Boasting an impressive 90% ranking, BetMGM is fast becoming the sportsbook of choice for savvy punters in New Jersey. Here’s why we rate it so strongly.
Looking to bet on sports in New Jersey? We’ve got a line up of the best sports betting sites available to punters in the Garden State. Compare our expert reviews, scores and the bonuses on offer to pick out the bookie that suits you best. All of our featured sportsbooks are legal and regulated in the state of New Jersey. All that’s left for you to do is make your pick, sign up and start betting.
New Jersey was the third state in the US to implement legal and regulated sports betting after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), putting it on the same playing field as Nevada— where sports betting had been legal for many years— and Delaware, the first state to have launched sports betting after the PASPA repeal.
Since New Jersey legalized sports betting the state has been at the forefront of the US sports betting industry. Not only has the state shown that sports betting is a viable means to generate state revenue, it has also demonstrated that, when regulated properly, sports betting can be both a fun and safe activity for residents. Here is our rundown of the New Jersey sports betting market.
NJ Sports Betting Sites
- DraftKings Sportsbook – $500 bonus
- 888sport – 100% deposit match
- Pointsbet – Risk-free bet up to $100
- Sugarhouse Sportsbook – 100% up to $250
- BetMGM – Risk-free bet up to $500
- Borgata Sports – Risk-free bet up to $300
- FanDuel Sportsbook – $500 bonus
- William Hill – Free bet offer
- Unibet – Free bet + deposit bonus
- FOX Bet – Free bet offer
NJ online betting regulation
New Jersey sports betting licensing explained
On 11 June 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill (A4111) into law, making it legal to place wagers on sports betting in the state of New Jersey. Three days after the signing of the bill, Gov. Murphy placed the first legal sports wager at the William Hill Sportsbook at Monmouth Park Racetrack.
What sports can I bet on?
You can place bets on all professional sports, as well as some college sport events. As it stands you can’t bet on college events that take place in New Jersey or any events that involve state schools, such as Rutgers University or Stockton University. You cannot bet on high school sports either.
Can I place bets online?
Yes. New Jersey is one of the few US states to offer online sports betting via mobile apps and online websites. However, if you do want to place sports bets online, you must be within the state’s borders. There are currently 13 online betting options in New Jersey, all of which hold a license for their sports betting services.
DraftKings Sportsbook was the first online sports betting platform to launch an app and website in New Jersey. Initially, the app received a limited release on 1 August 2018, and was rolled out across the state a few days later, on 6 August 2018.
Interested in playing online casino games at legal NJ-licensed sites? Head over to our NJ Online Casino section!
PlayMGM was the second mobile sports betting app to launch in the state, on 22 August 2018. However, at present, it’s only available on Android devices. SugarHouse Online Sportsbook & Casino then launched its site and app on 23 August 2018, becoming the third online sports betting platform to launch in New Jersey, and the first US gambling brand to launch an integrated online casino and sportsbook.
William Hill and FanDuel Mobile Sportsbook were the next two sportsbooks to launch online sports betting apps and websites in New Jersey, with both platforms launching services on 1 September 2018. Capitalizing on the potential of the sports betting market and expanding its reach across the US, Caesars Casino launched an online sportsbook with a mobile app and online site on 6 September 2018. 888 Sportsbook was next to launch its sports betting platform in the state with an android app and website that launched on 10 September 2018. BetStars is the latest betting site to establish a presence in the New Jersey online sports betting market and launched its website and mobile app on 13 September 2018.
In early 2019, Australian sportsbook operator PointsBet entered the New Jersey sports betting market under a licensing agreement with Meadowlands. This made PointsBet the ninth online sportsbook to enter the New Jersey online sports betting market, though Hard Rock followed close behind just before the 2019 Super Bowl weekend with its online sportsbook and land-based sportsbook.
List of NJ Sports Betting Sites with Mobile Apps:
| Betting Site | Android App | iOS App |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Yes | Yes |
| playMGM | Yes | Yes |
| SugarHouse Online Sportsbook & Casino | Yes | Yes |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Yes | Yes |
| William Hill NJ | Yes | Yes |
| Caesars Online Casino | Yes | Yes |
| 888 Sports | Yes | Yes |
| BetStars NJ | Yes | Yes |
| PointsBet | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Rock | Yes | Yes |
| Resorts | Yes | Yes |
| Golden Nugget | Yes | Yes |
| BetAmerica | Yes | Yes |
I don’t want to bet on sports, can I play online casino games in New Jersey?
Yes, much like the state of Nevada, New Jersey offers both players and residents the chance to play real money casino games online since online casinos and poker rooms were legalised in 2013. From progressive online slot games to online poker, there’s something for everyone in this state. However, most gambling activities are restricted to Atlantic City, which means online slot providers must work in partnership with land-based establishments within Atlantic City and gambling servers must also be located here.
Can I play on these sites if I live in another state?
Yes, providing you sign up and play while within New Jersey’s borders. The same applies to residents of New Jersey, you can only gamble online while in the state borders. If you are travelling across state lines you will not be able to gamble on New Jersey sites.
How old do I have to be to gamble in New Jersey?
It depends what you’re betting on. While 18-year-olds can legally play the lottery, bingo, bet on horse and dog racing and play online bingo, you must be 21 years old to play at land-based and online casinos, online sportsbooks and online and land-based poker.
Is it safe to bet on sports in New Jersey?
Yes. As a regulated market, there are rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of players when betting at licensed sportsbooks and casinos. For example, punters must be over 21 to gamble, and gambling license holders must take steps to ensure the wellbeing of their customers. While all of the establishments mentioned above are fully licensed and take steps to protect players, it’s always important that you bet responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
We recommend checking that the official New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement seal is displayed on any site or app you wish to use before you place any bets. This will tell you if it has been licensed by the state and whether it’s a legal sportsbook.
Bettors must also take a responsible approach to gambling in order that they can remain safe. If you’re concerned that you, or a loved one, may be suffering from problem gambling, you can contact the National Council on Problem Gambling for support and resources.
You can contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline via:
Phone: +1-800-522-4700
Text: +1-800-522-4700
Online Chat
Who regulates sports gambling in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Racing Commission is responsible for handling the licenses for racetracks in the state and Casinos in New Jersey are governed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Contact the New Jersey Racing Commission
There’s a number of different ways in which you can contact the New Jersey Racing Commission:
- Telephone – 609-292-0613 – open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday
- Post – 140 East Front Street, 3rd Floor, PO Box 088, Trenton, NJ 08625
- Email via its online form
Contact the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement:
You can get in touch with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement in a handful of different ways:
- Telephone – 609-984-0909
- Email [email protected]
- Post – 140 East Front Street, P.O. Box 047, Trenton, NJ 0862
You can also contact the Council of Compulsive Gambling for New Jersey hotline on: 1-800-GAMBLER
Check back with Compare.bet US for updates on US sports betting legislation.
In-person betting
How to place bets at land-based sportsbooks in New Jersey
New Jersey sports bettors can make wagers at several land-based casinos across the state. The first sportsbook in the state was William Hill, located at Monmouth Park. This sportsbook opened its doors at 10 a.m. on 14 June 2018. Just one hour later at 11 a.m, the Borgata sportsbook in Atlantic City also opened its doors and began taking sports bets.
| Caisno with Sportsbook | Supplier | Location | Contact | Opening Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monmouth Park | William Hill | Oceanport175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757, USA | +1 732-222-510 | [email protected] | 7:30 am on Race Days |
| Borgata | IGT/GVC/Stadium Tech | 1 Borgata Way, Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, United States | +1 609-317-1000 | [email protected] | 24 hours |
| Ocean Resort | William Hill | 500 Boardwalk Atlantic City, NJ 08401, United States | +1 609-783-8777 | [email protected] | 24 hours |
| FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands | FanDuel Sportsbook | 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA | +1 201-843-2446 | Online form | Monday – Thursday – 10am – 1amFriday – Saturday 10am – 2am
Sunday – 8am- 1am |
| Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City | Scientific Games | 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA | +1 609-441-5000 | [email protected] | 24 hours |
| Bally’s Atlantic City | Scientific Games | 1900 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA | +1 609-340-2000</td | Not available | 24 hours |
| Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino & Marina | SBTech | 600 Huron Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA | +1 609-441-2000 | [email protected] | 24 hours |
| Resorts Casino Hotel | SBTech | 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA | +1 800-334-6378 | Online form | 24 hours |
| Hard Rock Atlantic City | GiG | 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA | +1 609-449-1000 | [email protected] | 24 hours |
| Tropicana | William Hill | 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA | +1 609-340-4000 | Online form | 24 hours |
Almost all Atlantic City casinos offer onsite sports betting, with the exception of Caesars Atlantic City- though patrons can bet on sports at Bally’s. The Freehold Raceway is the only other gambling venue in New Jersey that has not yet made plans to launch sports betting operations.
Offshore
Why offshore sportsbooks are best avoided in New Jersey
Offshore sportsbooks are illegal in the state of New Jersey. You can spot these by looking at the website’s domain name. If you see a domain that ends in .EU or .AG it does not hold a license to operate in New Jersey and therefore should be avoided at all costs.
However, even some sites operation under .com domain may be operating illegally, which means you should take care to verify the safety of a betting site before you sign up. The only way to tell that a site is trustworthy is to check for the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement seal before placing a bet on a website.
If you do come across a site that does not have a seal from the Division of Gaming Enforcement, it is best to report it and avoid the site.
NJ sports betting history
The journey to legal and regulated sports betting in New Jersey
- 1992 – Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibiting sports betting across US states. Four states were made exempt from the law: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana. These states had legal sports betting regulations in place. New Jersey attempted to apply for exemption in 1991 but failed to act due to state-level political issues.
- 2010 – New Jersey realized it was missing out on potential revenue that would be generated through sports betting (sports betting licenses, licensing fees, tax etc.). Two State Senators, Raymond Lesniak and Stephen M. Sweeney file a lawsuit in an attempt to challenge federal law.
- 2011 – The US District Court rejected the lawsuit in March. The Court stated that only Governor Chris Christie could file a lawsuit of that nature. However, Gov. Christie was against pursuing legislation as he thought it would be too difficult to get around the federal ban. Later that year, voters in New Jersey voted in a referendum to make an amendment to the states constitution which would allow sports betting.
- 2012 – New Jersey enacted the Sports Wagering Act 2012, allowing sports wagering at casinos and racetracks in the state.
- In August, the major sports leagues (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB and NCAA) united to sue New Jersey under PASPA to prohibit sports betting. The United States Department of Justice sided with the leagues. New Jersey acknowledges that the Sports Wagering Act violates PASPA but argued that PASPA violated the Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution. It was argued that the Tenth Amendment stripped the power of the state to oversee sports gambling.
- 2013 – In February, the US District Judge for the District of New Jersey, ruled against the state and placed an injunction on New Jersey stopping the state from enacting the 2012 law. New Jersey attempted to appeal the injunction but was unsuccessful.
- 2014 – After multiple amendments to the Sports Wagering Act, Gov. Christie changed his mind and supported the attempt to legalize sports betting at a state level. This legislation was signed into law within five weeks. In November, the sports leagues sued the state again. The district court and third circuit court ruled in favor of the leagues as the revised law still violated PASPA.
- 2016 – In October, New Jersey petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari (judicial review). The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in 2017. This case was combined with another case in which the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NJTHA) petitioned the Supreme Court to allow sports betting at the Monmouth Park Racetrack
- 2017 – During the case, New Jersey elected a new Governor, Phil Murphy, who would take over from Christie. On 4 December, the court heard the arguments put forth by the state of New Jersey, the NJTHA and the leagues.
- 2018 – On 14 May, the Court reached a decision. In a 7 – 2 vote it was agreed that one the clauses in PASPA did indeed violate the Tenth Amendment as it commandeered power from states to regulate their own gambling industries. This made it legal for a state government to regulate their own gambling industries and therefore legalize sports betting if it wished.
- On 11 June, Governor Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill (A4111) into law, legalizing sports betting in the state of New Jersey.
- On 9 August, DraftKings launched the first online and mobile sportsbook in New Jersey. This was closely followed by many more online sports betting platforms including: Play MGM, BetStars NJ, 888Sports NJ, SugarHouse, FanDuel, William Hill and Caesars.
- In December, DraftKings expanded into the realm of online casino gaming with the launch of DraftKings Casino in New Jersey. Sports media company, theScore, announced that it would also be launching its own sportsbook in New Jersey, thanks to a partnership with Monmouth Park.
- In 2018, the New Jersey sports betting market closed the year with strong sports betting figures: sports betting handle exceeded $1bn and sports betting revenue amounted to $94m. The state received $10.4m in tax revenue.
- 2019 – On 18 January, Australian sports betting platform, PointsBet, became the ninth mobile sports betting platform to launch in New Jersey. On 30 January, Hard Rock Atlantic City launched its online, mobile and land-based sportsbooks.
