In betting, official bets are wagers that meet a certain set of criteria to ensure a fair outcome for all parties involved. This includes the use of verified data, a valid score or result, and the correct venue for a game. Official bets also require that the bet was placed on a legitimate bookmaker’s website or mobile application. The terms and conditions of official betting can be found on a sportsbook’s website or mobile app.
Some states like Illinois and Tennessee require sportsbooks to only accept bets using official data. This is an attempt to protect the integrity of NCAA games. But this is a flawed approach as official data can be easily purchased from multiple sources at competitive prices. It also artificially constrains the marketplace by limiting where bettors can place their wagers. Moreover, it does not prevent illegal betting activity. It is still possible to engage in “scalping” by buying or selling data from an insider. This is against the law in many jurisdictions. Seeking, offering, or accepting a bribe to fix a bet is also illegal.