Betting online is a fun, rewarding hobby that has the potential to make you some extra money. However, like any other activity that involves wagering real money on outcomes, it is important to go into this with a clear head and realistic expectations. For beginners, this means starting small and setting a maximum amount of money that you are willing to wager each week. This will help you avoid going broke or losing more than you intended to. As you gain experience and your skill level improves, you can gradually increase your stakes.

Currently, legal sports betting is available in 24 states plus Washington, DC. The number of sportsbooks will vary by state, with some launching much sooner than others. In New Jersey, for example, a non-binding referendum prompted the state Legislature to pass legislation that made it legal to place bets on sporting events beginning in June 2018. The first regulated sportsbooks went live that same month.

West Virginia was another state that jumped into action following the Supreme Court decision. Retail sportsbooks opened in September 2018 and online betting went live the following year. Top online sportsbooks in the state include BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook. The District of Columbia also has an online sportsbook, GambetDC, and a mobile app called Caesars Sportsbook that is only available in a geofenced area around Capital One Arena. Horse racing bets are also a major part of the online gambling industry. All major bookmakers, betting exchanges and sportsbooks offer a variety of horse racing wagers.