Did you know that New Jersey has a vibrant and successful gambling scene? NJ is home to some of the best casinos and sportsbooks in the industry.
Before you can make smart bets, however, you’ll need additional information about retail and online New Jersey sports betting.
We’re here to make the process quick and easy. We’ll start by talking about the legality of betting in the state and work through some of the most important topics you need to know.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Find out the answer to: Is sports gambling legal in New Jersey?
- Where can I bet on sports in person in New Jersey? The answer below.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in New Jersey?
If you’re new to betting on sports at online providers, you might have one critical question: Is online sports betting legal in New Jersey? It is! In fact, New Jersey is home to some of the best gambling laws and providers in the United States.
In 2018, following six years of legal sparring over the creation of online and retail sports wagering, New Jersey sports betting laws were finally changed in favor of bettors. The decision was signed on June 11, 2018, by then-Governor Phil Murphy.
The governor placed the very first sports bet just three days later too at Monmouth Park Racetrack. New Jersey’s 2018 law is known as the Sports Wagering Law, P.L. 2018, c. 33.
According to the state’s Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin, residents and lawmakers alike quickly came to love sports betting:
Sports wagering has proved popular in New Jersey, both online and at the state’s casinos and racetracks. Throughout this process, the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC) have worked to ensure compliance with the new laws and develop a fair, transparent market for sports wagering in New Jersey.
Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin
10 Quick Facts About New Jersey’s Sports Betting Laws
If you’re curious about the state of New Jersey, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 10 of our favorite facts:
- New Jersey’s law: New Jersey sports betting was legalized in 2018. Almost immediately, the market went live, with the governor at the time placing the first legal bet in the state just three days later.
- Legal age: If you’re hoping to get started with New Jersey online sports betting, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old. You’ll need to confirm your identity and age at both retail and mobile sportsbooks before you can wager.
- State borders: New Jersey is located in northeastern North America. It shares borders with New York to the north, Pennsylvania to the west, and Delaware to the south. All these states have legalized online sports betting in some capacity.
- Retail bookmakers: New Jersey is home to 12 retail sportsbooks. This means that you can place wagers in person at a dozen locations across the state. While most of these bookmakers are located in Atlantic City, residents outside the city will likely be able to find something nearby.
- Taxes: Don’t forget that the money you make has a few strings attached. New Jersey sports betting wins are subject to the state’s income tax. Rates are variable and range from 1.4% to 10.75%.
- Regulation: New Jersey mobile sports betting and retail sports betting are both regulated by the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC). Both are committed to responsible gambling.
- Fully online betting: Unless you place a wager for more than $10,000, you are not required to visit a physical sportsbook to register an account or make an initial deposit. You can do all your gambling at one of the many New Jersey sports betting sites in the market.
- Atlantic City: Long before gambling was legalized statewide, New Jersey was home to one of the biggest gambling markets in the country: Atlantic City. Gambling was legalized there in 1976, with its first casino opening in 1978.
- State nickname: New Jersey is known as the “Garden State” and is home to nearly nine million people. It is the most densely populated state in the US and the 11th most populated. It is also a particularly diverse state, with a population that contains numerous minority groups, including foreign-born citizens, with a higher than national average.
- Statehood: Did you know that New Jersey was the third state ever created in the United States? It was created in 1787, making it more than 200 years old! New Jersey was also the very first state to sign the Bill of Rights. Its state bird is the eastern goldfinch and its flower is the common violet.
How to Bet on Sports in New Jersey?
New Jersey sports betting is easy to understand. From choosing the right bookmaker to finding the best promotions, we’ve put together a New Jersey sports betting guide to get you started.
This is filled with information I wish I had known before I started, so make sure and read through it before you start betting.
- The first thing you need to do is find the right bookmaker to meet your needs. You can gamble online and in person, so your pool of potential providers is a big one. Look for sportsbooks that are legal and regulated in the state.
- Next, make sure that your bookmaker of choice offers the sports and markets you want to bet on. Most providers make it easy to access this information directly from their websites. This includes retail sportsbooks.
- Register an account and verify your identity. Both retail and online sportsbooks should be able to walk you through the process, but in general, make sure you have your state-issued ID with you when registering.
- Now that you’re registered and can start betting, you need to fund your account. Before you do that, however, look at your provider’s New Jersey sports betting bonuses. From free bets to cashback on losses, chances are good that your online sportsbook will have incentives to take advantage of before you bet.
- Place your bet! Find the sport or event you want to bet on and decide how much you wish to wager. Fill out your bet slip, double-check the information, then submit it.
You’ve just made your first sports bet in New Jersey. Congratulations!
Top New Jersey Sports Betting Sites and Apps
New Jersey sports betting apps are prolific. More than a dozen providers are approved by the state! No matter what market you want to bet on, you should have no problem finding the right online provider.
Here are our top three favorites.
DraftKings
- Welcome Offer: Up to $150 in bonus bets
- Minimum Deposit: $5
- Wagering Requirement: A $5 first bet as a new registration and $150 worth of bonus bets appear in your account for seven days.
It’s hard to beat DraftKings Sportsbook when it comes to reliable bookmakers with an astonishing number of betting markets. The sportsbook has been in the state since online sports wagering was legal, and they’ve only improved their offerings since then. Today, they have some of the best New Jersey sports betting promos available.
New users at DraftKings can receive $150 in bonus bets. Deposit $5 and wager $5, and you will instantly receive $150 in bonus bets. The bonus bets are available for seven days (168 hours) from the time the credits are added to your account.
FanDuel
- Welcome Offer: Up to $200
- Minimum Deposit: $5
- Wagering Requirement: $5 minimum first bet but you must win from it to receive the bonus.
Another beloved online New Jersey sports betting provider is FanDuel Sportsbook. The bookmaker has been open in the state since the market launched and is a trusted name in the industry.
If you are nervous about giving your personal information to a sportsbook, FanDuel might be the bookmaker for you. All the providers we recommend are safe, but FanDuel is an especially trustworthy name.
New bettors at the sportsbook can receive $200 in bonus bets when they place a winning first bet. You must deposit at least $5 and make a cash bet of any kind of at least $5. If your wager wins, you automatically receive the $200 in bonus bets. If you lose, you are not eligible for the promotion.
Bet365
- Welcome Offer: Up to $1000 OR up to $150
- Minimum Deposit: $10
- Wagering Requirement: $5 bet automatically receives $150 in bonus bets after settling, whereas the first is a “safety net” that gives you your wager in bonus bets if you lose.
If you want a well-rounded sportsbook with few frills but excellent promotions, Bet365 Sportsbook might just be your best option. They offer a good selection of sports markets and often have bonuses for new and existing users alike.
Bet365 offers new users two promotions to choose from. The first is a “safety net” worth up to $1000 on your first bet. The minimum bet eligible is $10. If you place a $50 cash bet and lose, you will receive $50 in bonus bets to your account.
The second promotion is worth up to $150 in bonus bets. For this bonus, you must bet at least $5 to receive $150 in bonus bets automatically upon settling.
Popular Sports and Teams in the New Jersey Betting Scene
Sports betting in New Jersey is vibrant, with football, soccer, basketball, and golf being particularly popular.
Interestingly, New Jersey shares many of its professional teams with New York due to the metropolitan area covering both states. This includes the New York Giants and New York Jets (NFL), both based in New Jersey, boasting dedicated fanbases.
Notably, the Giants are often analyzed for their performance potential, with experts like Patricia Traina of Sports Illustrated optimistic about their prospects for 2024.
Other popular teams include the New York Mets and Yankees (MLB) and the New Jersey Nets (NBA). College sports also thrive, with Rutgers University’s Scarlet Knights and other teams drawing significant attention. However, betting on college sports within the state is prohibited.
The Impact of Local Teams on Sports Betting
With so much attention devoted to New Jersey’s most popular sports, it should come as no surprise that team performance has a big impact on betting trends.
Here is how team wins and losses directly impact the local betting scene, as illustrated by the New York Yankees:
In eight games as the favorite over the last 10 matchups, the Yankees have a record of 6-2… The Yankees have entered the game as favorites 52 times this season and won 37, or 71.2%, of those games. New York has entered 16 games this season favored by -175 or more, and is 12-4 in those contests.
The implied probability of a win from the Yankees, based on the moneyline, is 63.6%.
Without the wins and strong performances of the Yankees, their odds would drop significantly, and betting on the team would shift fundamentally. If they begin losing games, the favorable odds will change, and betting in the state will favor another team.
Note: That’s why it’s important to pay attention to New Jersey sports betting news so that you always have the latest information before you bet.
Upcoming Events
Are you looking forward to specific sports events? Our New Jersey sports betting update below will show you all the upcoming moments you should keep an eye on.
Are There More Gambling Options in New Jersey?
There are many gambling options in New Jersey beyond sports betting. Casino gambling, particularly in Atlantic City, horse racing, and the New Jersey Lottery are some of the most popular.Â
Casino gambling
Casino gambling is one of the most successful forms of gambling in New Jersey. In 2023, its gross gaming revenue amounted to $5.78bn! That translates to $1.9bn in annual taxes, making it one of the most successful states in the country for gaming revenue.
Horse racing
Horse racing is common in New Jersey, with Monmouth Park serving as perhaps the most popular racetrack in the state. Bettors can place bets both online and in in-person sportsbooks.
Lotteries
New Jersey is home to many lotteries, referred to collectively as the New Jersey Lottery. Among these, the New Jersey Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot are among the most popular. Both were won in 2024 for an estimated $221m and $1.13bn, respectively.
Maximizing Your Bets
Before you start to bet on your favorite sports team in New Jersey, let’s talk about how you can maximize your bets. We’ll also take a look at how taxes and payouts work in the state so that you know what to expect when you win.
Tips and Strategies for New Jersey Bettors
- Always place bets informed by research: I can’t tell you how many people I have seen place a bet on a particular team simply because they’re long-time fans. While I understand the sentimentality, it is critical to recognize that your feelings aren’t always going to guide you in the right direction. You should always research a team’s performance and their projected odds before you place a wager.
- Set a budget: And stick to it. If you have a budget of $500 and have reached the end of your reserved funds, that’s it — you can’t bet anymore. Even if you’re absolutely positive, you’ll win the next one, you need to take a break. I’ve been positive I’ll win a bet, only to lose quite a bit. Very rarely have I accurately predicted my betting performance.Â
- Only gamble with what you can afford to lose: Your winnings will stretch much farther. If you’d like to learn more about how to get better at betting on sports, we’ve got you covered!
Understanding Taxes and Payouts
Before you bet, you should understand how the New Jersey sports betting tax rate works. Sports betting is subject to New Jersey’s gross income tax. Income tax rates in the state vary depending on how much you earn in a year and vary from 1.4% to 10.75%.
The good news when considering New Jersey sports betting revenue and how much you’ll need to pay is that the state allows you to deduct gambling losses from total winnings. When paying taxes on sports betting, you only report your profits. This is an annual deduction, and you can only use wins and losses from the same fiscal year.
Example:
- If you lose $500 in sports bets but have $1000 in winnings, you can deduct the $500 loss and claim a total of $500 taxable income on your taxes. Note that you cannot report a negative number!
- If you win $200 and lose $400, you cannot claim a $200 deduction.Â
For more information about taxing gambling wins and losses, you can check out our complete guide here.
What About Physical Sports Betting Locations?
There are many retail New Jersey sports betting locations in the form of racetracks and casinos. Three of the most popular of these include:
- Bally’s Atlantic City FanDuel Sportsbook
- Caesars Atlantic City Sportsbook
- Freehold Raceway
Of these, Bally’s Atlantic City FanDuel Sportsbook is perhaps the most popular. Customers have many great things to say about its environment and vibe.
In a sportsbook review, one customer from TripAdvisor noted:
We ate lunch at FanDuel Sports Bar at Bally’s and had a really good time. We had some special fries, barbecue, and garlic wings, and a huge burger and everything was so delicious… There were so many big screen TVs inside that we didn’t know which screen to look at.
TripAdvisor Review
So, Will You Bet from New Jersey Tonight?
Now that you’ve worked your way through our guide, you’re ready to hit the ground running on New Jersey sports betting. Keep the information we’ve provided above in mind when making your first wagers.
Would you like to keep learning about how sports betting works in the different states? We’ve got just the perfect page.Â