Official betting is the process of placing a wager on an event that is authorized by law in each state. There are a number of different types of bets, from money lines to spreads and parlays. Choosing the best bets can be challenging, especially if you are new to sports betting.

Sports betting can be a great way to make money, but it comes with some important rules. In order to place a sports bet, you must first establish a legal account with a licensed sportsbook. Once you have an account, you can then deposit and withdraw money.

Several states have legalized sports betting, including Tennessee and Virginia in April 2019. Online and mobile sports betting became available in Iowa in August. Currently, there are only a handful of legal sportsbooks in the state, but DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM have already gone live.

Pennsylvania is another state that has legalized sports betting. The state approved the sale of electronic chips for legal sports betting in December 2018. As of January 2021, Pennsylvania residents can register on a sportsbook app from any location.

In addition to legal sports betting, Pennsylvania has a state-run racetrack and a regulated lottery. The state also has a limited amount of tribal land where gambling is permitted.

The National Hockey League (NHL) has not stated a public position on sports betting, although it does have partnerships with sportsbooks. In fact, the NHL has partnered with both William Hill and MGM Resorts International to provide access to in-play data.