A sportsbook is a gambling establishment that accepts wagers on various sporting events. They usually offer odds that determine how much a bettor can win if their prediction is correct. These odds can be expressed in a variety of ways, but the most common are fractional, decimal, and moneyline odds.
In addition to standard wagers on individual teams and players, some sportsbooks also accept futures bets. These bets generally have a long-term horizon measured in weeks or months. For example, a bet on a team to win the Super Bowl can be placed before the season starts and may not pay off until after the championship game. Futures bets can be a good way to make money betting on major sporting events.
Sportsbooks set odds to attract a balanced amount of action on both sides, with the aim of earning money regardless of the outcome of the event. However, they will occasionally encounter lopsided action and need to mitigate their risks by moving the lines. This can be done by adjusting the odds, by taking offsetting bets, or even by arbitrarily limiting bettors directly.