Interested in sports betting sites in the Garden State? Read our guide to sports markets, popular payment methods, and the best betting sites in New Jersey.
New Jersey online sports betting sites make it easy for people in the state to place wagers on their favorite events and athletes. Whether you’re at home or on the move, you can access betting markets and take your pick of options. Here, we’ll take you through the ins and outs of sports gambling in the state, and lay out the top New Jersey betting sites – so you can compare them for yourself, and sign up to the sportsbook that looks good to you.
Are online betting sites legal in New Jersey?
They are indeed. Real money wagers on sporting events were legalized in New Jersey back in June 2018, soon after the Supreme Court overturned a long-standing federal ban on sports betting. The first online sports betting sites in New Jersey went live shortly after, and the Garden State is now famed for its wealth of betting opportunities.
To enjoy betting in New Jersey, you need to be 21 or older and physically located within state lines. You can feel assured that NJ online betting sites are safe since they’re regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, which has strict guidelines to keep gambling sites in check.
Why play at a licensed New Jersey online betting site?
When you place wagers at a licensed New Jersey online sports betting site, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing its operations are overseen by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). Staffed by accountants, investigators, and attorneys, the DGE carefully vets sports betting technology and ensures that licensed sites adhere to stringent industry regulations, payout fairly, and provide a secure space for players.
Why should I avoid offshore online sportsbooks?
While there is no specific state law that forbids betting at offshore sportsbooks, we would strongly advise against it. Offshore betting operators aren’t subject to New Jersey gambling regulations, which puts users at risk of shady practices with no clear path for making formal complaints if anything goes wrong.
As offshore sites aren’t obliged to meet the standards of integrity expected by the Division of Gaming Enforcement, you may fall foul of rigged or unfair markets, delayed payouts, unhelpful or non-existent customer support options, a lack of responsible gambling tools, unfair terms and conditions, and outright fraud. However tempting it might be to sign up and take advantage of too-good-to-be-true welcome offers, it’s simply not worth taking the chance on an offshore gambling site.
How to identify a legal online betting site in New Jersey
The good news is that it’s pretty easy to tell if a New Jersey betting operator is legitimate. Somewhere on the homepage, it will explicitly state the site is licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, while the DGE’s website lists all authorized betting sites in the state. You can also rest assured that any New Jersey online sportsbook we recommend here at GamblingSpotlight will be licensed by the DGE.
Which online betting sites can New Jersey residents play at?
There’s a good spread of New Jersey betting sites to choose from. Here are a handful of options that deserve to be on your radar:
DraftKings
The first legal sportsbook to launch in the Garden State, DraftKings welcomes you with a $50 free bet if you make a minimum $5 first deposit. There’s a matched deposit bonus of 20% up to $1,000 available for new players, too.
Market coverage ranges from biggies like the NFL and the NBA, to more niche pursuits like the Moscow Liga Pro table tennis. You have a wealth of ways to wager, from classic moneylines to player props, while regular bet boosts on select markets can enhance potential returns.
FanDuel
If you’re curious to try out FanDuel, you can do it risk-free. If a customer’s first wager is unsuccessful, it will be returned in the form of bonus credits up to a max value of $1,000. The perks keep coming for ongoing users of this top sportsbook, with parlay insurance deals frequently available for major sports like football and MMA.
Same game parlays are on offer, and there’s also a very strong in-play betting section with game stats updated in real-time and the chance to watch live streams as you bet.
BetMGM
BetMGM boasts one of the sleekest and most stylish sportsbooks in New Jersey, but there’s plenty of substance here too. New customers are welcomed with a $1,000 risk-free first bet, so you’ll get a losing stake refunded in bonus credits up to that amount.
You can place spreads, totals, props, and other types of wager both pre-game and in-play at this sports betting site. Parlay insurance offers are available for the MLS, NFL, and English Premier League soccer, and – speaking of parlays – you can also boost returns on winning parlays by up to 40% if they consist of four to seven legs.
Sugarhouse
Sugarhouse certainly sweetens the deal for new members, providing a first deposit match bonus of 100% up to $250. Like other top New Jersey betting sites, there’s an array of ongoing perks here, including 20% profit boosts for NFL parlays every Sunday. You can also stack up multiple selections for one event thanks to the same game parlay tool.
Sugarhouse has live streaming nailed, too, covering the likes of hockey, tennis, and soccer. The iRush rewards program also brings extra goodies if you rack up enough loyalty points.
Unibet
While the $500 risk-free bet welcome bonus at Unibet is smaller than some of its New Jersey rivals, it’ll certainly provide adequate coverage for most casual bettors looking to try out the site for the first time.
There are some interesting offers for existing customers too, like the chance to win tickets to New Jersey Devils games when you place NHL bets using the single-game parlay feature. There’s good sports coverage here, so you can put money on everything from college basketball to NASCAR. Plus, you’ll be able to cash out selected in-play bets to secure a return or prevent big losses.
New Jersey’s land-based bookmakers
| Land-based sportsbook | Address |
| FanDuel Sportsbook, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment | 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook, Resorts Casino Hotel | 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| William Hill Sportsbook, Monmouth Park | 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757 |
| The Sportsbook at Ocean Casino Resort | 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook, Bally’s Atlantic City | 1900 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| Caesars Sportsbook, Harrah’s Atlantic City | 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City | 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| The Sportsbook, Golden Nugget Atlantic City | 600 Huron Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook, Borgata Hotel & Spa | 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| Caesars Sportsbook, Tropicana Atlantic City | 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| Caesars Sportsbook, Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino | 2100 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
How to bet on sports with real money
Getting started with NJ online betting sites is straightforward – just follow these steps:
- Compare the best New Jersey betting sites right here at GamblingSpotlight. Our list makes it easy to weigh up welcome offers and other factors, so you can make an informed choice.
- Once you’ve picked the right New Jersey online sports betting site for you, click through our link to go to the registration page.
- Enter your personal details as prompted. You may have to show ID documents to pass the verification checks. Don’t forget to enter the welcome bonus promo code, if one is required.
- If there’s a no deposit bonus available, it should land in your account after your registration is complete. Otherwise, you can navigate to the cashier page to select a payment method and make the first deposit into your account.
- Depending on the terms of the welcome bonus, you may be given free bets or bonus credits after making a certain minimum deposit. Alternatively, you may have to make a qualifying bet to unlock the bonus.
- Dive into the betting markets and place wagers on your preferred selections. Good luck!
Which sports can I bet on in New Jersey?
Sports fans are spoiled for choice at New Jersey betting sites. You’ll be able to put money on a huge range of sports, both nationally and around the world. Options include:
- Football (incl. NFL)
- Basketball (incl. NBA)
- Baseball (incl. MLB)
- Hockey (incl. NHL)
- Soccer (incl. MLS)
- Boxing
- Golf
- Tennis
- Motorsports (incl. NASCAR)
- Cricket
While you can place real money wagers on college events at New Jersey online sports betting sites, there are restrictions here. For one thing, you won’t be able to place bets on college sports events taking place within New Jersey itself. It’s also not permitted to place bets on any event involving a New Jersey college team, regardless of where the game is taking place.
Local sports teams to bet on
New Jersey has a proud sporting heritage. The major league teams based in the state are:
- New Jersey Devils (NHL)
- New York Giants (NFL)
- New York Jets (NFL)
- New York Red Bulls (MLS)
In terms of college sports, the prominent New Jersey teams are:
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Princeton Tigers
- Seton Hall Pirates
- Monmouth Hawks
- Rider Broncs
- Saint Peter’s Peacocks and Peahens
- NJIT Highlanders
- Fairleigh Dickinson Knights
However, as mentioned above, it’s not possible to wager on New Jersey college teams at online betting sites in the state.
Betting markets
There are multiple ways to put money on your favorite events at New Jersey online sportsbook sites. Here are some of the most popular markets you’ll find.
- Moneyline – the simplest wager there is, where you’ll simply bet on who you think will win a particular event
- Point Spread – Bet on the favorite to win by a certain points margin, or bet on the underdog to either win outright or lose within a set score
- Props – these are bets on outcomes unrelated to the final result of the event, such as a quarterback’s total passing yards, or the total strikeouts earned by a pitcher
- Futures – bets on events or championships that will conclude in the future, such as who’ll win the Super Bowl or World Series
- Totals – often known as over/under bets, these allow you to bet on whether a particular statistic will be above or below a certain figure. For example, if the total number of goals in a soccer game will be over or under 3 in total
- Parlays – bets made up of multiple separate wagers which must – usually – all come good for the parlay to win
- Live betting – Place wagers on sports events while they’re still underway. Odds on different selections will fluctuate in response to the action
Mobile betting apps in New Jersey
When it comes to New Jersey online betting, you don’t have to stay shackled to your desktop or laptop. As well as being able to access betting markets through the mobile-optimized sportsbook websites, you also have your pick of native mobile apps which can be downloaded to your iOS or Android device.
DraftKings, FanDuel, Unibet, Bet365, and BetAmerica are among the many New Jersey betting sites to have launched dedicated mobile apps in the state.
While these apps require storage space on your phone or tablet, they offer extra convenience. You’ll be able to fire up betting markets with just a few taps, and you can activate push notifications to let you know of the latest promos at New Jersey sportsbooks as and when they become available.
New Jersey betting payment methods
Customer convenience is key to the best New Jersey online betting sites, which is why the best brands will offer multiple ways to make deposits and withdrawals. Most deposit methods will let you instantly top up your sportsbook account, while timeframes for withdrawals will vary depending on the method and betting site.
Deposit
While not all deposit options will be available at all New Jersey betting sites, you’ll likely be offered some or all of the following ways to pay into your account:
- Debit and credit cards (for example Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
- Prepaid Play+ cards
- PayPal
- Skrill
- PayNearMe
- ACH/eCheck
- Online bank transfer
- Cashier cage at land-based casino/sportsbook
- Gift cards
Withdrawal
There tend to be fewer ways to withdraw money at New Jersey online sportsbooks. That said, there should still be a solid spread of options, which can include:
- Cashier cage at land-based casino/sportsbook
- PayPal
- Skrill
- ACH/eCheck
- Online bank transfer
- Prepaid Play+ cards
- Check by mail
History of sports betting in New Jersey
Here’s a quick look back at the main milestones in online sports betting in the Garden State.
2012 – Legislation is signed by Governor Chris Christie to allow ‘wagering at casinos and racetracks on certain professional and collegiate sports or athletic events’. This flies in the face of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which forbids sports betting across most of the United States.
2013 – Efforts to legalize sports betting in New Jersey are blocked by a federal court, which rules that ‘[the state’s] sports wagering law conflicts with PASPA and, under our Constitution, must yield.’
2017 – Following more legal setbacks, New Jersey is granted a Supreme Court hearing to make its case that PASPA was unconstitutional.
2018 – The Supreme Court rules in favor of New Jersey, overturning PASPA and allowing states to decide for themselves whether or not to legalize sports betting. New Jersey gives the go-ahead to retail and online sportsbooks later that year.
Problem gambling support in New Jersey
Gambling should be regarded as a form of paid entertainment – something you can enjoy in a controlled and comfortable way. However, if gambling gets out of hand, it can have a negative impact on your finances and wellbeing. If you feel that you’re developing problem gambling habits, advice and support can be found through the following organizations.
Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
3635 Quakerbridge Rd. Ste.7 Hamilton, NJ 08619
Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER
National Council on Problem Gambling
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
Gamblers Anonymous
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
Phone: 855-2CALLGA
Ready to discover New Jersey betting sites?
This guide has hopefully filled you in on sports wagering in the Garden State. If you feel ready to enjoy the opportunities on offer, you can check out our list of the best New Jersey online sports betting sites. After comparing the options, simply follow our link to sign up to the site of your choice.
FAQs
Is online betting legal in New Jersey?
Absolutely. You’re free to place sports bets on a huge range of markets at a host of online bookmakers.
How do I know if I’m playing at a licensed New Jersey online sportsbook?
You can check to see if the homepage states the sportsbook is licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Or, simply stick to the New Jersey betting sites we recommend on GamblingSpotlight – as we have a zero-tolerance policy towards unlicensed sites.
Will I be taxed for my gambling winnings?
Yes, gambling winnings are subject to tax in New Jersey, like any other form of income.
What other forms of gambling are allowed in New Jersey?
As well as sports betting, New Jersey also allows gambling on casino games (both online and in-person), daily fantasy sports, bingo, and horse racing. There’s also the NJ Lottery.
Do you need to be in New Jersey to play at a New Jersey online sportsbook?
You will need to be within New Jersey state lines in order to place bets. If you’re playing through a mobile site or app, geolocation technology will be used to verify that you’re in the Garden State.
Is New Jersey online betting fair?
New Jersey online sports betting sites are carefully audited by the DGE to ensure they run an honest operation. While there are no guarantees in gambling, and losses are inevitable, you can be sure that licensed NJ online betting sites are fair.
Which is the best online betting site in New Jersey?
This comes down to personal taste. You may prefer the design of one site to another, for example, or a welcome bonus offered at one bookmaker may particularly suit the way you bet.
The good news is that all licensed New Jersey betting sites have plenty to offer, and you can always sign up to a few and see which you like best.
Are there any new online betting sites in New Jersey?
A number of sportsbooks entered the New Jersey market in 2021. Barstool Sportsbook launched in August, much to the delight of ‘Stoolies’ in the Garden State. Betway also launched that month, with the Australian bookmaker PlayUp following suit in October.