NJ Sports Betting: 13 Best Legal New Jersey Sportsbooks in 2024

Top 7 NJ sports betting sites

Our team continues to track New Jersey’s thriving legal sports betting scene to bring bettors the very best in the market. Check out these seven top-rated NJ sportsbooks that will elevate your sports betting experience:

1. BetMGM New Jersey

$1,500 in Bonus Bets

Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

CVRBONUS1500

Claim $1,500

BetMGM is backed by one of the most reputable and established brands in all of American betting, which should delight New Jersey sports bettors in 2024. Users can create an account at BETMGM and gain access to the best betting lines for all major sporting events, top-notch customer support, and the industry's highest-valued welcome promo when they sign up with our exclusive BetMGM bonus code. 

Read our BetMGM Sportsbook review to get a full look at this fantastic sportsbook. 

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,500 in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 2 days

2. FanDuel New Jersey

Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of min $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins.

Claim $150

FanDuel not only has one of the best-valued sportsbook welcome bonuses in New Jersey, but it also operates a premium mobile sports betting app that is easy to use, responsive, and packed with fun features. FanDuel NJ users can expect a complete selection of sports betting markets, highlighted by its renowned same-game parlay (SGP) and live betting sections. The constant flow of promos tops off FanDuel's hit list, making it the go-to option for many in the Garden State, especially NFL bettors, as it tops our list for the best football betting apps. 

Check out our FanDuel Review for more.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

3. bet365 New Jersey

Bet $5, Get $150

Code: CVSBONUS

 Claim $150

$1,000 First Bet Safety Net

Code: CVSBONUS

 Claim $1,000 

bet365 is an internationally renowned online sportsbook that has successfully operated in Canada and several European countries for years. Today, New Jersey bettors can register and experience world-class sports coverage, as the betting site offers sharp lines and juicy markets on everything from the NFL to darts. Bettors also gain access to the bet365 mobile app, which is one of the best sports betting apps available to New Jersey players in 2024. 

Check out our in-depth bet365 Review for more details

• App Store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 3.4 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $150 or $1,000 First Bet Safety Net 
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

  ---

4. Caesars New Jersey

Bet $1, Get 100% Boost on Next 10 Bets

New customers only. Must register using eligible promo code. Wager $1 to earn a profit boost on your next 10 bets. Max. winnings of $2,500 for each boost which expire 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms.

COVERSBONUSDYW

Claim Now

The Caesars Sportsbook app gives New Jersey bettors nearly everything they could ask for in a mobile sports betting platform. Its welcome offer is the largest sign-up bonus in the state. Caesars Entertainment's live chat feature highlights its fantastic customer support, while its rewards program gives back to users in ways few betting sites can.

Check out our Caesars Sportsbook Review for a more in-depth analysis of this online sports betting site.

• App Store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $1, Get 100% Boost on Next 10 Bets
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

5. DraftKings New Jersey

Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of min. $5 and get $150 in bonus bets.

Claim $150

Originally known only for its daily fantasy sports contests, DraftKings NJ has matched its daily fantasy strength with the best sports betting app in the Garden State. DraftKings stands out from the crowd, landing at the top of our list of the best NJ sports betting apps. With a wide range of betting markets, payment methods, odds boosts, and generous promos, the platform meets the needs of even the most demanding bettors.

Refer to our DraftKings Review to learn everything there is to know about the NJ sportsbook.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

6. Fanatics Sportsbook New Jersey

$1,000 in No Sweat Bets

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place a min. $1 daily first bet and, if the wager loses, get up to a $100 no sweat bonus bet for 10 consecutive days. Daily bonus issued within 72 hours.

Ends: Dec. 31, 2024

Claim $1,000

Fanatics Sportsbook replaced PointsBet in the NJ sports betting landscape in May 2024 and, since then, has offered immaculate online services that few operators can rival. Garden State bettors can access a deep collection of betting markets, great promos, and the best NFL live streaming experience in 2024. Users can also earn FanCash points with every wager, which can be exchanged for sports merchandise. 

Read our in-depth Fanatics Sportsbook review for more info.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 3.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,000 in No Sweat Bets
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

7. BetRivers New Jersey

$250 Second Chance Bet

Code: COVERSBONUS

 Claim $250

Despite its lack of flair, BetRivers offers bettors in NJ a sports betting product worthy of praise. The sportsbook leans on its competitive odds and long list of betting promos available in New Jersey to keep things exciting. Active NJ bettors can accumulate points and level up with the operator's iRush Rewards program, highlighting BetRivers' customer-first approach to sports betting.

Check out our expert BetRivers Review to learn more.

• App Store rating: 2.8 (iOS), 3.5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $250 Second Chance Bet
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

Best NJ sports betting offers and bonuses

With plenty of legal online sports betting options, New Jersey bettors benefit from access to the best NJ sportsbook promos. Competition creates opportunities for new players, as bettors benefit from several welcome bonuses, including football betting promo codes. We've done the research for you and outlined the best available below:

BetMGM - $1,500 back in bonus bets: First-time BetMGM New Jersey customers receive up to $1,500 back in bonus bets. This promo provides a cushion for bettors who come out swinging with a fully matched wager, reimbursing up to $1,500 across five bonus bets. Use BetMGM bonus code 'CVRBONUS1500' to redeem this offer which expires on Dec. 31, 2024.

FanDuel - Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win: As a new FanDuel NJ customer, you get $150 in bonus bets. Register a new account, deposit $5, place a $5 bet on any market, and receive the bonus if you win. No FanDuel promo code is required to obtain the NJ bonus, which expires on Dec. 22, 2024. 

bet365 - Bet $5, get $150: New NJ customers can use the bet365 promo code 'CVSBONUS' to claim $150 in bonus bets after placing a $5 qualifying wager on any market of -500 odds of greater, regardless of the outcome. Qualifying bets must settle within 30 days of claiming the offer, and a $10 minimum initial deposit is also required. Alternatively, new customers can opt for a '$1,000 First Bet Safety Net' promotion, which returns your initial stake back up to $2,000 in bonus bets. Both offers must be claimed via the bet365 Sportsbook app and expire on Jan. 7, 2025, at 6:59 a.m. ET.

Caesars Sportsbook - Bet $1, Get 100% Boost on Next 10 Bets: Earn 10 100% profit boosts when using the Caesars Sportsbook promo code 'COVERSBONUSDYW.' Place a first real money wager of $1 within 30 days of activating your Caesars Sportsbook account to qualify. This promotion is valid for 14 days and expires at 11:59 a.m. ET on Jan. 27, 2025.

Fanatics Sportsbook - $1,000 in No Sweat Bets: No New Jersey Fanatics Sportsbook promo code is required to score up to $1,000 in no sweat bonus bets today. Just make an initial $5 deposit and place a daily $1 wager on a market with -500 odds or longer. If the wager loses, users will get one (1) bonus bet equal to the amount of the wager, up to $100. Place this wager for 10 consecutive days to earn the full value of this offer, which is valid until Dec. 31, 2024.

DraftKings - Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win: New to DraftKings NJ? Make your first deposit of just $5, along with a $5 wager, and the sportsbook will dish out $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. The bonus will land as six $25 bonus bets and is valid for seven days (168 hours). No DraftKings promo code is needed, and the offer is valid until Jan. 5, 2025. You can also access a secondary '20% deposit match up to $1,000' welcome offer. 

BetRivers - Up to a $250 Second Chance Bet: BetRivers New Jersey is rewarding new users with 'up to a $250 Second Chance Bet', when they register a new account with out exclusive BetRivers bonus code 'COVERSBONUS'. If they lose their first bet, BetRivers will send a bonus bet equal to the amount of the losing wager.

Read all terms and conditions associated with all bonuses and promotional offers.

NJ sports betting updates

New Jersey’s path to legalized sports betting was paved nearly a decade ago by then-Governor Chris Christie. It became the first state to legalize online sports betting in the United States after SCOTUS overturned PASPA. The ruling ended a nearly decade-long legal battle between the state and the five largest U.S. sports leagues and ushered in a new age of online sports betting.

This timeline illustrates NJ sports betting origins and the current state of affairs.

Dec. 17, 2024: New Jersey sportsbooks enjoy a 24% yearly increase in November, earning $119 million in revenue for the month. 

Dec. 17, 2024: New Jersey lawmakers are considering decriminalizing underage gambling, opting to issue fines to guilty parties that would be used towards problem gambling resources within the state.  

Dec. 6, 2024: As part of their ongoing "feelings that aren’t as good as winning" campaign, FanDuel Casino will sponsor free tolls and rides in New Jersey and Pennsylvania on Wednesday, December 18th.

Dec. 5, 2024: A New Jersey resident files a lawsuit against multiple sweepstakes sites, including McLuck, High 5, Wow Vegas, and CrownCoins, along with Apple, Apple Pay, Google, and Google Pay.

Nov. 19, 2024: New Jersey sports betting revenue dropped 16% in October. That's after a $119.6M haul in September, the second-highest monthly revenue ever in the Garden State. 

Nov. 14, 2024: New Jersey lawmakers advance college player prop betting ban, citing fears of student-athlete harassment and abuse.

Nov. 13, 2024: A lucky New Jersey player has won a $136.8K jackpot on an 80-cent spin on Ted Jackpot Royale, just hours after downloading the Hard Rock app.

Oct. 30, 2024: DraftKings will lay off over 100 employees in a reported live-dealer studio shutdown in Atlantic City.

Oct. 18, 2024: New Jersey sportsbooks see a 16% drop in yearly handle in September despite operator's earning its second-highest monthly revenue ever.  

Oct. 7, 2024: PlayStar partners with the New Jersey Devils to elevate fan engagement and enhance brand visibility throughout the 2024-25 season.

Sept. 25, 2024: A New Jersey bill aiming to prohibit partnerships between gaming operators and universities advances.

Sept. 23, 2024: Boyd Gaming acquires Resorts Digital, which is the online gaming section of the Atlantic City hotel and casino. 

Sept. 16, 2024: New Jersey's revenue falls 35% year-over-year in August. 

Sept. 15, 2024: Michael Rubin and Jay-Z host the grand opening of a new Fanatics Sportsbook retail location at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. 

Sept. 9, 2024: New Jersey regulators fined bet365 $33,000 for taking wagers on events that already happened. 

Sept. 5, 2024: Fanatics announces the opening of its retail sportsbook at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. 

Aug. 16, 2024: New Jersey operators produce a 31% year-over-year revenue increase in July, bringing in $652.3 million in wagers. 

Aug. 5, 2024: New Jersey regulators force bet365 to pay back voided wagers for various bets since 2020. 

July 22, 2024: SuperBook Sports pulls out of eight post-PASPA states, including New Jersey. 

July 17, 2024: New Jersey's summer revenue continues to decline in June, enduring a 9.5% year-over-year decrease in profits. 

July 17, 2024: NYRA bets to replace FanDuel as New Jersey's horse racing wagering platform.

July 8, 2024: The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement fines DraftKings $100K for 'unacceptable' data errors.

July 3, 2024: A New Jersey legislator introduces a new bill that would legalize sports betting on in-state college teams. 

June 25, 2024: Prophet Exchange closes up shop for now, but the New Jersey-based sports betting startup plans to return with a new "pro-consumer" product. 

June 20, 2024: New Jersey becomes the first state to approve the wagering on CarJitsu.

June 18, 2024: New Jersey's Governor signs an executive order to create a responsible gaming task force to address gambling-related problems in the state.

June 14, 2024: A New Jersey tax preparer is handed a 57-month prison sentence for his involvement in a $4.49 million gambling fraud scheme.

June 3, 2024: bet365 is offering fixed odds for horse racing for users in New Jersey and Colorado. 

June 3, 2024: There is a reported $9.5 billion in illegal gambling coming from New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota.

May 27, 2024: World Series of Poker launches a new online platform and creates a three-state summer series between Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada. 

May 17, 2024: Soft2Bet looks to bring gamification to North America, with New Jersey being the first U.S. market to gain access in 2025. 

May 8, 2024: Fanatics Sportsbook launches in New Jersey, replacing PointsBet in the state.

April 18, 2024: Fanatics-owned PointsBet surges ahead of DraftKings in New Jersey during March. 

April 18, 2024: New Jersey sees a nearly 30% YoY handle increase in March. 

April 10, 2024: New Jersey State Senator Kristin Corrado introduces legislation that would prohibit college player prop betting in the state. 

April 3, 2024: Prime Sportsbook launches in New Jersey, bringing an "American-style sportsbook" to the Garden State.

Feb. 20, 2024: New Jersey sets all-time sports betting handle and revenue records in January, earning $1.7 billion and $170.8 million, respectively. 

Feb. 16, 2024: iDEA's new report confirms iGaming boosts revenue for New Jersey brick-and-mortar casinos, estimating a projected 1.7% annual lift. 

Feb. 15, 2024: Super Bowl 58 generates $141 million in sports betting handle in New Jersey, up 30% from last year's Big Game. 

Feb. 4, 2024: Fourth try is a charm in Atlantic City smoking ban bill, as the long-stalled measure was finally advanced in the Senate last week. 

Jan. 26, 2024: bet365 launches free-to-play fantasy contest in five states, including New Jersey, ahead of NFL Championship Weekend, offering a $25,000 prize pool for each game.

Jan. 17, 2024: New Jersey surpasses $1 billion in sports betting gross revenue for 2023 after netting $109.4 million in profits in December, which was a 24.8% rise year-over-year and a 14% increase from November.

Nov. 14, 2023: ESPN BET goes live with online and mobile sports betting, launching in New Jersey and 16 other states.

Nov. 2, 2023: ESPN BET plans to launch on Nov. 14, 2023, with online sports betting going live in 17 U.S. states, including New Jersey. 

Sept. 6, 2023: State officials urge residents to avoid illegal NJ sportsbooks as the football season comes into focus.

Aug. 11, 2023: WynnBET announces the closing of its online sports betting operation in New Jersey as soon as possible. 

July 20, 2023: PlayUP suspends its New Jersey operations amid chatter of an impending sale of its U.S. business.

July 3, 2023: New Jersey extends iGaming by five years through November 2028.

June 23, 2023: Senate Bill 3075 and Assembly Bill 2190, which would allow online casino gambling to continue for another 10 years, are making their way through the NJ Senate.

June 14, 2023: This date marks five years since the first legal sports bet in New Jersey at Monmouth Park. 

May 1, 2023: The New Jersey Devils defeat the New York Rangers in seven games to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

April 20, 2023: New Jersey increases responsible gambling efforts by installing its own "Responsible Gaming Coordinator" to oversee NJ sports betting gambling addiction efforts.

April 18, 2023: New Jersey sports betting handle tops billion-dollar mark in March.

March 16, 2023: February produces a handle of $847.4 million in sports betting wagers, with 95% coming from online sports betting sites. 

March 21, 2023: New Jersey legislators introduce bills to prevent and combat problem gambling and prohibit sports betting partnerships between operators and colleges.

March 16, 2023: February produces a handle of $847.4 million in sports betting wagers, with 95% coming from online sports betting sites. 

March 15, 2023: The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights prepare to square off with Texas Southern in the First Four. FDU is making its seventh NCAA tournament appearance in team history.

Feb. 8, 2023: David Rebuck, New Jersey's chief gaming regulator, affirms that the state's responsible gambling standards and best practices should be applied to online casino and sportsbook operators nationwide. 

Jan. 17, 2023: The New Jersey legislature hopes to extend the state's online betting law until 2033 — this will be one of the main items up for consideration as the first 2023 legislative session opens.

Oct. 17, 2022: Fubo Sportsbook officially discontinues its online sports betting product, leaving the New Jersey, Arizona, and Iowa markets.

Sept. 16, 2022: The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement releases the state's August sports betting figures, revealing a 2.8% increase from July's total handle. New Jersey takes in north of $546 million in August.

Sept. 8, 2022: Fubo Sportsbook launches statewide in New Jersey, becoming the first of its kind to integrate viewing and betting in one platform.

Aug. 29, 2022: Prophet Exchange, a peer-to-peer sports betting exchange that acts as an alternative to traditional NJ sportsbooks, launches in New Jersey. It is the first legal sports betting exchange to establish itself in the U.S.

Aug. 8, 2022: Novibet, a European operator, gains NJ market access for its online casino and sportsbook via an agreement with Caesars Entertainment.

July 15, 2022: New Jersey's sports betting handle drops for the third consecutive month. The Garden State experiences a year-over-year dip of about 17% with its $633.1 million June 2022 handle.

June 16, 2022: New Jersey's sports betting handle slides again in May, dropping 17.3% from $925.9 million to $766.4 million.

June 10, 2022: TwinSpires exits the NJ online sports betting market.

May 26, 2022: All NJ sportsbooks will introduce two-factor authentication to their customers by June 30, 2022.

May 17, 2022: New Jersey falls just shy of the billion-dollar mark with an April sports betting handle of $926.9 million.

May 6, 2022: NJ takes its first fixed odds horse racing bet at Darby Development’s Monmouth Park in Oceanport.

April 26, 2022: NJ online sportsbooks will implement two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of protection to customer accounts.

April 18, 2022: For the sixth time in seven months, New Jersey reported more than $1 billion in sports betting handle, hitting $1.12 billion in March 2022.

Feb. 16, 2022: New Jersey records $1.35 billion in sports betting handle for January, its most lucrative month ever.

Jan. 24, 2022: Esports Entertainment Group (EEG) announces it will launch its VIE.gg esports betting platform in New Jersey. EEG becomes the first esports-centric operator to be granted access to the NJ betting market.

Jan. 14, 2022: The NJ sports betting handle once again surpassed the $1 billion mark, totaling $1.23 billion in December 2021.

Jan. 6, 2022: PointsBet announced that live casino gaming is up and running for users in New Jersey, via its mobile app and desktop.

Dec. 21, 2021: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported that NJ sportsbooks captured $1.26 billion in wagers in November.

Nov. 23, 2021: Betway becomes an official sports betting partner of the New Jersey Devils. 

Nov. 17, 2021: Garden State bettors wagered $1.3 billion in October, shattering the previous record just one month earlier. 

Nov. 2, 2021: New Jersey voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed betting on the state’s college teams.

September 2021: New Jersey records $1 billion in monthly action, becoming the first regulated state to hit the benchmark.

Sept. 8, 2021: Fubo Sportsbook announced a multi-faceted partnership with the New York Jets. Fubo will become the NFL team's official sports betting partner sometime in 2021-22, pending regulatory approval. 

Aug. 24, 2021: The Penn National Gaming-owned Barstool Sportsbook officially launches in New Jersey.

Aug. 20, 2021: Barstool Sportsbook quietly enters the NJ sports betting market with its soft launch. The Penn National Gaming sportsbook partner is operating under special conditions to abide by state regulations.

Aug. 16, 2021: Betway partners with New Jersey-based Digital Gaming Corp. to offer its products in the United States. The operator enters NJ with a soft launch from Aug. 16-20.

June 21, 2021: New Jersey becomes the first U.S. state to legalize fixed odds horse race betting. 

June 2021: Voters in the November general election will have the opportunity to decide whether to allow bets on New Jersey college teams or teams from other states playing games in NJ. The state legislature gives final approval to a measure placing a referendum on the fall ballot.

Aug. 2018: DraftKings Sportsbook becomes the first legal online operator to accept mobile wagers in New Jersey.

June 2018: NJ Governor Phil Murphy signs Assembly Bill 4111, allowing the state to implement legalized NJ sports betting at casinos and racetracks.

May 2018: SCOTUS overturns the Appeals Court decision, ruling that PASPA was unconstitutional.

June 2017: New Jersey appealed the decision and the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) agrees to hear arguments in favor of overturning PASPA.

September 2013: New Jersey appealed the District Court’s ruling, but it was rebuffed.

February 2013: The U.S. District Court rules in favor of the leagues. New Jersey is prohibited from issuing NJ sports betting licenses.

August 2012: The five leagues file a federal lawsuit against New Jersey to prevent sports betting, based on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992.

January 2012: Despite opposition from the NCAA and four major professional sports leagues — NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB — NJ Gov. Chris Christie signs legislation allowing sports betting in New Jersey after it was approved by a voter referendum.

November 2011: New Jersey holds a referendum to overturn the federal ban on legalized sports gambling. Voters approved the measure by a wide margin.

Is sports betting legal in New Jersey?

Yes, sports betting is legal in New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy sanctioned Assembly Bill 4111 on June 11, 2018, allowing both online and retail sports wagering within the Garden State.

The inaugural legal online sportsbook in the state, DraftKings NJ, commenced operations on Aug. 1, 2018. Currently, New Jersey residents have access to 13 legal sports betting apps.

What sportsbooks are legal in NJ?

New Jersey is now home to 13 legal and regulated online sports betting sites:

1. BetMGM - Most banking options
   
   
2. FanDuel - Best sportsbook
   
   
3. Caesars - Large sign-up bonus
   
   
4. bet365 - Intuitive menus
   
   
5. Fanatics Sportsbook - NFL live streaming
   
   
6. DraftKings - First-class app
   
   
7. BetRivers - Weekly promos
   
   
8. Hard Rock - Great live betting
   
   
9. Borgata - Sleek design
   
   
10. ESPN BET - Loads of markets
    
    
11. betPARX - Stylish interface
    
    
12. Golden Nugget - 24/7 chat
    
    
13. Prime Sportsbook - American-style sportsbook

Legal sportsbooks in New Jersey

New Jersey sports bettors may place wagers online via sportsbook websites or mobile sports betting apps. Wagers may also be made in person at NJ retail sportsbooks located within casinos and racetracks.

Two NJ online sports betting operators left the New Jersey market in May 2024. PointsBet was replaced by Fanatics Sportsbook, while Unibet took another step toward leaving the North American market altogether when it shut down its NJ sports betting site. Betway and Tipico also left in 2014.

NJ sports betting sites and apps

Land-based NJ sportsbooks

Most of New Jersey's retail sportsbooks are located in Atlantic City. 

Latest NJ sports betting news

Who can partake in NJ sports betting?

NJ sports betting is leading the way with points of access, as sportsbooks and sports lounges are inside Atlantic City casinos and also at racetracks at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. If you cannot get to Atlantic City, anyone  — resident or not — 21 or older can place online sports bets using a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. Here's a brief overview of what you need to know before you start betting:

The pros and cons of NJ sports betting

The competition created by rival NJ sports betting sites has been a significant boon for New Jersey's recreational sports bettors. Players can use this to their advantage by choosing sportsbooks that offer the best promotions and odds.

Most bettors will be satisfied with the options, but high rollers and sharp bettors might feel different. NJ sportsbooks have been known to limit or remove some sharper high rollers that might try to make a living betting on sports.

Convenient online access and registration

Wide range of NJ sports betting options

Ample online sportsbook promotions

Sharp bettors and accounts could be limited or banned

Geolocation software can cause sign-up snafus

Wagering requirements tied to some sign-up bonuses

How to start betting in New Jersey

New Jersey's operators make it easy for anyone within the state to get started betting on sports. The process to bet on sports can be fulfilled via a phone, tablet, or computer and with a credit card. Those who would rather make physical transactions can walk into a casino or racetrack to get started. New Jersey offers the best of both worlds for its sports bettors.

What you can't bet on in NJ

New Jersey permits several betting options from traditional sports to awards shows. However, NJ sports betting sites don't take action on all bet types. Here's a look at what NJ bettors cannot access legally:

NJ college sports

Betting on New Jersey college teams like Seton Hall and out-of-state teams who play games within NJ is not allowed. Voters in the November 2021 general election rejected the opportunity to amend the state's constitution to allow bets on collegiate games happening within New Jersey. 

Politics

New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement does not permit betting on politics. Furthermore, no U.S. state has legalized political betting sites.

NFL Draft

New Jersey is among the states where you were able to legally bet on the 2024 NFL Draft. Use our NFL Draft betting odds page to get the best price during every round for the 2025 Draft.

What about esports?

Esports betting sites are now legal in New Jersey. The state legalized betting on esports events in 2021. However, not all NJ sports betting sites offer esports betting markets for events approved by the Division of Gaming Enforcement, so research the available sportsbooks to see which have the esports betting markets you're looking for. 

NJ sports betting handle

In 2021, New Jersey became the first state to clear the $10 billion mark in yearly sports betting handle, taking in a total of $10.93 billion with $815.7 million in sports betting revenue. Equally impressive, Dec. 2021 marked the state's fourth consecutive month with a handle of more than $1 billion in the online sports betting market.

In January 2022, New Jersey posted $1.35 billion in sports betting handle, an all-time single-month record. The feat was even more impressive, with New York launching legal online sports betting sites that same month. Unprecedented NJ sports betting revenue is being experienced, and the year-over-year monthly handle continues to grow.

Yearly breakdown

Monthly handle

Home team advantage: New Jersey sports

While NJ team allegiances and passions run deep, we recommend betting with your head and not your heart. Be sure to do your research before blindly backing any of these hometown favorites. Keep in mind, there is no betting allowed on college teams like Seton Hall, Rutgers, and Princeton within the state of New Jersey. Our how to bet guides are a good resource for beginner bettors.

NHL

New Jersey Devils

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Philadelphia Flyers

Get live NHL odds

NBA

New York Knicks

Brooklyn Nets

Philadelphia 76ers

Get live NBA odds

NFL

New York Giants

New York Jets

Get live NFL odds

MLB

New York Yankees

New York Mets

Philadelphia Phillies

Get live MLB odds

Although no scheduled fights or Formula One races are coming to the Garden State anytime soon, the best UFC betting sites, boxing betting sites, and top F1 betting sites easily allow you to back fighters and drivers that you can cheer for as passionately as your hometown teams.

NJ sports betting law

New Jersey lawmakers' efforts to legalize sports betting pre-date the 2018 fall of PASPA. In 2012, then-Governor Chris Christie signed legislation permitting sports betting after voters approved a referendum in 2011. After years of rebuking, legal NJ sports betting finally arrived in 2018.

Here are some highlights of the current state of sports betting in New Jersey:

• The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement regulates all online and land-based sports wagering in New Jersey.
  
  
• You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in NJ.
  
  
• There is no cap on the number of casinos permitted to offer sports betting, but casinos are limited to three online skins each.
  
  
• Land-based sportsbooks are taxed 9.75% of gross gaming revenue, while online operators must pay a 14.25% tax.
  
  
• Betting on NJ college teams or college games in New Jersey is prohibited.
  
  
• esports wagering is legal, provided the majority of participants are 18 or older.

Other types of gambling

New Jersey is home to traditional casino gambling at real money online casinos and also in person at casinos in Atlantic City. In addition to sports betting, both types of NJ casinos offer a wide range of games, including blackjack, roulette, video poker, and slot machines.

Quick facts: NJ sports betting

If you want to gamble, New Jersey is the place for you. The trailblazing state has embraced the many facets of the gaming world with alacrity. 

Responsible gaming in New Jersey

Legal U.S. sports betting markets

Sports betting legislation on a state-by-state basis has produced several legal betting markets. Our U.S. legal tracker includes status updates across the country.

In addition to New Jersey, these jurisdictions now have sports gambling laws in place:

Recent legal U.S. sports betting launches

North Carolina debuted legal online sports betting on March 11, 2024. North Carolina sports betting is currently available for registration, highlighted by FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, and more.

Vermont welcomed the launch of legal sports wagering on Jan. 11, 2024. Vermont sports betting sites FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics Sportsbook all went live on day one.

The first Maine sports betting sites went live on Nov. 3, 2023. Retail sportsbooks will also soon begin taking bets at casinos and off-track betting facilities.

Legal Kentucky sports betting kicked off on Sept. 7, 2023, with the arrival of retail betting. The Bluegrass State welcomed online sports betting on Sept. 28, 2023.

Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets

Though many states and regions have already cemented themselves as legal sports betting markets, there are still states moving toward legal sports betting that have yet to take that final step.

Here are some which may potentially offer legal sports gambling in the near future:

NJ sports betting history

One of the most lucrative sports betting markets in the nation today, New Jersey set off a chain reaction when it challenged a 1992 law prohibiting sports wagering in the United States. Once PASPA was deemed unconstitutional, the sports betting floodgates opened, with over 30 states regulating online and retail wagering.

2024: PointsBet exits the New Jersey sports betting landscape.

2023: New Jersey legislators introduce several bills to combat problem gambling, including Bill A5308, which would require NJ schools to educate students on the risks of compulsive gambling.

New Jersey's $847.4 million February sports betting handle is its lowest monthly total since August 2022 and a 14% year-over-year drop compared to February 2022 figures. WynnBET ceases its operation in New Jersey.

2022: Several online sportsbooks exit the NJ market, including Fubo, Resorts, theScore Bet, and TwinSpires. Prophet Exchange launches as the first betting exchange in the U.S., giving New Jersey gamblers an alternative to traditional online sportsbooks.

2021: In September, New Jersey surpasses $1 billion in monthly sports betting handle for the first time. The state generates over $10.93 billion in total wagers from January to December.

2020: WynnBET launches its NJ online sports betting app. The Garden State's retail and online sportsbooks collect more than $6 billion in total bets and nearly $400 million in revenue.

2019: In its first full year with legal sports betting, New Jersey sportsbooks take in an astounding $4.6B in total wagers. FanDuel snags nearly 50% of NJ sports betting revenue. 

2018: On May 14, The Supreme Court of the United States rules in favor of New Jersey, striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act and ending the ban on sports betting. 

A few weeks later, Governor Phil Murphy signs Assembly Bill 4111 into law, legalizing NJ sports betting. DraftKings launches New Jersey's first legal online sportsbook in August.

List of New Jersey resources

Peruse some of our favorite New Jersey betting resources to learn more about everything NJ sports gambling:

• NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement: Regulating body in New Jersey
  
  
• Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ: Help and support for problem gamblers
  
  
• NJ sports betting law: Assembly Bill 4111
  
  
• Approved leagues and events for NJ sports wagering: What you can bet on in the Garden State
  
  
• NJ sports betting rules and regulations: A 51-page guide outlining the ins and outs of NJ sports betting

NJ sports betting conclusion

NJ sports betting remains the largest earner in the country and continues to be a trailblazer for legalized gambling. With 13 New Jersey sportsbooks, bettors have a first-class selection for live betting, prop bets, same game parlays, and everything in between.

As the top sports betting market is ripe with competition, New Jersey betting sites remain at the forefront of innovation. Pair this with established retail casinos, and the Garden State is a virtual paradise for discerning sports bettors.