Official betting is a term that applies to wagers placed on a specific event that are officially sanctioned by the sports league. These bets are typically offered via official websites, mobile apps or in person at select venues. These bets are typically based on a variety of criteria, including the final score of the game and various prop bets. While it is a relatively new concept, sports leagues are quickly moving to embrace this form of wagering.
Whether it’s a spot-fixing scandal (player action is fixed), a bad call from an official at a crucial point or overall match-fixing, there have been numerous sports betting scandals that have damaged the integrity of sporting events. Some of these have even led to the permanent ban of players from professional sports, like baseball’s 1919 Black Sox Scandal where Joseph Sullivan paid eight White Sox players $10,000 each to fix the World Series, as well as MLB legend Pete Rose who was banned for life from the sport in 1989 over his gambling activities.
Following the Supreme Court ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA, many states moved fast to legalize sports betting. Kentucky, for example, launched its first retail sportsbooks in April 2021 and then shifted focus to online sports betting in September of that year. Today, the state’s sportsbooks are available to residents of all ages through several operators including SugarHouse and FanDuel. In-person betting is also available at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Derby City Gaming and the Mint at Cumberland Run.