Official Betting is a term that describes the practice of betting on professional sports events, which are officially approved by state legislatures. The laws vary by state, but all allow for the legalization of online and in-person betting on both professional and college sports.
Legalized States
A number of states have recently enacted legislation to make sports betting legal. While some have been successful and others haven’t, the industry is growing rapidly in the U.S. and a majority of states are taking advantage of the opportunity to offer legalized sports betting.
Ohio: During the 2019-20 season, there were eight licensed operators that offered sports betting in the state. The law allows for betting on pro and college sports, but prohibits player prop bets in collegiate games.
Pennsylvania: The state started legalized sports betting in 2021, but only for in-person wagers. There are currently only two sportsbooks offering the service.
Nevada: Legislation to legalize sports betting in 2021 failed. In 2022, the state launched its first mobile sportsbook and launched a six-year contract with DraftKings, which is a leading online sportsbook provider.
Kentucky: Efforts to legalize sports betting in Kentucky have been unsuccessful. The state also has no commercial casinos.
Illinois: During the 2018-19 season, there were four licensed sportsbooks offering online and in-person betting. The law requires to-be licensed sportsbooks to purchase “official” league data in order to offer live in-play wagering.
MLB is committed to responsible gaming practices, and works closely with the American Gaming Association’s Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly public service campaign to educate fans about the risks associated with gambling and provide them with tools to bet responsibly.