Official betting is a type of wager that is legally permitted in certain states. It includes betting on sports and other events with official licenses, such as the NBA and NFL.

The sports betting industry is very lucrative, and many of the major leagues have partnered with bookmakers to offer betting options. The NHL, for instance, has a sponsorship agreement with William Hill that allows access to in-play data and sportsbook odds boosts.

In the United States, thirty-two states have legalized sports betting. These states allow sportsbooks to open in-person and online gambling venues.

State-by-state regulations may vary, so it is important to read up on local laws when making a bet. For example, player props on college teams are often prohibited in some states.

During the 1919 World Series, professional gambler Joseph Sullivan paid eight players from the Chicago White Sox to fix the games. This would become one of the biggest sports scandals of all time, and eventually resulted in a lifetime ban for all of the participants.

NCAA football is also a popular sport to bet on, but state regulations can vary. While it is legal to place bets on college teams, you may not be able to place player prop bets or bet on events that take place at in-state colleges.

Soccer is another popular sport to bet on, and a number of teams and leagues have partnered with bookmakers to provide their fans with a range of betting options. In addition to the usual bets on spreads, totals and moneylines, live betting is very popular with fans.