A sportsbook is a legal gambling establishment that accepts bets on sporting events. Traditionally, they operated in Las Vegas and on gambling cruise ships, but as legalized betting becomes more widespread, sportsbooks are now found across the country. Many of them offer online betting, making it easier for punters to place their wagers.

The best way to determine if a sportsbook is legitimate is to check their odds. If the odds are significantly higher than those of other sites, this is a sign that the sportsbook is not offering fair odds. It is also important to make sure that the sportsbook offers the sports you want to bet on. If the site is a major player in its industry, it will have more money to put into its lines.

Another factor to consider when choosing a sportsbook is the amount of commission the company charges on losing bets. This is called vig or juice and it can range from 10% to 20%. Sportsbooks take this fee from bettors who lose, and then use it to pay the winning bettors.

Another thing to keep in mind when selecting a sportsbook is the rules regarding parlays and moneyline bets. Different sportsbooks have different policies on these bets, and it is important to read the rules carefully before placing a bet. For example, some sportsbooks will return the full amount of a winning parlay bet while others will only return a certain percentage of a win.