New Jersey Sports Betting

The Garden State led the charge in the push for legalized sports betting, and the same still holds true now that a number of states are up and running. New Jersey has proven to be a fantastic market for legal and regulated sports betting sites, and numerous operators have set up shop here as a result.

Think the New Jersey Devils are about to make the next step in their rebuild and make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs next time around? You can place a futures bet on that. Do you like Daniel Jones of the New York Giants to throw for over 300 yards on the next NFL Sunday slate? There’s a good chance you’ll find a prop bet for that.

You have a number of ways to get in the game here in NJ, including via the convenience of mobile devices. It’s really simple to get started, and you’ll have access to live NJ online sports betting in just minutes.

Best Online Sports Betting Sites in NJ 2021

How sports betting works in New Jersey

In order to bet on sports legally, players must be 21 or older and be physically located in the state at the time they are placing bets. Users can register remotely to play online or via mobile, as there’s no in-person requirement.

However, the operators do have to verify that you are where you say you are. To do that, they use what’s known as geolocation tracking. This is a piece of software that runs in the background after an initial download that helps to verify your location.  

You can manage your account elsewhere, such as checking on your balance in PA or viewing the latest lines in NY, but you must be back in New Jersey to actually place your bets.

Last but not least, those affiliated with a sport in a professional capacity can’t bet on their own sport. This includes coaches, players, referees or any other employee who may have a conflict of interest.

What are the sports betting restrictions in New Jersey?

 There’s a wide range of betting options available, but also some restrictions to keep in mind. You’re not allowed to bet on high school sports in the state, or place a bet on any college competitions that take place in NJ.

You also can’t bet on any college sporting events involving New Jersey teams regardless of where the game is being played. As a contrast, Pennsylvania sports betting is much less restrictive for college sports, but NJ lets you bet on player drafts for the NFL and NBA while PA does not.

NJ has also given a green light to betting on esports, and many operators have offered markets for the Academy Awards. For future entertainment-related bet offerings, we’ll have to wait and see.

Compare NJ sports betting odds and lines

Comparing NJ odds vs. PA vs. Vegas

For decades, the lines out of Las Vegas served as the final word for the sports betting marketplace. These days, that’s not necessarily the case. The odds you’ll find in NJ are right in line with the consensus out in Sin City.

To demonstrate, let’s take a look at the listing for a matchup from Week 1 of the NFL regular season. Here’s how DraftKings in NJ, FanDuel in PA and Golden Nugget in Vegas sees the game shaking out.

First, let’s compare the spread.

Team	NJ Spread	PA Spread	Vegas Spread
New York Jets	+6.5 (-110)	+6 (+110)	O 40.5 (-110)
Buffalo Bills	-6.5 (-110)	-6 (-110)	U 40.5 (-110)

Now we compare the moneyline across all three states

Team	NJ Moneyline	PA Moneyline	Vegas Moneyline
New York Jets	+225	+220	+220
Buffalo Bills	-278	-270	-300

For the final word, this is what the Over/Under looked like.

Team	NJ Over/Under	PA Over/Under	Vegas Over/Under
New York Jets	O 40.5 (-110)	O 40 (-110)	O 40 (-110)
Buffalo Bills	U 40.5 (-110)	U 40 (-110)	U 40 (-110)

As you can see, New Jersey’s odds are on point with the general market feelings on the game. There’s a half-tick of difference on the spread and totals, but the gap could narrow in advance of kickoff. As for the moneyline, DraftKings NJ offered a better price on the underdog Jets than what you’ll find elsewhere.

NJ sportsbook bonuses and promo offers

As sportsbook operators compete to earn your business, they’re all looking for ways to grab your attention. That means that there are some awesome incentives and ongoing promotions that are there for the taking.

Let’s start with the former and take a look at some examples of the top 5 free bet offerings here in New Jersey.

1. DraftKings: Profit boosts and pregame protection. Up to $1,050
2. FanDuel: Parlay insurance and win bonuses. Up to $1,000
3. FOX Bet: TV host promos and odds boosts. Up to $500
4. PointsBet: No juice spreads and win insurance. Up to $2,000
5. BetMGM: Free bets and parlays boosts. Up to $600

This is just a handful of the opportunities that you can find online or via app for each of the above operators.

In addition, each of them is offering outstanding sign-up bonuses for readers who sign up for an account via our exclusive links. We’re talking things like free or risk-free bets, deposit matches and bonus cash.

It takes just mere minutes to sign up for an account for each of these books, and you can take advantage of as many promo offers as you’d like to boot.

How licensing works in New Jersey

The sports betting landscape here in the US changed in May 2018 when the Supreme Court of the United States handed the decision off to the states. New Jersey was one of the first to act, with legal bets placed in the state the following month.

Since that time, numerous online, mobile and retail outlets have opened their doors to welcome consumers with open arms. Operators face an initial licensing fee of $100,000, while gross online revenue is taxed at 13.5%.

Retail outlets get a bit of a break with an 8.5% tax rate on gross revenue, and there’s also a 1.25% local share tax for all operators to contend with. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement oversees everything, just like it does with the state’s casino and horse racing industries.

New Jersey sports teams to bet on

While there’s only one pro team that officially makes its home in the state, two NFL teams play their home games in the Garden State, as does an MLS team. First up, here’s what you can bet on for the team that bears the NJ name.

New Jersey Devils

• Bet on all Devils games.
• Futures and props for New Jersey and all NHL
• Live betting on all NHL games.

We’re smack in the middle of two major metro areas, both of which serve as the official home cities for several pro teams. You’ll have access to all of the betting markets you need for each of them. Here are the squads with huge followings here in New Jersey.

NFL Betting

• New York Giants
• New York Jets
• Philadelphia Eagles

NBA

• New York Knicks
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Brooklyn Nets

MLB

• New York Yankees
• New York Mets
• Philadelphia Phillies

NHL

• New York Rangers
• Philadelphia Flyers
• New York Islanders

MLS

• New York Red Bulls
• Philadelphia Union

NCAA betting restrictions

As for college football and basketball, there are some restrictions you need to know. You won’t be able to bet on college games that take place in New Jersey, nor can you bet on any of the home teams regardless of where the game is held.

That means you’re out of luck for betting on things such as Seton Hall basketball or Rutgers football, but the good news is that neighboring PA has legalized sports betting with no restrictions on college sports to be found. You will have to place your bet in Pennsylvania.

Additionally, the teams from nearby states are fair game, so you can bet on things like Penn State football or St. John’s basketball. Beyond the team sports, you’ll also have access to the big individual events such as golf, tennis, NASCAR and UFC.

The majority of operators also go above and beyond with other niche markets, including sports such as cricket and rugby. Add it all up, and there will always be events to bet on at legal and regulated sportsbooks here in NJ.

Futures and prop betting in New Jersey

Betting on the winners of the games and various events provides you with plenty of options to consider, but there’s much more to the wagering menu. Futures and props are two of the other big ways to get involved, and options abound on those fronts, too.

For props, you can generally find the current offerings by clicking through on the individual contest listing. From there, you’ll find a number of choices, most of which fall into one of three categories.

Player props

• How many strikeouts will Gerrit Cole record — over/under 7.5?
• Total combined yards for Saquon Barkley — over/under 114.5?
• Will Mika Zibanejad have a goal and an assist — yes/no?

Team props

• How many rushing yards will Alabama have — over/under 199.5?
• Total points scored for Villanova — over/under 59.5?
• Will the Red Bulls score two or more goals — yes/no?

Game Props

• Will there be a defensive score in Eagles vs. Cowboys — yes/no?
• Will the Flyers and Penguins go to a shootout — yes/no?
• Total combined runs, hits and errors for Phillies vs. Mets — over/under 19.5?

Props are a great way to get additional action on the games you are interested in betting on, and they can even provide rooting interest for primetime games you might not be too keen on to begin with.

On the futures front, there are a number of very active markets that see action on a year-round basis. In this category are the championships for the various leagues, as well as the major tournaments in other sports.

• NFL Super Bowl
• NBA Finals
• MLB World Series
• NHL Stanley Cup
• College Football Playoff
• March Madness
• Masters
• PGA Championship
• US Open (golf)
• The Open Championship
• Wimbledon
• US Open (tennis)
• Australian Open
• French Open

Beyond the title winners, there are several other ways to get involved with futures, including:

• Over/under on team regular-season win totals.
• Division, conference and league winners.
• Teams to make or not make playoffs.
• Individual player award winners.
• Over/under on statistical accomplishments.

For the latter list, there will be certain wager types that see lots of betting action, such as the win total on an NFL preseason darling, or the NL Cy Young chances for a local favorite. As a general rule, the more popular the sport, the more active the futures market will be.

Bet types available in NJ

When it comes time to bet on the games, the big three-bet types will see plenty of action. Here’s a quick look at the top options on the menu.

• Moneyline: A simple bet in which you just pick the winner of the game. You’ll generally see negative odds for favorites and positive numbers for dogs, while a close span between the odds points to a potentially tight game.
• Point spread: Oddsmakers attach additional points to the contest, and you then choose the direction you want to go — favorite minus the points or the underdog plus the number.
• Totals: Sportsbooks also set the bar with an estimated total score for the game, and bettors then get to decide where the number will ultimately fall — over or under the set total. 

While each of these bet types is active, there’s plenty more to see on the menu. In addition to the props and futures we already touched on, there are a couple of other major ways to bet that are worthy of your attention.

Live betting in New Jersey

These are bets that you can place after a contest has already started. The market moves in real-time, so it’s quite fast. Offerings will vary based on what’s going on, but you’ll find some similarities to prop bets, as well as additional chances to wager on the outcome of the contest.

Parlays, round robins and teasers

These are the sports betting equivalent of horse racing’s exotic wagers. You’ll be choosing multiple outcomes on a single slip, so it’s high-risk, high-reward.

• Parlays: Two or more outcomes on a single slip
• Round robins: Multiple combos on one betting ticket.
• Teasers: Move the spread on selected games by a designated amount.

No matter which sport you want to bet on, you’ll find that there are plenty of betting opportunities for you to choose from.

In-person betting at NJ retail sportsbooks

If you’re looking to visit a retail sportsbook in NJ, you have a number of options to consider. While most of them can be found in Atlantic City, there are two other spots to place bets in person — one in the central part of the state and the other up north. Here’s what you need to know about the retail sportsbooks in the Garden State.

The Meadowlands / FanDuel

A retail FanDuel Sportsbook opened its doors in July 2018 and quickly became a hot destination, not only for NJ sports bettors, but also for patrons from neighboring New York. The popular venue is a stellar spot to hang out and watch the games.

FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands details

• Address: 1 Racetrack Drive
• Location: East Rutherford, NJ
• Phone: 877-689-0662
• Hours: Seven days: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Amenities: Victory Sports Bar, huge video wall
• Betting: Teller service and self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: FanDuel Sportsbook
• Launch date: September 2018

Monmouth Park / William Hill

The first retail sportsbook in New Jersey opened for business on June 14, 2018, at Monmouth Park race track. William Hill handles the sports betting end of things with a dedicated space that’s located right next to the grandstand.

William Hill Sportsbook at Monmouth Park details

• Address: 175 Oceanport Ave.
• Location: Oceanport, NJ
• Phone: 732-222-5100
• Hours: Seven days: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Amenities: On-site sports bar and 75-foot video wall
• Betting: Teller service and self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: William Hill Sportsbook
• Launch date: September 2018

Borgata Hotel & Casino

The world-famous Borgata began accepting bets in its temporary sports betting digs in June 2018. The permanent book opened the following year to rave reviews and features a huge LED video wall and sports bar.

Race and Sports Betting at Borgata details

• Address: 1 Borgata Way
• Location: Atlantic City, NJ
• Phone: 609-317-1000
• Hours: M-F: 11 a.m.-midnight, Sat/Sun: 9 a.m.-midnight
• Amenities: Video wall, sports bar featuring craft beers and bar bites
• Betting: Window service and self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: Borgata Sports
• Launch date: May 2019

Golden Nugget Atlantic City / The Sportsbook

The Golden Nugget opened up a temporary onsite sportsbook in August 2018. The permanent spot was completed and opened shortly thereafter. It’s a lounge-type venue that provides easy access to the rest of the casino floor.

The Sportsbook at Golden Nugget Casino details

• Address: 600 Huron Ave.
• Location: Atlantic City, NJ 08401
• Phone: 609-441-2000
• Hours: Open 24 hours
• Amenities: Lounge-style seating and huge video walls
• Betting: Self-serve betting kiosks
• Online and mobile: Golden Nugget Sports
• Launch date: February 2019

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City / The BOOK

In May 2019, The Book at Harrah’s became the latest entrant into the NJ sports betting market. It’s located in the heart of the casino, and visitors can order from a full food and beverage menu right from their seats.

The BOOK | Harrah’s Sportsbook details

• Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd.
• Location: Atlantic City, NJ 08401
• Phone: 609-441-5000
• Hours: Seven days 11 a.m.-midnight
• Amenities: Comfortable leather chairs and huge wall of TVs
• Betting: Window service but no kiosks
• Online and mobile: Caesars Sportsbook
• Launch date: September 2018

Tropicana Atlantic City

Tropicana also got started with sports betting in a temporary spot, but a full William Hill sportsbook opened up in March 2019. It’s located on the North Tower casino floor right next to several dining options.

Tropicana Sportsbook details

• Address: 2831 Boardwalk
• Location: Atlantic City, NJ 0841
• Phone: 609-340-4000
• Hours: M-F: 10 a.m.-midnight, Sat/Sun: 9 a.m.-midnight
• Amenities: Massive panoramic LED screens and huge odds board
• Betting: Betting tellers and self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: William Hill
• Launch date: September 2018

Caesars Atlantic City

The sportsbook for Caesars can be found on the ground floor at adjacent property Bally’s, which was recently sold to Twin River Worldwide Holdings. Caesars will retain control of the book, which is a huge space with numerous seating options.

Caesars Atlantic City Sportsbook details

• Address: 2100 Pacific Ave.
• Location: Atlantic City, NJ 08401
• Phone: 609-348-4411
• Hours: Seven days, 11 a.m.-midnight
• Amenities: Reservable fan caves and massive video wall
• Betting: Window tellers and self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: Caesars Sportsbook
• Launch date: September 2018

Resorts Casino Hotel / DraftKings

Resorts is home to a physical DraftKings sportsbook. It’s located toward the back of the casino floor near the boardwalk. There’s an on-site bar, as well as numerous other dining options that are just steps away.

DraftKings Sportsbook at Resorts details

• Address: 1133 Boardwalk
• Location: Atlantic City, NJ 08401
• Phone: 609-340-6300
• Hours: 12 p.m.-midnight
• Amenities: Video wall, bar and VIP area
• Betting: Self-serve kiosks and betting tellers
• Online and mobile: DraftKings
• Launch date: January 2019

Hard Rock Hotel Casino

The Hard Rock followed a similar plan to other casinos in Atlantic City. A temporary sportsbook opened quickly, followed by the permanent digs in March 2019. The site features a video wall and full-service bar for you to kick back and watch the games.

Hard Rock Sportsbook details

• Address: 1000 Boardwalk
• Location: Atlantic City, NJ 08401
• Phone: 609-449-1000
• Hours: Seven days, noon-10 p.m.
• Amenities: Full-service bar with video poker slots
• Betting: Teller service and self-serve kiosks, located at back of the casino floor
• Online and mobile: Hard Rock AC
• Launch date: January 2019

Ocean Casino Resort / William Hill

At the tail end of June 2018, Ocean Casino Resort opened the doors to the third retail sportsbook in NJ. Operated by William Hill, it’s smack dab in the middle of the action, with a bar and numerous viewing options to keep you entertained.

William Hill Sports Book at Ocean Resort Casino details

• Address: 500 Boardwalk
• Location: Atlantic City, NJ 08401
• Phone: 609-783-8000
• Hours: Seven days, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Amenities: On site bar, video wall, center of casino
• Betting: Teller service and self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: William Hill
• Launch date: September 2018

NJ online sports betting status

New Jersey has certainly come a long way since launching sports betting in June 2018. 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.