Official betting is a bet placed on a game or event that has been sanctioned by a sports league. These bets can be made on anything from the winning team to a specific player. Sports governing bodies are working to ensure responsible wagering, by beefing up in-house technology and deploying security personnel. They also partner with integrity monitors to identify suspicious bets.
The National Hockey League has not taken a public position on sports gambling, but its players are free to gamble on non-NHL events. However, the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement and constitution state that players and those who work for the league are not allowed to place wagers on NHL games.
Those found guilty of violating the rules can be banned for up to a year or more from participating in any league activity. The NHL works closely with regulators and sportsbooks to catch those who violate the rules. Those caught are subjected to in-house investigations. In addition, anyone who offers a gift to an umpire will be permanently ineligible for the league.
Nevada has been a leader in US legal sports betting, thanks to the Supreme Court ruling. The state allows in-person wagering at casinos throughout Las Vegas, and has online and mobile options from operators like BetMGM. New Hampshire passed legislation in December that cleared the way for legal sports betting, with retail and online books launching in 2023. Michigan voters approved a measure in November 2020, with retail sportsbooks and online sportsbooks going live in March 2021. Ohio lawmakers passed a bill in 2021, with the first online sportsbooks going live in May. There are now more than a dozen options to choose from, including SugarHouse, DraftKings, and BetRivers.