What Is It?

Sports betting involves placing a wager on the outcome of a sporting event. Potential payouts are determined by the odds available when the wager is placed. Common betting options include predicting the winner of a game or match, wagering on scoring outcomes or other in-game events, and combining multiple selections (legs) into a single wager, known as a parlay.

How It Works

Common Bet Types

Moneyline

  • A wager on which team or player will win.

Point Spread

  • A wager on the margin of victory.

Over/Under (Totals)

  • A wager on the total number of points, goals, or runs scored.

Parlays

  • Multiple wagers combined into a single bet. Every selection must win for the parlay to pay out.

Futures

  • Wagers on outcomes that will be decided later, such as a championship winner.

Prop Bets

  • Wagers on specific events or player performances within a game.

Live Betting

  • Wagers placed after a game has started, with odds that change as the action unfolds.

Understanding Odds & House Advantage

Odds indicate both the potential payout and the implied probability of an outcome occurring. Sports betting operators make money through the margin that’s built into the odds offered on wagers.

Safer Play Tips

Safer play is about staying informed, understanding the risks, and making decisions that support a safer gaming experience.

  • Understand what the odds mean before placing a wager.
  • Research can help inform decisions, but results are never guaranteed.
  • Take advantage of deposit limits, spending limits, and time reminders available through online sportsbooks.
  • Hope to win, but be prepared to lose.
  • Enjoy the game regardless of the outcome.

When to Call a Time Out

You may want to take a break if:

  • You’re betting more than you planned.
  • You’re trying to win back losses.
  • Sports betting is becoming stressful instead of recreational.
  • You’re spending more time researching bets than you intended.
  • You’re constantly checking scores, odds, or betting apps.
  • Friends or family have expressed concern about your gambling.

Taking a Time Out

  • Vermont offers a statewide self-exclusion program for mobile sports wagering. Players can choose a 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, or lifetime exclusion period.
  • Sportsbooks also offer deposit limits, wagering limits, loss limits, cooling-off periods, and time reminders.
  • Consider using digital blocking tools such as BetBlocker® or Gamban® to help limit access to gambling websites and apps during a break from play.
  • Free and confidential support is available 24/7 through 1-800-GAMBLER or LiveChat at VTGamblingHelp.org.

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Hope to win, expect to lose.

You decide how much money to bet and be comfortable losing it. Enjoy the game regardless of the outcome!