Best Nj Sportsbook Promos
The best NJ sports betting sites offer solid new player signup promos and bonus codes, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are many different things that make these NJ sports betting sites unique from app to app and property to property:
The Six Best NJ Sports Betting Sites: February 2021
Since NJ Online Sports Betting is still in a bit of a legal flux, large tech companies like Google and Apple have only recently begun to approve the best sports betting apps for US-based customers. For that reason, we will specify the best betting app for iPhone and the best betting app for Android along with other important criteria. Online sportsbook promotions are a great way to get into sports betting. Legal US sportsbooks in new markets offer a variety of promotions to gain activity with new and existing customers. New sportsbook customers will often find a signup bonus for their first deposit.
NJ sports betting has been live for about 2 years now, and the rest of the US continues to follow suit. After DraftKings Sportsbook launched its highly anticipated NJ online sports betting app, many others weren’t far behind.
- As of February 7, 2021, there are 18 NJ sports betting apps being offered online.
- Meanwhile, 10 brick and mortar retail NJ sportsbooks are up and running.
- Including 8 located in Atlantic City casinos.
Top 10 NJ Sports Betting Promo Codes & Offers
Each of these top 10 NJ sports betting sites offers aggressive new player bonuses that can have you playing online in no time with free bets, deposit match codes, and thousands of dollars in risk-free offers. (Updated: February 2021)
- DraftKings Promo Code Offer: $25 FREE BET, plus up to $1K in bonuses
- FanDuel Promo Code Bonus: $500 risk-free bet
- FOX BET Sportsbook Offer: $1,000 FREE on first deposit
- PointsBet Promo Code: $250 in risk-free bets on first deposit
- SugarHouse Sportsbook Offer: 100% first-deposit match, up to $250
- BetMGM Promo Codes: $500 risk-free bet (Bonus code: PLAYBONUS)
- 888sport betting promo: $500 risk-free bet (No code needed)
- Unibet Sports Bonus: $20 free bet – no deposit needed
- Resorts Sports Betting Bonus Code: Up to $250 free bet (Promo code: MAXBONUS)
- Golden Nugget Online Sportsbook NJ: Sign up today to get a free $100 risk-free bet
#1 NJ Sports Betting App is DraftKings
NJ Sports Betting in 2021: How did we get here?
After a legal battle stretching back nearly a decade, New Jersey has won the right to offer regulated sports betting at a legal NJ sportsbook.
The Garden State officially launched legal sports betting June 14, 2018, three days after Gov. Phil Murphy signed sports betting legislation into law.
Gov. Murphy made the first wager in the state at Monmouth Park Racetrack in North Jersey. The Borgata in Atlantic City opened its sportsbook to patrons 30 minutes later.
All the remaining Atlantic City properties launched their own in-house NJ sportsbooks and their own NJ online sports betting sites.
Legal Online NJ Sports Betting Sites
As of February 7, 2021, 18 legal online NJ sports betting apps & sites are up and running.
Nj Sportsbook Bonus
Online Sportsbook | Land-Based Affiliate | Sports betting partner(s) | Launch date |
---|---|---|---|
DraftKings | Resorts AC | Kambi | Aug. 6, 2018 |
FanDuel | Meadowlands | Flutter/IGT | Sept. 1, 2018 |
Caesars | Caesars AC | Scientific Games | Sept. 6, 2018 |
PointsBet | Meadowlands | NA | Dec. 11, 2018 |
BetMGM | Borgata AC | GVC/Roar | Aug. 22, 2018 |
Fox BET | Resorts AC | NA | Sept. 13, 2018 |
SugarHouse Sportsbook | Monmouth Park | Kambi | Aug. 23, 2018 |
Golden Nugget Sportsbook | Golden Nugget | SBTech/Scientific Games | Feb. 19, 2019 |
888sport | Caesars | Kambi | Sept. 10, 2018 |
Resorts Sportsbook | Resorts AC | SBTech | Jan. 31, 2019 |
Borgata Sports | Borgata AC | GVC/Roar | May 14, 2019 |
Bet365 Sports | Hard Rock AC | bet365 | Aug. 30, 2019 |
Unibet Sports | Hard Rock AC | Kambi | Sept. 10, 2019 |
BetAmerica | Golden Nugget | SBTech | Feb. 2, 2019 |
TheScore | Monmouth Park | Bet.Works | Sept. 3, 2019 |
Ocean Resort Sportsbook | Ocean Resort Casino | William Hill | Unknown |
Hard Rock Sportsbook | Hard Rock AC | GiG | Jan. 26, 2019 |
Harrah's | Harrah's AC | Scientific Games | Unknown |
Bally's | Bally's AC | Scientific Games | Unknown |
CG Technology | Meadowlands | Stadium Technology | 2019 |
William Hill | Monmouth | NA | Sept. 1, 2018 |
NJ Sportsbooks at Casinos (and Racetracks)
There are currently 11 land-based NJ sportsbooks and horse racing locations. Here they are in no particular order. (Updated: February 2021)
Casino/Racetrack | NJ Sportsbook | NJ Sports Betting Partner | Launch Date | Open To Public? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Borgata | Moneyline Bar & Book | IGT | June 14, 2018 | Yes |
Tropicana | William Hill Sports Book at Tropicana | William Hill | Oct. 25, 2018 | Yes |
Ocean Resort | William Hill Sportsbook @ Ocean Resort | William Hill | June 28, 2018 | Yes |
Monmouth Park | Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill | William Hill | June 14, 2018 | Yes |
Harrah's | The Book | Scientific Games | Aug. 1, 2018 | Yes |
Hard Rock | Hard Rock Sportsbook | GiG | Jan. 30, 2019 | Yes |
Golden Nugget | The Sportsbook | SBTech | Aug. 15, 2018 | Yes |
Bally's | The Book | Scientific Games | July 30, 2018 | Yes |
Meadowlands | FanDuel Sportsbook | Betfair/FanDuel/IGT | July 14, 2018 | Yes |
Resorts | DraftKings Sportsbook at Resorts | DraftKings/Kambi; SBTech | Aug. 15, 2018 | Yes |
NJ started the sports betting uprising
New Jersey has been fighting for the ability to legalize and regulate sports betting since 2012. The state tried multiple ways to circumvent the federal ban on state-regulated sports betting (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA) and each time was blocked by the sports leagues challenging those attempts in court.
Finally, in 2017, New Jersey — to the surprise of many observers — was granted a request for its case to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in late 2017 and considered the case for the next few months. While the case is on its face about sports betting, there are myriad other implications for the relationship between the state and the federal government arising out of the case. That’s one of the reasons the court heard the case in the first place, and one of the reasons why the decision took so long to make.
But now, after fighting a battle for most of the current decade, one that many observers thought to be hopeless, regulated, legal sports betting is alive in New Jersey.
Latest NJ Sports Betting Odds
Here you can click through the latest NJ sports betting odds on all the major sports:
As of right now, what sports can we bet on in NJ?
With everything going on right now NJ online sports betting apps are starting to post more and more traditional sports bets like UFC, NBA futures, NHL futures & NFL props, as well as a lot more creative lines and non-traditional sports you normally wouldn’t see.
Here are some of the best sports bets today:
NFL Sports Betting in NJ
Top NJ sports betting apps like PointsBet Sportsbook, have posted NFL player props focused on how star players on those teams will perform.
Taking a look at DraftKings SportsbookandFanDuel Sportsbook, you can bet on where Cam Newton & Jameis Winston will be playing in Week 1 of the 2020-2021 season, as well as other remaining players.
Bet on UFC at NJ Sports Betting Apps
Most online NJ sportsbooks and casinos offer bets on UFC. However, odds may differ from one NJ sports betting site to another. Check out the best NJ sports betting apps and see what special offer they have for this weeks UFC event.
New Jersey sports betting FAQ
Is legal sports betting in New Jersey available?
YES. After a sports betting bill moved through the New Jersey legislature, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bill into law June 11, 2018.
The first legal wager took place at Monmouth Park on June 14, and all the remaining AC properties have followed with their own NJ sportsbook: Borgata, Ocean Resort, Tropicana, Harrahs, Caesars, Resorts, Ballys, and Golden Nugget.
NJ online sports betting is also legal with many NJ online sportsbooks available. Anyone 21 years and older are allowed to place legal wagers at these licensed sportsbooks.
Who offers legal sports betting?
Legal NJ sportsbook and NJ online sports betting sites are ultimately controlled by the same license holders who currently offer casino gambling or horse race betting in the state, including the properties mentioned above that already launched sportsbooks. Note: these license holders may as well partner with other brands, as is the case with New Jersey’s legal online casino sites.
Where can I place sports bets?
You can expect a lineup for NJ’s legal sports betting sites that closely match the kinds of gambling you can do when you’re at a Las Vegas sportsbook. Many of Atlantic City’s casinos already operate sportsbooks in Las Vegas, so the experience will be very familiar to those who have bet at Caesars in Las Vegas or MGM. Those are just two of the operators who have existing operations in other jurisdictions, meaning they already have a blueprint in place for offering legal, regulated sports betting in New Jersey.
Why should I choose legal sports betting?
The opportunity to bet at legal, regulated sportsbooks is one that consumers should take seriously. You never know what you’re getting when betting illegally, while legal sportsbooks in New Jersey offer the safety and security of knowing that your details are protected and that you’ll be paid when you win. We may find that many illegal sports betting sites stop serving the New Jersey market; which is what happened after NJ legalized online casino and poker games.
What if I live New Jersey, but currently outside the state?
Sorry bettors. You must be inside state borders of New Jersey to place bets at NJ sports betting apps and sites. All legal NJ sportsbooks use geofencing technology to determine your location, so there is no way around it.
What if I don’t live in New Jersey, but in the state currently?
YES! You don’t need to be a resident of NJ to play at the legal NJ online sportsbooks. It’s all about your current location at the time you make the bets.
Will I get taxed on winning sports bets?
Yes, sports betting legally in New Jersey is taxable income. Depending on the online sports betting site, the operator is supposed to notify the IRS when you win a certain amount of money.
But what if I lose those winnings?
NJ online sports betting losses can actually be tax deductible if you itemize your deductions and keep detailed records of wins and losses. But the losses you deduct cannot exceed the winnings.
New Jersey Sportsbook & Racebook (Physical Locations)
- Resorts AC Casino Hotel (DraftKings)
- Address: 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., 08401
- Tropicana AC Casino (William Hill)
- Address: 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
- Phone:(609) 340-4000
- Caesars AC Casino (888sport)
- Address: 2100 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
- Phone: (609) 348-4411
- Meadowlands (FanDuel)
- Address: 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, N.J., 07073
- Monmouth Park (William Hill)
- Address: 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, N.J. 07757
- Borgata Casino (BetMGM)
- Address: 1 Borgata Way, Borgata Casino, Atlantic City, N.J., 08401
- Ocean Resorts Casino Hotel (William Hill)
- Address: 500 Boardwalk Atlantic City, N.J., 08401
- Bally’s Casino (Wild Wild West)
- Address: 1900 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., 08401
- Harrah’s Casino AC
- Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Atlantic City, N.J., 08401
- Golden Nugget AC
- Address: 600 Huron Ave, Atlantic City, N.J., 08401
New Jersey sports betting set the standard for the US legal sports betting market. The Garden State led the nation in overall betting handle in every month of last year at its retail and online sports betting sites.
With more than 20 different online sportsbooks to choose from, New Jersey hosts an unparalleled online sports betting market. Mobile sports betting apps brought in well over $300 million in revenue in the state last year.
New Jersey Sports Betting Recent Updates
- Betting handle sets US record in November – New Jersey sportsbooks took $931.6 million in wagers in November 2020, setting a record for the US legal sports betting industry. Nearly 94% of that figure came from mobile sportsbook apps.
- Mobile wagering revenue tops the $300 million mark for 2020 – New Jersey’s online sportsbooks produced $43.7 million in revenue in November, hitting an annual revenue mark of $301 million.
- All-time monthly online revenue record in October – The strongest month on record for any state with legal online sports betting played out in October. New Jersey mobile sports betting apps earned $55.1 million in revenue for the month.
- Mobile betting share goes over 90% – The percentage of overall handle coming from mobile sportsbooks topped the 90% mark in the latter months of 2020. Mobile wagering vaulted New Jersey into the spot as the top sports betting state in the US in 2020.
- FanDuel, DraftKings dominate the New Jersey market – New Meadowlands Racetrack (license partner of FanDuel Sportsbook) and Resorts Digital Gaming (license partner of DraftKings Sportsbook) stand as the top two sports betting operators in New Jersey. The two operators combine for 82% of online sports betting market share in the state.
Reviews For New Jersey’s Top Sports Betting Sites
FanDuel Sportsbook NJ (9.8/10)
Visit: FanDuel New Jersey and get $1,000 Risk-Free Bet
- Bonus: Risk-free bet up to $1,000 as a welcome bonus
- Available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices
- License partner of New Meadowlands Racetrack
- Official Sports Betting Partner of the New Jersey Devils
- Robust selection of betting markets and deposit options
- Best deposit option – PayPal
- Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, FanDuel Play+
FanDuel Sportsbook continued its run as the No. 1 online sportsbook in the US by market share in 2020. FanDuel Sportsbook New Jersey takes more bets than any other legal online sports betting platform in the US.
New players can unlock a risk-free bet up to $1,000 after depositing FanDuel Sportsbook. Other promotions include parlay insurance for several different sports.
William Hill Sportsbook New Jersey
Visit: William Hill New Jersey and Claim a $500 Risk Free Bet
- Welcome Offer: Risk-free bet up to $500
- Available Platforms: iOS App, Android App, Web Browser
- Retail Partner: Monmouth Park, Ocean Casino Resort, and Tropicana Casino Resort
- Strong and competitive live betting offering
- Strong and stable app
- Backed by an international reknown sports betting company
- Accepts PayPal for deposits and withdrawals as well as credit/debit, online bank transfer, and more.
William Hill is one of the biggest sports betting brands in the world. The William Hill New Jersey sportsbook operates as a single platform in partnership license partners Monmouth Park, Ocean Casino Resort, and Tropicana Casino Resort.
Navigating from the websites of any of these three sportsbooks all lead to the William Hill NJ site or app download. From there, the William Hill app is easy to download and use, with an easy-to-access live betting options and ongoing promotions.
BetMGM Sportsbook (9/10)
Visit: BetMGM New Jersey and get up to $600 Risk Free Bet Bonus
- Bonus: Welcome bonus: Risk free bonus up to $600
- Available for iOS, Android, and desktop
- License partner of Borgata Hotel Casino
- Official sports betting partner of the New York Jets
- Selection of sports competes with anything else in the legal sports betting market
- Best deposit option – PayPal
- Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, Play+
The sports betting face of the MGM Resorts brand, BetMGM operates in New Jersey as a license partner of MGM-owned Borgata Hotel Casino. The platform offers a top-tier selection of sports, ways to bet, and deposit options.
The BetMGM welcome bonus comes as a risk-free bet up to $500. Other player offers include parlay insurance and weekly free bets.
PointsBet Sportsbook (9.6/10)
Visit: PointsBet Illinois and get $2,000 in Risk-Free Bets
- Bonus: Welcome bonus includes two risk-free bets up to $2,000 total
- Available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices
- License partner of New Meadowlands Racetrack
- Official Sports Betting Partner of NBC Sports
- Exclusive “PointsBetting” wagering style
- Best deposit option – PayPal
- Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card
With a slick, clean look and a one-of-a-kind wagering style known as PointsBetting, the PointsBet Sportsbook brand represents one of the fastest-growing legal gambling companies in the US.
PointsBet offers several different kinds of player bonuses, which change throughout the year. The sportsbook’s latest welcome bonus comes as two risk-free bets (one fixed-odds bet and one PointsBetting wager) up to $2,000.
DraftKings Sportsbook NJ (9.4/10)
Visit: Draftkings New Jersey and get $1,000 Deposit Bonus
- Bonus: 20% deposit match up to $1,000
- Available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices
- License partner of Resorts Digital Inc.
- Official Sports Betting Partner of the New York Giants
- Top-tier selection of domestic and international betting markets
- Best deposit option – PayPal
- Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, DraftKings Play+
DraftKings Sportsbook offers just about anything you could want in an online sports betting platform. The brand’s expansion into legal sports betting has resulted in DraftKings Sportsbook becoming one of the industry’s most recognizable names.
New players can enjoy a 20% deposit match bonus up to $1,000. Odds boosts and referral bonuses are also frequently offered at DraftKings Sportsbook.
SugarHouse Sportsbook (8.6/10)
- Bonus: 100% deposit match bonus up to $250
- Available as an Android app and a desktop client
- License partner of Darby Development (Monmouth Park)
- Partner of VSiN The Sports Betting Network
- Deposit match bonus only requires 1x playthrough
- Best deposit option – PayPal
- Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, BetRivers Play+
Known as BetRivers Sportsbook in other states, SugarHouse Sportsbook competes with anything in the New Jersey market in terms of selection of sports and player-friendly bonuses.
SugarHouse Sportsbooks offers a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250, with just a 1x playthrough requirement. Other promotions include odds boosts and pick’em pools.
Full List Of New Jersey Online Sportsbooks
Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Casino Partner | Launch Date |
---|---|---|---|
FanDuel | Risk-free bet up to $1,000 | New Meadowlands Racetrack | September 2018 |
DraftKings | 20% deposit match up to $1,000 | Resorts Digital Gaming | August 2018 |
SugarHouse | 100% deposit match up to $250 | Darby Development (Monmouth Park) | August 2018 |
PointsBet | Two risk-free bets up to $2,000 | New Meadowlands Racetrack | December 2018 |
BetMGM | Risk-free bet up to $600 | Borgata Hotel Casino | September 2019 |
FOX Bet | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Resorts Digital Gaming | August 2019 |
Caesars | N/A | Boardwalk Regency | September 2018 |
Monmouth Sportsbook by William Hill | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Darby Development (Monmouth Park) | September 2018 |
Golden Nugget | Risk-free bet up to $100 | Golden Nugget Atlantic City | February 2019 |
Resorts | Risk-free bet up to $250 | Resorts Digital Gaming | February 2019 |
888 Sport | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Boardwalk Regency | September 2018 |
William Hill Sportsbook at Ocean Casino | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Ocean Casino | September 2018 |
BetAmerica | 25% deposit match up to $500 | Golden Nugget Atlantic City | February 2019 |
William Hill Sportsbook Tropicana Atlantic City | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Tropicana Casino & Resort | January 2019 |
Hard Rock Sportsbook | 100% deposit match up to $1,000 | Hard Rock Atlantic City | January 2019 |
Bet365 NJ | 100% deposit match up to $500 | Hard Rock Atlantic City | August 2019 |
theScore Bet | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Darby Development (Monmouth Park) | August 2019 |
Borgata Online Sports | N/A | Borgata Hotel Casino | August 2019 |
Wynn Bet | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Boardwalk Regency | August 2020 |
Unibet | Risk-free bet up to $250 | Hard Rock Atlantic City | November 2019 |
Tipico Sportsbook | Match bet up to $100 | Ocean Casino Resort | December 2020 |
How To Place A Bet In New Jersey
Choosing A Sportsbook
The full list of New Jersey’s online sportsbooks, displayed above, regularly updates here on Gaming Today. The welcome bonuses differ at each platform, so be sure to check back on this page for the latest information.
New Jersey hosts the largest selection of sportsbook apps of any US state, with more than 20 different options.
Make Your First Deposit
Once you’ve evaluated the welcome bonuses and chosen a sportsbook, you can use several different methods to fund your new account.
PayPal, ACH/eCheck, credit/debit cards, and Play+ represent some of the best and fastest ways to make a deposit. Once approved, these methods put the money in your player balance immediately.
How To Verify Your Location
New Jersey’s online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to determine your location whenever you try to make a bet.
State law mandates that only wagers coming from within New Jersey borders qualify as legal bets. If the geolocation service determines that you’re outside of New Jersey, you won’t be able to bet.
Registering A New Account
Signing up for a new account at an online sportsbook takes just a couple of minutes. You’ll need a valid email address, as well as proof of age and identity.
A driver’s license or state-issued ID generally suffices to fulfill these requirements. Once the sportsbook verifies your documents, you’re free to deposit and start making bets.
Making Bets At An Online Sportsbook
Online sportsbooks generally display available bets in a user-friendly fashion, requiring players to simply click on whatever line they’d like to bet.
Once you’ve selected a bet, the terms of the wager will appear on a bet slip, usually at the right of the screen. Once it’s there, confirm the bet and send it to the sportsbook.
Why Choose A Legal Sportsbook?
New Jersey’s state-regulated sportsbooks put world-class, legal online sports betting at your fingertips. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) regulates all online gambling products in the state.
Under the oversight of the DGE, legal sportsbooks operate with an obligation to provide security of player funds and personal information, as well as prompt and fair payouts.
Offshore sites guarantee none of these things, nor do they have to. These platforms operate outside of the jurisdiction of federal law.
Players are responsible for paying applicable state and federal taxes on sports betting winnings. New Jersey’s mobile sportsbooks automatically withhold federal taxes on winnings of $5,000 or more.
New Jersey Sports Betting Revenue
New Jersey started 2020 as the top revenue-earning sports betting state in the US. The Garden State maintained that status throughout the year, topping all states in betting handle in every month of 2020.
The overall betting handle came in at over $6 billion in New Jersey in 2020. The state took in $398.5 million in sports betting revenue for the year.
Just under $360 million of that revenue figure came from mobile betting. That number amounts to 90% of sports betting revenue coming from online sportsbooks in New Jersey.
New Jersey Versus Other Sports Betting States
New Jersey sets the bar for sports betting in the US, leading the boom in mobile wagering. Pennsylvania stands as the closest neighboring state with a market comparable to New Jersey. New York offers retail sports betting but has yet to launch online sports betting in the state.
The Keystone State launched sports betting in May 2019. Both retail and online sports betting are legal under Pennsylvania law.
Most of the state’s 13 land-based casinos offer retail sports betting. Mobile wagering dominates the Pennsylvania market, however, with 90% of the overall betting handle coming from online sportsbooks.
Pennsylvania plays home to 10 different online sports betting platforms. November 2020 saw the state’s online sportsbooks produce $31.18 million in revenue, a new monthly high for the state.
New Jersey topped thelist of US states in online betting handle for October 2020, with just under $744 million wagered online. Pennsylvania ($472.2 million), Illinois ($409.5 million), and Nevada ($376.8 million) rounded out the list as the top four online sports betting markets in the US for October.
New Jersey Sports Betting Successes And Failures
New Jersey Sports Betting Successes
The list of ways to define New Jersey’s success in online sports betting is incredibly long. The Garden State provides the model that all other states aspire to copy for their mobile sports betting industries.
The state produced just under $400 million in sports betting revenue in 2020. Just under $360 million of that revenue came from online sportsbooks.
Competition proves lucrative for New Jersey’s online sports betting market. State laws allow for land-based casinos to license multiple brands per operator.
The result of that model sees more than 20 different online sportsbooks competing for market share. FanDuel and DraftKings dominate in the state, but New Jersey sits as the land of opportunity for other sports betting brands as well.
New Jersey Sports Betting Failures
It’s tough to find anything that counts as a “failure” for New Jersey’s sports betting industry. However, the state’s run as the No. 1 US sports betting market could get some competition if New York moves forward with online sports betting.
At least some of New Jersey’s industry-leading revenue numbers come from New York bettors taking the short trip to the Garden State to place legal online bets.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently reversed his longtime stance against online sports betting and now wants to bring it to New York. Legal mobile betting in New York could affect New Jersey’s bottom line significantly.
New Jersey’s Sports Betting Legalization Effort
New Jersey stands at the forefront of the push to legalize online gambling in the US. The state gave the green light to online casinos and poker in 2013.
The fall of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) paved the way for the modern US sports betting boom. PASPA went into effect in 1993,outlawing sports betting in all but four states.
Nevada, Montana, Delaware, and Oregon were exempt from PASPA, but other states weren’t permitted to offer sports betting under the language of the act. That changed with the US Supreme Court declaring PASPA unconstitutional in May 2018.
New Jersey already had the pieces in place for a sports betting launch, anticipating the overturning of PASPA. The state legalized both retail and online sports betting just one month after the PASPA ruling.
The state’s retail sportsbook opened days later, and the first of New Jersey’s online sports betting platforms launched in July 2018.
When launched, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury aimed to hit a $25 million goal in overall tax revenue for fiscal year 2019. By comparison, online and retail sports betting doubled that goal in the 2020 calendar year, producing more than $50 million in revenue.
Sports Betting Promos
Timeline For New Jersey Sports Betting
- May 2018 – The US Supreme Court overturns PASPA, setting the stage for states to legalize sports betting. New Jersey does so just one month later, with Gov. Phil Murphy signing off on sports betting legislation in June 2018.
- June 2018 – The first of New Jersey’s retail sportsbooks go live.
- July 2018 – Online sports betting launches in New Jersey. DraftKings, FanDuel, SugarHouse, and William Hill are among the first operators to offer mobile sports betting in the state.
- March 2019 – Mobile sports betting goes over the $20 million mark in monthly revenue for the first time. New Jersey’s online sportsbooks take in $24.2 million in earnings for March.
- May 2019 – New Jersey overtakes Nevada as the No. 1 US state for overall sports betting handle. The landmark goes down as the first time in US history a state other than Nevada led the nation in betting handle.
- October 2019 – Another new mark is reached for online sports betting in New Jersey. Mobile sports betting apps produce $38.7 million in revenue and a new record high in the US.
- January 2020 – New Jersey online sportsbook set yet another new benchmark, with $46.65 million in monthly revenue. This mark stands for most of the year until even new highs are reached near the end of the year.
- December 2020 – Another new all-time revenue mark is reached, as New Jersey online sportsbooks produce just under $58.7 million in revenue. Combined betting handle from online and live betting approaches $1 billion for the month, with the state taking $996.3 million in wagers.
New Jersey Professional Sports Teams
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils aren’t the only professional sports team that plays in the Garden State, but it is the only franchise officially calling itself a “New Jersey” team.
Founded in 1974, the Devils enjoy a loyal fanbase and play at the Prudential Center in Newark. New Jersey hockey fans have seen the Devils win three Stanley Cups, five conference championships, and nine division titles over a nearly 50-year history.
Those accolades don’t include the seasons from 1974-1982, in which the franchise wasn’t quite yet “New Jersey” or the “Devils.” The team’s roots go back to 1974 when the organization was founded as the Kansas City Scouts.
After a move to Denver in 1976, the franchise found its permanent home in New Jersey in 1982. The Devils form a natural rivalry with the New York Rangers, colloquially known as the “Battle of the Hudson River.”
The Devils’ last Stanley Cup Finals appearance came in the 2011-2012 season. The next time New Jersey makes a playoff run, state sportsbooks will offer wagering on all rounds of the playoffs.
New York Sports Franchises
Both the New York Giants and New York Jets play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Both franchises still identify as “New York” football teams, but both claim large fanbases in New Jersey.
The NBA’s Brooklyn Nets played in New Jersey from 1977-2012. The formerly-known New Jersey Nets’ move to Brooklyn doesn’t diminish the team’s following in its previous home of New Jersey, however.
Other New York sports franchises, like the Yankees and Mets, hold large fanbases in New Jersey.
Restrictions On College Sports Betting In New Jersey
New Jersey laws don’t allow for betting on in-state college programs in any way. As such, you won’t find New Jersey-based programs like the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Seton Hall Pirates, or Princeton Tigers on the betting boards at New Jersey’s retail or online sportsbooks.
Plenty of other local college programs still offer betting opportunities, however.
Villanova Wildcats
Just over the New Jersey border lies Philadelphia, a city with one of the nation’s richest college basketball traditions. The Villanova Wildcats represent one of the Philadelphia Big Five, a group of hallowed Philadelphia-based men’s college basketball programs.
Villanova won a pair of National Championships in the 2010s, coming in 2016 and 2018. The Wildcats clinched NCAA Tournament berths in 14 of the past 15 years (excluding the canceled 2020 tournament).
March Madness is open for betting at New Jersey sportsbooks, even if in-state programs are in the field. Villanova’s next Final Four run will offer numerous ways to bet at New Jersey online sportsbooks.
St. John’s Red Storm
Like Villanova, the St. John’s University men’s basketball program plays in the Big East Conference. Located in Queens, New York, the Red Storm claim two Final Four appearances, three conference titles, and 30 NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Red Storm ended the 2019-2020 season as the ninth-winningest men’s basketball program in NCAA history. St John’s last March Madness appearance came in 2019.
Other Sports To Bet On In New Jersey
Aside from the four major sports leagues, just about every other sport imaginable is open for wagering at New Jersey’s online sportsbooks.
MMA, NASCAR, golf, tennis, soccer, and more await on the betting menus of New Jersey’s sports betting platform. This includes NASCAR events held at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
All other sporting events taking place within New Jersey are open for betting, with the exception of college sports contests. College games held in New Jersey aren’t eligible for legal wagering, whether they involve New Jersey-based programs or not.
If an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket played out at the Prudential Center in Newark, for example, none of those games would appear on the boards at New Jersey’s sportsbooks. The restriction applies to both retail and online betting.
New Jersey Sports Betting FAQs
Yes. New Jersey stands at the front of the curve in the US legal online sports betting industry. More than 20 different mobile sportsbooks operate in the state.
All approved online sportsbooks bear the seal of approval from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Any online gambling site not displaying this seal is conducting business illegally in the Garden State.
21 or older. The minimum age to place online sports bets is 21, mandated by New Jersey law.
To register for an online sportsbook account, you must provide proof of age and identity.
Yes, but not on New Jersey-based college programs or events. Aside from those restrictions, all other college sports events can legally be wagered in New Jersey.
Any sportsbook offering bets on New Jersey-based teams or events is operating illegally.
No, you just need to be located within New Jersey when you place a bet. Visitors from other states, including neighboring states like New York, can legally wager at New Jersey’s online sportsbooks.
Legal mobile sportsbooks use geolocation technology to determine a user’s location at the time of a bet. If the geolocation services can’t detect that you’re in the state, you won’t be able to bet.
Yes. DraftKings Sportsbook debuted in New Jersey in August 2018 as one of the first online sportsbooks to go live in the state.
DraftKings Sportsbook represents one of the most popular choices for legal online sports betting in New Jersey. The platform operates under a licensing partnership with Resorts Digital Gaming.
Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook launched in New Jersey in September 2018. The FanDuel Sportsbook NJ platform anchors the brand’s status as the No. 1 online sportsbook in the US by market share.
FanDuel Sportsbook operates as a license partner of New Meadowlands Racetrack.
More Resources On New Jersey Sports Betting
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement: Financial and Statistical Information – A page with links to revenue reports and press releases provided by New Jersey’s gaming regulatory agency.
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Sports Wagering page – General information about New Jersey sports betting laws, operators, and approved events.
- Atlantic City Casinos – New Jersey tourism site presenting information on Atlantic City casinos.
- ESPN US Sports Betting Map – ESPN resource outlining where all 50 states stand on sports betting legalization.
- NJ.com Sports – Sports section of one of the state’s top news outlets.