A sportsbook is a place where people can place wagers on sporting events. It is also known as a bookmaker and in some countries it may be called a betting shop. In the United States, a sportsbook is legal if it follows certain guidelines. It is best to choose a sportsbook with a good reputation and excellent customer service. A good sportsbook will have a variety of betting options, including prop bets and live betting. It will also offer competitive odds.

The Supreme Court’s ruling to allow sports betting in all states has led to a boom in the industry and new sportsbooks are popping up around the country. These include online and brick-and-mortar shops. Some are operated by established brands like SugarHouse, DraftKings, BetRivers, and others. They are attracting both casual and serious bettors who want to get in on the action.

Many bettors like to use a sportsbook app, which allows them to place wagers from anywhere. The best sportsbook apps have a clean, easy-to-use interface and are compatible with most mobile devices. They also feature a robust menu of wagering options and fast payouts. Some sportsbooks also offer bonus bets or payout bonuses for customers who make large bets.

Sharp bettors often race each other to be the first to lay a low-limit wager on a virgin line. They understand that doing so will help shape the line for the less-knowledgeable public bettors who come in later. This is one of the reasons why a sportsbook’s limits are much lower for overnight and early week lines.