How to Find a Good Sportsbook

A sportsbook is a gambling establishment that accepts wagers on a variety of sporting events. These establishments may be brick and mortar or online, and they can be legal in some states. Some sportsbooks also offer live betting during events, allowing bettors to place wagers during the game. In addition, some sportsbooks provide betting on horse races and other events. To operate a sportsbook, you must have access to reliable payment processing systems and a dependable computer system to keep track of financial data. You must also have a good understanding of regulatory requirements and industry trends.

Offshore sportsbooks take advantage of lax or nonexistent laws to prey on unsuspecting American consumers. These operators are not subject to the same consumer protections as legal, regulated sportsbooks and do not contribute to state and local taxes. As the market for sports betting continues to grow, it is important that regulators and lawmakers continue to work to protect consumers from these offshore operators.

One of the newest players in the sportsbook space, ESPN Bet offers an extensive range of bonuses and promotions. These include specials named after on-air personalities and “primetime” boosts for NFL games. Its odds for most major sports are competitive, and the company does a creative job of packaging them in eye-catching ways that set it apart from its rivals. However, the website can feel clunky at times and its mobile app is not always easy to navigate.