Is Sports Betting Legal in New Jersey?
Yes, legal sports betting became a reality in the Garden State back in 2018 thanks to the passing of Bill 4111. That followed a lengthy legal dispute surrounding PASPA, a federal law that had long outlawed sports betting right across the country. However, PASPA was overturned in 2018 by the Supreme Court, largely thanks to litigation brought by New Jerseyâs own governors â first Chris Christie, and then Phil Murphy.
The repeal of PASPA paved the way for NJâs casinos and racetracks to create sportsbooks. The new law also stipulated that established casinos could seek authority to provide online sports betting. The first bet via an online sportsbook was taken in August 2018 and a range of betting sites have since followed, letting you place moneylines, futures, and other bet types from anywhere in the state.
As in other states with legalized gambling, such as Nevada and Indiana, strict rules apply to betting in New Jersey. Online sportsbooks have to be associated with a casino that is licensed to operate in the state, and bettors must be at least 21 years of age to place online sports bets at sites like William Hill, DraftKings, and PointsBet.
Am I Eligible to Claim a Free Bet?
Free bets at New Jersey sportsbooks like BetMGM, 888, and Bet365 can come in very handy for new customers. Thatâs because they let you try out a betting site or betting market without putting your own cash on the table. Free bets are typically offered as a sign-up or first bet bonus for new players, but existing members can gain them through loyalty bonuses or general promotions.
To be eligible, you need to be at least 21 and physically located within New Jersey. If youâre using a sports betting app, geolocation software will verify that youâre in the correct area and able to place wagers.
Itâs common for new customers to have to make a deposit and/or wager before they can claim any bonus. Some free bets may also be off-limits if you use a certain payment method to make your deposit â Neteller and Skrill are the most commonly exempt. All of this will be in the bonus terms and conditions, so whether youâre betting through Fox Bet, Caesars or any other NJ sportsbook, itâs important to check the small print.
How Do I Claim a Free Bet?
There are a variety of ways to claim your free bets at New Jersey online betting sites. It depends on what sort of free bet bonus youâre after, and where you choose to place your wagers.
- Compare New Jersey online betting sites
Search through our comprehensive list of the best New Jersey sportsbooks using Compare.bet. We only list fully licensed sportsbooks, and highlight any significant terms and conditions you need to be aware of, helping you make a considered and informed decision.
- Sign up
Click or tap on our link to the New Jersey online betting siteâs registration page. Follow the prompts and provide some personal details to create your account. You may have to opt-in for the free bet bonus offer at this point, by ticking a box or entering a promo code.
- Deposit
Unless youâve been lucky enough to land a no deposit free bet bonus, youâll need to navigate over to the cashier or banking page to make your first deposit. There should be a range of payment methods on offer, so you can use whichever suits you.
- Claim that free bet
The free bet bonus may be provided when you make a qualifying deposit, or after you make an eligible first bet. You can then go ahead and use the bonus. Good luck!
When do Bookies Offer Free Bets?
NJ sportsbooks will offer free bets as a welcome bonus for new customers, and as ongoing promos to keep loyal members coming back for more. Letâs take a closer look.
No Deposit Free Bets for New Customers
Thereâs no denying that the no deposit free bet is one of the most attractive betting bonuses out there. The reason? You donât even have to transfer a cent of your cash to get it. All you have to do is sign up to claim your risk-free bet credits. You can think of no deposit free bet as a try-before-you-buy sort of deal, although any winnings may be subject to wagering requirements.
Free Bets for Making Your First Deposit
The vast majority of free bets in the state of New Jersey are likely to be deposit bonuses. That means youâll get a risk-free bet as a reward for depositing money for the first time. Again, terms and conditions apply, meaning you may have to wager your deposit before the free bets are unlocked, and certain payment methods may sometimes be exempt from the deal.
Free Bets for Existing Customers
What about after youâve signed up, and want to come back to a site to make NHL or NFL parlays or bet on daily fantasy sports? The good news is that free bets at New Jersey sportsbooks arenât just used to incentivize your first wager â theyâre also regularly offered to existing members. These bonuses can come as part of a weekly free bet club, or when thereâs a major sporting event on. You may also be able to claim up free bets as part of a loyalty reward program.
Make Sure You Read the Terms and Conditions
Free bets are a major perk for New Jersey bettors, but they do usually come with strings attached. Here are some common stipulations to look out for.
Time Limits
Free bets often come with time limits, meaning you have to use them within a certain period. This could be anything from seven days to 30 days or longer. Itâs important to check that just in case you were thinking of holding out for a big future event like the Super Bowl.
Wagering Requirements
A wagering requirement is sometimes applied to bonus offers and means you canât just transfer your winnings from free bets into your bank account right away. Under the condition, youâll need to wager your free bet amount a certain number of times. This could be a comparatively small 5 times â meaning you need to wager five times the value of the free bet â or a larger requirement of up over 50x.
Minimum Odds
New Jersey online betting sites wonât usually permit bettors to use their free bets on near-certain outcomes or even 50/50s. There are often minimum odds rules to keep things competitive. Min odds vary considerably from bonus to bonus, but itâs usually somewhere around 1.50 – 2.00.
Market Restrictions
Every bettor will have their own favorite markets, whether thatâs the NFL, NBA, MLB, golf, or any other sport. Thatâs why itâs important to check that the free bets provided by a sportsbook can be used on the sports and markets you enjoy. Restrictions can sometimes apply, which is another reason itâs worth taking a minute to read the terms and conditions.
Claiming a Free Bet on the Go
You donât have to be perched at your computer desk to claim free bets in the Garden State these days. Thanks to mobile betting sites, you can sign up, access free bets and place real money wagers while strolling the breezy boardwalks of Atlantic City or soaking up the sun on the Jersey Shore.
While you can do all of this through the mobile sports betting website of your chosen New Jersey sportsbook, we recommend downloading iOS or Android sports betting apps if possible. Native apps offer added convenience, as you wonât need to open your browser every time you want to place bets and take advantage of promos like odds boosts. Loading times may also be faster, and youâll be provided with push notifications keeping you instantly updated on new free bets and promos.
Claim Your Free Bet
Now that you have all the information you need on what free bets and how they work, you can now sign up to your favorite online betting site with confidence. Simply compare from our list of top rated New Jersey sportsbooks, click on the link weâve provided and sign up to claim your free bet.
FAQs
You can. However, current regulations prohibit college sports betting on events that are held within the state of New Jersey, or on events that are held in other states but involve college teams from the Garden State.
All casinos in New Jersey have to hold the proper licenses from the stateâs gaming board. If youâre concerned about inadvertently joining an unregulated site, donât worry â the experts here at Compare.bet have done the legwork for you. Our sportsbook reviews only include NJ gaming sites that are 100% legal and above board.
Online gambling should be a pleasurable pastime. If you feel itâs starting to have a negative impact on your life and youâd like support, call 1-800-GAMBLER â the line is open right around the clock.
Yes, you can join sites like the DraftKings sportsbook and FanDuel sportsbook anywhere. But you will need to be physically located inside the state to be able to place any bets, including free bets.
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espn.co.uk – New Jersey governor Phil Murphy places stateâs first sports bet