A sportsbook is a place where people can place wagers on athletic events and win real money. For years, the only legal sportsbooks were in Nevada and a few other states that allowed gambling. But a 2018 Supreme Court decision changed that, and now sportsbooks are available in 30 states. In this article, we’ll take a look at the basics of how sportsbooks work and where you can find them.

The first step in running a sportsbook is compiling odds. This involves balancing stakes and liability to create a profitable betting market. It also requires knowing what kind of action is expected on each game. For example, if a sportsbook notices a lot of early limit bets from sharps on the Bears to beat the Lions, they can move the line to discourage Detroit backers.

Another important function is accepting payment methods, which is essential for customer satisfaction and responsible gambling. Sportsbooks should offer a variety of traditional methods like debit cards and wire transfers, and they should also support popular eWallets. They should also have minimum deposit values that suit small and high-stakes players alike.

Finally, a good sportsbook will keep detailed records of each bet. This information is critical for making sure that customers are using their account responsibly, and it can help a sportsbook monitor the integrity of its products. In addition, a sportsbook may use this data to reward its affiliates and improve its marketing efforts.