New Jersey Sports Betting Betting Info And The Best NJ Sportsbooks
New Jersey has been one of the first states in the US to legalize online sports betting with the lanch that happened in June 2018. Nowadays, the NJ sports betting market has around two dozen sports betting apps available, with excellent bonus offers and plenty of free bets opportunities for players. We can undoubtedly say that the NJ sports betting market is one of the most mature in the US, and the competition is thriving. Below is a complete list of the available apps and a review of the current state of the sports betting legal industry in New Jersey.
New Jersey Sportsbooks
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New Jersey sports betting overview
Is online sports betting legal in New Jersey?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in New Jersey, and there are currently more than two dozen mobile apps available in the state. Legal sportsbooks have started taking bets in the state in August 2018, just two months after Gov. Phil Murphy signed the law.
What Sportsbook apps are licensed and legal in NJ?
DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, PointsBet, SugarHouse, Unibet, Betway
What sports can I wager on in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, it is possible to bet on all major sports and leagues, except on in-state college teams and college games that are played inside New Jersey.
Who can bet on sports in NJ? Everyone that is 21 or older can wager on sports in New Jersey. Affiliated personnel cannot wager on their own team or sport, and you must be physically located in New Jersey to wager with sportsbooks that are using geolocation software to verify your position.
Top sports betting apps comparison in New Jersey
There is a bit for anyone’s taste with so many different legal sports betting apps available in New Jersey. After all, it is ultimately down to what you like and which books are most suitable to your taste. There are, however, some more general categories that are quite objective, and we have highlighted below some of the strengths and weaknesses of the different operators.
- Top Sportsbooks for Major Sports: DraftKings, FanDuel. The fact that these two sportsbooks have a close relationship with major North American sports leagues and some of the teams means that they are pushed to provide a great depth of betting options to their customers.
- Top Sportsbooks for Other Sports: BetMGM. Most New Jersey sportsbooks offer a great range of sports, but we can say that the BetMGM list is by far the most complete of the biggest operators.
- Best Sportsbook Odds: PointsBet. Our analysis and tests found that PointsBet offers the best lines more consistently than any other provider.
- Best Sportsbooks for Overall User Experience: DraftKings, FanDuel. DraftKings and FanDuel have invested heavily to create apps that score very high for user experience, as we can see from their ratings in the App Store and Google Play.
- Best Sportsbooks for Player Rewards: Caesars, SugarHouse. Having a great sign up offer is essential, but having recurrent offers will guarantee you the best added value over time. Caesars and SugarHouse are leading in this area with their loyalty programs that are also integrated with their retail casinos’ operations.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings has become rapidly one of the most popular sports betting apps in New Jersey, thanks to its substantial wagering options. The live betting section is one of the best in the state, and with its betting pools, you can compete to win big prizes. However, an improvement area is recurring offers that are pretty limited for returning customers.
BetMGM Sportsbook
It is fair to say that BetMGM has become one of the top online sportsbooks in the US. They cover a massive selection of sports and provide many different ways to wager on each. However, odds are not always as competitive as elsewhere, and the online navigation takes a bit to get used to.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook has improved significantly, and it is now firmly in the top end of the market in New Jersey. Despite being basic, their betting platform allows you to perform any betting business quickly and easily. Odds’ competitiveness and events offered are in line with the best in the market, and with a slight improvement in the app design, Caesars could go to the next level.
BetRivers NJ Sportsbook
BetRivers NJ, part of the Rush Street family, allows bettors to easily navigate their casino and Sportsbook products. In addition, players will be able to sign up for the iRush rewards program, which will give points for their play. Although the website is a bit too crowded, the app platform itself is solid and with good usability.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook is the current market leader in New Jersey in terms of revenue. They have a solid and user-friendly sportsbook app, which includes the innovative same-game parlay feature where you can build multi-leg wagers. Player prop bets section can be improved.
Unibet Sportsbook
Unibet Sportsbook presents a rather basic app, which doesn’t have the flash of some of its main competitors. However, if you want a simple place to play with a robust company, you won’t have any problems, and their live betting section is one of the best. Promotions numbers are quite low, and this is clearly an area of improvement.
Betway Sportsbook
Betway is a solid European betting brand that has started its expansion in the US. Despite not being a market leader, they have done a good job with their offering, and their odds are competitive. Furthermore, the range of sports available and bet types are in the high end.
PointsBet Sportsbook
PointsBet is an Australian based company that has launched a straightforward and easy-to-navigate New Jersey app. They are constantly providing offers to their customers, and they have a unique betting concept that places more control over the risk in the hands of their players. The app is easy to use, but its desktop version can be improved as odds and markets are a bit difficult to find.
Newest sports betting apps in New Jersey
As we mentioned, the New Jersey betting market is one of the most mature in the US, yet there are still growth opportunities. Below, we have looked at the new sports betting apps expected in New Jersey soon:
- BallyBet Sports, 2022
- Fubo Sportsbook, 2022
- Maxim Bet, 2022
- Sporttrade, early 2022
Top NJ sportsbook bonuses and how to claim them
A great thing about competition in all industries is that the customers benefit from better service and promotions. The same applies to the legal NJ online sports betting market, and below we have looked at the most popular welcome bonuses, and risk-free bet offers available to new players. If you want to make the most of the New Jersey sports betting offers, you mustn’t just stop at reading the offer headline. Each operator has slightly different terms for their sign-up offers and bonuses, so always check the terms and conditions before getting involved. The most common offers are:
- Deposit match: with this offer, the sports betting site will match a portion or all of your first deposit with credits. The credits are not immediately eligible for withdrawal and will have some playthrough requirements.
- Free bets: a free bet is usually given to new customers creating an account, but some minimum deposit requirements are typically attached. The amount of the credit given won’t be eligible for withdrawal as it is meant for you to try the site.
- Risk-free bets: after making a first qualifying deposit, you can make your first bet risk-free up to a certain amount. If your bet loses, you will get your credit back, up to a maximum amount. You can then use that credit to place more bets.
Overall, signing up to a legal New Jersey sports betting site is very fast, and you could be up and running in a few minutes.
What are the advantages of gambling with a legal NJ online sports betting site?
With legal online sports betting sites, you can wager anytime and anywhere in the state. Convenience, safety and security are the three key areas you will benefit from by wagering with legal and approved New Jersey sports betting operators. The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement closely monitors all the currently licensed sportsbooks and future applicants. Your funds are protected, and there are clear terms for resolving potential disputes. As mentioned above, competition is great for bettors. As the legal sportsbooks are fighting for market shares in New Jersey, they are constantly offering promotions for both new and existing customers. Additionally, several operators have integrated other products like online casinos and poker in the same app, so moving from one form of gambling to another is seamless.
New Jersey sports betting law
Legalizing sports betting in New Jersey has been a rather tricky process. The state made attempts several times, and eventually, in May 2018, the matter was taken to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Justices ruled in favour of the state, which meant that sports betting was given the green light. Since then, things have moved very quickly in New Jersey, as an updated NJ sports betting bill was signed into law in June 2018. The first in-person wager was played only a few days later, and the law also permitted online sports betting sites, as long as they had a land-based partner. Each casinos and racetracks can have up to three online skins which are operating off their license. The online and mobile betting started in New Jersey in August 2018: an internet gambling license costs $400,000, and $250,000 goes for responsible gambling fees. Casinos also pay 8.5% in taxes for land-based bets and 13% for remote wagers.
List of legal New Jersey sports betting apps
There are currently 22 legal sports betting apps available in New Jersey. DraftKings was the first legal sports betting app going live in the state in August 2018, with several others following straight after. Since then, we have seen continuous growth of online sports betting operators in the Garden State, and below is a complete list of all the current legal apps available in NJ:
- Barstool Sportsbook
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Betway Sportsbook
- Borgata Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Fox Bet Sportsbook
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Sportsbook
- PlayUP Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- Resorts Sportsbook
- BetRivers NJ Sportsbook
- SuperBook Sportsbook
- theScore Sportsbook
- Tipico Sportsbook
- TwinSpires Sportsbook
- Unibet Sportsbook
- VIE (EEG) Sportsbook
- WynnBet Sportsbook
Popular sports to wager on in New Jersey
New Jersey is positioned between two major metro areas of New York City and Philadelphia, so NJ sports fans have plenty of teams to cheer for. All the major pro sports teams attract plenty of wagering, particularly the closest ones. Below is a list of the most popular major sports teams in New Jersey:
- 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
Not surprisingly, the above four sports are the most popular for wagering, but some additional sports attract a solid amount of action. For instance, college football and basketball are very popular, even if there are restrictions in New Jersey regarding in-state teams and events. In addition, soccer and individual sports like golf, tennis, Nascar, UFC and boxing are also popular. Betting is currently limited to actual sporting events, so betting on the US elections, for instance, is not allowed.
The road to legalization: NJ sports betting history
The road to legalizing sports betting in New Jersey started in 2011 with a voter referendum. In 2012, a law followed, but it took nearly a decade of federal lawsuits and appeals before it went to the US Supreme Court in December 2017. The problem was the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which limited sports betting only to Nevada and a couple of other grandfathered states, not allowing New Jersey from legalizing it in any form. When PASPA was ruled unconstitutional in 2018, the ball went to New Jersey’s court. As a result, in 2018, NJ legalized sports betting, and since then, the sports betting industry in the state has grown without stopping.
FAQ on NJ sports betting
Where can I wager on sports in New Jersey?
The New Jersey sports betting law allows for betting in person and online. However, remember that you must be located within NJ state lines to wager at a sportsbook app. Legal sports betting apps have to verify the user location with the help of geolocation software. Below is a list of the current state’s three operating racetracks and the nine casinos in Atlantic City.
- 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, they are not legal in New Jersey. Bovada and BetOnline are offshore sportsbooks, as they are licensed in Curaçao and Panama. They are not approved in New Jersey and therefore shouldn’t be used by local bettors. To avoid misunderstanding, before signing up to play online, check for the official Division of Gaming Enforcement Seal on the sports betting site, as this will confirm if you are using an approved and legal sports betting site in New Jersey.
How old do I have to be to wager on sports in New Jersey?
The legal age to bet on sport in NJ is 21, so you have to be 21 or older when signing up. The signup process can be done remotely, with your age that will be verified as part of the process. If the sports betting operator has issues doing so, they will request to provide supporting documentation.
Is horse betting legal in New Jersey?
Betting on horse racing is allowed in NJ. The state has three racetracks:
- Freehold Raceway – Harness
- Meadowlands Racing – Thoroughbred
- Monmouth Park – Harness
Bettors in New Jersey can choose to wager on horses in person or on ADW approved sites like NJBets.
Can I play daily fantasy sports contests in New Jersey?
Yes, it is possible to play daily fantasy sports contests, as the state has regulated these already in 2017. DraftKings and FanDuel are the two main brands in this field, and you can sign up and play on both of them in NJ without any problems.
