NJ sports betting is live and legal throughout the state. There are currently 13 NJ online sportsbooks available, including popular sites such as Caesars, bet365, BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Fanatics and more. Read on for all the latest on New Jersey sports betting, as well as expert reviews and comparisons of sports betting apps and information about how to get started betting on sports.
Best New Jersey sports betting sites
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Snapshot of NJ sports betting
Legal sports betting in New Jersey owes its roots to 2012, when legislation passed to authorize state-regulated wagering. Six years of legal battles later, New Jersey welcomed legal sports betting in 2018. Here’s a quick look at some of the key elements of NJ sports betting:
- Sports betting legalized: 2012
- Retail launch: June 2018
- Online launch: August 2018
- Availability: Online sportsbooks, retail sportsbooks at casinos and racetracks
- Featured apps: Caesars, bet365, BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Fanatics
- Legal betting age: 21+
Best NJ sportsbooks compared
As noted, there is no shortage of legal NJ sportsbooks. You’ll find the sites all offering plenty of NJ sportsbook promos and bonuses to help you get started. But you also want to know how the sportsbooks compare to each other based on the quality of the app, available betting markets, and overall user experience. Here’s what you need to know about the best NJ sports betting options as rated by our staff.
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1. Caesars Sportsbook
- Best for: Regular profit boosts, market depth, Caesars Rewards loyalty program
- Welcome bonus: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Next 10 Wagers
- App rating: 4.6 on Apple; 4.3 on Google Play
Caesars Sportsbook has become a top choice across the US in the many states where it operates, and it is a favorite option among NJ online sports bettors as well. The site covers dozens of major and minor sports, offers extensive betting including same game parlay options for most contests, and run frequent profit boosts and other promos. Users get to accumulate credits in the Caesars Reward loyalty program, giving them ways to earn various benefits and perks both on the site and at Atlantic City casinos.
Bonus: Up to $1,000
Bonus code: PLAYNJ
2. bet365 Sportsbook
- Best for: Early Win feature, parlay boosts, cash out options, live betting platform and streaming
- Welcome bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets or First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000
- App rating: 4.6 on Apple; 4.7 on Google Play
Bet365 is one of several international sportsbook brands that made its North American debut here in the Garden State. The company might not have the brand recognition like market leaders FanDuel and DraftKings, but bet365 is continuing to expand into new US markets. Top features at bet365 include Early Win (win your moneyline bet early if your side goes up by a certain margin), automatic parlay boosts that increase with each leg, cash out options, and a terrific live streaming platform where you can watch games right on the site or app.
Bonus: $1,500*
Bonus Code: PLAYNJSB
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
- Best for: Lion’s Boosts, MGM Rewards program
- Welcome Bonus: Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager doesn’t win*
- App rating: 4.8 on Apple, 3.7 on Google Play
As the “King of Sportsbooks,” BetMGM covers all the bases when it comes to NJ sports betting. The site offers wagering on a variety of sports with competitive odds and Promotions include Lion’s Boosts, bet insurance tokens, free-to-play contests and more, with the MGM Rewards program also a positive. BetMGM is great for new bettors, too, with lots of in-app tutorials covering “The Basics of Sports Betting.” *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.
Bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Promo Code: Click to claim promo
4. FanDuel Sportsbook
- Best for: Odds boosts among strongest for NFL betting and same game parlay options
- Welcome bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
- App rating: 4.8 on Apple, 4.7 on Google Play
FanDuel Sportsbook is the New Jersey sports betting market leader and also a top choice in other states around the US. No matter who is placing bets, the extensive menu has it all with the NFL, MLB, NBA, and even WNBA markets. Every once in a while, FanDuel Sportsbook rolls out its Spread the Love promo where every 2,500 bets on a specified game moves the spread by 1 point (giving the bettors a bigger edge versus the house). Gamblers shopping for odds boosts won’t have trouble finding them, especially during football season.
Bonus: $250 Bonus 2nd Chance Bet
Promo Code: SBBONUS
5. BetRivers Sportsbook
- Best for: Prop Central, House Specials, iRush Rewards, RushPay
- Welcome bonus: 2nd Chance Bet up to $250
- App rating: 4.4 on Apple, 3.3 on Google Play
Powered by Rush Street Interactive, the BetRivers Sportsbook offers a user-friendly platform featuring a great variety of sports and bet types. The Prop Central section collects popular props each day, and users can find lots of odds boosts under House Specials. Football bettors will likely take a liking to the $1 million Beat the Spread Challenge and the 20% parlay profit boosts. BetRivers features extensive live betting options with many contests available over live streaming, plus there is the iRush Rewards program and fast RushPay system for collecting payouts quickly.
Bonus: Bet $5, get $100 in bonus bets
Bonus Code: Click to claim promo
6. Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook
- Best for: Flex Parlays, SGP Max
- Welcome bonus: Bet $5 and get $100 in Bonus Bets
- App rating: 4.9 on Apple, 4.7 on Google Play
Hard Rock Bet amps things up in New Jersey with an excellent welcome bonus and a bevy of excellent features. The sportsbook has a strong portfolio of markets and a healthy selection of bet types, including the typical moneylines, point spreads, and totals. The site offers several neat betting options such as Flex Parlays that let you lose a leg but still cash. Look as well for the special “SGP Max” wagers that allow you to combine traditional same game parlays with bets on other players, games, and sports.
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7. Fanatics Sportsbook
- Best for: FanCash rewards program
- Welcome bonus: Bet and Get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets
- App rating: 4.8 on Apple, 4.5 on Google Play
Fanatics Sportsbook is an app-only online sportsbook (i.e., no web-based site) that offers a wide range of betting opportunities on all the major sports and leagues, including lots of live betting options, team and player props, and a selection of futures. The FanCash rewards program gives bettors FanCash back every time they wager, and they can either redeem FanCash for bonus bets or spend it on officially licensed gear and apparel in the Fanatics Store.
List of all legal NJ online sportsbooks
| NJ Online Sportsbook | Odds Provider | Licensing Partner | Features, Promos |
|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 Sportsbook | bet365 | Hard Rock | Early Payouts, Bet Boosts |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | BetMGM | Borgata | Odds Boost Tokens, No Sweat Tokens, MGM Rewards |
| BetParx Sportsbook | Kambi | Caesars | Quick Bets, Mystery Boosts, Super Parlays |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Kambi | Monmouth Park | House Specials, Prop Central, iRush Rewards |
| Borgata Sportsbook | BetMGM | Borgata | Bonus Dollars, MGM Rewards |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Caesars | Caesars | Profit Boosts, Parlay Contests, Caesars Rewards |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | SBTech | Resorts | Prop Boosts, SGP Boosts, Pools, Dynasty Rewards |
| ESPN Bet Sportsbook | Penn | Resorts | Odds Boosts, Parlay Club, First Take Specials |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Amelco | Bally's AC | Daily Rewards, Power Hour, FanCash |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Flutter | Meadowlands | Profit Boosts, No Sweat Same Game Parlay Tokens |
| Golden Nugget Sportsbook | SBTech | Golden Nugget | Golden Lines (Daily Odds Boosts), Match Tracker |
| Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook | GiG | Hard Rock | Happy Hour Boosts, Hard Rock Loyalty Rewards |
| Prime Sportsbook | Prime Sports | Ocean Resort | Reduced Juice, Recreational Bonuses |
One other site worth mentioning is Sporttrade, a sports betting “exchange” that allows sports bettors in NJ to trade bets like stocks.
NJ sports betting sites coming soon
NJ sports betting remains the standard in the US. That makes it desirable for sportsbooks to enter the market. Here are the new online sportsbooks in NJ that are expected to eventually launch in the state.
- NoviBet Sportsbook
- BallyBet Sportsbook
How to sign up at an online sportsbook
Signing up for a new account at a NJ sportsbooks is a fast, simple process. First, either visit the site on a laptop or desktop or download the sportsbook app to your mobile device. Look for the “Sign Up” or “Register” button, then follow the prompts asking you to share some personal information. The sites need to be able to identify you, and supplying such information also helps them keep your accounts secure.
Prepare to provide the following when signing up for your online sports betting site account:
- Name
- Email address
- Physical address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Last four digits of your Social Security Number
This is also where you will want to share any bonus code you might have in order to ensure you receive the site’s welcome offer. Look for the prompt asking for such a code and enter it where directed. Some sites don’t require a code upon sign-up to get the offer, but be certain to use our links to be eligible to receive any welcome bonuses.
Once your account is created, you can then visit the cashier and explore the different options available for depositing funds. As with all forms of legal NJ online gambling, you’ll see many ways to fund your account. Most options can be processed immediately, too, meaning you can then start looking for games and wagers you want to place, add bets to your bet slip along with how much you want to bet, and submit your wagers.
Five NJ sports betting tips
Once you have chosen an NJ online sportsbook, it’s important to get the basics of sports betting down, play it smart, and keep yourself in the game. Here are some helpful tips to guide you.
- Set a betting unit (limit) you’re comfortable with. Serious sports bettors speak in terms of “units,” and consistently bet the same amount on each wager. Your personal unit should be a very small percentage of your overall betting bankroll. This helps you stick to a budget and not overextend. It also helps reduce variance so you can stay in the game after a Sunday slate full of bad beats.
- Keep track of your bets. The better your records are, the more likely you are to stay within your bankroll and make adjustments on which kinds of bets work best for you.
- Limit the number of parlays you bet. Parlays are popular because of their high-risk, high-reward nature. But a long streak of losing out on long-shot parlays when one or two of the legs doesn’t win can be hard on the bankroll.
- Sign up for more than one sportsbook account. Lines and payout odds vary across the different NJ online sportsbooks, so shopping for the best odds is a must. A half point on a spread or a 5% difference on a payout may not seem like a big deal, but it adds up to a major impact on your bottom line.
- Be strategic about when you bet. Remember that lines can and often will change from their opening numbers. If you like the Eagles in their upcoming matchup and see an early line around a key number like +3 or +7 or +10, you may want to jump on it early. If too much money comes in on those lines, they will downshift half a point or so and what would have been a win or push could turn into a loss.
Most popular sports to bet on in New Jersey
New Jersey betting regulations allow for wagering on more markets than nearly any other state. NJ sportsbooks can offer wagers on all major (and most minor) sports, plus a number of other “entertainment” events including the Oscars, the Emmys, the NFL Draft, Super Bowl props, and even Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
New Jersey was also one of the first states to authorize betting on eSports, and currently allows a select number of approved leagues/events like League of Legends World Championship Series, eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, and CS:GO Vie.GG Legend Series.
MLB
New Jersey may not have its own MLB team, but the Garden State doesn’t get shut out of baseball betting. The Phillies and Mets (even after crushing the hopes of loyal fans year after year) along with the Yankees are close enough to attract a significant amount of action. DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel are just a few of the NJ online sportsbooks known for offering MLB betting with daily odds boosts.
NFL
The popularity of NFL betting is a big reason why New Jersey reports over $1 billion in monthly handle several times a year. While the Giants and Jets call New York home, MetLife Stadium is located in NJ. Plus the Garden State is big time Philadelphia Eagles country. DraftKings and Caesars are just two of the many NJ online sportsbooks that go all in with football related boosts, promos, and parlays.
NBA
Like the other pro sports, New Jersey has no NBA team, although the Brooklyn Nets once played their home games on the other side of the Hudson River. The Philadelphia 76ers and NY Knicks also each have a strong following among NJ bettors.
College Football
Like with March Madness betting, NJ online sportsbooks are not permitted to offer odds on schools in the state. However teams from the Garden State tend not to be part of the top 25 conversation, which means there are still plenty of great college football betting opportunities.
College Basketball
When it comes to NCAA college basketball wagering, there may be some confusion as the rules relate to NJ. You still can’t wager on in-state teams like Rutgers, Seton Hall, or Princeton. The same policy applies to any college basketball games or tournaments that take place in the Garden State, although you can still bet on college sports otherwise.
How New Jersey sports betting works
NJ sports betting became legal with a signature from Gov. Phil Murphy on June 11, 2018. Just one month later, the first online sportsbooks began launching, starting with DraftKings. Today there are many sites available, and while retail sports betting is available as well, the great majority of sports betting in NJ happens online.
Here’s the basic legal and regulatory framework for NJ sports betting:
- Allows sports betting to be conducted at retail casinos and racetracks
- Authorizes both land-based and mobile/internet wagering
- Approves wagering on all professional sports and most collegiate events
- Sets the structure for licensing fees
Tax rates for sports betting revenue vary slightly for casinos and racetracks, and for in-person and online wagering:
- Casinos: 8.5% for in-person; 13% for online
- Tracks: 8.5% for in-person; 14.25% for online
Since the debut of sports wagering in New Jersey, the state has surpassed Nevada as the largest sports betting state in the country, with monthly handle (total bets) exceeding $1 billion per month during peak sports seasons like the NFL.
Betting restrictions in New Jersey
At this time, you may not wager on collegiate events involving New Jersey teams, regardless of where they take place. Additionally, any collegiate event taking place within state borders is also off-limits for betting at New Jersey sportsbooks. This regulation is has recently been the focus of a potential resolution to amend the state’s sports betting law. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is slated to come to The Prudential Center in Newark in 2025, so lawmakers hope to get the rules amended before then.
Tips for responsible gambling in New Jersey
Sports betting in New Jersey can certainly be entertaining. But it’s important to remember to stay smart and practice responsible gambling. To help, here are some tips you can keep in mind:
- Set a betting limit. Not only can you do this on your own, but some NJ sportsbooks also feature a function where you can preset how much money you bet on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Know to only bet what you can afford and stick to it.
- Set a time limit. Similar to the above, you should also restrict how much time you spend betting. This dovetails into another important tip, which is to not let betting interfere with your personal, social or work life. Set a time, and stick to it.
- Know it’s OK to walk away. It’s common for gamblers to experience a losing bet, perhaps a “bad beat,” and immediately place another wager to recoup their losses. Also known as “chasing losses.” Remember that it’s OK to walk away. There is no sure thing.
- Take breaks. All of this ties together. Keeping your NJ sports betting app at arm’s length helps you keep it a hobby rather than a habit. Know when to walk away, set time limits, set betting limits.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you ever feel like things are getting out of hand, that gambling is interfering with your personal or work lives, that you’re spending more than you can afford, always remember that it’s always okay to reach out and ask for help. New Jersey has many resources to help individuals suffering from gambling addiction and problem gambling.
Resources for NJ responsible gambling
Those looking to seek help have ample options in New Jersey. The Council on Compulsive Gambling in New Jersey provides statewide services for problem and disordered gambling, offering education and training as well as counseling and treatment.
In addition, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers self-screening tools to assist gamblers determine if they are showing problem gambling behaviors. The NCPG also features a confidential helpline and chat services through its website.
Gamblers Anonymous, meanwhile, is a national group that provides confidential support for problem gamblers. The website includes a map with local support groups, plus Gamblers Anonymous operates a national hotline with a number specific to New Jersey: 1-855-222-5542.
Among other resources in the Garden State, the Division of Gaming Enforcement features a self-exclusion program. In fact, you can find similar offerings at casinos and sportsbooks in New Jersey. Anyone who believes they cannot practice responsible gambling can voluntarily submit a self-exclusion request to ban themselves from gambling online and/or in-person. You can self-exclude for various timelines, including one year, five years or the rest of your life.
Get started with NJ sports betting
New Jersey is a great place to be for sports bettors, with plenty of options available. Check out our list of 13 NJ online sportsbooks in the state, especially our recommended sites and reviews. Discover the variety of NJ sports betting options, the great promos they are offering, and the great bets available for your favorite sports and teams.