Official betting is placing money behind an outcome of your choosing and getting paid if that outcome happens. This can be done on individual games or combined into a parlay. At its core, sports betting is not that different from gambling in a casino or racetrack. The key difference is that you can place a bet and receive your winnings on the same platform, without paying middlemen.
You can find legal sportsbooks in several states, including Pennsylvania and Virginia. In Pennsylvania, retail and online options have already launched since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA, with SugarHouse, BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, and more all available to bettors in the state.
In Virginia, sportsbooks have yet to launch since voters approved the practice in 2019. However, it’s expected to be a matter of time before sports betting takes place in the state, as well.
A permit holder shall not accept bets on professional sports events in which any of the following are covered persons: (i) athletes, umpires, referees, or other officials; personnel associated with clubs, teams, leagues, or athletic associations; medical professionals and athletic trainers who provide services to athletes or players; or immediate family members or associates of such persons. SS 58.1-4033.
There are many strategies to win at sports betting, but it’s important to remember that the oddsmakers are there to make a profit, too. They are constantly running computer models and staring at the odds to capitalize on soft or mispriced lines.