NJ Sports Betting

New Jersey sports betting is now legal. Here’s more about where and how you can bet on sports in The Garden State.

New Jersey Online Sports Betting

Online sports betting is happening in New Jersey right now. Players in the Garden State can log onto a plethora of sites to bet their favorite sports.

We’re going to run through all of them, but not all sites are created equal. To get started today with the best bonus offers available, head to one of these sites now:

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook

As unlikely as it might seem, daily fantasy sports operator DraftKings opened the first online sportsbook in New Jersey. The site went live on Aug. 8.

Even more shockingly, it held a de facto monopoly in the state for almost three weeks. In that time, the site managed to distinguish itself for its interface and ease of use.

One of the most notable features of the DraftKings Sportsbook is the betting carousel. Instead of consigning bettors to long searches through pages of betting options, the DraftKings program recommends a series of wagers to players every time they log in.

The site generates recommendations based upon each player’s individual betting history, selected preferences, and tendencies. In that, DraftKings offers each player a fully-customized experience.

The site also contains a feature called Cash Out, which is a live ticket system. This system allows players to cash out open tickets early for a reduced payout.

This innovation is nothing short of a sports betting revolution. Players can now hedge against the growing likelihood of a loss or a last-second defeat. Parlay players can take some cash instead of sweating the final leg of their wager.

FanDuel Sportsbook

In many ways, the fortunes of FanDuel and DraftKings will always be linked. The two biggest names in daily fantasy sports have both made highly-publicized leaps into sports betting during Summer 2018.

Slightly less than a month after its rival’s debut, FanDuel released its own online sportsbook product. According to company management, the delay was intentional so that the site would debut as a smooth and polished instrument.

If that is true, then FanDuel Sportsbook has accomplished its mission. The FanDuel app is the slickest and best-designed app on the market.

It shares or will share many features with its DraftKings counterpart, such as the betting carousel and live ticket system. However, its distinguishing characteristic is its gamecasts.

Essentially, gamecasts allow players to watch the game without having to actually watch it. The dynamic representations of the action on the field allow players to keep a better handle on the status of their tickets.

FanDuel is also deliberately refusing to offer the same variety of games that DraftKings is. Some of the more extraordinary things, like competitive eating or esports betting, place too much risk of corruption or chicanery for FanDuel’s tastes.

888 Sport

888 Sport became the seventh online sportsbook in New Jersey on Sep. 10. The European gaming company’s app joins its online casino and poker functions in the Garden State.

The 888 Sport app features a simpler design than some of its competition. However, it makes up for that simplicity with extensive granularity on in-play wagering and a gamecast function that rivals FanDuel’s.

The in-play wagering reduces all the way down to single points or possessions in various sports. Any players familiar with its other New Jersey offerings will notice that the presentation is merely a color change.

The others

There are many other sports betting sites up and running in New Jersey right now. They include:

• Caesars
• BetMGM
• SugarHouse
• William Hill
• PointsBet
• FOX Bet

New Jersey Live Sports Betting Locations

Along with a host of online options, New Jersey also offers several locations for bettors who prefer to bet in-person. In many ways, sportsbooks are becoming a ubiquitous feature of New Jersey casinos and racetracks.

The following properties have operational sportsbooks:

• Bally’s
  • Operates inside Wild Wild West Casino
  • Open daily 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Borgata
  • Operates inside former Racebook
  • Hours of operation:
    • Mon – Fri: Open at 11 a.m.
    • Sat – Sun: Open at 9 a.m.
• Golden Nugget Atlantic City
  • Located just off main Atrium
  • Open daily 10 a.m. – midnight
• Harrah’s Atlantic City
  • Opened Sep. 1
  • Open daily 11 AM – 11:30 PM
• Meadowlands Racetrack
  • Operated by FanDuel
  • Hours of operation:
    • Mon – Thu: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.
    • Fri: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
    • Sat: 7 a.m. – 2 a.m.
    • Sun: 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• Monmouth Park Racetrack
  • Operated by William Hill
  • Hours of operation:
    • Mon – Thu: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.
    • Fri: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
    • Sat: 8 a.m. – 2 a.m.
    • Sun: 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• Ocean Resort
  • Operated by William Hill
  • Hours of operation:
    • Mon – Thu: 10 a.m. – midnight
    • Fri: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
    • Sat: 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
    • Sun: 9 a.m. – midnight
• Resorts Atlantic City
  • Operated by DraftKings
  • Open daily

The others

The other four eligible locations in New Jersey have yet to launch their live sportsbooks. In some cases, a launch is in the works.

However, a few properties are eschewing the value of a sportsbook onsite. For a variety of reasons, the companies don’t feel their needs are met with sports betting.

The locations are:

• Caesars Atlantic City
  • Just launched online sports betting site
  • Did not apply for land-based license
  • Likely satisfied with sportsbooks at other two properties (Harrah’s and Bally’s)
• Freehold Raceway
  • Has not applied to offer sports betting
  • Seems resistant to offer due to location in the state
• Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City
  • Has partnerships with both bet365 and Kindred Group
  • No real forward motion towards sports betting
• Tropicana Atlantic City
  • Partnered with William Hill
  • Physical sportsbook currently under construction

How Legal New Jersey Sports Betting Happened

After many long years of frustration and court battles, New Jersey finally has sports betting. On June 11, 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 411 and opened the door for operators to offer the chance to wager on the outcome of sporting events.

Murphy was the first person to place a bet in the state. He did so on Thursday, June 14 at Monmouth Park Racetrack.

This law came on the heels of the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The verdict, which came on May 14, ended the decades-long prohibition on sports betting in the United States.

New Jersey Sports Betting FAQ

Is it legal to bet on sports in New Jersey?

Yes. It has been legal since New Jersey enacted a law in June 2018.

Where can I find places to bet?

All New Jersey casinos and racetracks are authorized to accept sports wagers. Most of New Jersey’s eligible locations have operating sportsbooks now.

Can I bet online?

Yes. There are now seven operational online sportsbooks in New Jersey.

What sports may I bet?

You may place bets on any contests at the college level or above EXCEPT games played within the state’s borders or games played by New Jersey schools.

What are other types of gambling available in New Jersey?

New Jersey offers both land-based and online gambling. All land-based gambling must occur in Atlantic City or at one of the three racetracks. Online wagering is available for casino games, poker, daily fantasy sports, and eventually sports betting.

Is sports betting legal in every state since the Supreme Court struck down PASPA?

No. Each state must create its own legislation for sports betting individually. At present, seven states offer sports betting or have legislation to that effect:

• New Jersey
• Nevada
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware
• West Virginia
• Mississippi
• Rhode Island

*States in bold have active sportsbooks in operation

What Does New Jersey’s New Law Actually Say?

Any new piece of legislation comes with its own idiosyncrasies. Here are the parameters outlined in the law:

For operators:

• Any casino or racetrack with a valid sports betting license may offer sports betting to the public.
• Both casinos and racetracks will pay an 8.5% tax on land-based revenue.
• After 30 days from the bill’s effective date, casinos and racetracks may apply to offer online sports betting.
• Both casinos and racetracks will pay a 13% tax on online revenue.
• A portion of the collected taxes from online casino wagering will enter a fund to help market Atlantic City.
• Racetracks will pay an additional 1.25% tax on online revenue, which will distribute into the towns and counties in which each track sits.

For bettors:

• • Only people 21 or older can place a bet.
  • Betting on high school sports is prohibited.
  • Betting on college events in the state of New Jersey is prohibited.
  • Betting on New Jersey college events, regardless of location, is prohibited.
  • Referees, players, or coaches cannot wager on their own sports.