Official betting is a type of wager that uses data directly from a sport’s governing body. The governing body provides the information on which tier 2 bets are settled, and a sportsbook then sets the odds for that game based on its interpretation of the data.
The tier 2 data can be any number of things, including player or team performance statistics, a match’s score or the outcome of a specific event (e.g., Over/Under). Using official data for these types of bets ensures that the oddsmakers have the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.
Any individual associated with clubs at lower levels of the men’s or women’s league systems, plus match officials at FA Level 4 and below are banned from placing a bet on any WBSC competition in which they participate or can influence. The ban also applies to anyone involved with a national baseball or softball team or in an ownership, executive or staff role in a league that organizes and promotes a multisport competition sanctioned by the WBSC.
Despite the fact that gambling on pro and college sports is legal in many states, a number of high-profile incidents have surfaced in recent years. In the NFL, players have been punished for betting on their own games, and a number of teams have fired coaches or employees after a suspicious betting pattern was discovered. In addition, a number of postseason officials have been flagged for gambling or sports wagering-related activities that threaten their eligibility.