New Jersey is the hub of sports betting in the US. There are more than a dozen online sportsbooks available to NJ sports bettors, and each continues to expand in its quest for market share.
Those who are accustomed to retail sportsbooks or the smoky backrooms of old casinos are likely to find a revolutionary difference betting at NJ sportsbook apps. Every type of sports wager imaginable is available, including some options that aren’t even available live. There are also opportunities to bet on nearly any sport in the world.
The launch of live betting is a must-have for new sportsbook apps. The cash-out option, or live ticket system, first cut its domestic teeth in the Garden State. New Jersey sports betting sites are also far more likely to offer attractive bonuses and promotions to entice and retain players.
Here is a handy guide for all things sports betting in the great state of New Jersey.
With so many sportsbooks in New Jersey, it can be hard to know which apps are the best ones. For the most part, each one has a similar format which makes for a fairly seamless transition for those who are trying a new site.
That said, there are two areas in which sportsbooks can stand out from the rest.
For one, a good sportsbook has an active and generous bonus section. Promotions can be worth hundreds of extra dollars. While no one is getting rich from bonus offers, they can tip the scales of fortune for you.
The other is the level of flexibility that you have when betting. Sports bets of the past were a static thing. The sportsbook declared the wagers before the game, and the player chose one and had to wait until the game was over to see if they won.
Nowadays, you can customize the betting style to your needs. Through a combination of live betting, cash-out options, and bet builders, it is possible to bet on almost any aspect of a single sporting event. The best sportsbook apps in New Jersey allow you the freedom to explore.
The notion of wagering on a New Jersey sports betting app is likely no longer a novelty to most bettors. The vast majority of wagers on sports come through the internet, according to state records. Most months the percentage of online bets hovers around 85% of the total handle.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to understand how some of the top apps in the market do business.
So, here is how the apps work for New Jersey’s cream of the crop for online sports betting.
Provided that you are 21 years or older and inside NJ state lines, you can access any of the sports betting apps with your mobile device.
Almost every NJ sportsbook app provides a dedicated version for both Apple customers and Android users.
Those of you who have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch need only to visit the download page through the links above to get started. Then, you can download the app to your mobile device in the same manner as any other app.
As an Android customer, you will need to set your devices to accept downloads from “unknown sources.” You can accomplish this by visiting the “Security” tab under your phone’s “Settings” menu.
Then, go through our link to the desired sportsbook. Click on the button with the Android button to get started with the .apk file download. You may have to give your blessing to a warning pop-up, but the app will work like any other app.
DraftKings was the first app to debut in New Jersey. The sportsbook continues to be one of the most innovative.
Players at DraftKings Sportsbook in NJ receive a customized wheel of suggested bets, which is based upon their stated preferences and betting history. DraftKings also pioneered the cash-out option in the US.
New players receive $25 to try out the site for free. Also, DraftKings Sportsbook offers both deposit and first wagers bonuses that could put $1,000 in your pocket.
FanDuel has long been recognized as a pioneer in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) realm. However, the company has blossomed into a bonafide powerhouse for sports betting in the last few years.
If you’d like to see why FanDuel Sportsbook is the top-earning site in New Jersey, use our link to visit.
You can place your first bet with absolutely no risk, up to $1000.
FOX Bet’s name recognition leaves little doubt as to its corporate parentage. The online sportsbook brand for FOX and The Stars Group, operates with the grace and prowess of one of the top sportsbooks in the world.
So, if you’re looking for one of the most reliable brands in the industry, you may have found your match.
New players on FOX Bet receive up to $500 risk-free bet. You don’t need a bonus code to get this offer. Simply use this link to create your new account. You can wager without worry, up to $500.
When it comes to sports betting, there are some sports events that just garner more attention than others. The bigger the event, the more bets are made and the higher the handle (aka total wagers) will be. It doesn’t get any bigger than the Super Bowl and NJ online sports betting apps and retail sportsbooks will see millions in action this year.
More top events in 2020 including betting guides:
Of all the innovations that have come to New Jersey sports betting, the most profound is live betting.
Live betting, or in-play wagering, allows you to make wagers on games, events and contests already in progress.
On the surface, the feature does not seem that revolutionary. However, the technology that New Jersey sportsbooks have at their disposal allows them to offer action on increasingly smaller events. The result is that you can now make wagers throughout a game, not just before it begins. Depending on the level of granularity that the sportsbook uses for live betting, there could be more than 100 wagers available on a single game.
Generally speaking, there are three types of live bets that you will come across in New Jersey sportsbooks.
The first type of live bet is the most obvious. The sportsbook will simply continue the betting on point spreads, moneylines, and the over/under into the actual gameplay.
The trick about this type of live bet is that the sportsbook’s marks will change according to the progress of the game. So, the ability to gain an edge on the sportsbook’s estimates is likely reduced since not only do they grow more accurate as more information comes in but also you have less time to make your decisions.
For instance, let’s say that the New York Jets are favored by 9.5 points in an upcoming game. However, in the first quarter, Sam Darnold gets injured and won’t return for the rest of the game.
Needless to say, the Jets’ chances of winning have just decreased. So, whatever the live spread becomes, it will be a much more accurate snapshot of the situation of the game, a game now played without the Jets’ starting quarterback.
Another type of common live bet relates to a milestone achievement. According to the progress of a game, a player or team might find themselves in reach of a particular statistic.
The sportsbook will then offer action on whether they will achieve that mark by the end of the game. The statistic could be a single game, season, or career stat. There’s plenty of flexibility and imagination involved with this type of live bet.
So, let’s say that DeAndre Jordan ends the first half of play of a Brooklyn Nets game with 5 points and four rebounds. A sportsbook might offer a live bet about whether he will finish with a double-double or not.
The last type of live betting is where the bulk of opportunities will occur. A sportsbook will offer action on micro-events and other partial game results as they happen throughout the game.
Some of these types of bets are relatively obvious. They will relate to the score at the end of a period of play, either for the teams in relation to each other or, in absolute terms, for the whole game.
So, you might see a wager about which team would “win” the third quarter of play, regardless of the final score of the game. A team behind by 20 could still represent the winning wager if they managed to make up a small portion of the discrepancy.
On the other hand, it could simply be a bet about which team will be leading at the end of the third, irrespective of the scores. So, there’s quite a bit of wiggle room there.
However, sportsbooks can now offer opportunities on the outcome of micro-events throughout the game. These events could be the outcome of a coin toss, a jump ball or some other small occurrence that has a minimal bearing on the game at large.
It’s not uncommon to see wagers for the outcome of individual plays. A bettor could wager on whether the New York Giants will pass or throw on the upcoming second down, or whether Aaron Judge will get a hit on his next at-bat.
Since the possibilities are so microcosmic, it’s easy to see why there are so many opportunities in live betting. You can use live bets either to augment your successful pregame wagering or to hedge against your bets going badly.
One of the most significant differences between retail sportsbooks and sportsbook apps in New Jersey is the bonuses and promotions.
Because every sportsbook is available to you in the same location (your mobile device or computer), the sportsbook apps have to make generous offers to you, both as an initial enticement and as a means to retain you as a customer.
As a result, there are usually hundreds of dollars in cash and prizes available on every sportsbook app.
Here are some common types of bonuses:
One type of bonus, odds boosts, deserves special mention. In fact, they are so prevalent that they often receive their own tab and are hard to recognize as a promotion.
With an odds boost, sportsbooks will increase the potential payout for selected wagers. Since the offers are only good until the match ends, the book must generate new boosts each day.
No one is going to get rich if they bet on a boosted wager; the payout increase is usually only a few percentage points. However, if you were already planning to bet on something similar, the boost can serve as a nice sweetener for the deal.
Sportsbooks will pay out the proceeds from their bonuses in one of three formats. You will either receive free bets, bonus dollars, or straight cash.
Of the three, a straight cash receipt is the least common. In most cases, the sportsbook would rather give you an incentive to keep playing, rather than cash out.
Free bets and bonus dollars are similar to each other in the sense that they both require you to play through their value a certain number of times to convert them to cash. This mandate is known as the playthrough requirement.
The main difference between free bets and bonus dollars (credits) is that free bets come in indivisible chunks. In other words, you must bet the entire amount of each free bet at one time, and you cannot receive any change. It’s the sportsbook equivalent of a voucher.
Bonus dollars, on the other hand, can be parsed out however you choose. Fundamentally, they function the same way as regular cash. It’s just not possible to cash out bonus credits until you’ve played through them.
There are a couple of caveats that come with redeeming these bonuses.
The first is the playthrough requirements can sometimes be quite a pain to fulfill. You will always be required to wager an amount equivalent to a multiple of your bonus amount in order to release the funds as actual cash. However, the multiples that a bonus can use can be quite high. We’ve seen some wagering requirements as high as 50x, meaning that you’d have to wager $50 for every $1 of bonus.
The other bit of concern dovetails with the first. Most bonuses come with a time limit attached to them for redeeming the playthrough requirement.
Based upon the absolute amount of money you might need to wager, it could represent a significant investment of time to make it happen at your current bet level. It is a good idea to figure out how many hours you’d need to play to redeem the bonus.
The bottom line is that it’s essential to read the fine print on an offer before you claim it.
One of the most significant sources of New Jersey’s ascent into the sports betting stratosphere has come from its large neighbor, New York.
The Empire State does have retail sports betting, but those locations are not convenient to New York City. As a result, there is quite a bit of traffic crossing the Hudson to place a bet.
New Yorkers, who are coming to New Jersey for wagering, need to know a few things:
With three active racetracks, horse betting in NJ is alive and well as it has been for decades. While most sportsbook apps in the state do not offer fixed odds on horse races, betting is available by signing up for an account at 4NJBets.com powered by TVG. But you can also bet on horses in person. New Jersey is home to several off-track wagering sites as well as three active racetracks: Monmouth Park, Meadowlands Racetrack, and Freehold Raceway. Borgata AC is the only casino to offer parimutuel betting.
As far as races go, New Jersey’s biggest claim to fame is the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth, which occurs every summer.
In order to offer legal sports wagers in New Jersey, sportsbooks (online and retail) must be tied to a licensed operator. Eight Atlantic City casinos and two racetracks currently offer sports betting. Each licensed operator is allowed three online skins. View NJ sports betting revenue here.
Here’s what we know about the sports betting plans of Atlantic City casinos and North Jersey racetracks right now. All times listed are Eastern Standard Time and are subject to change.
| Sportsbook | Casino/racetrack | Sports betting partner(s) | Launch date | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Hill Sports Book at Harrah's | Harrah's | William Hill | Aug. 1, 2018 | Yes |
| BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar | Borgata | IGT | June 14, 2018 | Yes |
| DraftKings Sportsbook at Resorts | Resorts | DraftKings/SBTech | Aug. 15, 2018 | Yes |
| William Hill Sportsbook @ Ocean Casino | Ocean Casino | William Hill | June 28, 2018 | Yes |
| Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill | Monmouth Park | William Hill | June 14, 2018 | Yes |
| FanDuel Sportsbook at the Meadowlands | Meadowlands | Betfair/FanDuel/IGT | July 14, 2018 | Yes |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | Hard Rock | GiG | Jan. 30, 2019 | Yes |
| The Sportsbook | Golden Nugget | SBTech | Aug. 15, 2018 | Yes |
| William Hill Sports Book at Wild Wild West | Wild Wild West/Caesars | William Hill | July 30, 2018 | Yes |
| William Hill Sports Book at Tropicana | Tropicana | William Hill | Oct. 25, 2018 | Yes |
| Parx Sportsbook at Freehold | Freehold Raceway | Kambi | Sept. 24, 2020 | Yes |
| Online Sportsbook | Land-Based Affiliate | Sports betting partner(s) | Launch date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Resorts AC | Kambi | Aug. 6, 2018 |
| William Hill | Monmouth | NA | Sept. 1, 2018 |
| FanDuel | Meadowlands | Flutter/IGT | Sept. 1, 2018 |
| Caesars | Caesars AC | Scientific Games | Sept. 6, 2018 |
| PointsBet | Meadowlands | NA | Dec. 11, 2018 |
| BetMGM Sports | Borgata AC | GVC/Roar | Aug. 22, 2018 |
| Fox Bet | Resorts AC | NA | Sept. 13, 2018 |
| SugarHouse | Monmouth Park | Kambi | Aug. 23, 2018 |
| Golden Nugget Sportsbook | Golden Nugget | SBTech/Scientific Games | Feb. 19, 2019 |
| 888 Sport | Caesars | Kambi | Sept. 10, 2018 |
| Resorts | Resorts AC | SBTech | Jan. 31, 2019 |
| Borgata Sports | Borgata AC | GVC/Roar | May 14, 2019 |
| Bet365 | Hard Rock AC | bet365 | Aug. 30, 2019 |
| Unibet | Hard Rock AC | Kambi | Sept. 10, 2019 |
| BetAmerica | Golden Nugget | SBTech | Feb. 2, 2019 |
| TheScore | Monmouth Park | Bet.Works | Sept. 3, 2019 |
| Wynn Sports | Caesars | GPGS/Scientific Games | Aug. 4, 2020 |
| Hard Rock | Hard Rock AC | GiG | Jan. 26, 2019 |
| Tipico | Ocean | NA | Fall 2020 |
| Sporttrade | Bally's | NA | Unknown |
| Esports Entertainment | Bally's | NA | Unknown |
| Vigtory Sportsbook | Unknown | NA | Unknown |
| Sportsbetting.com NJ | Unknown | Carousel | Unknown |
Wild Wild West Casino has the largest sportsbook in Atlantic City. The sprawling venue features 15,228 square feet of gaming space.
Within that space, bettors will find a 98-feet-by-18-feet high-resolution LED TV wall, seating for 102 people and a bar with video poker. The facility has 10 betting windows, betting kiosks and a VIP area with its seating and accommodation.
The sportsbook also has five private fan caves built into the venue. These spaces, available for rental, can accommodate 10 people and come with entertainment equipment, including HD TV and gaming consoles.
Bally’s was recently sold to Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. The sale is pending regulatory approvals and will likely mean a change in licensing for its online partners. The William Hill Sports Book, which is located in the Wild Wild West Casino, will remain under the Caesars Entertainment umbrella. Bally’s new owners may choose to add a retail sportsbook in the future.
Address: 1900 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, NJ
Directions: The sportsbook is in the middle of the Wild Wild West Casino floor.
Hours of Operation*:
*Subject to change based on special sporting events.
Borgata is a unique property in terms of its sports betting offerings. For all intents and purposes, the Las Vegas-styled venue is home to two sportsbooks instead of one.
This duality occurred because the property chose to begin sports betting in its racebook, which mainly handles horse racing. After the main sportsbook moved to its permanent facility, Borgata chose to retain the ability to make sports bets in the newly named Borgata Race & Sports Book.
The main sportsbook, the BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar (formerly Moneyline), features a 40-feet-by-11.5-feet video wall and 17 other large monitors. There is seating for 144 people, six betting windows, and a full-service food and drink menu for patrons. There is also a VIP lounge, which features (among other things) a banquet area.
The Race & Sports Book has seating for 100, 10 betting windows, and individual monitors at many of the seats. Naturally, most of the television coverage here will focus on horse racing. Patrons can also use the self-service kiosks for horse betting or enjoy refreshments at the Boot N’ Whip Bar.
Since Borgata is owned and operated by MGM Resorts, its two online sports betting partners are not a surprise. First and foremost, Borgata has its brand of online sports betting, Borgata Sports. Additionally, Borgata is the New Jersey home for BetMGM, which is the sportsbook brand for MGM Resorts International itself.
Address: 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ
Directions: Both venues are near the poker room at Borgata.
Hours of Operation (for both)*:
*Hours are subject to change based on sports programming.
The Golden Nugget’s 2,500-square-foot space is a makeover of the former poker room. The permanent sportsbook includes 50 televisions spread across five video walls and seating for more than 100.
There are also four betting windows and nine self-betting kiosks available for placing wagers.
One quirk about betting at Golden Nugget is that the casino does not accept bets on the Houston Rockets of the NBA. Casino owner Tilman Fertitta is also the owner of the Rockets, which created a conflict of interest for the entire property.
Both apps operate under the casino’s NBA restriction (no Houston Rockets bets).
Address: 600 Huron Ave., Atlantic City, NJ
Directions: The Sportsbook is located across from the casino floor entrance and just off the escalators from the self-parking garage.
Hours of Operation:
The 3,800-square-foot Hard Rock Sportsbook has more televisions (60) than available seats (50). It’s a small space inside the giant Hard Rock Casino.
Nevertheless, it’s a great place to catch a game or have a drink. The full-service bar can serve all manner of refreshments and has video poker slots to distract you when the game isn’t going well.
Address: 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Directions: Head to the rear of the casino floor.
Hours of Operation:
The sportsbook at Harrah’s is a similar, if smaller, location to its big brother at Wild Wild West. The venue spreads across 3,800 square feet and features LED televisions on every wall.
In addition, there is ample plush seating and food service by AC Burger Co.
For those who wish to bet or relax in private, there are also two fan caves available for rental. Each cave comes loaded with all the necessary amenities to observe games and has space for up to 10 guests.
None. It shares licensing with Caesars.
Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City, NJ
Directions: The sportsbook is centrally located on the main floor, footsteps away from the casino floor, Caesars Reward Center and the poker room.
Hours of Operation:
The FanDuel Sportsbook at the Meadowlands Racetrack marked the daily fantasy sports company’s leap into the sports betting game. But it wasn’t the last. FanDuel now has retail locations at Valley Forge Casino Resort in Pennsylvania as well as in nearby upstate New York.
But what makes this location stand out is its proximity to New York City. MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets, is nearby, too.
Other than that, its claim to fame is being the largest sportsbook in New Jersey. It also features the Victory Sports Bar. Parking is free on days MetLife Stadium is not holding an event or sports game.
Address: 1 Racetrack Dr., East Rutherford
Location: The Sportsbook is located inside the Victory Lounge.
Hours of Operation:
The origins of Monmouth Park date back to July 30, 1870, but the Oceanport-based track will forever be part of NJ sports betting history.
This is where New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy placed the first legalized sports bet on June 14, 2018.
In terms of horse racing, the biggest event on the Monmouth Park calendar is the $1 million Haskell Invitational taking place each summer.
Address: 175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport
Location: The sportsbook can be found inside of Monmouth Park, under the grandstand. There is a sign on the exterior of the building.
Hours of Operation:
The story of Ocean Casino is rougher than the waves in the Atlantic Ocean. The former Revel, and briefly TEN by name only, has experienced its share of tough times.
Ocean Resort Casino, as it was originally named, had its grand opening on June 28, 2018, and it included Hollywood A-lister Mark Wahlberg placing the first official bet at the sportsbook. Bruce Deifik purchased the property from Glenn Straub. New York-based hedge fund Luxor Capital Group officially took over the property in 2020. The latest sale was announced in January 2019.
The sportsbook is operated by William Hill and features a bar, a state-of-the-art panoramic video wall, and multiple seating options in a 7,500-square-foot space.
Address: 500 Boardwalk
Location: The sportsbook is located at the center of the casino floor.
Hours of Operation:
Resorts, Atlantic City’s oldest casino, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018.
Entertainer Steve Lawrence made the first roll of the dice at the craps table. The property, which is one of the smallest in AC, has gone through several ownership changes. Resorts is currently managed by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment.
The retail sportsbook carries the DraftKings Sportsbook name and decor. With VIP seating and a 15-foot video wall, the 5,000-square-foot space also features 18 betting kiosks, five betting windows and a live odds feed.
Address: 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Location: The DraftKings Sportsbooks is located footsteps away from the casino floor, Atlantic City Boardwalk and Margaritaville restaurant.
Hours of Operation:
Tropicana first opened on Nov. 23, 1981, and over the years has gone through several ownership changes and expansions.
It was in 2019 that Icahn sold the property to Gaming and Leisure Properties and Eldorado Resorts as part of a $1.85-billion deal. As of 2020, the property is in the midst of a huge merger with Caesars Entertainment.
With 2,400 guest rooms, it’s one of the biggest hotels in the Garden State. Besides the casino floor, the main attraction is The Quarter, a massive 200,000-square-foot dining and entertainment complex.
The sportsbook, operated by William Hill, includes 180 seats, a large video wall, and a 250-square-foot odds board. It is located near Chickie’s and Pete’s Crab House & Sports Bar.
Address: 2831 Boardwalk
Location: North Tower Casino just inside the Boardwalk entrance.
Hours of Operation:
Caesars Atlantic City is the lone casino without a sportsbook. However, the Wild Wild West sportsbook bridges between the two casinos. In terms of partnerships, William Hill US shares its NJ online sportsbook operations between its three licensed partners: Monmouth, Ocean, and Tropicana.
There have also been several deals between gaming companies and various parties directly involved in sports. Those deals have included athletes, teams, or even entire leagues.
Now that sports betting is legal, sportsbooks, casinos, and teams are striking up partnerships and deals to capitalize on the expanding market. Since New Jersey is at the forefront of the new wave of sports betting, its teams and companies are finding themselves prime targets for dealmaking.
Perhaps no team has more new friends than the New Jersey Devils. The Newark team’s Prudential Center features branded lounge areas for both William Hill and Caesars Entertainment. The Devils will also display advertising for MGM Resorts, which signed a leaguewide deal with the NHL in late October 2018, and FanDuel.
See below for all the sports betting deals involving New Jersey teams and/or leagues so far:
| League/Team | Sportsbook/Casino Partner |
|---|---|
| NBA | MGM Resorts, Fox Bet (The Stars Group), FanDuel, William Hill |
| NHL | MGM Resorts, FanDuel, William Hill |
| New York Jets | MGM Resorts, 888 Casino |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Caesars |
| New Jersey Devils | William Hill, Caesars, FanDuel, Unibet |
| MLB | MGM Resorts, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fox Bet |
| NFL | Caesars (casino only) |
| PGA Tour | DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel |
NJ sports betting became legal with a signature from Gov. Phil Murphy on June 11, 2018. Emergency regulations were published that same Wednesday, and the first sportsbook opened at 10:30 a.m. that Thursday.
Here’s the basic legal and regulatory framework for NJ sports betting:
How did legal sports betting in New Jersey come to be?
It was a decade of court battles that culminated in the May 14, 2018, US Supreme Court ruling that declared the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional. Here is a condensed timeline of NJ sports betting history:
In March 2020, New Jersey shut its doors and went into full lockdown as the coronavirus pandemic began taking its toll. It wasn’t long before all the pro sports leagues shuttered their seasons or postponed their games. The end result is that New Jersey sports betting almost shut its doors, too. With MLB, NHL and NBA on hold, bets declined nearly 90% in April.
Atlantic City casinos were not spared and shut their doors officially on March 16.
After less than a year of service, New Jersey passed Nevada to become the top state for sports betting in the country. The Garden State accomplished the feat by surpassing the Silver State for both handle and revenue in May 2019, eleven months after sports betting began on the East Coast.
New Jersey managed to accrue $318.9 million in bets during the month, which beat Nevada’s $317.3 million. However, the new hub for sports betting racked up $15.5 million in revenue, which smashed Nevada’s take by nearly $4 million.
The two states have stayed neck and neck with each other since then. New Jersey has had several months where its handle has swelled above $400 million.
In fact, by the end of 2019, New Jersey sports bettors had placed nearly $6 billion in wagers in New Jersey sportsbooks since sports betting began in June 2018. The sportsbooks realized just under $400 million in revenue from that activity in the same period.
Perhaps the most amazing aspect of New Jersey’s rapid ascent and maturation has been the percentage of wagers made online. Since its debut in August 2018, online betting has come to represent the vast majority of the market.
According to recent figures, online sports betting revenue at New Jersey’s top performers have even begun exceeding the revenue from entire Atlantic City casinos. So, it’s hard to imagine declaring New Jersey sports betting anything but a wild success.
Legal sports betting means our casinos in @VisitAC and our racetracks can attract new business and new fans, creating jobs and strengthening the economy.
Today at @BorgataAC, I saw the future of New Jersey gaming, and it is bright. pic.twitter.com/vv2O1t565e
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 14, 2018
In January 2017, the US Supreme Court asks acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall to file a brief in the NJ sports betting case. Wall weighs in on the state’s bid for appeal in May, advising the court to take a pass.
SCOTUS follows that advice about 80 percent of the time, but it does not do so in this instance. In June, the court agrees to hear one hour of oral arguments from the two sides.
On Dec. 4, the stakeholders head to Washington, D.C. to offer testimony before the highest court in the land. Most experts and pundits in attendance suggest that the proceedings go very favorably for the state.
On May 14, 2018, Justice Samuel Alito releases the majority opinion in the updated Murphy vs. NCAA. New Jersey wins 6-3, and a broad repeal of PASPA paves the way for state-based regulation. Finally — finally — the issue meets its ultimate legal outcome at the federal level.
The state puts the final pieces in place quickly thereafter. Lawmakers in both chambers unanimously pass a new bill on June 7, and Gov. Phil Murphy signs it into law on June 11. Two days later, the DGE publishes a set of emergency regulations to get the industry off the ground.
NJ sports betting goes live on Thursday, June 14 just after 10:30 a.m. The governor places the first two bets at Monmouth Park — $20 each on Germany (7/2) and the New Jersey Devils (40/1) futures.
After striking out in its first attempt to legalize sports betting, New Jersey switches stances for a second at-bat in 2014.
Gov. Chris Christie issues an order that lifts the state’s own ban on sports betting in September. Repealing a prohibition, he argues, is different than passing a new law (and would not violate PASPA). On Oct. 17, the governor signs a bill that makes his position official.
The bill is an updated version of the Sports Wagering Act from Sen. Ray Lesniak. It moves to allow the state’s casinos and racetracks to offer sports betting, but without any regulatory oversight from the state. NJ sports betting even gets a launch date. Monmouth Park plans to open the first NJ sportsbook on October 26.
The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and NCAA file for an injunction, however, asserting that sports betting outside of Nevada would cause irreparable harm to their brands and businesses. “The leagues” argue that the legal distinction Christie is trying to make is invalid. Courts had already ruled, on several occasions, that NJ could not allow sports betting.
The US District Court grants a temporary injunction on Oct. 24 — just two days before launch. A week later, Judge Michael Shipp turns his temporary order into a permanent injunction, granting final summary judgment in favor of the leagues. His ruling once again affirms that PASPA is constitutional and supersedes state law.
New Jersey appeals (again) in March 2015 and the parties present arguments before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia once more. The state contends that its new law is in line with the previous rulings in the first round of litigation. Another ruling, however, sides with the leagues by the same 2-1 vote.
The state appeals (yet again), this time asking an en banc panel to rehear the case. In a rare move, the court agrees to do so in February 2016. The end result is the same, though, as nine of the 12 judges side with the leagues. Again.
Having exhausted all other legal avenues, NJ appeals to the US Supreme Court for a second time. To the surprise of many, SCOTUS agrees to hear the case.
The situation escalates as the calendar rolls over to 2012.
On Jan. 9, the NJ legislature passes the Sports Wagering Act, penned by Sen. Ray Lesniak. Gov. Chris Christie signs the bill into law eight days later, and sports betting is officially on the books in NJ.
Not so fast, say the sports leagues.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Hockey League (NHL) file suit against Christie and other state officials in an attempt to block the establishment of NJ sports betting.
Their complaint, filed in US District Court, argues that NJ-regulated sports betting would violate federal law — namely, PASPA. The state, on the other hand, contends that PASPA is unconstitutional under core principles of anti-commandeering.
In February 2013, Judge Michael Shipp upholds PASPA, ruling in favor of the leagues and striking down the Sports Wagering Act. It’s the first of many, many losses for the state.
Christie appeals to the Third Circuit in September with the same result. Two of three appellate judges vote to uphold the lower ruling. The state then tries with the US Supreme Court, which declines to even hear the case.
Something interesting emerges within the proceedings, however. The state takes the position that, while it can not regulate sports betting, it can remove its own prohibitions — essentially decriminalizing the activity altogether.
That understanding sets the stage for a second, more ferocious battle between the state and the sports leagues.
Beginning in 2009, longtime Sen. Ray Lesniak formulates a plan to sue the federal government and challenge the constitutionality of PASPA.
Lesniak argues that the billions of dollars in illegal, offshore wagers should be retained and taxed by the state. In fact, the former senator claims, legal sports betting could contribute more than $100 million in annual tax revenue.
The first step is to address the state’s own prohibitions.
In 2011, lawmakers propose a constitutional amendment allowing sports betting at NJ casinos and racetracks, both in-person and over the internet. Voters approve the amendment by a 64 percent margin — 648,769 to 367,283 — clearing the first legislative hurdle with ease. (Spoiler: There will be many more hurdles to come.)
Less than two weeks after the vote, Lesniak introduces the Sports Wagering Act to legalize the activity in black and white. Senate committees approve the bill in December.
The US Congress passes the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), making sports betting illegal at the federal level.
Nevada sports betting is grandfathered in, and a few other states have narrow exemptions for things such as football squares and parlay cards. The remaining states are given one year to apply for their own relief, but none do — including New Jersey.
The New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement is the regulatory agency that oversees sports betting in the state. Most of the eligible properties in the state — casinos and racetracks — have paid the $100,000 fee to the NJDGE for licensure.
According to New Jersey law, sports betting is taxed at the following rates:
Local municipalities and counties also benefit from an additional 1.25% tax rate. In addition to these fees and taxes, applicants are required to submit a $250,000 retainer in order to pay for the agency’s enforcement actions.
In other words, the NJDGE has several millions of dollars set aside to make sure that its regulations stick. The agency has not hesitated to sanction licensees for violations of their rules, and the NJDGE is one of the most capable gaming regulators in the country.
Yes, almost every online sportsbook in New Jersey maintains dedicated apps for both iPhone/iPad and Android users. You can download and set your account up in a matter of minutes.
Almost any professional sporting event is available for wagering in New Jersey. Some collegiate events are present, as well.
However, New Jersey colleges and universities are not permitted to be the subject of wagering at any time. Similarly, no collegiate event, regardless of the participants, can accept bets if it takes place in the Garden State.
As a general rule, you cannot bet on sports if there is an obvious conflict of interest involved.
So, players, coaches, trainers, referees and other key personnel from a particular sport cannot bet on that sport. On the other side of the coin, major shareholders in New Jersey casinos are forbidden from placing wagers within their properties.
One particular individual singled out by New Jersey regulations is Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta. Fertitta’s ownership of the NBA’s Houston Rockets initially was prohibited from accepting bets on all NBA games. That has since changed and the casino and its partners can now take bets on the NBA except the Houston Rockets.
The collegiate betting restriction primarily affects colleges and universities within the state such as Rutgers and Seton Hall. However, any college sporting event involving an NJ college team that takes place in or outside the state is prohibited from betting.
No, betting on New Jersey sportsbook apps or online sportsbooks from outside the state is prohibited by both state and federal law.
New Jersey’s sportsbooks strictly enforce this prohibition by using geolocation technology to pinpoint each player’s location. If you cannot verify that your body is inside the Garden State, you will be denied service from all of New Jersey’s sportsbooks.
Yes, esports betting is legal on a limited basis in New Jersey. Most sportsbooks have shied away from it so far. However, one notable exception to the rule is FanDuel, which offered wagering on League of Legends competitions in 2019.
In 2020, esports betting legislation passed the NJ State Assembly. The bill’s authors view esports as a skill-based competition that should be available for legal betting rather than on a case-by-case basis.
Yes, daily fantasy sports, or DFS, is legal in New Jersey. Thanks to a 2017 law, New Jersey became the 16th state to recognize the legality of DFS and regulate its practice. As a result, most of the major operators are there.
New Jersey residents also have an extra bit of flexibility when it comes to DFS, thanks to the presence of DraftKings and FanDuel sportsbooks in the state. Since the DFS giants are also accepting wagers, New Jersey residents have their two accounts integrated, and it’s easy to switch between your fantasy games and sports bets.
