Before you place your first bet, be sure to understand the legalities of sports betting in the United States. Then, learn about the types of bets you can place and how to place your wager. This will ensure you can make a profit, even in the worst case scenario. Here’s a step-by-step guide to sports betting:
Legality of sports betting in the United States
While legalized sports betting is the trend among American consumers, some still question its legality. There are some advantages and disadvantages to both legal and illegal sports betting. While legal operators still have some advantages, the overall safety and security of legal sports betting is better than most consumers are likely to experience. Thankfully, technological developments and intense competition are helping to make legal sports betting safer than ever. Let’s take a closer look.
Earlier this year, a federal ban on sports betting was struck down, but this was quickly reversed. Only Nevada has full-fledged legal sports betting, which draws a $5 billion annual betting handle. The other $150 billion is generated by illegal and offshore sportsbooks. Despite this, the industry in America continues to grow. Eventually, a national legal sports betting market is likely to be established.
Ways to place a bet on a game
If you’re new to sports betting, the best way to get started is to learn the basics of betting on the point spread. There are two main types of point spread bets: moneyline and minus. Moneyline bets use the minus designation for favorites. For example, a favorite is -200. This means that you can bet $200 on the favorite team and lose $100. This is an attractive option for first-time bettors, as the favorite is expected to win and you’ll lose the opposite if it doesn’t. However, betting on favorites has a high risk level, since you’re taking a chance that a team will lose the game.