Official betting is the act of placing wagers on a specific sporting event through state-licensed sportsbooks. It is regulated in several countries and varies by region.
For example, in the United States, sports betting is legal in most jurisdictions. However, it is illegal in some states, including Kentucky and Tennessee. In addition, some states have restrictions on what types of bets can be placed.
Bettors can bet on individual player and team performance during a game. These wagers are known as prop bets and can range from the first point scored to how many points a player will score in a game. Prop bets are based on real-time data from the major leagues, which are sold to online sportsbooks through a distributor like Sportradar for a fee.
A number of states have legalized sports betting in the past few years. The most recent is Maryland, which began taking bets on Sept. 9 after an extended launch period. Statewide mobile betting is not yet available.
New York, which also has a long-winded legal process, is expected to go live sometime next year. It is one of the most populous states and will be a key market for sportsbooks. The NBA and NHL have forged partnerships with gaming companies that allow them to use their official data in products and feature league logos and branding in advertisements. Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid was the first NHL player to sign an ambassador role with a gambling company, appearing in ads for BetMGM.