New Jersey online sports betting is one of the most successful and mature betting markets in the United States. As the first state to challenge and overturn PASPA, New Jersey helped pave the way for legal sports betting across the country. Today, bettors in the Garden State enjoy a wide selection of licensed sportsbooks, innovative mobile apps, and some of the best promotions in the industry.
Whether you’re betting from Atlantic City, Newark, or your living room, this page covers everything you need to know about online sports betting in NJ — including legality, how to sign up, where to bet, and the top welcome offers.
New Jersey is largely responsible for the growth of the entire US sports betting industry, and it was one of the first states to launch. See which NJ sportsbooks you can join below.
The New Jersey sports betting scene is boosted by a large population in a great location, but also by some of the great rules and regulations that are featured. Retail sports betting is available, but it has been the New Jersey online sports betting that has brought in the biggest numbers.
The state was the first to challenge the federal ban on sports betting, and it was able to win a decision from the US Supreme Court in 2018. Since that time, other states have tried to emulate the success of NJ sports betting, but none have been able to keep up with the amount of sportsbooks, bet types, and markets available to wager on.
In September 2021, New Jersey became the first state to eclipse the $1 billion mark in total sports betting handle for a single month. The start of the 2021-22 NFL regular season sparked a five-month streak from September through January where the state posted at least $1 billion in total handle per month. The streak fell just short in February 2022 when the state’s total handle clocked in at approximately $985 million.
The NJ sports betting industry has evolved over the years, but most of the initial rules and regulations remain in place. Nevada used to be the sports betting capital in the US, but that title now belongs to the Garden State.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in New Jersey?
Yes, online sports betting has been legal in New Jersey since June 2018, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down PASPA. The state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) oversees and regulates all online and retail sportsbooks.
You must be:
- 21 years or older
- Physically located in New Jersey (verified via geolocation)
- Betting through a licensed NJ sportsbook
There are no in-person registration requirements, and you can manage your entire account — from sign-up to withdrawal — online or via mobile.
Best Online Sportsbooks in New Jersey
New Jersey has one of the most diverse and competitive sportsbook lineups in the country. With over 20 licensed betting apps, you’ll find a platform that matches your preferences for odds, bonuses, features, and user experience. Below are the top-rated NJ online sportsbooks:
🥇 Bet365 New Jersey
- Renowned for live betting and deep global market coverage
- Quick payouts and clean design
- Competitive pricing across sports
🥈DraftKings Sportsbook
- First to launch in NJ
- Huge market variety and daily promos
- Great for live betting and same-game parlays
🥉 FanDuel Sportsbook
- Clean, fast, and easy-to-use app
- Known for innovative bet types and odds boosts
- Top choice for NFL and NBA fans
🎲 BetMGM Sportsbook
- Excellent parlay features and regular promo boosts
- Connected to MGM Rewards
- Good option for both casual and high-stakes bettors
🎰 Caesars Sportsbook
- Strong welcome bonuses and rewards tied to Caesars properties
- Easy navigation and solid odds
- Regular boosts on local teams like the Jets, Giants, and Devils
All of these sportsbooks are licensed by the New Jersey DGE, ensuring your account and funds are secure.
One of the biggest reasons that New Jersey has climbed to the top in the sports betting industry is due to its registration laws. Bettors can register for sports betting accounts online, and they don’t even have to step foot in a retail casino or sportsbook to start placing bets. This is not only beneficial to residents looking to get in on NJ online sports betting, but it is also a huge bonus for bettors from other states that might be visiting, driving through, or passing by.
Bettors in New Jersey have a number of terrific sportsbooks to choose from, both in person and online. DraftKings, and BetMGM, were the first to go live online in August 2018, and they were followed by plenty of other big names throughout the rest of the state’s first year in operation. As of 2022, there are still some NJ online sports betting skins available, which means more options may be on the horizon. But for now, bettors in the Garden State can choose from the following sportsbook options:
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- FanDuel
- Golden Nugget
- bet365
- PlayUp
- Tipico
- Hard Rock Sportsbook
- Resorts Sportsbook
- Borgata Sportsbook
All of the casinos in New Jersey are located in Atlantic City, and that is where most of the retail sports betting takes place. Various racetracks in New Jersey also offer sports betting, but Atlantic City is where most bettors go to get in on the action.
Again, signing up for a NJ sports betting account is a simple process that can be completed in a matter of minutes. The entire process can be done from your smartphone or other mobile devices as long as location services are enabled.
The wide selection of sportsbooks in the state of New Jersey is a big reason for the huge numbers, but online registration also plays a vital role. Both residents and visitors of New Jersey have taken advantage of the these lax requirements, which has ultimately helped the state achieve record numbers.
- Register with a Caesars promo code to have a welcome offer
NJ Sports Betting Rules
New Jersey sportsbooks are also given plenty of freedom when it comes to what sports or leagues they are able to offer as betting markets. This is important as it has attracted sports bettors of many different forms.
All of the top American sports are offered by sportsbooks in New Jersey, but you can also find international sporting events as well. New Jersey is home to some of the biggest international sportsbooks in the world, and they, of course, specialize in leagues from around the globe.
Another thing that new Jersey allows is betting on collegiate sporting events, except there is one limitation to that. All collegiate sporting events featuring in-state teams or events taking place in New Jersey are off-limits. That means no betting on Rutgers or Seton Hall during basketball season or any local events like the 2021 Army vs Navy football game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
This regulation would seem to affect NJ sports betting in a negative way, but bettors have hardly noticed with so many other available betting markets. At the end of the day, professional sporting events continue to bring in the most money.
Most recently, esports betting was added as an available market in New Jersey, as the internet gaming industry continues to grow in popularity. Sportsbooks wanted to offer odds on esports competitions, and they were able to win their appeal to add it to their sites.
As the NJ sports betting scene continues to grow, new markets are expected to be added in the upcoming months and years.
- Register for fantasy betting with StatHero
- Get more info on how to bet on soccer
NJ Sports Betting Regulations
New Jersey first started to explore sports betting in 2009, with Governor Chris Christie leading the charge. There was a federal ban on sports betting at the time, but in 2012 New Jersey lawmakers pushed forward and passed a sports betting bill.
Immediately, the NCAA, NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB filed an injunction against this bill, and it led to a long court battle. Eventually, Phil Murphy replaced Christie as governor of the state, and he was thrown into the lawsuit.
The court case made its way to the United States Supreme Court in 2018, and a landmark decision was made. The US Supreme Court voted to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, lifting the federal ban.
On June 11, 2018, Governor Murphy signed an updated sports betting bill, A4111, into law. New Jersey became the second state to legalize sports betting that year.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement was put in charge of regulating and overseeing the NJ sports betting industry, and they wasted little time in approving operators.
Bear in mind that online gambling is also legal in New Jersey. Some online casinos operate exclusively in NJ, such as Resort and Tropicana Casino.
Casinos in the state are required to pay an 8% tax on all retail revenue, and a 13% tax on online revenue. Racetracks will be required to pay an additional tax if they wish to offer sports betting.
The legal age to bet on sports in New Jersey is 21 years of age.
New Jersey was also the first to launch online casinos. The New Jersey online casino market is the biggest in the country with over two dozen online casinos available, with most sharing a balance with the online sportsbooks. The first to launch was Golden Nugget Online Casino way back in 2013 and several others have launched since then.
How to Start Betting Online in NJ
Placing a bet online in New Jersey is fast and simple:
- Choose a licensed sportsbook
- Create an account (name, email, SSN last 4 digits)
- Verify your location (required to confirm you’re in NJ)
- Fund your account (via credit/debit, PayPal, online banking, etc.)
- Place your bets on your favorite teams and markets
You can bet from your phone, tablet, or desktop as long as you are within state lines.
What Sports Can You Bet on in New Jersey?
New Jersey sportsbooks offer a massive selection of markets, including:
- NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS
- College football and basketball
- Soccer (Premier League, Champions League, La Liga)
- Golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, F1, NASCAR
- Esports and international events
Note: You cannot bet on New Jersey college teams or college events taking place in New Jersey — even if they’re part of March Madness or bowl games.
Bonuses and Promotions for NJ Bettors
New Jersey sportsbooks are known for aggressive promotions. New users can claim offers like:
- 🏆 No-sweat first bets or second-chance bets
- 🎁 Deposit match bonuses (often up to $1,000)
- 🚀 Odds boosts and profit boosts
- 🎯 Parlay insurance and referral rewards
Many users take advantage of multiple sportsbook bonuses when getting started to maximize their value.
Responsible Gambling in New Jersey
The state offers strong tools for responsible gaming. All sportsbooks provide:
- Deposit and time limits
- Self-exclusion and cool-off periods
- Links to resources like 1-800-GAMBLER and NJ’s Council on Compulsive Gambling
The DGE also operates Betting 101 tools and self-assessment tests to help players gamble responsibly.
Summary
The NJ sports betting industry is now the “gold standard” in the United States, and it will likely stay that way for the foreseeable future. New Jersey continues to put up record-setting numbers in both handle and revenue, and new operators continue to flock to the state. New Jersey also has a thriving online casino industry. Most online sportsbooks have an online casino attached to the sportsbook app, so you can play blackjack and slots while sweating your sports bets.
The New Jersey online sports betting portion of the industry has attracted the most betting action, and some of the best customers are coming from other states.
Some of the biggest and best names in the industry have launched a mobile app in New Jersey, and that includes top international companies. There are several more online skins available, and applications continue to be submitted to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
When you start to discuss sports betting in the United States, New Jersey should be the first state that is mentioned.
