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Is Sports Betting Legal in New Jersey?
We will provide a comprehensive review of New Jersey gambling laws, going into specific details about sports betting. Here we’ll do a deep dive into casino gambling in New Jersey, as well as provide information about the State’s thriving offshore betting scene.
Gambling in New Jersey is legal, residents are free to join New Jersey-regulated casinos, sportsbooks, or poker rooms. Gambling through offshore bookmakers is also entirely legal, so New Jersey gambling offers a variety of great options.
New Jersey is one of the handfuls of USA sports betting states that offer entirely legal gambling. With a long history of gambling in the state of NJ, there are a wealth of options available to aspiring bettors.
Top 5 New Jersey Online Betting Sites
With a broad range of New Jersey legal sports betting opportunities available, bettors and sports enthusiasts in NJ are spoiled for choice! Gambling in the state has a long history and because of that, there are various firms that have been operating for many years now.
All of the bookmakers we’ve recommended offer a New Jersey sports betting app, allowing bettors to access odds on the move!
In order to ensure we provide our readers with the very best information, we are going to cover all bases, including New Jersey sports betting apps and casinos. But, for those looking further afield, we also have the very best online bookmakers, if you prefer offshore bookmakers to bet with.
BetUS
One of the longest-standing bookmakers on our list, BetUS is one of the best has established itself as a go-to bookmaker for U.S. citizens, since it first went online back in 1994!
MyBookie
The geat thing about MyBookie is how they keep things simple. You’ll be able to navigate through the various sports markets without any difficulty, as well as being backed by soem of the best promotions and bonuses online.
BetNow
BetNow is a real favorite. Not only because it has excellent odds markets, but also because they are committed to ensuring their customers get the very best gaming experience online!
Bovada
Bovada is said to be one of the most popular providers in the world. A name that has become synonymous within the industry, offering extensive betting markets and one of the best user-interfaces we’ve seen online.
BetOnline
A bookmaker that is famous for the strength of its welcome bonus, which offers customers 100% match up to $1000. We would strongly recommend taking a look through the BetOnline services before you look anywhere else.
Legal Online Sportsbooks in New Jersey
Sports betting is not only legal in New Jersey—it helped set the standard for the industry. Since launching online betting in 2018, the Garden State has remained one of the top sports wagering markets in the country.
Residents and visitors can legally place bets online through a wide range of licensed operators. These sportsbooks are regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and must comply with strict state regulations to ensure fair and secure betting.
| Sportsbook | Available in New Jersey |
| FanDuel | ✅ |
| DraftKings | ✅ |
| Caesars | ✅ |
| BetRivers | ✅ |
| BetMGM | ✅ |
| Fanatics | ✅ |
New Jersey Quick Facts
Here’s a snapshot of everything you need to know about sports betting in New Jersey. From legalization and launch dates to age requirements and betting options, this table breaks down the key facts at a glance.
| State | New Jersey |
| Sports Betting Law Passed | Yes ✔️ |
| Launch Date | 2018 ✔️ |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 ✔️ |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes ✔️ |
| Mobile Sports Betting | Yes ✔️ |
| Retail Sportsbooks | Yes ✔️ |
| Tribal Casinos | No ❌ (none in NJ) |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes ✔️ |
| Online Casinos | Yes ✔️ |
| Horse Racing | Yes ✔️ |
| Dog Racing | No ❌ |
| Esports Betting | Yes ✔️ (with conditions) |
Why Some Bettors Prefer Offshore Betting Sites Over Legal Ones
New Jersey has one of the most developed legal sports betting markets in the U.S.—but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Between high taxes, limited market options, and strict state regulations, some bettors still turn to offshore sportsbooks for more flexibility and freedom.
Here’s why offshore betting sites often appeal to sharp and casual bettors alike:
- More Betting Options – Legal sportsbooks in New Jersey restrict certain bets, like political elections or entertainment award shows. Offshore sites typically offer a much broader range.
- Better Odds & Lower Juice – Tax burdens on legal operators can lead to less favorable odds for bettors. Offshore books often offer more competitive pricing.
- Fewer Restrictions – Offshore platforms don’t require location tracking, rigid ID checks, or in-state presence to place a wager.
- Faster & More Flexible Payments – Offshore sites tend to support crypto, bank transfers, and faster payouts with fewer limits or delays.
- Freedom to Bet Anywhere – You don’t have to be physically in New Jersey to place bets—offshore sportsbooks let you wager from nearly anywhere.
For those looking for more variety, convenience, and value, offshore sportsbooks remain a popular alternative.
What Can’t You Bet on Legally in New Jersey?
Despite having legal online and retail sports betting, New Jersey still places some restrictions on what you can wager on:
- In-state college teams (e.g., Rutgers, Seton Hall)
- College events held within New Jersey
- Political events or elections
- Award shows (Oscars, Emmys, etc.)
- High school sports
- Certain esports competitions
With trusted offshore sportsbooks, these restrictions don’t apply. You can bet on local college teams, politics, entertainment outcomes, and more—right from your device, without limitations.
Who Can Legally Bet in New Jersey?
To place a legal sports bet in New Jersey, you need to meet the following criteria:
Age Requirement
You must be 21 or older to legally bet on sports.
Location Requirement
You must be physically located within New Jersey when placing a bet with a licensed operator. Your location is verified using geolocation technology.
Eligible Participants
You do not need to be a New Jersey resident, but you must be in-state when placing bets via legal platforms.
Who Is Restricted from Betting?
- Athletes, coaches, or officials involved in a game they’re betting on
- Employees of sportsbooks or sports leagues who could affect outcomes
- League officials and sports governing body personnel
- Anyone who has self-excluded or been banned for problem gambling
Retail Betting Restriction
You can bet in person at licensed casinos and racetracks—but only within New Jersey. Offshore sportsbooks remove these physical and location-based barriers, allowing you to bet from anywhere with no geofencing or state restrictions.
New Jersey Sports Betting – Recent Updates
- February 15, 2024 — The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement reports that the state’s Super Bowl betting handle reached approximately $141.6 million, falling short by about $2 million compared to the record set in 2021.
- February 7, 2024 — PlayNJ reveals that the suspended NJ sportsbook, PlayUp, is still honoring payouts to users. The Division of Gaming Enforcement has granted three extensions for PlayUp to continue restructuring its business.
- January 23, 2024 — The NJ sports betting handle for December amounted to $1.28 billion, showing a 20.9% decrease from November but marking a 21.9% year-over-year increase.
- January 15, 2024 — MGM made a $360,000 donation to New Jersey’s International Center for Responsible Gaming to support two projects addressing problem gambling.
- December 28, 2023 — A New York man secured a $225,000 win on the Tipico casino app while in New Jersey, placing a $90 wager on the Land O’ Loot LuckyTap slots game.
Six Reasons to Bet on These New Jersey Betting Sites
In 1976, New Jersey saw legalisation approve in the state, allowing New Jersey citizens the unique opportunity to gamble, with much of it taking place in Atlantic City. Many of our in-house team are from NJ and know what it takes to make it in this industry. As such, our team have put together six of the most important things to look out for when depositing with a new provider.
List Of Casinos In New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the go-to betting states in the U.S., with a number of online wagering opportunities also available to aspiring bettors. All of these gambling facilities offer a broad range of betting options, from sports markets to casino games. To make life easier for our readers with compiled a list of all the casinos in New Jersey still operating.
- Bally’s
- Borgata
- Caesars
- Golden Nugget
- Hard Rock
- Harrah’s
- Ocean
- Resorts
- Tropicana
New Jersey Sports Betting Timeline
In New Jersey, bettors will find that there is a wealth of betting options. With such a comprehensive betting scene in the state, it’s not difficult to access gambling. However, there are always updates and changes to gambling facilities and occasionally laws in New Jersey.
We will keep a close eye on all things gambling in New Jersey. To give you guys an idea of what’s been happening over the last 18 months, we’ve compiled some of the key stories and listed them below. Keep checking back for the latest updates.
2023
Gambling Awareness Initiatives
New Jersey witnessed significant developments in its gambling industry, including a generous donation by MGM to address problem gambling and record-breaking sports betting numbers in November, while also facing challenges such as layoffs at the NJ sports betting exchange Mojo and the introduction of gambling addiction awareness programs in colleges.
2022
New Meadowland Racetrack LLC reports huge revenue
One of the most important racetracks in the state of New Jersey, the New Meadowland Racetrack LLC (FanDuel, PointsBet, and NJ Superbook.com) reported a mobile sports wagering gross revenue of $404,579, 291 for last year in its tax return statement to NJDGE.
2021
The New Jersey Division of Gaming reported over $1 billion in Sports Handle
Much success has been found since the law was changed back in the case 70s. But, with the state focusing on growing the number of gambling facilities it offers, it’s likely to see even more success in the coming years. The New Jersey Division of Gaming reported over $1 billion in sports betting handle for the month of September, breaking the previously held record for one month in the States.
Responsible Gaming in New Jersey
As gambling accessibility increases in New Jersey, the state has introduced comprehensive resources to support problem gamblers:
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement – Responsible Gaming: Offers tools like the Self-Exclusion Program, enabling individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from online and land-based casinos.
New Jersey also encourages players to maintain strict gaming budgets by setting deposit and loss limits, helping to manage gambling habits responsibly.
New Jersey Sports Betting FAQs
Find answers to common questions bettors like you have when researching which sportsbook to join.
With football betting in New Jersey being the most popular sports market, there are a wealth of live/in-play betting options available to bettors.
Prop betting has become a staple offering for any online bookmaker. As such, proposition bets are widely available across the state’s top bookmakers.
We’ve provided a comprehensive list of the best bookmakers available to sports enthusiasts in New Jersey, all of these providers are licensed reliable ones.
Casino gambling is where it all started in the state. As such, you’ll find a range of great casinos to choose from, many of which are quite famous!
We cannot single out one bookmaker, as they all have their own unique aspects. But, what we can say is that it’s advisable to check out our list of recommended bookmakers.
Chris Boline is a renowned sports journalist with a lifelong passion for the industry. Originally from Reno, Nevada, he is a key business development figure in college athletics, with over a decade of experience with the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and Mountain West Conference. Boline holds an MBA from the University of Nevada. He has received MVP an...
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