Sportsbooks are marketplaces where people can bet on sporting events. While they are most commonly associated with professional and college sports, they can also be used for other events. Many online bookmakers offer a variety of non-sports betting options. Depending on the jurisdiction, sportsbooks may be legal or illegal. A recent Supreme Court decision has catalyzed changes to the law surrounding sports betting.
Most sportsbooks make placing bets very simple. You simply click on the cell next to the team name you want to bet on. The lines for each team will be displayed on the screen. If you’re betting on the USC-Alabama game, for example, you’ll see that the game’s line is 14 points lower than the average. You’ll then click on the cell next to USC to place your bet.
Another important feature for any sportsbook is the way they handle cash. Whether you’re betting on horse racing or the NFL, sportsbooks should make it easy and secure to deposit and withdraw cash. Most top sportsbooks offer the most popular payment methods such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers. Different sportsbooks will offer different deposit methods.
Sportsbooks also offer a deposit bonus for new customers. These bonus offers are usually in the form of free bet credits, but each site has its own rules and restrictions. Some sportsbooks will match your first deposit 100%, while others dole out bonus money incrementally over time.