization of sports betting. They feared that it would lead to match fixing and other attempts to corrupt the games for financial gain. But after New Jersey won its case in court, many have done a 180 and are now embracing the idea of sports betting and even partnering with bookmakers.
The National Hockey League has the most advanced sportsbook of all the major leagues. It opened in Vegas in 2017 and has a partnership with William Hill. Other NHL teams have also partnered with sportsbooks, including the New York Islanders. The NFL has also changed its stance on sports betting, and it now allows bets at its stadiums and other team facilities.
A sportsbook can turn down or refund a bet for a variety of reasons. For example, if a player reaches first base on an error that the official scorer later decides to call a hit, the bet is still considered a push and the sportsbook will return the money.
Betting on college games is prohibited in most states, but Colorado became the 19th to legalize it. While most operators allow Colorado residents to place bets on in-state collegiate games, some are prohibited from offering player prop bets. The Colorado state legislature will decide whether to expand sports betting in 2023, and it is expected that the measure will pass.
In MLB, players are not allowed to place bets on their own game, but they are permitted to make bets on other teams’ games. If a player makes a bet that is against MLB policy, they can be disciplined by the league. Those who are caught violating the rules can be fined, suspended, or banned from playing baseball for life. Those who are permanently banned from the game are not allowed to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The MLB is dedicated to ensuring that fans who choose to wager have the information and tools necessary to do so responsibly. To that end, the league is a partner in the American Gaming Association’s Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly campaign and is a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling. In addition, the league provides educational resources and is an active participant in the Responsible Wagering Initiative. In addition, the MLB’s Player Protection Policy is modeled after the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Code of Conduct. The code includes prohibitions against engaging in illegal gambling, accepting a bet or offer that violates the code of conduct, and providing inside information to a person who intends to use it for betting purposes.