Betting online is an easy way to place a bet without having to go to the local sportsbook. You can find a wide variety of betting markets on your favorite teams and games. The odds are usually updated frequently, so you can easily monitor changes to the line. However, you should never bet more than you are willing to lose. You should also be aware that betting on political events is illegal in many states.

Licensed operators must follow responsible gaming guidelines, and bettors are encouraged to visit the Responsible Gambling page to learn more about how they can protect themselves and their families from gambling problems. In addition, players can contact a helpline through their casino or sportsbook for assistance and guidance.

Most legal sportsbooks offer a range of deposit and withdrawal options, and they often include dedicated live betting markets. In addition, some sites feature a livestreaming service and dedicated statistics breakdowns (head-to-head results, player/team form guides, match information). In the US, most betting sites only accept American dollars.

The number of states where sports betting is legal grows by the year. Michigan and New York, for example, have made it a legal option. But the number of legal online sportsbooks is smaller – most of them require that bettors are within state borders to make a legal wager. These sites use geolocation technology to confirm a user’s location. Occasionally, the geolocation service will mistakenly detect that you’re outside the state’s borders, but moving a little closer inland usually resolves this issue.