New Jersey Sports Betting

Legal sports betting quickly became a huge deal in New Jersey once the green light was given in 2018. The momentum has continued and then some over the past four years. The Garden State is one of the premier markets in the sports betting industry, which is great news for bettors. The top names in the business can all be found in NJ. Bettors have plenty of different NJ sports betting apps to choose from, and there’s a whole host of bonus offers to take advantage of, too.

NJ is a great place to be a fan of sports in general, and the abundance of legal and safe betting options makes it that much better. Read on for everything that you need to know about NJ sports betting.

Best NJ sports betting apps

Check out the best NJ betting apps below. All of the top sports betting sites in New Jersey have welcome bonus offers.

What are the top NJ sportsbooks?

The answer to this question depends on several different factors, including what you plan to bet on, what kind of bonuses are presently available, and the standards you are looking for in terms of app quality.

While there are a lot of great options to explore, there is no single sportsbook that’s best in show for all categories in NJ. In most cases, using multiple apps is normal and beneficial in the long run. Let’s take a look at the top books that you’ll definitely want to check out.

1. Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook has really stepped up its game with its NJ sports betting app. The platform is easy to use while still having plenty of features, and odds tend to be among the most competitive that you’ll find. Caesars also isn’t shy about unleashing promo opportunities for bettors to take advantage of.

• Notable feature: Regular profit boosts.
• Best for: NFL, Soccer, Pregame betting.
• Verdict: Top notch place to play with lots of incentives to explore.

2. Bet365 Sportsbook

Bet365 Sportsbook may still be a newer name to US customers, but it is quickly expanding across the country and making a big name for itself. The company has been building out its platform since 2000, and that experience has resulted in a very easy interface for customers. The book also has niche betting markets like snooker on its menu.

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• Notable feature: Fast, eas-to-use interface
• Best for: Soccer, European sports
• Verdict: Quick app speed with easy-to-find markets and a welcome offer suitable for all bankrolls.

3. BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM Sportsbook goes much deeper than most. You’ll find options that just aren’t available everywhere, such as Lacrosse and Snooker. The biggest games and events are also well-represented, all in a slick and user-friendly package.

• Notable feature: Big menu of sports for betting.
• Best for: NFL, Soccer, Pregame betting
• Verdict: All of the sports and bet types you could ask for.

4. FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Sportsbook is incredibly popular with NJ sports bettors, and it’s not too hard to understand why. The platform is very user-friendly, and there are plenty of solid features to be found. FanDuel has been the driving force behind the same game parlay craze that bettors can’t seem to get enough of, while you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option for overall usability.

• Notable feature: Same Game Parlay.
• Best for: NFL, NBA, Props and Parlays.
• Verdict: Super smooth betting experience and a host of features.

5. BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers Sportsbook has a little less name recognition than the big boys and gals, but it’s still one worth checking out. It’s part of the Rush Street family. There are great features to be found inside, including a fantastic rewards program for bettors.

• Notable feature: Weekly and season-long contests.
• Best for: NFL, NHL, Pregame betting.
• Verdict: Rack up points just for betting on a stellar platform.

6. Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook

Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook has all of the key features of the sports betting apps listed above. It has prop bet options and you can get your bets boosted with “fun promotions tailored to your favorite team.” Because of its close ties to the Hard Rock Casino, the sportsbook also has a loyalty rewards program.

• Notable feature: Loyalty rewards program
• Best for: MLB betting
• Verdict: You can turn your bets into benefits by using Hard Rock Bet

7. Fanatics Sportsbook

In May 2024, New Jersey became the 20th and last state for the full transition of PointsBet Sportsbook to Fanatics Sportsbook. New Jersey customers also gained access to Fanatics Casino. With the transition complete, Fanatics Sportsbook is now available to 95% of the legal sports betting market.

• Notable feature: Unique FanCash Rewards program.
• Best for: Daily odds boosts and live betting.
• Verdict: Quick platform with access to a variety of promotions and a unique rewards program.

Top NJ sportsbook by bet type

The top online sportsbooks will have all of the major bet types available, but some of them just excel in certain areas. All of the top shops do a great job on the basic bets (moneylines, spreads and totals), so it really comes down to the odds for the game or event that you want to bet on and the overall layout that you prefer on any given app. Here’s a look at where you’ll want to head to get in the game for each of the top bet types.

Best for Live Betting: For live NJ sports betting, you’ll want a slick platform that’s devoid of glitches, as well as real-time updates of what’s happening.

• BetRivers
• FanDuel
• DraftKings

Best for Props: For prop bettors, a wide range of choices and a clean layout that lets you find what you want in an instant are the two must-haves.

• BetMGM
• FanDuel
• Hard Rock Bet

Best for Parlays: It should be simple to build out your parlay wagers, while profit boosts and bet insurance are key features to look for.

• Caesars
• FanDuel
• BetMGM

Best NJ sports betting app for Futures: The average futures bettor wants a solid amount of choices in a user-friendly layout, as well as extremely competitive odds.

• FanDuel
• Caesars
• Bet365

NJ sports betting bonuses & promotions

The NJ online sports betting marketplace is incredibly competitive, so sportsbooks are always trying to bring in new customers while building up loyalty for existing users. When you’re looking for a new place to play, you should always be on the lookout for the best sportsbook promotions. Here’s a quick run-through of the most common types and what each site offers.

1. Bonus bets: Site credits from the sportsbook that bettors can use to place wagers and win real money.
2. Deposit bonuses: A bonus or match up to a specific amount on your first deposit.
3. Odds Boosts: Chance for enhanced profits on your wagers.

You’ll have to use the incentives on site. For example, the amount of a bonus bet or deposit match won’t be withdrawable as there’s a play-through requirement, but any winnings will be yours to keep. We’ve gathered together the best available offers in a convenient table up above. Just click our links to claim the offer you want and complete the registration process.

Major sports events to bet on in NJ

The yearly sports calendar is packed with big events. You’ll be able to bet on all of them at the legal online sportsbooks. As long as it’s an actual sporting event that attracts a good deal of interest, you’ll find odds available. The biggest highlights of the year are the events that capture the imagination of not only sports bettors, but the general public as well.

• Super Bowl
• March Madness
• NBA Finals
• World Series
• Stanley Cup
• College Football Playoff
• Masters
• Wimbledon
• Daytona 500

There’s always something going on in the world of sports. If you’re the type that sticks to the NFL or NBA, you’re covered. For those who like to pop in on a big UFC fight or PGA Tour stop, you’ll have plenty of options to explore.

The line in the sand gets drawn in a few spots. While you can bet on college sports, you can’t bet on NJ teams or on events taking place in the Garden State. Betting on athletes under the age of 18 is prohibited.

Best NJ sportsbooks by sport

You won’t have any trouble finding odds and lines for what you want to bet on in NJ. While some bettors pick a favorite site or two and stick with them, others like to have multiple options available. Here are the top spots to check out by sport.

Best for NFL Betting: NFL season is the busiest time for sportsbooks. All of the top shops do a great job, so decide based on odds and personal preferences. Here are our preferred spots.

• BetMGM
• Caesars
• FanDuel
• BetRivers

Best for NBA Betting: The NBA is the second-most popular sport for betting in the US. Odds in line with the market and a great layout are big pros to look for.

• Caesars
• FanDuel
• Bet365

Best for MLB Betting: For the lengthy MLB season, competitive odds and lots of different bet types are absolute musts.

• BetMGM
• FanDuel
• Caesars

Best for NHL Betting: The last of the big four sports doesn’t receive as much attention at some shops, but others give it all of the love that it needs.

• BetRivers
• FanDuel
• Fanatics

Best for NCAAB Betting: All of the top shops step it up for March Madness, but some do the college hoops regular season better than others.

• FanDuel
• Bet365
• BetMGM

Best for NCAAF Betting: Competitive odds and lines are really big deals for college football. The following shops tend to be on point.

• FanDuel
• Caesars
• Hard Rock Bet

Best for Soccer Betting: A sport with tons of leagues and games to choose from requires careful attention from oddsmakers.

• BetMGM
• Caesars

Best for Golf Betting: If you’re just betting on the Majors, any of the top shops will do, but these are the best for year-round players.

• Caesars
• FanDuel

Best for Tennis Betting: It’s the same story with Tennis. You can bet on the Grand Slams wherever, but regular players should check out the following.

• BetRivers
• FanDuel

Best for UFC Betting: The term ‘fight night’ is now most commonly associated with a big UFC card. These shops provide the big event feel.

• BetMGM
• Caesars
• FanDuel

Best for Nascar Betting: It’s the Daytona 500 that brings the casual fans to the window, but season-long Nascar fans can find some extra attention here.

• BetRivers
• Bet365
• Caesars

Best for Other Sports: We’ll cover niche sports in more detail in a bit. For now, know that the following sites tend to have more options than competitors.

• BetMGM
• Caesars
• Bet365

NJ sports teams to bet on

New Jersey is smack in the middle of two major metro areas, both of which serve as the official home cities for several pro teams. Three of the local pro clubs also play home games in NJ. You’ll have access to all of the betting markets you need for each of them and the other top nearby teams, plus the occasional odds boost and bonus for your home team. Here are the squads with huge followings here in New Jersey.

NFL

• 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 Jersey Devils
• New York Rangers
• Philadelphia Flyers
• New York Islanders

MLS

• New York Red Bulls
• New York City FC
• Philadelphia Union

Other popular sports to bet on at NJ sports betting sites

While the major sports can keep you more than occupied, it’s nice to have other options to explore. As it happens, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement expanded its list of approved sports rapidly after launch, even diving into entertainment bets such as the Oscars. All of the top sportsbooks offer up a wide range of smaller sports for bettors to consider, but Caesars and BetMGM are two shops that really go the extra mile on this front.

Beyond giving you something different to dive into, there are other advantages to wagering on smaller sports. Oddsmakers are human, and their attention tends to be drawn to the sports that drive the most volume. That being the case, you’ll have more chances to find an edge. Add in the fact that smaller sports don’t capture as much mainstream attention, and those who do their due diligence can really get a leg up. Here are five top “smaller” sports that are worth checking out.

Boxing: Once upon a time, Boxing was where UFC currently is. There’s still a good amount of fans for the marquee events, but nothing like it was in the sport’s glory days. If you put in the work, there are some good opportunities to be found.

Canadian Football League: Football is a bit different North of the Border, but those who have some experience with the NFL or NCAAF can get up to speed quickly. As an added bonus, there are less games to focus on each week.

Darts: When the sports world was effectively shut down not too long ago, bettors were looking for something to do. Darts was one of the few options available, and some fans are still sticking around.

Formula 1: Interest in Formula 1 is on the rise in the US, so that opens up the chance to get in on the next big thing. While it’s unlikely to join the ranks of the major sports, those who get in early can take advantage of any further spikes in interest. Be sure to check out updated Formula 1 odds before you bet.

Table Tennis: Just like darts, table tennis became a go-to option for many bettors when there just wasn’t much else going on. Interestingly, many liked what they saw as betting volume in this niche sport remains very respectable.

Bet limits and requirements for play in New Jersey

In order to play at legal online sportsbooks in NJ, you must be 21 or older at the time that you sign up. Your age will be verified as part of the registration process. If the sportsbook has any trouble doing so, you’ll be asked to provide additional documentation.

While there’s no residency requirement to play, you must be physically within state lines when placing bets. Sportsbooks use geolocation software to verify that you are where you say you are. If you’re not, then your wagers will not go through. When you happen to be out of state, you’ll be able to perform basic account management functions and view the lines, but you won’t be able to bet until you get back home. As for bet limits and rules, here are some key points to remember:

• Sportsbooks may cap your daily deposit limit, such as no more than $1,000 or $2,000 within a 24-hour period.
• All books have minimum bet amounts — could be as low as $0.10 — as well as a minimum for deposits, typically as small as $5-$10.
• The majority of legal sportsbooks have a detailed list of maximum payout amounts available by bet type or sport.
• For example, winnings for a standard moneyline bet on an NBA game could be capped at $1 million, while winnings on an international basketball competition could be limited to $500,000.
• Bettors are responsible for paying taxes on their sports betting winnings. As a general rule, the operator will send a 1099 when winnings exceed $600, but it’s the responsibility of the consumer to track and report profits.

If you read through enough of the fine print of sportsbook house rules, you’ll note that they always have the right to refuse bets of a certain amount. The average bettor who wagers at normal stakes — i.e. $50 or $100 per bet — will generally not have much to worry about here. Those who wager at enormous stakes — i.e. $1,000,000 per bet — can expect to have some eyebrows raised. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has previously proposed a $5 million limit on accepted wagers.

The max limit on winnings at sportsbooks effectively restricts what can be wagered, so take the time to review the house rules wherever you play. If you ever try to place a bet that would exceed the limit on returns, you’ll be prompted on the bet slip that the bet can’t be accepted.