Official betting is a form of sports wagering in which a sportsbook accepts bets on various professional and college sports events. These bets are typically placed on the outcome of the event, such as a winner or loser, and are based on odds calculated by a bookmaker.

Despite its legality, the world of sports betting is a complex one with many different laws and regulations. This includes the rules that govern how bookmakers work, which games they can offer wagers on, and how much money they must return to customers if they win.

The legality of official betting is largely dependent on the jurisdiction in which you live, but there are some things that all sportsbooks must follow. For example, if you live in a state that legalizes sports betting, the bookmaker is required to provide you with information about the game, such as team rosters, injuries, and more.

There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, in Nevada, you can only place a bet on a professional or collegiate sport if you are a resident of that state.

In addition, you can only place a bet if the outcome of the event is regulated by a national sports governing body. This includes Major League Baseball and NBA basketball, as well as NHL hockey.

The battle for control over data has emerged as the primary front in the US sports betting debate, with leagues seeking a role as stakeholders and ideally earning a share of the total amount wagered. They have pushed for mandates requiring sportsbooks to use official data, and only Illinois has so far passed such legislation.