A gambling online sportsbook is a place where people can bet on the outcome of various sporting events. The oddsmakers at these sites assign different odds for each possible result. This helps bettors make informed decisions about their wagers. The best sportsbooks will also be responsive to any questions or concerns that customers might have. Moreover, these sites will be available on both desktop and mobile devices.
Legal US sports betting sites are operated by state-approved companies that have been granted permission to operate by a state’s gaming commission. This means that bettors are protected by state laws and can rest assured that their money is safe. In contrast, offshore betting operations may offer enticing odds but do not have the same level of responsibility and cannot be prosecuted under state law in case they run into trouble.
One of the best-known legal sportsbooks in the US is FanDuel, which launched in New Jersey and other states after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018. The site offers a robust app and an extensive list of bet types. It also offers DFS contests and a racebook in some states. Its parent company, Flutter Entertainment, also owns a top DFS brand and a popular casino offering in Europe.
Other states have also moved quickly to adopt sports betting. Ohio has legalized the practice, with retail and online sportsbooks going live in 2021. The first sportsbook to launch in the state was SugarHouse, followed by BetRivers and DraftKings. In addition, the District of Columbia has a single sportsbook called GambetDC, which operates on a geofenced basis around Capital One Arena.