Official betting is the act of placing a wager on a game or competition sanctioned by a recognized body. A number of sports leagues have their own rules and regulations regarding official betting, including the National Hockey League (NHL), which allows teams to sign sponsorship deals with bookmakers that include betting opportunities.
In baseball, for example, players are prohibited from placing bets on games in which they have a duty to perform. In addition, anyone who bets on a game in violation of these rules can be banned from the sport permanently. This includes any player, manager, coach, or club or league official. In some cases, such as in the 1919 World Series fix scandal, a player can be banned from baseball for life.
The NHL also has a partnership with FanDuel Sportsbook, which provides its members with free access to the sportsbookâs mobile app and its exclusive content. The sportsbook offers a variety of betting options, from total goals to first goal scorer.
While the National Basketball Association and National Football League have been vocal about their opposition to legal sports betting, the National Hockey League has taken a more neutral stance. In fact, several NHL teams have signed sponsorship deals with bookmakers that offer betting opportunities.
Colorado became the 19th state to legalize sports betting in 2020, and multiple operators launched online sites shortly after. However, betting on in-state college games is still prohibited, as well as player prop bets.