Official Betting in the US
Official betting is when a sportsbook offers odds on a specific game or outcome. For example, a football fan can place a bet on the team that will win or lose a match or competition, or they can bet on a single player to score the first goal in a particular game. Those kinds of wagers are legal and can be found at online and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in most states where gambling is legal.
In the US, a variety of betting sites offer odds on a number of different sports, with horse racing being particularly popular. Those who like to place bets on horses can bet on a straight race win, a quinella, or a trifecta. Hitting an “exacta” requires picking the first two finishers in exact order, while a “trifecta box” is the same but with the addition of the third-place finisher.
The NFL has strict rules for its players and employees regarding sports gambling. For instance, any player who bets on NFL games while at a league facility faces an indefinite suspension, while the NFL has suspended at least seven players and an undisclosed number of team and league employees for similar violations.
Nevada was the first state to offer legal sports betting after the Supreme Court’s repeal of PASPA, but it is now one of several states offering sportsbooks. Its law tethers sportsbooks to its licensed casinos, with exceptions for pro teams that partner with a casino and for the state’s racetracks. Its sportsbooks are available in-person and online, with a variety of options including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and BetRivers.