NJ Sports Betting: Best Betting Sites & Apps in New Jersey

With the singular exception of Las Vegas, New Jersey is the state that has welcomed sports betting more than any other. For those that don’t know, NJ was actually at the forefront of the nationwide movement concerning legalizing sports betting. As history tells us, the battle to actually achieve the current landscape endured for more than 10 years. But ultimately, the powers that be got the desired result, which is why New Jersey is one of the most robust sports betting states in the nation today.

Best online sports betting New Jersey sites for 2023

Sports betting has been permitted in NJ since June 2018. This in itself is impressive, but the next figures will blow you away. There are currently more than 20 New Jersey sports betting platforms in the online space, and in November 2021, collectively, these betting sites took in more than $1 billion. This makes New Jersey the largest state by sports betting handles in the entire US, which is quite a claim to fame.

At the same time, New Jersey has physical sportsbooks as well as mobile betting apps for every brand that operates here.

Latest NJ sports betting news

Despite Competition, NJ’s Sports Bets Rise

The biggest news story relating to NJ online sports betting of late is that November 2021 consolidated the impressive figures posted in October 2021. For both of these months, punters in New Jersey wagered more than $1 billion across the board, which is just insane compared to other states. Of course, if we were to look at any regulatory changes of note, there isn’t much that has changed since June 2018.

That’s because when the laws changed, New Jersey really took the gloves off and let loose. All forms of sports betting is legal in the state, and there aren’t any complex registration measures in place either. So on that note, we can only see the NJ sports betting market moving in one direction for the foreseeable future.

Is sports betting legal in NJ for online wagers?

Yes, and this has been the case for more than 3 years at this point. New Jersey was at the very forefront of legalizing sports betting, which is why the question of ‘is sports betting legal in NJ’ has enjoyed a positive response for a fair length of time already. However, reaching this point didn’t come without a few speed bumps. In fact, New Jersey government officials tried to get these laws changed for more than 10 years before the current outcome was achieved.

It was actually Gov. Phil Murphy who signed the bill into effect back in June 2018, and the first online sportsbooks went live just a couple of months later. The first was DraftKings, closely followed by other major brands such as FanDuel, Caesars, and many others. At the time of writing, bets can be placed through both desktop and New Jersey sports betting apps.

Where to bet on sports in New Jersey?

If you are eager to place a wager at any of the NJ sports betting sites mentioned here, you can easily do so after registering. But you do have another option to bet at retail sportsbooks too. Both options are detailed right here:

• Retail sportsbooks

New Jersey has a great range of physical casinos that also have sportsbooks. The vast majority of these are in Atlantic City, but there are others dotted elsewhere too. Therefore, the fact that you’ve got over 10 different locations in which to make sports bets is a fairly positive thing. Of course, you will still need to be over the age of 21 if you are to legally make a sports bet at one of these venues.

• Desktop sites/mobile apps

The number of NJ sports betting sites is superior to retail sportsbooks. Compared to the 12 physical locations where you can make sports bets, there are over 20 online platforms. It’s also far easier to register through one of the apps or desktop sites and then place your bets this way. You’ve generally got better markets to choose from online too, and there are also great welcome bonuses for you to benefit from!

Online sportsbooks available now in New Jersey

With such a rich supply of New Jersey sports betting apps and sites, residents have the luxury of many options for online wagering. In total, there are 21 NJ sports betting platforms, and we’ve detailed each of them below:

888 Sportsbook

The 888 Sportsbook is actually well established in NJ, having launched in September 2018. With 200+ markets for top events and some awesome bonuses, it’s no wonder 888 is a major hit with NJ punters. Speaking of bonuses, new customers get a shot at a $500 risk-free wager after signing up, which is pretty solid.

Bet365 Sportsbook

Like 888 shown above, bet365 is a brand that has landed on NJ shores from overseas. These guys launched in 2019 following a strategic partnership agreement, and bet365 quickly became one of the top mobile betting sites. With 20+ sports, bet builders, cashouts, and $200 in bonus bets for new customers, it’s clear to see why bet365 is hugely popular.

Barstool Sportsbook

The Barstool Sportsbook wasn’t quite as quick to launch as the other brands mentioned. In fact, Barstool didn’t launch until 2021, but they have quickly built a solid reputation in this state. With an awesome native app for Android and iOS, a $1,000 risk-free incentive for new customers, and some fantastic betting odds, this is definitely a site to consider.

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM is a major sports betting brand in North America, never mind just New Jersey. New customers who sign up on this platform benefit from a $1,000 risk-free bet, and there is an immense number of events to choose from each month. BetMGM is well known for exclusive betting markets and live streaming too!

Betway Sportsbook

Betway is another baby in the New Jersey betting market, having launched in 2021. This is a stylish site with awesome features such as cashouts, boosted odds, and a great range of reload bonuses. New players also get the chance of placing a $250 risk-free bet, which is enticing indeed.

Borgata Sportsbook

The Borgata Sportsbook is well established compared to some other brands on this list. The site went live back in 2019, and it currently welcomes new customers with $100 in free bets following a $20 qualifying wager. You needn’t worry about a poor selection of wagering opportunities here either since Borgata covers all major sports in the USA, as well as popular sports overseas.

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars is a well-known brand in the betting world, mainly because of their physical casinos dotted around the country. But in terms of NJ online sports betting, Caesars Sportsbook has been tearing it up since 2018. This makes Caesars one of the earliest brands to launch in the state, and Caesars has some of the best odds in the business – especially for the NFL and NBA. And if you’re a new customer, you can grab up to $1,250 on Caesars + 1000 Tier Credits + 1000 Reward Credits® right off the bat.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings might have found fame for being a fantasy sports betting site, but nowadays, everyone knows about DraftKings’ sports betting offerings. This all starts with the $1,000 welcome package, which all new players are entitled to. Beyond this, DraftKings offers plenty of unique markets, a top-notch mobile app, as well as cashouts for all main wagers.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel is another behemoth betting brand, and these guys are helping new customers get started with a $1000 No Sweat First Bet. FanDuel was actually one of the first brands to start allowing punters to build their own bet, and of course, other brands have since followed suit. Ever the forward-thinking brand, FanDuel is quick to offer exclusive bonuses, the number of events they cover is constantly improving, and existing customers also benefit from plenty of ongoing promotions.

FoxBet Sportsbook

Yes. you guessed it – this one is part of the FOX News network, only this time, it’s sports betting instead of media coverage! In our opinion, FoxBet serves as a perfect platform for betting newbies, with a simple interface and awesome bonuses – starting with a $500 bonus on the table for new customers. FoxBet also offers a wide range of sports for you to bet on, which is always a plus.

Golden Nugget Sportsbook

Golden Nugget has all kinds of features that contribute to a fantastic NJ online sports betting experience. With one-tap deposits, awesome bonuses, MVP parlays, and a rewards program, we can see why so many punters flock to this site. There is also a $250 reward for new customers after joining, and members have been placing bets here since 2019.

Hard Rock Sportsbook

Hard Rock is a well-known brand in general, and since 2019, Hard Rock has operated its very own sports betting site in NJ. With a sensational mobile app, you can easily access the Hard Rock Sportsbook and enjoy odds boosts, risk-free bets, and some pretty diverse betting markets for all major US leagues. And for those new to sports betting, Hard Rock issues a $100 free bet after registering.

PointsBet Sportsbook

The unique selling point for PointsBet is its spread betting set-up. Basically, this is a form of betting where the returns get determined by how right you are, which is a little more complex than regular wagering. Then again, there is also fixed odds betting, and $2,000 worth of risk-free bets for all new members – not bad at all!

Resorts Sportsbook

Resorts Sportsbook established an online presence in New Jersey near the very beginning – 2019. New customers benefit from a $250 risk-free bet on this platform, and this provides a great way to get started. Beyond the sign-up offer, Resorts Sportsbook serves up favorable odds, hundreds of markets for high-profile events, and a solid native app for iOS and Android.

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers, previously SugarHouse, was itching to get started in New Jersey, even before regulations were adjusted. That’s why the site was one of the first to go live back in 2018, and they remain a go-to betting site to this day. BetRivers welcomes new players with a $250 bonus, and in our opinion, sports betting in New Jersey doesn’t get more stylish than this site.

SuperBook Sportsbook

2021 was the year that the SuperBook Sportsbook finally moved online, and they’ve gained steam quickly. With daily odds boosts, a huge number of betting markets, and a $750 deposit boost for new customers, things are certainly pretty solid all-around here. You can even handpick your favorite sports teams for a more customized experience too.

TheScore Sportsbook

TheScore is another generous online site in New Jersey – handing out a $1,000 deposit bonus for those that take full advantage. The mobile app these guys have is just sensational too. With a clean interface, great features such as cashouts and bet builders, as well as solid odds for most sports, TheScore is a site worth checking out.

Tipico Sportsbook

Tipico Sportsbook is another betting platform with a $750 bonus on the cards for new players. This alone entices new customers, as does the slick mobile app, ongoing bonuses for existing players, and awesome coverage for all popular US sports. Tipico has been on the go since 2020 too, so they’re no longer a newcomer in New Jersey.

TwinSpires Sportsbook

TwinSpires might be a solid sports betting site, but it is in a league of its own when it comes to betting on horse racing. Without question, these guys are the best in the business for this sport, and new customers can grab a $1,000 risk-free bet just for signing up here. TwinSpires has actually been going since 2019 too – it was just rebranded to TwinSpires in 2021.

Unibet Sportsbook

The Unibet Sportsbook won’t blow you away with an amazing design or visuals, but the overall value for sports betting on this site certainly will. All new signups can grab a $250 bonus and then proceed to bet on the NFL, NBA, MLS, NHL, and other top leagues. Unibet has one of the best mobile apps out there too, which is ideal for flexible betting.

WynnBet Sportsbook

With a Bet $100 & Get $100 welcome offer incentive for new players, combined with exclusive parlays, diverse markets, and great odds across the board, the WynnBet Sportsbook is understandably on the radar for many punters. The site has only been live since 2020, but since its launch, thousands of punters have put their trust in WynnBet, and their trust hasn’t been misplaced. WynnBet continues to grow and develop to this day.

What about the legal online sports betting apps?

To clear up any doubts, each of the betting brands discussed above has a mobile betting offering – usually via a mobile app for iOS and Android. This is part of the requirement for an online brand to launch in New Jersey, and from a punter’s perspective, this is the most convenient way to place bets of all. For those that would like to know more about the required partnerships, we’ve provided an overview of the current partnerships right here:

• Bally’s Casino – Caesars Sportsbook
• Borgata Casino – BetMGM, Borgata Sportsbook
• Caesars Casino – WynnBet, 888, Caesars Sportsbook
• Freehold Raceway – Parx Sportsbook
• Golden Nugget Casino – Golden Nugget, BetAmerica Sportsbook
• Hard Rock Casino – Bet365, Unibet, Hard Rock Sportsbook
• Harrah’s Casino – Caesars Sportsbook
• Monmouth Park – TheScore, SugarHouse Sportsbook
• Ocean Casino – Caesars/William Hill Sportsbook
• Resorts Casino – DraftKings, Resorts Sportsbook
• The Meadowlands – FanDuel, PointsBet Sportsbook
• Tropicana Casino – Caesars/William Hill Sportsbook

All of the partnerships shown above have paved the way for established sports betting app to be available for NJ punters. You’ve probably noticed that a few names appear several times too. That’s because New Jersey doesn’t have restrictions concerning one license per location, unlike other states – another reason that NJ is so accessible for betting brands to enter and launch.

Online Sports Betting Sites that could soon come to New Jersey

With so many NJ online sports betting platforms currently in place, there aren’t as many potential brands knocking on the door as there are elsewhere. However, there are a couple of key names that are missing from the market right now, as shown here:

Betfred

Up until recently, Betfred didn’t actually have a presence in the US market whatsoever. This was strange since other UK-based sportsbooks such as William Hill and Unibet had already made the move over. With that said, Betfred has now started striking partnerships with land-based casinos in other states, and we feel that New Jersey could easily be next.

WinView

WinView is a bit of a new brand in the US, but there is a lot of hype surrounding these guys right now. WinView is operational in other states, and they are giving out a $200 bonus to new customers elsewhere. With the flexible regulations in place within NJ, a transition into this market would be both easy and probably for WinView in the near future.

Other things you should know about online sports betting sites in New Jersey

Opening a new sports betting account in New Jersey

New Jersey lets all online punters sign up directly through their desired channels. This means that you can open a brand new account via mobile or desktop – there is no need to sign up at a retail sportsbook. That’s actually a major reason for why New Jersey has seen such rapid adoption for sports betting, and it’s a reason why other states have failed to match the same figures as New Jersey to date. But signing up does require a few details on your part.

When registering, you’ll need to provide details that show you are over the age of 21, resident in NJ, and you’ll have to provide some contact information too. Each and every NJ sports betting platform has a process known as ‘KYC’ too, which stands for ‘know your customer’. Basically, it means that the site needs to verify your details before you are granted unrestricted betting access.

What kind of welcome bonus can you get with a New Jersey sports betting operator?

Every single NJ online sports betting site has a welcome bonus in place. Without one, they simply wouldn’t survive, as punters would be drawn to other sites for the sign-up offer alone. This works in your favor, as it means you have a healthy selection of welcome bonuses to choose from in this state. But for all of them, you still need to register for a new account at the site that is offering the bonus.

Assuming you are looking to secure the most rewarding bonus, we would recommend FanDuel. This platform has a $1,000 bonus in place, and it is much less restrictive compared with other brands. Note that this isn’t actually the largest bonus, but it’s the most flexible and user-friendly bonus in the market, in our opinion. At the same time, you then get to wager at one of the top sites beyond the welcome bonus.

With that out of the way, we’d like to show you what the various sign-up offers can entail too:

Risk-free bet

As you’ve seen above, if you’re looking to get started with sports betting in New Jersey, risk-free bets are lurking around every corner. Most sites serve up these bonuses as it gives you a reason to try their offerings, without taking on any risk, in theory.

Bet match

If you bet $100 without a bet match, you’d be betting $100, period. But with a bet match, some sites will throw in an extra $100 of their own. So all of a sudden, you are betting with $200, even though you’ve only stumped up $100 of your own cash.

Boosted odds

In the world of sports betting, the odds will always determine your potential winnings. Therefore, when they are given a boost, this is never a bad thing! Certain NJ online sports betting sites will double the odds on your first bet too. Double the odds means double the possible returns.

No deposit bonus

You’ll often find that betting sites want you to at least invest some of your own cash before they will give you a bonus. After all, it can’t be a one-way street! However, for welcome bonuses, some sites are willing to hand out a small no deposit bonus to let you test the waters. Just note that such bonuses will always be a little more restrictive when you dive into the small print.

Brick-and-Mortar Casinos where you can place sports bets

With retail sports betting being fully legal in New Jersey, many physical casinos have taken full advantage and established their very own sportsbooks. At the time of writing, NJ has more than 10 physical casinos where this can be done – the majority of which are in Atlantic City. With that said, these retail sportsbooks are equally as extensive as the current New Jersey sports betting apps, and you’ve also got the benefit of a live environment by betting this way.

Some would say that this is more fun than simply betting online, but of course, everyone has their own preferences. And in terms of the best physical casinos where you should consider making bets, some of the biggest names include the likes of Harrah’s, Resorts, Tropicana, Golden Nugget, and Borgata Casino.

Betting on the most popular New Jersey sports

NFL

New Jersey is home to two professional NFL teams, hence the immense popularity of this sport in NJ. These two teams include the New York Giants and New York Jets, and they both play out of the MetLife Stadium. There are no restrictions on betting on these teams by NJ punters, so if you want to wager on NJ’s homegrown teams, you can. Of course, you can also bet on other NFL games during the season through futures, moneyline, and spread markets.

NBA

Despite NJ having three nearby NBA teams, none of them are technically based in New Jersey. Then again, that doesn’t stop NJ punters from having a keen interest in the NBA and all of its games. This is one of the top leagues in terms of the amount of action, with numerous games being played each and every week. You can bet on all of them in either a pre-match or live setting too, which adds to the fun.

MLB

Again, with New Jersey being so close to PA and NY, locals have a keen interest in teams like the Yankees, Mets, as well as the Philadelphia Phillies. Sure, these teams aren’t technically based in New Jersey, but with them being so close, this has helped the MLB to rank as one of the top leagues. At all major NJ sportsbooks, you can take a swing at the moneyline markets, and for the World Series, plenty of bonuses are shelled out.

NHL

The NHL is loaded with some pretty unique markets that NJ punters love. For example, you can already bet on the Stanley Cup through the futures markets, and specific spreads, moneyline, and individual goalscorer bets are all available. As for home interests, NJ does have the New Jersey Devils, although they aren’t as successful as the teams just over the border – Flyers, Islanders, and Rangers. Interestingly, live betting has become quite popular in NJ too, especially for post-season games.

MMA

MMA doesn’t have any specific teams in NJ, mainly because this is an individual sport. But on that note, great bonuses, unique markets, and exciting action is always associated with MMA betting. Certain sites have more of an interest in MMA than others, such as DraftKings who sponsors many of the top fights. That’s also why DraftKings serves up some of the best odds for MMA fights.

MLS

In a similar fashion to other leagues here, the MLS is closely followed in New Jersey but not because of homegrown interests. Instead, most NJ punters pay attention to the New York Red Bulls, a team just over the border who performs quite well in the MLS. This is a quickly growing league in the US too, and the top sportsbooks are adding fuel to the fire by covering all of the matches each season.

Tennis

The reason that tennis is popular in NJ is that it’s a sport that is played by many NJ residents in general. With many indoor and outdoor clubs dotted all around the state, it’s easy for people to get involved and develop a love for the sport. At the same time, New York hosts one of the biggest tournaments of the calendar year – the US Open. Punters can already take on the futures markets for this one, or they can bet on individual matches for the entire two-week tournament period in September.

Golf

Again, just like tennis, interest in golf in NJ is driven by the fact that the state is home to many great golf courses. This drives player participation, and it develops an interest in professional golf tournaments too. New Jersey actually hosts a bunch of PGA events, so residents can actually bet on the action and go and watch it live if desired. You can even bet on golf on a round-by-round basis too, in a similar fashion to sports like MMA. This makes golf quite an exciting sport to bet on, even if the action is generally slower than other sports.

History of New Jersey Sports Betting

As we’ve stressed a few times here, New Jersey deserves a lot of the credit for the nationwide sports betting climate, not just for their own state. This story started all the way back in 2011, way before other states jumped on the bandwagon and started to make huge changes. We’ve detailed the process right here:

2011 – the sports wagering act

It’s hard to believe that this was a decade ago! In 2011, governors put forward a vote on whether sports betting should be legalized in NJ. The vote received an overwhelming majority in favor of legalizing sports betting, and those in power wasted no time on acting on the vote. Jeff Van Drew and State Sens. Ray Lesniak introduced a bill almost immediately after this vote and the purpose of the bill was to permit in-person sports betting. This would only be allowed at retail sportsbooks and at racetracks.

2012 – an immediate challenge

Those NJ residents who were eager to start betting on sports would have to sit tight. While yes, the previous bill allowed sports betting to begin from 2012, in-person, it would seem that professional leagues weren’t on board. In fact, four of the biggest professional sports leagues in North America, including the NCAA, filed a lawsuit against the state due to the previous bill. The lawsuit was successful, and although the law was initially approved, no sports betting actually took place.

And with the bill now dead in the water, things certainly weren’t looking promising.

2014 – two can play that game

The defeat regarding the sports betting bill was a bitter blow for this industry in New Jersey. But true to form, Gov. Chris Christie put together an all-star team of lawyers to change the outcome. Instead of introducing a new bill this time around, he formed his argument with a basis on how the state’s constitution was written. The relatively loose language regarding sports betting allowed him to form a compelling argument, although the lawsuit itself would continue for four years!

2017 – better news further up the ladder

It’s worth noting that until this point, sports betting in New Jersey had always been discussed in federal court. The previous and ongoing lawsuits were debated in federal court in NJ, and yet again, in early 2017 the judge ruled that the Sports Wagering Act violated PASPA – the initial law that prevented sports betting in all states. However, Gov. Phil Murphy simply refused to let this matter settle, and he pursued his case until it reached the Supreme Court.

Of course, this is the highest court in the land, and its rulings would be final. When all was said and done, the Supreme Court decided that they would issue their decision the following year.

2018 – hallelujah

Against all odds, the Supreme Court rules in favor of Gov. Phil Murphy and his legal team. They state that PASPA was actually a direct violation of the US Constitution and that it would be removed from law in all states. However, individual states could still make their own decisions over whether to allow sports betting or not. This decision came in May 2018, and since NJ had been knocking at the door for so long, various brands were already set to offer sports betting in this state.

The very first NJ sportsbooks launched the next month, and online sites would emerge in August 2018!

2018 – present – unbelievable adoption

2018 saw solid numbers for sports betting. 2019 showed strong growth, but 2020 – NJ punters wagered a combined total of more than $6 billion! This put New Jersey at the top of the sports betting charts, and it justified all of the efforts made in previous years to make this transition a reality.

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