One of the states leading the way in legal sports betting is New Jersey. New Jersey sports betting is considered by many to be the gold standard in the US. It was launched back in June 2018 and ever since then, it has grown massively. There are now close to having two dozen New Jersey sports betting apps – most of which offer a variety of new player welcome bonuses, free bets, odds boosts and the lot.
New Jersey online sports betting is one of the most mature markets in the US – as well as one of the most competitive. Let’s take a closer look at the state of NJ sports betting…
New Jersey Sports Betting in 2022
- 5th January 2022: Pointsbet added live gaming and casino for New Jersey bettors – this was made available on the PointsBet Online Casino app after signing a partnership with Evolution Gaming.
- 18th January 2022: It was announced that sportsbooks in New Jersey had handled over $1.2 billion in December, ending 2021 on $10.6 billion – compared to $6 billion in 2020.
- 1st February 2022: New Jersey launched its first dedicated esports betting site after awarding Esports Entertainment Group a license.
- 16th February 2022: New Jersey sportsbooks reported a handle of 143.7 million – up 22.4% from the previous year, thanks in part to the Super Bowl.
- 21st February 2022: Although there was a lot of promotion around the launch of New York mobile sports betting, New Jersey still boasted another handle record in January, taking $1.349 billion in sports wagers.
- 4th March 2022: DraftKings was fined $150,000 by the New Jersey DGE for letting a VIP bettor from Florida wager via proxy in New Jersey.
New Jersey Sports Betting Now
The biggest question is – ‘is online sports betting legal in New Jersey?’ Well, yes it is. Online sports betting in New Jersey has been legal for quite some time now and there are now around two dozen mobile apps available in the state. It was back in August 2018 that legal sportsbooks started accepting bets in NJ – just two months after it was legalised by Gov. Phil Murphy.
But what sportsbook apps are legal in the state? The most popular sportsbook is DraftKings, but others available in the state at this moment in time include FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Unibet, Betway, PointsBet and Sugar House.
In terms of what sports you can bet on in New Jersey, you can pretty much bet on all major sports and leagues in NJ. However, any in-state college team and any college games that are played inside of the state are prohibited.
In order to bet on sports in New Jersey, you need to be 21 years of age or older. However, any personnel that is affiliated with a team or sports cannot bet on that team or sport. Moreover, you need to actually be physically located within the state borders to make a bet. This will be verified by betting app geolocation software.
The Best Sports Betting Apps in New Jersey
Ultimately, the best sports betting app in New Jersey is all a matter of taste. It very much depends on what one works best for you and which one offers what you are looking for. However, to help you decide, here is a summary of the best sports betting apps in New Jersey so that you can come to a decision a little bit easier…
Best for Major Sports and Leagues: FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook
Both of these sportsbooks have established an excellent relationship with the major sports leagues in North America and their biggest teams. This very much translates into their betting odds and markets. DraftKings indeed offers an excellent Flash Bet for the NFL and NBA.
Best for Other Sports: BetMGM
Really, you can fund practically every available sport on nearly all New Jersey sports betting apps, it is BetMGM that offers one of the biggest depth of markets for those sports not considered the Big Four in the US.
Best SportsBook for User Experience: FanDuel and DraftKings
These are two of the most regularly visited sports betting sites in the country – and one of the reasons for this is because they both offer an excellent user experience. This is evidenced by their excellent rating in the App Store!
Best for Odds: PointsBet
On many of the main sporting events, it is generally PointsBet that is up there for offering some of the most generous odds with the lowest vig. In independent studies, it has been ranked in the top 5 consistently for this.
Best for Loyalty Rewards: SugarHouse and Caesars
Both of these sports betting sites offer excellent rewards with solid loyalty programs that tie sports betting to rewards for their physical casinos as well as for those who only bet online.
Our Top Rated Sports Betting Sites
Let’s take a look at our top-rated New Jersey sports betting sites:
1. DraftKings Sportsbook
In first place – at the top comes DraftKings. It has a well-designed platform, lots of betting options – all of which have made it one of the preferred betting sites for many sports bettors in NJ. It is excellent for live betting and has lots of betting pools that allow punters to compete for big wins. It does have a few sticky points though – our main one being that we’d like to see more regular promotions for existing players!
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
This has spent quite a while being New Jersey’s overall market leader in terms of revenue – for a good reason. It uses technology that delivers a seamless and user-friendly sports betting app. Some of its biggest advantages include excellent same-game parlays that make it simple to create a multi-leg wager. It could be a little bit easier to navigate in some areas such as player props bets. However, overall, this is a difficult one to beat!
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
This has rapidly become one of the most popular online sportsbooks in the US – and this is the case in NJ. It offers a huge selection of sports and there are lots of different markets and betting options for all of them. It is excellent… but not quite perfect. The app navigation is not always as easy as it could be – and sometimes the odds aren’t as competitive as others. However, the number and variety of bets certainly makes up for what it lacks – especially the Edit My Bet feature!
4. Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars has to be in the top 5! It has really improved after what was, initially, a bit of a lacklustre start. However, the betting platform might be basic but this means it does allow you to make your bets quickly and easily. Although a few more explosive features and intricacies might be beneficial, the odds on games and events especially for props betting can’t be argued with. This is simple but effective.
5. Unibet Sportsbook
Kindred’s sports betting site, Unibet, is basic but effective. In terms of aesthetics, it isn’t as flashy as some of its competitors. However, it works well and is a simple site on which to bet, especially good for those in-play bets. One issue we found was a lack of promotions from time to time for existing customers… although we do like its daily profit boost offer!
6. Betway Sportsbook
Another top European sports betting brand is Betwat, which has a huge history. Although it currently doesn’t enjoy the same profile or following as some of the New Jersey market leaders, this isn’t to say that it isn’t a great betting option. It generally offers generous odds and has an extensive selection of sports and markets to choose from. It also offers a very interesting weekly odds boost offer!
7. PointsBet Sportsbook
PointsBet is an Australian based company – and it offers a straightforward and easy to follow betting app – always with plenty of promotions and offers. It also offers the unique PointsBetting idea – where punters can have more control over their risk v reward. The app is very easy to use – in fact, easier to use than the desktop version!
8. SugarHouse Sportsbook
SugarHouse is a member of the Rush Street group – and it makes it easy to move from sports betting to the casino. Moreover, as a member, you can sign up for their iRush Rewards system – which will earn you points when you play, which you can use at the casino. It has a very solid betting platform, but you might find it a little crowded and hectic. It is a great app for a beginner who also enjoys a little casino action!
New Jersey New Sports Betting Apps
There are already lots of options available on the New Jersey sports betting market, but that list continues to grow – and here are some of the sports betting app operators that have opened their doors – or are set to open their doors in 2022…
List of NJ Sports Betting Apps in 2022
- BallyBet Sports
- Fubo Sportsbook
- Maxim Bet
- Sporttrade
The Best NJ Sports Betting Bonuses
The good news is that you can literally start betting on legal NJ online sportsbooks quickly and easily. You simply need to choose your preferred sportsbook and create a new account. Registration should be simple and quick. You will simply need to follow instructions and enter the necessary information.
But what betting site should you pick? Well, that depends on what you are looking for – but here are some of the best welcome bonuses available if this is one of the things you are looking at…
- DraftKings: $50 when you deposit plus a 20% bonus up to $1000
- FanDuel: A Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000
- BetMGM: A Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000
- Caesars: 100% up to $1,100
- SugarHouse: 100% Match Bonus up to $250
Remember, before you claim any of the offers or welcome bonuses, you need to see whether or not a promo code is required and you need to understand the different types of bonuses available. Here are the most common ones you will come across…
A Deposit Match
The betting site will match a percentage of your deposit with bonus money or free pets that you can use on the site. The bonus will have playthrough requirements attached.
Free Bets
You will get a free bet when you sign up and make a deposit. You can use this bet on specific sports and bet types. If you win with the free bet, you will be able to withdraw the winnings but not the free bet amount.
Risk-Free Bets
When you make your deposit, you can place your first bet up to $xx and it will be risk-free. That means that if the bet loses, you will get the wager back in bonus funds, which you can then use to make another bet on the site.
Whatever bonus you choose – make sure that you only ever register to an NJ online sportsbook that is safe and legal – like the ones we look at here.
10 Facts About Sports Betting in NJ
Here are some quick and interesting facts about sports betting in New Jersey…
- You need to be 21 or older to legally bet on sports in New Jersey.
- The state first legalized sports betting back in 2012. However, a number of lawsuits delayed gambling expansion until 2018 after PASPA was overruled by the Supreme Court.
- The state of New Jersey reported its first $2 billion sports handle in September 2021.
- Sports bettors in NF can legally wager on professional and college sports.
- However, betting on in-state collegiate teams, programs or events taking place in the state is not allowed.
- You cannot be a member of any gambling self-exclusion lists.
- You don’t need to live in New Jersey, but you need to be physically located in the state to make a bet.
- Any personnel that is affiliated with a team or league cannot wager on their own sports.
- You cannot wager on high school sports or events if the majority of athletes are 18 or under.
- Most entertainment bets are prohibited and you can’t bet on the election or weather, but you can bet on the Oscars and Emmys.
What to Look for in an NJ Legal Sports Betting Site
The best legal online sports betting sites give New Jersey bettors access to the biggest and best events whenever they want – as long as they are located within state borders¬ This makes it hugely convenient. However, regulated and licensed operators will have to adhere to the strictest safety and security measures. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement keeps a watch on every single New Jersey sports betting site – which means that there is protection put in place for you and your money should any issues arise.
Because it is such a competitive marketplace, this is great news for New Jersey sports bettors. They spend a lot of time and effort trying to attract customers, which means more promotions and offers are available. Moreover, they also go out of their way to offer generous odds as well as numerous betting opportunities – including casino and even poker! Those that offer online casinos, as well as sportsbooks, are generally the sites that get the most custom and revenue.
New Jersey Sports Betting Laws
Although it came about quickly compared to other states, the legalization of sports betting in New Jersey was not an easy one. NJ attempted to make moves early on, but there was a lot of opposition, leading to years of legal wrangling. This all came to a head in May 2018 when the subject of sports betting was taken to the Supreme Court – and they ruled in favor of New Jersey. This led to the dissolution of PASPA.
As soon as sports betting was given the legal go-ahead, it all moved very quickly and in June an updated sports betting bill was signed into law. This allowed New Jersey casinos and racetracks to open sportsbooks on site. Just a few days later, the first in-person wager was made.
The law also allowed for online sports betting – as long as they had a land-based partner. All casinos and racetracks were allowed a maximum of three online skins that could operate off their license. It was in August 2018 that the online and mobile rollout began.
The legislation that was introduced included:
- A license for the casino or racetrack would cost $100,000 to be issued.
- An internet gambling license would cost $400,000 plus an extra $250,000 in responsible gaming fees.
- Casinos would need to pay 8.5% in tax for in-person bets and 13% for online bets.
- Racetracks would need to pay the same rate but with an extra 1.25% for online bets.
- All sports bets would be subject to 0.25% in federal taxes.
All Current Legal New Jersey Sports Betting Apps
At the time of writing, there are 22 sports betting apps available in New Jersey. The first legal sportsbook to open in NJ was DraftKings, which opened in August 2018. This was followed by several betting apps soon after. Here are all the current legal betting apps available in the Garden State…
- Barstool
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Betway
- Borgata
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Fox Bet
- Golden Nugget
- Hard Rock
- PlayUP
- PointsBet
- Resorts
- SugarHouse
- SuperBook
- theScore
- Tipico
- TwinSpires
- Unibet
- VIE (EEG)
- WynnBet
Most Popular Sports to Bet on in New Jersey
Because the state is situated between New York City and Philadelphia, there are plenty of sports and teams to follow. Although loyalties and interests might be divided, all of the major professional sports are popular at the top New Jersey sports betting sites – and neighbouring teams always attract a lot of betting attention.
- NFL betting: New Jersey fans usually follow teams including -New York Giants, New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.
- NBA betting: New Jersey fans tend to support teams including– Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
- MLB betting: Fans in New Jersey can support – New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies
- NHL betting: Sports betting fans in NJ can bet on: New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers
These are the four major sports leagues in the US. However, there are numerous other sports that enjoy plenty of other betting action. Other popular betting options include college football and basketball (although not in-state college bets).
Then there is soccer – hugely popular all around the world. Soccer bettors can bet on the MLS as well as top leagues and tournaments from all over the world. Other sports betting options include tennis, golf, UFC, golf, boxing and more. There’s pretty much something for everyone!
Technically, betting is legally limited to sports events – and residents of the US aren’t permitted to bet on events such as the elections etc. However, lines have started being blurred a little, with some sites offering bets on the Academy Awards and Emmys etc.
New Jersey Sports Betting History
The road to legal sports betting in New Jersey has been a long one – starting officially back in 2011 when a voter referendum approved it. However, the 2012 law following this went through numerous lawsuits, taking several years and incurring numerous appeals before it finally made it to the US Supreme Court in December 2017. What was being contested was PASPA – the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which only allowed sports betting in Nevada plus a handful of other grandfather states. This prohibited New Jersey from offering it in any way, shape or form. However, in 2018, PASPA was deemed to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. This set the ball in motion for NJ to become a sports betting state – and it has made the most of it.
Since it started accepting legal bets in 2018, the sports betting industry in New Jersey has grown dramatically. Here are some of its major landmarks…
2018
After PASPA was outlawed, an updated sports betting bill was signed into NJ law. This led to the first retail sportsbook being launched in June – and online sports betting and mobile sports betting sites being launched in August that year.
2019
In 2018, the sports betting handle in New Jersey was reported as being more than $250 million – and it continued to grow in 2019 steadily. The state enjoyed over $500 million in handle for both November and December 2019. This was the first time New Jersey had surpassed the state of Nevada in monthly betting handle.
2020
The state didn’t perform as well in 2020 due to the effect of the CoronaVirus pandemic, which affected the sporting world. However, towards the latter part of the year, bettors quickly returned as sports returned – and the year ended well.
2021
New Jersey’s sports betting handle was around $740 million per month apart from in the slower months of July and August. However, in September, New Jersey enjoyed its first $1 billion month in September and broke that record in October. The voters of New Jersey rejected an expansion of college sports betting to include in-state teams and events in November – with 57% of voters opposing the suggestion. It then learned that it would have an element of competition with New York looking to legalize sports betting in the next few months.
New Jersey Sports Betting FAQ
What are the Legal Sportsbooks in New Jersey?
There are legal sportsbooks both online and in-person. However, you need to make sure that you are located within state borders in order to make a bet on a New Jersey sports betting app. This will be verified by geolocation software. In-person retail sportsbooks can be found at New Jersey’s three racetracks and nine casinos:
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 Sportsbook at Wild Wild West
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Sportsbook
- Harrah’s – Caesars Sportsbook
- Ocean Casino Resort Sportsbook
- Resorts – DraftKings Sportsbook
- Tropicana – Caesars Sportsbook
- Freehold Raceway – Parx Sportsbook
- Meadowlands – FanDuel Sportsbook
- Monmouth Park – Caesars Sportsbook
Is Bovada Legal in New Jersey?
No. Bovada is not licensed or regulated to operate within New Jersey and is only licensed in Curacao. As so this is an illegal offshore online betting site. This means that it isn’t required to follow the same rules and regs as a legal New Jersey betting site. We would only ever recommend betting at a site that has been licensed with New Jersey.
How Old Do I Need to Be to Bet on Sports in NJ?
In order to bet on sports in New Jersey, you need to be at least 21 years old or older and not affiliated with the sport or team on which you are betting.
When Was Online Sports Betting Legalized in NJ?
Online sports betting was legalized in 2018 and the first bet was taken in August 2018.
Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in New Jersey?
Yes, horse racing betting is legal in New Jersey and there are three operating racetracks in the state:
- Freehold Raceway: Harness racing
- Monmouth Park: Harness racing
- Meadowlands Racing: Thoroughbred racing
Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in NJ?
Yes, sports betting regulations allow for daily fantasy sports contests in New Jersey as well as regular sports wagering. This has been legal since 2017. DraftKings is the most popular online sports betting site in New Jersey for DFS, followed by FanDuel
