Official betting is the type of wager that is accepted by a state’s sportsbooks. It is available across a wide range of events, from league Most Valuable Player awards to championship outcomes and more. These bets can be placed all season long and the odds will change as the season progresses.

Indiana was among the first states to launch a legal sports betting model after the Supreme Court ruling, with sportsbooks opening in October 2019 and accepting wagers just three months later. Its speedy rollout has made it a top-five handle state, and more than $10 billion in wagers have been placed in the state.

Delaware launched a month after the Supreme Court decision and currently offers both in-person and online sports wagering. Its online platform features a number of major brands, including FanDuel and DraftKings, although bets on in-state collegiate teams are prohibited.

Nevada is the gambling capital of the United States and has been offering sports wagering for decades, although it requires players to register at a casino in order to place bets. The Silver State now has more than 170 retail sportsbook locations and 14 online platforms, making it one of the most popular sports betting markets.

California’s sports betting situation is complex, with two competing referendums on the ballot this fall. One is backed by major operators like FanDuel and DraftKings, while the other is endorsed by California tribes. Both broke spending records and had robust ad campaigns, but were heavily defeated by California voters.

Lotteries are a type of gambling where players purchase tickets for a chance to win a prize. The prizes can range from cash to goods and services. Some state governments regulate the lottery. Others do not. In the United States, there are two types of lotteries: state and multi-jurisdictional. State lotteries are only available to play within a specific state’s borders, while multi-jurisdictional lottery games are available to play anywhere in the country. In addition, some states offer subscriptions, which allow players to purchase tickets on a recurring basis.

Lottery games are also played in many countries. The first recorded lotteries were held in the Low Countries in the 15th century to raise funds for town fortifications and help poor people. A record dated 9 May 1445 at L’Ecluse mentions the sale of lottery tickets for prizes of up to 1737 florins (worth about US$170,000 in 2014).

While lottery opponents have valid concerns about problem gambling and the search for new revenue sources, cannibalization is not one of them. In fact, online lotteries have actually helped boost traditional sales in many states.

The PA iLottery app gives Pennsylvania residents the ability to play official state lottery games from their mobile devices. Players can choose to play daily games with lower jackpots, Powerball and Mega Millions or select the ePlaySlip feature, which allows players to use their smartphones to scan and purchase tickets at participating retailers without having to fill out a paper ticket. Msg & data rates apply.