A sportsbook is a place where you can place bets on sporting events. Historically, the only legal sportsbooks were in Nevada (and in limited forms in Montana, Oregon and Delaware). However, since a 2018 Supreme Court decision, more than 20 states have now made it legal to make wagers on various sporting events. Almost all of them offer online betting too.
Before you choose a sportsbook, it’s important to investigate each one. Start by looking at user reviews, but don’t take them as gospel. What someone else may think of a particular bookmaker, you might not – what’s good for them may not be so good for you.
Another thing to look for is whether the sportsbook has a fair vig. This is a percentage that covers overhead expenses and allows the sportsbook to pay out winning wagers. Typically, the vig is in the range of 100% to 110%.
It’s also worth checking out the odds. Different sportsbooks have different odds on different teams, and this can make a big difference to your bankroll in the long run. The Chicago Cubs, for example, might be -180 at one sportsbook and -190 at another. That’s a small difference, but it adds up over time.
Most sportsbooks will have clearly labeled odds and lines, but it’s up to the gambler to decide if they want to bet on a team with low odds or high ones. Regardless, gambling always involves a negative expected return, so be careful.