Last Updated May 5, 2022, 03:04 PM ET
New Jersey has become synonymous with legal U.S. sports betting. Since first leading the charge to lift the ban on sports wagering in the U.S. in 2018, NJ has licensed more than 20 online sportsbooks and generated over $25 billion in total betting handle.
The Garden State eclipsed the $1 billion mark for the sixth time in the last seven months, with $1.12 billion in handle for March 2022.
New Jersey bettors can take their pick of Atlantic City retail sportsbooks or enjoy the convenience of mobile sports betting. New users can sign up, claim bonuses, and place wagers within minutes from anywhere in the Garden State.
Editor's note: 888Sport New Jersey is no longer offering sports betting opportunities.
While competition remains fierce among legal sports betting sites in the Garden State, Caesars Sportsbook stands above the rest. Its uncomplicated sign-up bonus, intuitive mobile app design, and loads of betting markets secure its place as New Jersey's best sportsbook.
The welcome offer from Caesars Sportsbook New Jersey, while evergreen, provides good value to bettors as you can get the first bet insured up to $1,100 when using promo code COVERSCZR. An initial required $50 deposit allows you to wager freely, and if you lose, Caesars NJ will reward you with a free bet - equal to the initial stake - of up to $1,100 maximum.
We expect today's sports betting apps to deliver a rich offering of games and odds, which Caesars NJ does with aplomb, and it earns its place on the list of best sports betting apps. Placing same-game parlays is easy enough, but the markets remain limited. While the app shares real estate with its online casino, there are no issues accessing the sportsbook.
Read through our detailed and unbiased Caesars Sportsbook review for more information.
With legal online sportsbooks aplenty, Garden State sports bettors benefit from access to the best New Jersey sportsbook bonuses and promo codes. Competition creates opportunities for new players, as bettors benefit from several welcome or sign-up bonuses. We've done the homework for you and outlined the best available:
FanDuel - $1,000 Risk-Free Bet: New customers in New Jersey can claim FanDuel's risk-free bet of up to $1,000. If your first bet loses, FanDuel will refund the amount in site credit.
Caesars Sportsbook - Up to $1,100 in First Bet Insurance: If your first sports bet with Caesars misses, the sportsbook will return your initial stake, up to $1,100, to your account. Don't forget to claim the offer with promo code 'COVERSCZR.'
BetMGM - $1,000 Risk-Free Bet: First-time BetMGM customers in New Jersey receive a $1,000 risk-free bet. The promo provides a cushion for bettors who come out swinging with a fully matched wager.
PointsBet - $500 Risk-Free Bet: PointsBet New Jersey is greeting new users with a $500 risk-free bet. If you lose your first wager in the Garden State, PointsBet will refund the full amount — up to $500 — in the form of site credit.
DraftKings - Up to $1,000 Deposit Match: DraftKings' New Jersey customers get a deposit match worth up to $1,000 following an initial $5 real money deposit. DraftKings will match 20% of the deposit amount, up to $1,000.
Read all terms and conditions associated with all bonuses and promotional offers.
$1,100 in first bet insurance
COVERSCZR
The Ceasars NJ app gives New Jersey bettors nearly everything could ask for in a mobile sportsbook. Its welcome offer — $1,100 in first bet insurance — is the largest sign-up bonus in the state. Caesars' live chat feature highlights its fantastic customer support, while its rewards program gives back to users in ways few betting sites can. Caesars Sportsbook NJ tops our list as the best sportsbook in New Jersey.
Check out our Caesars Sportsbook Review for a more in-depth analysis of New Jersey's best sportsbook.
$500 risk-free bet
No code required
New Jersey bettors who don't mind a high-risk, high-reward type of wagering should check out Points Betting, the proprietary system established by Australia-based PointsBet. Points Betting payouts are determined by a bettor's accuracy and margin of victory or defeat. PointsBet's "Karma Kommittee" is another unique feature as it issues refunds when betting injustices occur (think injuries or blown calls). The New Jersey sportsbook also offers new users up to $500 in risk-free bets.
Read our PointsBet Review to learn more.
$1,000 risk-free bet
No code required
FanDuel not only has the best sportsbook welcome bonus in New Jersey, but it also operates a premium sports betting app that is intuitive, responsive, and packed with features. FanDuel NJ users can expect a complete selection of sports and betting markets, highlighted by its renowned same-game parlay and live betting sections. A constant flow of promos tops off FanDuel's hit list, making it the go-to option for many in the Garden State.
Check out our FanDuel Review for more.
Deposit match up to $1,000
No code required
Once known only for its DFS contests, DraftKings NJ has matched its daily fantasy prowess with the best sports betting app in the Garden State. With tons of betting markets, odds boosts, and generous promos, the platform meets the needs of the most demanding bettors. Despite its lackluster welcome offer, DraftKings checks in among the best sportsbooks not only in New Jersey but the U.S.
Refer to our DraftKings Review to learn everything there is to know about the NJ sportsbook.
$250 deposit match
250MATCH
Despite its lack of flair, the sister brand of BetRivers offers NJ bettors a sports betting product worthy of praise. SugarHouse leans on its competitive odds and a long list of betting promos in New Jersey. Active NJ bettors can accumulate points and level up with the operator's iRush Rewards program, highlighting SugarHouse's customer-first approach to sports betting.
Check out our expert SugarHouse Review to learn more.
New Jersey’s path to legalized sports betting was paved nearly a decade ago by then-Governor Chris Christie. It became the first state to legalize online sports betting in the United States after SCOTUS overturned PASPA. The ruling ended a nearly decade-long legal battle between the state and the five largest U.S. sports leagues and ushered in a new age of online sports betting.
This timeline illustrates New Jersey's sports gambling origins and the current state of affairs.
April 26, 2022: NJ online sportsbooks will implement two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of protection to customer accounts.
April 18, 2022: For the sixth time in seven months, New Jersey reported more than $1 billion in sports betting handle, hitting $1.12 billion in March 2022.
Feb. 16, 2022: New Jersey records $1.35 billion in sports betting handle for January, its most lucrative month ever.
Jan. 24, 2022: Esports Entertainment Group (EEG) announces it will launch its VIE.gg esports betting platform in New Jersey. EEG becomes the first esports-centric operator to be granted access to the NJ betting market.
Jan. 14, 2022: New Jersey's sports betting handle once again surpassed the $1 billion mark, totaling $1.23 billion in December 2021.
Jan. 6, 2022: PointsBet announced that live casino gaming is up and running for users in New Jersey, via its mobile app and desktop.
Dec. 21, 2021: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported that sportsbooks captured $1.26 billion in wagers in November.
Nov. 23, 2021: Betway becomes an official sport betting partner of the New Jersey Devils.
Nov. 17, 2021: Garden State bettors wagered $1.3 billion in October, shattering the previous record just one month earlier.
Nov. 2, 2021: New Jersey voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed betting on the state’s college teams.
September 2021: New Jersey recorded $1 billion in monthly action, becoming the first regulated state to hit the benchmark.
Sept. 8, 2021: Fubo Sportsbook announced a multi-faceted partnership with the New York Jets on Sept. 8, 2021. Fubo will become the NFL team's official sports betting partner sometime in 2021-22, pending regulatory approval.
Aug. 24, 2021: The Penn National Gaming-owned Barstool Sportsbook officially launched in New Jersey.
Aug. 20, 2021: Barstool quietly entered NJ with a testing phase or soft launch. The Penn National Gaming sportsbook partner is operating under special conditions to abide by state regulations.
Aug. 16, 2021: Betway partnered with New Jersey-based Digital Gaming Corp. to offer its products in the United States. The operator enters NJ with a soft launch from Aug. 16-20.
June 2021: Voters in the November general election will have the opportunity to decide whether to allow bets on New Jersey college teams or teams from other states playing games in NJ. The state legislature gave final approval to a measure placing a referendum on the fall ballot.
Aug. 2018: DraftKings Sportsbook became the first legal online operator to accept mobile wagers.
June 2018: NJ Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 4111, allowing the state to implement legalized sports betting at casinos and racetracks.
May 2018: SCOTUS overturned the Appeals Court decision, ruling that PASPA was unconstitutional.
June 2017: New Jersey appealed the decision and SCOTUS agreed to hear arguments in favor of overturning PASPA.
September 2013: New Jersey appealed the District Court’s ruling, but it was rebuffed.
February 2013: The U.S. District Court rules in favor of the leagues. New Jersey is prohibited from issuing sports betting licenses.
August 2012: The five leagues filed a federal lawsuit against New Jersey to prevent sports betting, based on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992.
January 2012: Despite opposition from the NCAA and four major professional sports leagues — NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB — NJ Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation allowing sports betting in New Jersey after it was approved by a voter referendum.
November 2011: New Jersey holds a referendum to overturn the federal ban on legalized sports gambling. Voters approved the measure by a wide margin.
NJ sports betting is leading the way with points of access. There are sportsbooks and sports lounges inside of Atlantic City casinos and also at racetracks at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. If you cannot get to Atlantic City, anyone — resident or not — 21 or older can place online sports bets using a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. Here's a brief overview of what you need to know before you start betting:
Legal ageThe legal age for New Jersey sports betting is 21, whether a player is inside of a casino or wagering on a computer or mobile device.
Mobile bettingLegal online sports betting can take place on a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. The New Jersey Division Of Gaming Enforcement regulates all online and casino gambling.
An extra layer of security awaits online sportsbook customers in New Jersey, beginning Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Legal sports betting sites will adopt two-factor authentication meaning customers will have to confirm their accounts via SMS or an authenticator app.
Within state bordersAll wagers placed with New Jersey online sportsbooks must take place within state lines. While you do not have to be a resident of the state to place a wager, you must be physically located within New Jersey. Additionally, players will not be allowed to wager at online sportsbooks if they use a virtual private network to mask their location.
Retail sportsbooksThere are 11 retail sportsbooks and sports lounges in New Jersey. The majority of retail sportsbooks are located within the nine Atlantic City casinos. There are three sports lounges situated at horse racetracks throughout the state. The retail sportsbooks take wagers in-person and via kiosk.
Taxable winningsSports bet winnings are considered income by the federal government. However, winnings can be offset by losses. Players are required to pay the 24% tax rate if they win more than $600 in a year. Additionally, New Jersey assesses a 3% state tax on all income.
The competition created by rival sportsbooks has been a significant boon for New Jersey's recreational sports bettors. Players can use this to their advantage by choosing sportsbooks that offer the best promotions and best odds.
Many recreational bettors will be satisfied with the options, but high rollers and sharp bettors might feel different. NJ sportsbooks have been known to limit or remove some sharper high rollers that might try to make a living betting on sports.
Sharp bettors and accounts could be limited or bannedGeolocation software can cause sign-up snafusPromotion playthroughNew Jersey's operators make it easy for anyone within the state to get started betting on sports. The process to bet on sports can be fulfilled via a phone, tablet, or computer and with a credit card. Those who would rather make physical transactions can walk into a casino or racetrack to get started. New Jersey offers the best of both worlds for its sports bettors.
Selecting a New Jersey sportsbook can be as easy as reading reviews, clicking on a promotional banner, and setting up an account online or in an app. Players may also place bets in person at a casino or racetrack.
Registration can be completed within a few short minutes. Simply enter your basic personal information along with credit card details when prompted. We advise you to read the terms and conditions to avoid any surprises.
New bettors in New Jersey benefit from the competitive landscape. Sportsbooks often leverage generous sign-up and welcome offers to attract customers. These are the more popular types of offers:
Be sure to browse the best New Jersey sportsbook bonuses and promo codes before choosing your next betting site.
The most popular gameday bets are the point spread, Over/Under (totals), and moneylines. Player and team props, along with live betting, have become more popular than ever thanks to quick and slick sports betting apps and websites.
This is an important function not to be overlooked when scouting online sportsbooks. Sometimes there are withdrawal delays that can significantly impact your preferred betting needs or strategies. There may or may not be an in-person option available either. Read the accompanying terms and conditions to identify the right option.
Bettors should always research which games to play before placing any wagers. This involves understanding the game and also finding the best lines available. Registering multiple accounts from different sportsbooks helps, too.
American odds are the default option for most sportsbooks. Favorites have minus odds and players will have to lay more to win less money. For example, a $10 wager on -150 odds will return $5 plus the original bet. Underdogs are not expected to win and have plus odds. These bets will have better returns. For example, a $10 wager on +150 odds will return $15 plus the original bet.
The default for futures odds and props also uses moneyline odds instead of fractions or decimal points. Some NJ sportsbook apps will allow players to change how the odds are presented in order to make the information easier to understand. Decimal odds may be easier for players to comprehend quickly. Use our odds converter to easily adjust from American to decimal or fractions.
In 2021, New Jersey became the first state to clear the $10 billion mark in yearly sports betting handle, taking in a total of $10.93 billion. Equally impressive, Dec. 2021 marked the state's fourth consecutive month with a handle of more than $1 billion.
In January 2022, New Jersey posted $1.35 billion in sports betting handle, an all-time single-month record. The feat was made even more impressive by the fact that New York launched legal online sports wagering that same month.
Sports betting in New Jersey continues to gain in popularity each year. The betting volume from the fiscal year 2020 shows revenue figures across the Garden State sprouting north of $6 billion (NJ Department of Gaming Enforcement).
This uptick in post-legalization betting activity translates to more money wagered and greater revenue for the sportsbooks and the state. Here's a look at how much money New Jersey generates from sports betting every year:
| Year | Total handle | Revenue | Hold percentage | Tax revenue |
| 2022 | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 | $10.93B | $815.7M | 7.4% | $100M |
| 2020 | $6B | $398M | 6.6% | $50M |
| 2019 | $4.6B | $299M | 6.5% | $39M |
| 2018 | $1.24B | $94M | 7.5% | $11M |
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
| 2022 | $1.35B | $985.6M | $1.12B | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $2.33B |
| 2021 | $959m | $743m | $860M | $748M | $814M | $766M | $578M | $664M | $1.01B | $1.3B | $1.26B | $1.23B | $10.93B |
| 2020 | $540m | $495m | $182M | $55M | $118M | $165M | $315M | $668M | $749M | $803M | $391M | $996M | $6B |
| 2019 | $385 | $320m | $372M | $314M | $319M | $273M | $251M | $294M | $445M | $488M | $563M | $558M | $4.6B |
| 2018 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $16M | $40M | $95M | $184M | $260M | $330M | $319M | $1.2B |
New Jersey permits several betting options from traditional sports to awards shows. However, not everything is legal for NJ sportsbooks to take bets on. Here's a look at what NJ bettors cannot access legally:
Betting on New Jersey college teams and out-of-state teams who play games within NJ is not allowed. Voters in the November 2021 general election rejected the opportunity to amend the state's constitution to allow bets on New Jersey college teams or teams from other states playing games in NJ.
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement does not permit betting on politics. Furthermore, no U.S. state has legalized betting on politics.
Esports betting is now legal in New Jersey. The state legalized betting on esports events in 2020. However, not all sportsbooks will take esports wagers for events approved by the Division of Gaming Enforcement. The following have taken esports bets in the past and should be moving forward:
New Jersey sports bettors may place wagers online via sportsbook websites or mobile sports betting apps. Wagers may also be placed in person at sportsbooks located within casinos and racetracks.
| Online sportsbook | Mobile app | Odds provider | Online casino | Retail partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
888sport (shuttered 12/16/21)  |
Yes | Kambi | Yes | Caesars |
| Barstool |
Yes | Kambi | Yes | Freehold Raceway |
| bet365 |
Yes | bet365 | Yes | Hard Rock |
| BetAmerica (TwinSpires) |
Yes | SBTech | Yes | Golden Nugget |
| BetMGM |
Yes | BetMGM | Yes | Borgata |
| Betway |
Yes | DGC | Yes | TBD |
| Borgata Sports |
Yes | BetMGM | Yes | Borgata |
| Caesars |
Yes | Caesars | Yes | Ocean Resort, Monmouth Park, Tropicana, Wild Wild West, Harrah's |
| DraftKings |
Yes | SBTech | Yes | Resorts |
| FanDuel |
Yes | Flutter | Yes | The Meadowlands |
| FOXBet |
Yes | TSG | Yes | Resorts |
| Golden Nugget |
No | SBTech | Yes | Golden Nugget |
| Hard Rock |
Yes | GiG | Yes | Hard Rock |
| SugarHouse Sportsbook |
Yes | Kambi | Yes | Monmouth Park |
| PlayUp |
Yes | PlayUp | No | Freehold Raceway |
| PointsBet |
Yes | PointsBet | No | The Meadowlands |
| Resorts |
Yes | SBTech | Yes | Resorts |
| SuperBook |
Yes | Stadium | No | The Meadowlands |
| theScore Bet |
Yes | Bet.Works | No | Monmouth Park |
| Tipico |
Yes | Tipico | Yes | Ocean |
| Unibet |
Yes | Kambi | Yes | Hard Rock |
| WynnBET |
Yes | GAN | Yes | Caesars |
Most of New Jersey's retail sportsbooks are located in Atlantic City.
| Sportsbook | Venue | Address | Phone number | Odds provider |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Resorts Casino | 1133 Boardwalk Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 340-6300 | SBTech |
| FanDuel Sportsbook (Bally’s) | Bally’s | 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 340-2000 | Flutter |
| FanDuel Sportsbook (Meadowlands) | The Meadowlands | 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073 | (201) 843-2446 | Flutter |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | Hard Rock Casino | 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 449-1000 | GiG |
| BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar | The Borgata | 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 317-1000 | BetMGM |
| Caesars Sportsbook at Monmouth Park | Monmouth Park | 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757 | (732) 222-5100 | Caesars |
| The Sportsbook | Golden Nugget | 600 Huron Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | 609) 441-2000 | SBTech |
| Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Resort | Harrah’s | 777 Harrah's Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 441-5000 | Caesars |
| The Sportsbook at Ocean | Ocean Resort | 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 783-8000 | Caesars |
| Caesars Sportsbook Tropicana | Tropicana | 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 340-4000 | Caesars |
| Caesars Sportsbook at Wild Wild West | Caesars | 2100 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 348-4411 | Caesars |
While NJ team allegiances and passions run deep, we recommend betting with your head and not your heart. Be sure to do your research before blindly backing any of these hometown favorites. Our how to bet guides are a good resource for beginner bettors.
New Jersey is home to traditional casino gambling online and in person at casinos in Atlantic City. In addition to sports betting, games like blackjack, roulette, video poker, and slot machines are available at both types of NJ casinos.
CasinoAtlantic City casinos are full-service and offer all of the traditional casino games visitors expect. Table games players will find different variations of blackjack along with roulette and craps. The casinos also offer carnival games like Three Card Poker and Mississippi Stud Poker.
Additionally, New Jersey casinos feature high-limit rooms and dedicated areas for some Asian casino favorites. Machine game players will find a variety of video poker, slot machines, and electronic table games. Casinos in New Jersey are frequently testing new table and machine games to see if there’s something new that visitors will enjoy.
PokerNJ poker players can play both online and inside of some Atlantic City casinos. Live poker rooms are found at the following casinos: Borgata, Harrah’s, Bally’s, Golden Nugget, and Tropicana.
Online poker players have even more variety: NJ online poker is available from 888 Poker, Bet MGM, Borgata Poker, Pala Poker, Party Poker, Poker Stars, and WSOP.com.
Horse racingNew Jersey is home to three horse racetracks. Players can watch and wager on the races at Freehold, Meadowlands, and Monmouth racetracks.
Borgata is the only Atlantic City casino that offers pari-mutuel horse race betting. There are numerous off-track betting locations spread around the state for those who want to bet on horses without visiting a racetrack.
Horse racing fans can use AMWager, BetAmerica, Betfair Exchange, TVG/4NJBets, and TwinSpires to bet online. BetMGM will soon join NJ's lineup of best horse racing betting sites.
Daily fantasy sportsNJ residents can participate in daily fantasy sports contests at Boom Fantasy, DraftKings, FanDuel, FantasyDraft, Monkey Knife Fight, and Yahoo Daily Fantasy. DraftKings and FanDuel have the most players and offer bigger prize pools.
As gambling in New Jersey becomes more accessible, the state has developed resources to assist problem gamblers. Players can leverage preemptive measures to lessen the likelihood that they will run into trouble with gaming. The self-exclusion program, implemented by the Division of Gaming Enforcement, allows players to voluntarily exclude themselves from online and land-based casinos.
Keeping a strict gaming budget with limits on how much money is deposited and setting loss limits can also slow progress if you are having problems with gambling.
Visit NJ Division of Gaming EnforcementSports betting legislation on a state-by-state basis has produced several legal betting markets. Our U.S. legal tracker includes status updates across the country.
In addition to New Jersey, these states now offer legal sports gambling:
Offshore sportsbooks have served as a refuge for online sports bettors for years. These sportsbooks are not legal in New Jersey and we advise you to place real money wagers with legal betting sites.
If any offshore sportsbook wants to do business in the lucrative state, they'll have to stop operating illegally first.
You can place a sports wager in person at a casino, retail sportsbook, racetrack, and online at New Jersey betting sites.
Yes, it is legal to wager on sports in New Jersey if you are 21 years of age or older.
You can bet on professional teams based in New Jersey, but not local college teams.
No, but you must be physically located within the state.
New Jersey took in $815.7 million in sports betting revenue in 2021.
Persons aged 21 years of age and older are legally allowed to place a wager in person at a retail sportsbook, casino, or racetrack. Similarly, you can bet online via a desktop or mobile device.
Atlantic City, East Rutherford, and Monmouth are big for in-person sports betting. Hoboken and Fort Lee are popular for NJ online sports betting.
Yes. DraftKings became the first sportsbook operator to launch legal online and mobile sports betting in New Jersey. The first bet was placed on its platform in New Jersey in August 2018.
Yes. FanDuel launched its legal retail operations in New Jersey at the Meadowlands Racetrack on July 14, 2018, and followed with legal mobile capabilities on Sept. 1, 2018.
Michael Duchesne is a senior commercial content editor at Covers, who has been researching and reviewing products for more than a decade. The former travel publisher is all in on sports betting. When he's not supporting Covers' broad array of betting experts in making smarter sports bettors, you can find him by the BBQ, perfecting his cross-hatch marks.
Established in 1995,
