Since the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting, 36 states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of it. It is an increasingly popular way for fans to watch and wager on their favorite teams.
Sportsbooks sell bets on a variety of outcomes, including moneylines, point spreads, over/unders and totals. Bettors can place bets in-person or online. Some sites also offer mobile apps.
The NCAA’s primary concern with official betting is that it creates an environment where student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff are more likely to engage in irresponsible gambling behaviors. The NCAA is committed to working with state governments and betting operators to promote responsible behavior, prevent underage gambling and protect the integrity of college sports.
In a 2023 survey, 25% of Americans said they were betting on sports at least monthly, up from 10% in 2018.2 Many sportsbooks offer a wide range of bets, including player props. These are specific bets that do not directly relate to what happens on the field, such as how long the national anthem will be at a Super Bowl or which color Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach.
West Virginia quickly jumped into action after the Supreme Court ruling, with retail sportsbooks opening in September 2018, and the first online sportsbook launching a few months later with DraftKings and FanDuel offering options. Maine’s process to legalization was a longer one, but it officially launched in November 2023 with only two live books (DraftKings and Caesars) available at the time.