The number of states offering legal sports betting continues to grow. As of this writing, the list includes 29 and DC. In addition, some sportsbooks change names or go live in new markets as they are acquired or rebranded. For instance, Hard Rock Bet, a brand extension of the Seminole Tribe in Florida, is now live in Arizona, Iowa, Ohio, and West Virginia under the new name.
In addition, a handful of states have launched online only sportsbooks. These platforms offer a more limited selection of events and are usually only available via mobile devices. However, this trend is expected to continue as technology advances and consumer demand for more options increases.
As for regulations, the NFL has beefed up its enforcement, dedicating security personnel and collaborating with regulators, sportsbooks, and independent integrity monitors to help catch violators. The league also requires players to sign a statement acknowledging gambling rules as part of their contracts. In addition, players who violate the rules risk being permanently banned from the sport.
As for the betting markets, if a team or player has a plus in front of its odds, that indicates they are the favorite while a minus in front of an odds means it is the underdog. In the case of futures, the odds are updated in real-time as bettors place their wagers. The more money that is placed on a certain outcome, the lower the odds will become. This is similar to the parimutuel wagering system used in horse racing and dog races.