A sportsbook is a gambling establishment that accepts bets on various sporting events. Its main business model involves generating a profit from the differential between what is wagered and what is won on each bet. This difference is known as the vig or juice, and it is one of the ways that sportsbooks make money.

There are many types of bets that can be placed at a sportsbook, including proposition bets and futures bets. Prop bets are wagers that are based on specific occurrences or statistical benchmarks. Futures bets are based on the outcome of multi-stage events such as seasons and tournaments.

While it is possible to place a bet at a physical sportsbook, the vast majority of wagers are placed online. This is because online sportsbooks are much more convenient and offer a higher level of privacy. Additionally, most online sportsbooks offer a range of payment options, including major credit and debit cards from Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, and more. Some also allow players to use e-wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and the popular prepaid card Play+.

Legal sportsbooks are growing in number across the United States. Until recently, most states only offered limited sports betting options, but the 2018 Supreme Court ruling has opened the door for state-licensed sportsbooks. In addition to offering a wide variety of betting markets, these sites have been designed with a focus on user experience. This includes a clean interface, easy navigation, and a deep offering of sports coverage.