New Jersey Sports
Betting Guide
Your complete, independent guide to legal sports betting in the Garden State. Compare all 14 licensed sportsbooks, claim the best bonuses, and start betting responsibly.
Best New Jersey Sportsbooks
All 14 licensed online sportsbooks operating in New Jersey, independently reviewed and ranked. Each operator is regulated by the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement and fully legal for anyone 21+ within state lines.
FanDuel
Market Leader- #1 market share in New Jersey
- FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands Racetrack
- Highest-grossing NJ retail book
- Official NY Giants, Jets, Knicks partner
DraftKings
First Mover- First online sportsbook in NJ (Aug 6, 2018)
- First US sports betting app outside Nevada
- Resorts Atlantic City partner
- Deep live betting menus
BetMGM
Casino Partner- Borgata Hotel Casino partner
- MGM Rewards integration
- Official NHL betting partner
- Strong live betting markets
Caesars Sportsbook
Loyalty Rewards- Caesars AC casino partner
- Caesars Rewards program
- Strong daily promos
- Classic Vegas-style book
bet365
International Markets- Best daily boosts in NJ
- 40+ sports covered
- Early cash out on any bet
- Global sportsbook leader
ESPN BET
ESPN Integration- ESPN-branded PENN Entertainment sportsbook
- Deep sports news integration
- Formerly Barstool Sportsbook
- Hollywood Casino partner
Hard Rock Bet
Rewards Program- Hard Rock Atlantic City partner
- Unity by Hard Rock rewards
- Legendary Reward Drops weekly
- Seminole Tribe backed
Fanatics Sportsbook
Merch Rewards- FanCash redeemable for merch
- Resorts Digital partner
- Clean modern interface
- Fast growing in NJ market
Welcome Bonus Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new New Jersey bettors.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Condition | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets | If your first bet wins | $10 |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Instantly + NCAA Tournament profit boost | $5 |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets | If your first bet loses + $50 in Rewards | $10 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1, Double Winnings Next 10 Bets | 100% profit boost tokens up to $25 each | $10 |
| bet365 | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets | Win or lose — guaranteed | $10 |
| ESPN BET | Bet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets | Launched November 2023 with ESPN branding | $10 |
| Hard Rock Bet | Double Your Winnings on First 10 Bets | Up to $50 max per bet | $10 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $200 FanCash | Or up to $1,000 matched in FanCash | $5 |
How to Start Betting in New Jersey
From choosing a sportsbook to placing your first wager, here is exactly how to get started with legal sports betting in the Garden State.
Choose a Sportsbook
Pick a licensed New Jersey sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Create Your Account
Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you are in New Jersey.
Claim Your Bonus
Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers — compare before committing.
Fund & Start Betting
Make your first deposit via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.
What Can You Bet On?
New Jersey sportsbooks cover all major professional and college sports.
NFL
NY Giants & NY Jets play at MetLife Stadium in NJ, Philadelphia Eagles nearby — all three dominate local betting action
NHL
New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center — only major team with New Jersey in its name, 3x Stanley Cup champions
NBA
Brooklyn Nets, NY Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers — NJ is squeezed between two NBA hotbeds with deep coverage
MLB
NY Yankees, NY Mets, Philadelphia Phillies — tri-state baseball dominates NJ betting volume
College Sports
Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Princeton Tigers, Seton Hall Pirates — RESTRICTED: no betting on NJ teams or games played in NJ
Horse Racing
Monmouth Park and Meadowlands — Haskell Invitational and major thoroughbred races draw massive action
Soccer / MLS
NY Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena in Harrison NJ, Premier League, Champions League, FIFA World Cup 2026 (MetLife hosts final)
UFC / MMA
UFC frequently hosts cards at Prudential Center — title fights, main cards, round and method props
New Jersey Sports Betting Laws
📜 A4111
New Jersey legalized sports betting through A4111, signed by Governor Phil Murphy in 2018. Online betting launched on August 6, 2018. The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement oversees all operations.
💰 Tax Structure
Operators pay 19.75% Online / 9.75% Retail. Revenue supports state programs including responsible gambling initiatives and education.
📋 Licensing
New Jersey allows 14 online operators. Currently 14 operators are live and accepting wagers.
🎓 College Betting
New Jersey prohibits betting on any college game involving a New Jersey school (Rutgers, Princeton, Seton Hall, etc.) OR any college game played in New Jersey — regardless of the teams involved. You can bet freely on out-of-state college teams playing out-of-state. Prop bets are also prohibited on individual NJ college players.
📍 Retail Sportsbooks
NJ has retail sportsbooks at all 9 Atlantic City casinos (Borgata, Hard Rock, Caesars, Tropicana, Golden Nugget, Ocean, Resorts, Bally's, Harrah's) plus the Meadowlands Racetrack (FanDuel), Monmouth Park (where the first legal US post-PASPA bet was placed), and Freehold Raceway. 12+ retail locations total.
🔒 Age & Location
You must be at least 21 years old and physically located within New Jersey to place legal sports bets. Residency is not required. Geolocation technology verifies your location.
Key Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey was the state that brought down PASPA at the Supreme Court in Murphy v. NCAA (May 2018). Governor Phil Murphy signed A4111 on June 11, 2018, and the first legal post-PASPA sports bet in America was placed at Monmouth Park on June 14, 2018. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement regulates the market.
How old do I have to be to bet in New Jersey?
You must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets in New Jersey — online or at retail sportsbooks. This is strictly enforced.
How many sportsbooks are in New Jersey?
14 licensed online sportsbooks operate in NJ: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, ESPN BET, Fanatics, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Borgata, Golden Nugget, betPARX, Bally Bet, and Prime Sports. NJ has 12+ retail locations including all 9 Atlantic City casinos plus Meadowlands, Monmouth Park, and Freehold Raceway.
Why did the NJ tax rate increase in 2025?
As part of the FY2026 budget signed June 30, 2025, Governor Murphy raised the online sports betting tax from 13% to 19.75% (a 52% jump) and retail from 8.5% to 9.75%. Casino-partnered sportsbooks also pay a 1.25% CRDA surcharge, bringing their effective online rate to 21%. Murphy originally proposed 25%, but it was negotiated down through Assembly Bill A5803. NJs tax rate is still lower than NY (51%), PA (36%), and MA (20%).
Can I bet on Rutgers or Princeton?
No. New Jersey prohibits all betting on college games involving NJ schools (Rutgers, Princeton, Seton Hall, etc.) AND any college games played in NJ regardless of the teams involved. Individual player props on NJ college athletes are also prohibited. You can freely bet on out-of-state college teams playing out-of-state — March Madness remains fully bettable outside these restrictions.
Do I need to be a NJ resident?
No. Anyone 21 or older who is physically located within New Jersey can place legal sports bets. Geolocation technology verifies your location. NJ allows full remote account registration — you do not need to visit a casino to sign up, unlike Nevada.
What was Murphy v. NCAA?
Murphy v. NCAA was the 2018 Supreme Court case that struck down PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992). New Jersey spent years challenging the federal ban on sports betting outside Nevada. The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of NJ on May 14, 2018, allowing all states to legalize sports betting. This single case launched the entire modern US sports betting industry, and New Jersey was first to market just 31 days later.
What is the tax situation for bettors?
New Jersey does not levy a separate state tax on gambling winnings for players, but winnings increase your gross income on NJ-1040. The NJ state income tax rate is graduated from 1.4% to 10.75% depending on total income. Federal taxes apply at 24% on wins over $600 or 300x your wager. Operators issue W-2G forms for qualifying wins.
Is NJ still the biggest US sports betting market?
New Jersey led the US in sports betting handle and revenue for several years after launch. As of 2026, NJ typically ranks behind New York, North Carolina, and Illinois in total annual handle but remains among the top 4 markets. NJ still has $45 billion+ in all-time handle since 2018, making it the most mature and consistently profitable market in the country.