Sports Betting – Over/Under and Futures

sports betting

If you are a fan of sports, you’ve probably heard of Over/Under betting. This is wagering on total points scored in a game. You can make an Over bet while the game is in progress, or you can place an Under bet for when the game is over. A popular example is the Seahawks-Rams game, which has an Over/Under bet of 42.5 points at halftime. Another fun way to bet on sports is to place a futures bet, where you bet on a specific event in the future.

Legalized sports betting

Many states have discussed legalizing sports betting, but several are still on the fence. While nearly every state has considered legalizing the industry, deep political opposition and tribal relationships have hindered the expansion of betting. Here is an interactive map that shows which states are on the verge of legalizing sports betting, and what year they plan to do so. Kansas and Maine have already legalized the activity, and Massachusetts is just one signature away. Meanwhile, two measures are set to appear on the November ballot.

Types of bets

When you’re betting on sports, you have to understand what types of bets are available to you. For example, a total bet is a bet on the total score of both teams. It is the second most popular type of bet in many sports, and it is made by wagering on whether the total score will be “under” or “over” a given number. This type of bet can be placed on both football and basketball games, and you can place a wager on each half.

Futures bets

While regular wagers are placed on the outcome of a single game, futures bets are based on multiple games during the season. They are most profitable when placed early in the season, when the odds are highest.

In-play bets

There is growing evidence linking the frequency and intensity of in-play sports betting with gambling-related harms. However, most studies do not control for other types of gambling or consider proxy behaviors when describing the impact of in-play betting. The research suggests that in-play betting is associated with a higher likelihood of harms when compared to other types of gambling. However, further research is needed to better understand the impact of in-play sports betting on harms.

Over/Under bets

Over/Under bets are a popular form of sports betting. These bets are often related to a variety of different statistics, including total points scored by a team or individual player. In general, sportsbooks attempt to post over/under values that have an equal number of bets on either side.

Scandals in the industry

The sports betting industry is riddled with scandals, some of which have become national flashpoints. These include cases involving high-profile athletes and organized crime groups. The legalization of sports betting is currently being considered in many states, and past scandals are becoming flashpoints in the debate over legalization.