Official betting is the term used for sports wagers that have been settled and paid out by a legal, licensed bookmaker. These bets are subject to specific rules and policies, which are designed to keep both the player and the sportsbook safe.

In the early 1900s, a professional football betting scandal led to a suspension of big-money leagues such as the NFL for several years. The scandal involved a 1906 bet between the Massillon Tigers and Canton Bulldogs, two of the top teams at that time. The players alleged that they had received bribes from sportsbook operators.

Since the Supreme Court ruling overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, state governments have been able to pass laws allowing sports betting. As of 2020, over 30 states have legalized sports betting in some form.

Many people are concerned about the impact of sports betting on college athletics. A survey of NCAA campus compliance directors found that 27% of autonomy schools had dealt with student-athlete gambling problems in the past year. This is particularly concerning, given that college-age students are more likely to develop problem gambling habits.

In baseball, there are a few key rules that sportsbooks must follow when accepting bets on the outcome of a game. First, a bet must be placed before the official result of a game is declared and recorded. This is to ensure that bettors have a fair chance of winning their wagers. The rules also prohibit anyone from seeking, offering or accepting a bribe to fix a game. It is also illegal to share inside information with someone in order to place a bribe bet.