When placing a wager on sports events, bettors can make a variety of wagers that are officially recognized by gambling regulators as legitimate. Official betting includes wagers that are placed through licensed and regulated sportsbooks, which ensure games are fair, bets are honored and customer funds are safe. Moreover, these operators are required to provide support services to players and provide resources to help them stop problem gambling.
Nevada is the gambling capital of the United States and has offered sports betting for decades. However, the Silver State requires an in-person registration process to place a bet. This has deterred some sports bettors, and industry leaders have pushed for a regulatory change.
Ohio legalized sports betting in 2021 and launched in-person and mobile sportsbooks in January of 2023. It is a top-five handle state for online sports wagering. The NFL and other professional leagues have embraced sports betting, which allows them to generate additional revenue through partnerships with sportsbooks and new advertising opportunities. In addition, they also have a vested interest in maintaining the integrity of their sports and are actively involved with monitoring the results of bets to ensure that they are accurate.
In addition to their partnerships with sportsbooks, many teams have their own in-house sportsbooks that open on game days at their stadiums. For instance, the Chicago Bears have a sportsbook inside Wrigley Field. The NFL is also introducing sportsbooks at the MGM, Caesars and FanDuel properties this season.