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 top 7 NJ betting apps below. All of the online wagering sites in New Jersey have welcome bonus offers.
What are the top 5 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. DraftKings Sportsbook
If you like a really smooth tech experience and lots of features to explore, DraftKings fits the bill. All of the major sports are more than covered, and there’s also plenty of the smaller variety to choose from. DraftKings does a fantastic job with live betting on its NJ sports betting app and its layout of available props, while its betting pool contests offer up a unique way to test your skills.
- Notable feature: Sports betting pool contests.
- Best for: NFL, MLB, Props and Live betting.
- Verdict: Awesome betting platform with plenty of unique features.
2. Caesars Sportsbook
Now that the purchase and conversion from William Hill is in the books, Caesars 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.
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
While all of the top legal shops have a solid selection of sports to choose from, BetMGM 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. BetRivers Sportsbook
If you’re looking for a sportsbook with a little less name recognition than the big boys and gals, then BetRivers is the one you want to check 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.
5. FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel 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.
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.
- DraftKings
- BetRivers
- Unibet
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.
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- FanDuel
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
- PointsBet
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.
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Caesars
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 sign-up offers. Here’s a quick run-through of the most common types and what each site offers.
- Free bets: Free funds that you can use to play on site.
- Deposit bonuses: A bonus or match up to a specific amount on your first deposit.
- Risk free bets: Place your first bet in risk-free fashion up to the offer limit.
- Odds Boosts: Chance for enhanced profits on your wagers.
NJ sportsbook no deposit bonuses and free bets February 2023
| Online Sportsbook | Promo Code | Bonus Offer |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 Sportsbook NJ | Click to claim promo | 100% up to $200 in bet credits |
| BetMGM Sportsbook NJ | PLAYBONUS | Up to $1,000 paid back in Bonus Bets |
| Borgata Sportsbook | PLAYNJ | $100 in free bets when you bet $20 |
| Caesars Sportsbook NJ | LEGALFULL | Risk free first bet up to $1,250 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook NJ | Click to claim promo | $50 free bet on deposit + 20% up to $1,000 on deposit |
| FanDuel Sportsbook NJ | Click to claim promo | $3,000 No Sweat First Bet |
| Fox Bet Sportsbook NJ | Click to claim promo | Risk free first bet up to $50 |
| Golden Nugget Sportsbook NJ | PLAYBONUS | Up to $250 free bet |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | Click to claim promo | $100 risk free bet |
| PointsBet Sportsbook NJ | BETBONUS | Up to $2,000 in risk free bets |
| BetRivers Sportsbook NJ | PLAYRIV | 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 |
| Unibet Sportsbook NJ | BETBONUS | Risk free bet up to $100 |
| WynnBet Sportsbook NJ | Click to claim promo | Risk free first bet up to $100 |
| Resorts Sportsbook | MAXBONUS | Risk free first bet up to $250 |
You’ll have to use the incentives on site. For example, the amount of a free 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.
Top 5 NJ sites with weekly or daily odds boosts
There are lots of different sportsbooks to choose from in NJ. In fact, there are close to two dozen. You can make a solid case for many of them as being go-to spots, but there are some that just offer bettors much more bang for their buck. Odds boosts are a good way to keep a bettor engaged. Here are the five that really have an advantage for bettors:
- DraftKings: Free $50 bet and deposit match for new players, regular odds boost promos.
- BetMGM: Up to $1,000 paid back in Bonus Bets, steady stream of odds boosts.
- Caesars: New players get up to $1,250 On Caesars, constant wave of odds and profit boosts for existing players.
- BetRivers: Generous 2nd chance bet when you sign up, odds boosts regularly offered.
- FanDuel: No Sweat First Bet with your first deposit after signing up, odds boosts are featured in their own section.
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.
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
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.
- DraftKings
- Caesars
- FanDuel
Best for MLB Betting: For the lengthy MLB season, competitive odds and lots of different bet types are absolute musts.
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- FanDuel
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.
- DraftKings
- BetRivers
- FanDuel
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.
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
Best for NCAAF Betting: Competitive odds and lines are really big deals for college football. The following shops tend to be on point.
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
Best for Soccer Betting: A sport with tons of leagues and games to choose from requires careful attention from oddsmakers.
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- Unibet
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.
- DraftKings
- 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.
- DraftKings
- 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.
- DraftKings
- BetRivers
- Unibet
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
- Unibet
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
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.
Complete list of legal online sportsbooks in NJ
After legal online sports betting was introduced in 2018, several operators were quick out of the gate and up and running before the end of the year. Many more operators have joined the party since that point, and more continue to launch or make plans to launch. The Lines only lists odds and bonus offers from legal books that are regulated and licensed by the NJDGE. Here’s the current list of available sports betting sites in NJ.
- 888 Sportsbook
- 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 Sportsbook (formerly SugarHouse)
- SuperBook Sportsbook
- TheScore Sportsbook
- Tipico Sportsbook
- TwinSpires Sportsbook
- Unibet Sportsbook
- WynnBet Sportsbook
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.
NJ SPORTS BETTING FAQ
Yes, sports betting has been legal in NJ since 2018. The first retail bet was placed in the state in June while the online and mobile launch began in August. From inception through March 2022, nearly $27 billion in sports betting handle has been generated in the Garden State with roughly 85%-90% of the total generated online.
You’ll find a retail sportsbook at all nine Atlantic City casinos. Top destinations include the BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar at the Borgata, and Caesars Sportsbook at Wild Wild West Casino on the boardwalk. To the north, there are also sportsbooks to be found at Monmouth Park, and a very busy FanDuel Sportsbook at the Meadowlands near New York City. In total, the state boasts 12 retail sportsbook locations.
Yes, you can bet on college football and basketball in NJ without issue, but there are some restrictions. Wagering on in-state programs is prohibited, and you can’t bet on any college events that are held in the Garden State. That means no wagering on Rutgers football or on random NCAAB games that may be held in NJ regardless of the participants
It’s a quick and painless process that can be completed in just a couple of minutes. Just click on our links to claim the bonus offer from one of the top NJ sportsbooks. Next, follow the prompts and enter the requested information. Once you complete the process, your new sports betting account will be created right away.
There’s a cashier function right on the websites and apps. For the top shops, it’s a very smooth and simple process. Exact options may vary by operator, but there’s generally a good enough selection for bettors to find what works best for their situation. The most popular funding methods include PayPal, online banking, and credit cards.
Barstool went live in NJ shortly before the start of the NFL season in 2021. The app and website are pretty solid overall, but not quite at the level of the top-tier operators in the state. It should be a relatively popular option with fans of Barstool’s media offerings, but it’s tough to see it becoming a chart topper in a crowded market like this one.
NJ is a very gambling-friendly state. There are nine casinos to be found in Atlantic City, and horse racetracks at Freehold, Monmouth Park, and the Meadowlands. Online and mobile players have their choice of sports betting, casino, poker, horse betting, and daily fantasy sports. NJ lottery games are also a popular option for offline players.
MyBookie falls into the category of unregulated offshore sites. Playing on a site that’s not clearly listed on the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement website as a licensed operator comes with risks that just aren’t worth taking. When you visit a sportsbook site, if you don’t see the DGE’s name or seal and it’s not listed on the state website, it’s not a legal site.
If you come across a basic problem with a legal online sportsbook, contact customer support directly from the website or app. The top shops have dedicated teams and several contact options including live chat, so most queries can be handled in this way. For problems of a more serious nature, legal operators will have contact information for the NJDGE on site. You can also find contact information and an internet gaming dispute form here on the DGE website.