New Jersey Sports Betting
Legal New Jersey online sports betting is the gold standard in the US. The market has grown exponentially since its launch in June 2018. Close to two dozen sports betting apps are available in the state, many of which offer welcome bonuses for new players, odds boosts, and loyalty programs.
Best NJ sports betting sites 2023
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What’s happening in NJ sports betting right now
- March 17, 2023 — New Jersey sports betting handle hit $847.4 million in February. That was about $235 million less than January and about $138 million less than February 2022. Revenue last month was $54.6 million, the lowest since July 2022.
- March 9, 2023 — BetMGM announced the launch of Wheel of Fortune Online Casino in New Jersey. The new online casino offers slot titles, along with additional themed games for New Jersey residents.
- February 23, 2023 — New Jersey posted its fourth consecutive month with more than $1 billion in sports betting handle with $1.08 billion in January. That resulted in $72.3 million in revenue for the state. Handle was up slightly from December, but revenue was down by about $15 million.
- February 10, 2023 — The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is deploying a first-of-its-kind program where online platforms will be required to study player data to identify possible problem gambling behavior and reach out to users with options for help.
- January 30, 2023 — An emerging player in the sport betting industry, BetFanatics has signed a letter of intent to purchase BetParx sportsbook. This could be the way into New Jersey for Fanatics as NJ is one of five states where BetParx is live.
- January 18, 2023 — One of the items on the docket for New Jersey’s 2023 legislative session is a proposed 10-year extension of the state’s online gaming laws. The expectation is that the law may undergo some minor tweaking, but that it will be passed during this session.
- January 17, 2023 — New Jersey hits a third-straight month in the billions for sports betting handle posting $1.05 billion in December. That pushed the 2022 total handle to nearly $11 billion. December also saw $87.7 million in revenue for the state, a 48.5% increase from December 2021.
New Jersey sports betting snapshot
| Is online sports betting legal in New Jersey? | Yes. Online sports betting is legal in New Jersey with nearly two dozen mobile apps available in the state. Legal online sportsbooks began taking bets in August 2018, two months after the law was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. |
| What sportsbook apps are legal in NJ? | DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, PointsBet, SugarHouse, Unibet, Betway and many more. |
| What sports can I bet on in New Jersey? | All major sports and leagues are available for betting in NJ, but in-state college teams and college games that take place inside NJ are off the board at sportsbooks. |
| Who can bet on sports in NJ? | Anyone 21 and older can bet on sports in New Jersey. Affiliated personnel cannot bet on their own team or sport. You must be physically located in New Jersey to place a bet, verifiable using geolocation software. |
Comparing the top sports betting apps in New Jersey
The choice of where to bet ultimately comes down to what you like the best and which books work the best for you. Here’s a quick guide to the top books that receive high marks in some key categories along with mini-reviews for each.
- Best Sportsbooks for Major Sports: DraftKings, FanDuel. Both sportsbooks have relationships with the major North American sports leagues and some of their teams, translating to a depth of betting options, including DraftKings’ Flash Bet for NBA and NFL.
- Best Sportsbooks for Other Sports: BetMGM. While you can find almost every sport imaginable on most NJ sportsbooks, the depth of the markets for sports outside of the “Big Four” is deeper at BetMGM than others.
- Best Sportsbook Odds: Betway. Betway routinely offers some of the best lines for bettors on any wager.
- Best Sportsbooks for Overall Usability: DraftKings, FanDuel. DraftKings and FanDuel are the most-used sportsbooks in the country, in part because they offer the best user experience as evidenced by their ratings in the App Store and Google Play.
- Best Sportsbooks for Player Rewards: Caesars, BetRivers. Both sportsbooks offer robust integrations of their loyalty programs that can tie betting on sports to rewards for their physical casinos, in addition to people who only bet online.
1. DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is in second place in the NJ sports betting arms race. The slick platform and a plethora of wagering options have made the site a preferred option for many bettors. It’s one of the top spots for live betting, while its betting pools let you compete for big prizes. On the downside, the menu of recurring promos for existing players could be expanded.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Live betting fans will enjoy this app.
- Best feature: Betting pools
- NJ bonus offer: $1,200
2. Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook is on the top end of the market in New Jersey after its initial lackluster start. The betting platform is on the basic side and lets you get down to business quickly and easily. A few more bells and whistles could take it to the next level, while the odds for games and events are generally on point.
- App store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Gets the player back to basics in a simple, but effective app.
- Best feature: Props betting
- NJ bonus offer: $1,250
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM has evolved into one of the top online sportsbooks in the US. There’s a huge selection of sports available for betting and plenty of different ways to wager on each. The odds at BetMGM aren’t always as competitive as you’ll find elsewhere, while navigation on the online platform takes a little getting used to.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: The number of bets make up for what the app lacks.
- Best feature: Edit My Bet
- NJ bonus offer: $1,000
4. BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers, a member of the Rush Street family, allows bettors to move back and forth between the casino and sportsbook side with ease. Players can also sign up for the iRush rewards program and earn points for their play to use at Rush Street casinos. The app platform itself is solid, but the website as a whole is a bit busy and crowded.
- App store rating: 2.7 (iOS), 3.9 (Android)
- Key takeaway: A good app for the beginner who likes a touch of casino gaming, too.
- Best feature: iRush Rewards
- NJ bonus offer: $500
5. FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook has been the overall market leader in terms of revenue and has been a hit with NJ bettors. The tech behind the scenes delivers a user-friendly sportsbook app. Top highlights include the same-game parlay feature that makes it easy to build out multi-leg wagers. Navigation could be improved in a few spots, including player prop menus.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Easy-to-use app that delivers on most key betting features.
- Best feature: Same game parlay
- NJ bonus offer: $1,000
6. Bet365 Sportsbook
This well-known U.K.-based brand boasts a unique experience of live in-game betting features, bet boosts and super boosts, and a personalized display. Also known for a solid menu of betting markets and competitive odds, the app itself gets favorable ratings from customer reviews, though it has been known to have occasional hiccups when navigating between sections.
- App rating: 4.6 (iOS), 2.1 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Competitive odds and an easy-to-use app.
- Best feature: Personalized display.
- NJ bonus offer: $365
7. Betway Sportsbook
Already a top sportsbook overseas, Betway is quickly gaining momentum in North America. The app is easy to use, offers competitive odds and great live-betting options. Betway also gives users a cash-out option on live events, and even allows live streaming of some games. Some users complain of low withdrawal limits and sessions that expire too quickly, making the user sign in repeatedly.
- App store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Competitive odds
- Best feature: Great live-betting options
- NJ bonus offer: $250
New sports betting apps in New Jersey
While the NJ sports betting market is already filled with options, the growth phase isn’t over just yet. Here are the books that are expected to go live soon with the anticipated launch dates.
List of NJ sports betting apps expected in 2023
- BallyBet Sportsbook, Late 2023
Best NJ sportsbook bonuses and how to get started
You can be ready to play on a legal NJ online sportsbook in just a few minutes. You’ll need to choose a sportsbook and create an account. The registration is quick and straightforward. You’ll simply follow the prompts and enter the requested information.
As for where you should play, here are the five best bonuses and offers available for new players.
- DraftKings Promo Code: Get $50 on deposit plus 20% up to $1,000.
- BetMGM Bonus Code: Get up to $1,000 paid back in bonus bets.
- Caesars Promo Code: Receive up to $1,250 on Caesars.
- BetRivers Bonus Code: A 2nd chance bet up to $500 after your first deposit.
- FanDuel Promo Code: Get up to $1,000 No Sweat First Bet.
Before taking advantage of the welcome promos, take the time to understand the available sign-up offers and bonuses. The most common offerings include:
- Deposit match: The site will match a portion of your deposit with credits that you can use to play on site. The match is not eligible for withdrawal and will have a playthrough requirement attached.
- Free bets: A free bet just for signing up to play, but there may be a deposit requirement attached to the offer. You won’t be able to withdraw the amount of the credit as it’s meant to be played on site.
- First bet offers: For a first bet offer, you will first have to place a wager that meets the sportsbook’s conditions. If you win, then you simply collect the profit from your win. If you lose, however, the site will issue you site credits equivalent to a percentage of your lost bet.
From start to finish, you’re looking at just a few minutes of your time to gain access to a NJ online sportsbook that’s completely legal and safe.
10 quick facts about New Jersey sports betting
- New Jersey first legalized sports betting in 2012. A series of lawsuits by the NCAA, NBA, NFL, and NHL halted the gambling expansion until 2018, when a new law was passed after the federal ban ended.
- New Jersey had its first $1 billion monthly handle in September 2021.
- To legally bet on sports in NJ, you must be 21 or older.
- You can’t be a member of any gambling self-exclusion lists.
- Affiliated personnel are prohibited from wagering on their own sports.
- There’s no residency requirement, but you must be within state lines to place bets.
- Wagering on professional and college sports is permitted.
- Betting on in-state collegiate programs or events taking place in NJ is prohibited.
- No betting on high school sports or on events in which the majority of athletes are under the age of 18.
- Entertainment bets such as election betting or betting on the weather are not approved. Bets on the Oscars or Emmys, however, are allowed.
What to expect at a legal NJ sports betting site
Legal online sports betting gives NJ sports bettors access to real live sportsbooks whenever they want it, as long as they are inside NJ state lines. The convenience factor is a huge plus, as are the safety and security aspects that all approved operators must adhere to. The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement keeps close tabs on all elements of licensed sportsbooks and future applicants. There’s protection in place for your funds, and places to turn in the event of any disputes that happen to come up.
The competitive marketplace is also a big boon for bettors. As the legal sportsbooks jockey for position, they continually offer promotional opportunities for both new and existing players. As an added bonus, many operators also have a corresponding or integrated site that offers other forms of gaming such as online casino and poker. Online casinos in New Jersey consistently garner more revenue than their sportsbook counterparts.
Latest NJ sports betting news
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New Jersey sports betting law and regulations
The legalization of sports betting in NJ was a long and arduous process. The state made attempts to legalize betting but were stymied, resulting in years of legal wrangling. It came to a head in May 2018 when the matter was brought before the Supreme Court of the United States. The Justices ruled in favor of the state.
Once sports betting was given the green light, things moved quickly. An updated NJ sports betting bill was signed into law in June 2018. The legislation permitted the state’s casinos and racetracks to open retail sportsbooks onsite. The first in-person bet was placed just a few days later.
The law also permits online sports betting sites, provided that they have a land-based partner. Each of the casinos and racetracks can have up to three online skins operating off of their license. The online and mobile rollout started in August 2018.
From a cost and tax perspective, highlights of the legislation include:
- Licenses for the casinos and racetracks cost $100,000 at issue.
- Internet gambling licenses have a price tag of $400,000 plus an additional $250,000 for responsible gaming fees.
- Casinos pay 8.5% in taxes for land-based wagers and 13% for electronic wagers.
- Racetracks pay at the same rate plus an additional 1.25% for wagers placed online.
- All sports bets are subject to 0.25% in federal taxes.
Full list of legal New Jersey sports betting apps
There are 23 sports betting apps in New Jersey. DraftKings was the first legal sports betting app to arrive in NJ in August 2018. Several other online sportsbooks followed soon after that, and we have seen a steady stream of options make their Garden State debut since that point. Here’s the complete list of all of the legal apps currently available in NJ.
- Barstool Sportsbook
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- BetParx Sportsbook
- Betway Sportsbook
- Borgata Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Fox Bet Sportsbook
- Fubo Sportsbook
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Sportsbook
- PlayUP Sportsbook
- Prophet Exchange Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Sporttrade Sportsbook
- SuperBook Sportsbook
- Tipico Sportsbook
- Unibet Sportsbook
- VIE (EEG) Sportsbook
- WynnBet Sportsbook
Popular sports to bet on in New Jersey
Positioned between the two major metro areas of New York City and Philadelphia, NJ sports fans have plenty to cheer for. Rooting interests may be divided, but all of the major pro sports are featured attractions at the top sportsbooks with the nearby teams drawing plenty of betting interest.
- NFL: New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles
- NBA: Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
- MLB: New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies
- NHL: New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers
The above four sports are the biggest needle movers, but there are plenty of other sports that bring in a solid amount of action. College football and basketball are popular options in spite of the wagering restrictions on in-state teams and events.
Soccer fans can choose from leagues around the world, as well as the MLS and its area franchises. On the individual sports side, golf, tennis, Nascar, UFC, and boxing are the top draws. There’s also a wide range of niche sports for those looking for something different.
Technically, wagering is supposed to be limited to actual sporting events. Betting on US elections isn’t allowed, but the lines have been blurred as wagering on the Academy Awards and Emmys have been permitted in the past.
NJ sports betting history
The long road to legal NJ sports betting began in 2011 with a voter referendum. But the 2012 law that followed went through nearly a decade of federal lawsuits and appeals before finally facing the US Supreme Court in December 2017. At issue was the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA, which limited sports betting to Nevada (and a couple of other grandfathered states) and prevented New Jersey from legalizing it in any form. Once PASPA was ruled unconstitutional in 2018, the ball was in New Jersey’s court — and it hasn’t dropped it since.
Since its inception in 2018, the legal sports betting industry has grown by leaps and bounds in NJ. Here are some of the key yearly highlights since its debut.
2022: The launch of online sports betting in New York in January created quite a bit of uncertainty regarding the future performance of New Jersey sportsbooks. So far, despite the fact that New York sports betting has taken US sports wagering to new heights, New Jersey sportsbooks have experienced a somewhat moderate decline year-over-year. The latest reports indicate YOY reductions on the order of 10% – 20%, which is significant, but is not the calamity feared by the Empire State’s legalization. Meanwhile, the roster of sportsbook apps continues to fluctuate, with TheScore closing shop in July. Fubo and Prophet Exchange arrived just before the NFL kickoff weekend.
2021: Outside of the slower months of July and August, NJ sports betting monthly handle was at least $740 million per month for the first three quarters. The state had its first $1 billion month in September and broke its own record a month later. In November, New Jersey voters rejected an expansion of college sports betting to include in-state schools and events with nearly 57% of voters opposed. The state faces an unknown competitive element with the anticipated launch of New York online sportsbooks.
2020: Yearly sports betting revenue takes a hit as the coronavirus pandemic brings things to a standstill on and off the field. Bettors returned in droves as the sports calendar began to fill and stayed steady throughout the year, closing out with some eye-popping numbers for football season.
2019: For the last three months of 2018, NJ sports betting handle eclipsed $250 million. The state hit the mark for every month of 2019 as well and continued its steady ascent, closing out the year with over $500 million in handle in both November and December. During that time, New Jersey surpassed Nevada in total monthly handle.
2018: Following the ruling from SCOTUS, an updated NJ sports betting bill is signed into law. The first retail sportsbooks opened in June, followed by the beginning of the online and mobile rollout in August.
FAQ on NJ sports betting
Where can I bet on sports in New Jersey?
NJ sports betting law allows for wagering in person and online. You must be located within state lines to place bets at a sportsbook app. Sites verify user location with the assistance of geolocation software. Retail sportsbooks can be found at the state’s three operating racetracks and nine Atlantic City casinos.
- Bally’s: FanDuel Sportsbook
- Borgata: BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar
- Caesars: Caesars Sportsbook at Wild Wild West
- Golden Nugget: The Sportsbook
- Hard Rock: Hard Rock Sportsbook
- Harrah’s: Caesars Sportsbook
- Ocean Casino Resort: The Sportsbook
- Resorts: DraftKings Sportsbook
- Tropicana: Caesars Sportsbook
- Freehold Raceway: Parx Sportsbook
- Meadowlands: FanDuel Sportsbook
- Monmouth Park: Caesars Sportsbook
Are Bovada and BetOnline legal in New Jersey?
No. Bovada and BetOnline are offshore sportsbooks, licensed in Curaçao and Panama. They are not approved or regulated by the state and do not follow the same rules and regulations that you will find with a legal NJ betting site. Before signing up to play online, look for the official Division of Gaming Enforcement Seal on site to make sure the site you are using is legal.
All of the sportsbooks that are mentioned on this page are approved for play in NJ.
How old do I have to be to bet on sports in New Jersey?
To legally bet on sports in NJ, users must be 21 or older when signing up. The signup process can be completed remotely, but your age will be verified as part of the process. If there’s any trouble doing so, users will be asked to provide supporting documentation.
Is horse betting legal in New Jersey?
Betting on horse racing is permitted in NJ. The state is home to a trio of racetracks.
- Freehold Raceway – Harness
- Meadowlands Racing – Thoroughbred
- Monmouth Park – Harness
Beyond betting in person, users can also wager on approved ADW sites such as NJBets.
Can I play daily fantasy sports contests in NJ?
Yes, daily fantasy sports contests are permitted in NJ and have been since the state began regulating DFS in 2017. DraftKings and FanDuel are the two dominant brands that attract the majority of players. You can sign up and play on both in NJ without issue.
Resources on New Jersey sports betting
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement website, includes information on rules and regulations, revenue reports, legal sites, self-exclusion lists, and more
- Rules and regulations on sports betting, via the NJDGE
- 2018 NJ sports betting law, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy
- Press of Atlantic City Sports, section on local sports news from South Jersey
- Asbury Park Press sports, Jersey Shore sports news and updates
- North Jersey Media, including Rutgers sports news and New York pro sports teams