New Jersey Sports Betting

The American public owes a debt of gratitude to the Garden State for the massive expansion of legal sports betting that is coming to the United States. New Jersey – albeit with vested interests firmly at the forefront – exhibited impressive persistence in its mission to legalize the activity within its borders. The near-decade-long quest culminated in a favorable Supreme Court decision on May 14, 2018, effectively permitting New Jersey and every other state to legalize sports betting.

NJ sports betting status

New Jersey has certainly come a long way since launching sports betting in June 2014. Since Gov. Phil Murphy placed the first wagers at Monmouth Park, sports betting has exploded in the Garden State.

In fact, the latest revenue figures from the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement reveal that sports-related wagering in New Jersey generated just shy of $100 million in revenue for the month of August alone. With so much interest from all sides, New Jersey residents suddenly find themselves with a wealth of land-based and online options for betting sports.

Where to bet online in NJ

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New Jersey is the first state other than Nevada to offer any kind of mobile sports betting for inhabitants of the state. Players can access many sites in the state regardless of what sort of device they’re using – sites are compatible across multiple platforms.

Selecting which site is best depends on your personal preferences. However, the list below should help you make up your mind. Here’s a look at the eight online sportsbooks in New Jersey:

DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Compatibility: Android, iOS, and browser
  • Promotion: Exclusive free bet offer
  • Pros
    • Betting carousel
    • Live ticket system allows early cashouts on bets
    • Slick design
  • Cons:
    • Low number of deposit and withdrawal options
    • No land-based location means no in-person wagering

FanDuel Sportsbook

  • Compatibility: Android, iOS, and browser
  • Promotion: First deposit match to $100
  • Pros
    • Live ticket system for early cashouts
    • Design is snappy and clean
    • Low minimum bet threshold – as low as $0.10
  • Cons
    • Weaker promos than others
    • Lines can be less competitive

BetStars NJ

  • Compatibility: Android and iOS; browser version under development
  • Promotion: Up to $500 in Free Bets
  • Pros:
    • Integrated platform
    • Shared wallet allows easy money transfers
    • Fresh Kambi-created design
  • Cons
    • No in-play betting
    • No streaming services

SugarHouse Sportsbook and Casino

  • Compatibility: Android, iOS, and browser
  • Promotion: First deposit match up to $250
  • Pros
    • Integrated platform
    • Extensive in-play betting
    • Live ticket system for early cashouts
  • Cons
    • Flat design
    • Software can be a bit clunky at times

888 Sport

  • Compatibility: Android and browser
  • Promotion: $10 free upon sign-up
  • Pros:
    • Large variety of sports to bet
    • eSports betting
    • Integrated design and shared wallet
  • Cons
    • No iOS compatibility

William Hill

  • Compatibility: Android, iOS, and browser
  • Promotion: $50 cash after $50 wagered
  • Pros
    • Extreme variety of bets and betting types
    • Easy-to-navigate software
  • Cons
    • Limited deposit and withdrawal options

playMGM

  • Compatibility: Android
  • Promotion: None
  • Pros
    • Brand name product
    • MLife program-linked
  • Cons
    • Basic, clunky design
    • Limited compatibility with no end in sight
    • Complacency about promotional offerings

Caesars

  • Compatibility: Android, iOS, and browser
  • Promotion: $25 free
  • Pros
    • Brand name product
    • Total Rewards program-linked
    • Integration with casino platform
  • Cons
    • Limited betting types offered
    • Static design without much appeal

Land-based

Of course, not everyone will want to place their wagers on their mobile devices. There is something to be said about placing a bet in person and then watching excitedly/anxiously on those big-screen televisions common to most sportsbooks.

At this point, most of the casinos and racetracks in New Jersey have a sports betting operation of some sort. Some are operating temporary or kiosk facilities, but others have dedicated areas carved out of the center of their gaming space.

The locations with sportsbooks are:

These locations are still waiting to open their books:

  • Caesars Atlantic City Hotel and Casino
    • Has not applied for a land-based license, and likely won’t, due to Bally’s and Harrah’s opening
  • Freehold Raceway
    • Has not applied for a license and has more or less shrugged about the positive impact that sports betting would make
  • Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City 
    • Will open a sportsbook at some point, but noncommittal about a timeframe
  • Tropicana Casino and Resort Atlantic City
    • Probably the next to open a book
    • Ownership change has created turmoil, so there’s no guarantee when it might open

The Best DraftKings Sportsbook Bonus Available Online

NJ sports betting bill facts and figures

Provisions in the recently-passed New Jersey bill include:

  • Casinos taxed at 8.5 percent of revenue, with an additional 1.25 percent fee to help market Atlantic City.
  • The 1.25 percent add-on fee for tracks will be jointly absorbed by the host community and the county in which the track operates.
  • Online wagering taxed at 13.0 percent of revenue. Online betting won’t begin until 30 days after the law officially takes effect.
  • No betting allowed on high school sports, on college events taking place in the state, or on any sporting event involving a New Jersey-based school, regardless of where the event takes place.
  • No wagering by referees, players or coaches on the sports in which they participate.
  • Anyone placing a wager must be 21 years of age or older
  • No wagering on high school sports will be allowed.
  • No integrity fees to the leagues are included in the bill.

NJ Sports Betting FAQ

When will sports betting be legal in New Jersey?

It’s legal right now. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law on Monday, June 11, giving licensed operators the green light to begin accepting sports wagers.

So far, eight land-based and eight online sportsbooks have debuted in the Garden State. A few more are expected to drop sometime in the next six months to a year.

Where can I place sports bets when it becomes legal in NJ?

Any casino or racetrack in the state that offers sports betting.

Do I need to register for an online sportsbook account and make my initial deposit in person?

Not in New Jersey. Bettors can register and deposit funds online without visiting a physical sportsbook. In-person registration won’t be required unless a bet of more than $10,000 is made.

Can I bet on my mobile device?

Yes. Online sports betting in New Jersey launched in August when DraftKings went live with its real-money sports betting app. So far, seven others have followed.

Which sports teams in New Jersey can I bet on?

New Jersey residents will be able to place single-game bets on all professional games, and all college sports games EXCEPT those that include teams located in New Jersey. This includes local Rutgers college athletics events and events involving Yale.

What else can I bet on in New Jersey?

New Jersey is currently one of three states that offer some form of online gambling. NJ online casinos and poker sites have been operating in NJ since November 2013.

How will the Supreme Court ruling have an impact on other states?

Now that SCOTUS has found PASPA unconstitutional, the door is open for any state to legalize and regulate sports betting.

Delaware went live with full-scale sports betting on June 5, 2018. Mississippi has already opened ten sportsbooks open in roughly two months of operation.

Two of West Virginia‘s five casinos are accepting wagers on sporting events, and two others should go live in the next month or two. Sportsbook launches in Pennsylvania are imminent.

Finally, both of Rhode Island‘s casinos will offer sports betting, and will likely do so before Thanksgiving. Many other states are expected to follow.

Can I get into trouble for placing bets with unregulated online sportsbooks in New Jersey?

Federal law states that unregulated sports books are illegal and anyone placing or accepting bets through such practices in the United States are subject to prosecution. However, there has yet to be a known instance of such a crime being carried out in a court.

That said, with so many excellent legal options available, why take the chance?