Betting laws in New Jersey explained
As I mentioned, the Garden State is one of the most progressive in terms of the legalization of online gambling, and at the time of writing this guide, the following types of activities are legal:
| Gambling Activity | Legal Status |
| Online Sportsbooks | Legal |
| Online Casinos | Legal |
| Lotteries | Legal |
| Horse Racing | Legal |
| Poker | Legal |
This means NJ is just one of 6 states to allow real money online casinos, and it was also one of the first to legalize online sports betting. The only real activity that isn’t legal in NJ is sweepstakes casinos. To sign up at New Jersey sportsbooks, similar to Ohio sportsbooks, you have to be over 21 - don’t try and sign up if you are under this age, as there are usually ID checks. Plus, these age limits are in place for your own protection.
In terms of regulation, betting sites in New Jersey are licensed and regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
What you should look for when picking betting sites in New Jersey
Whether you’re looking for lotteries, or sportsbooks, there are always certain features you should assess to check the quality of the operator. This is because not all sites are created equal. In the case of New Jersey sportsbooks, I think you should look for the following things:
🏟️ Sports Coverage
The top New Jersey sportsbooks not only offer amazing coverage for all the US pro leagues, but they also have a diverse offering for global sports like soccer, tennis, golf, rugby, boxing, and MMA. The league and event coverage within those sports should also be varied and go beyond the top-flight competitions only.
📈 Betting Markets
This depends on the type of bets you like to make, but an NJ site should at least offer singles, parlays, and same-game parlay bets. There should also be pre-match and in-play betting options.
🔴 In-Play Betting
I’m a fan of live betting, so I check the in-play betting setup for the games I enjoy betting on. I think the best sites give you statistics and game info so you can easily follow the action, and even have live odds that refresh quickly.
🎁 Promotions
I always check the welcome bonus the site has to see what value it gives. After that, I’ll also check promos for existing customers, such as free bets, bet boosts, VIP programs, and reload bonuses, to see if you get rewarded for sticking with the brand.
📱 Mobile Accessibility
The best NJ sites have downloadable mobile apps for both major smartphone systems, and not just a mobile-responsive version of their desktop website. The apps should give you all the functionality of the desktop site and a smooth betting experience.
🔒 Licensing
You MUST only ever register with licensed sportsbooks that have a gambling license from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. This gives you additional protection and safeguards against potential scammy activities.
Pros and cons of New Jersey sportsbooks
I’ve used plenty of NJ sportsbooks, and while they are generally some of the best in the country, there are some minor flaws that you should also be aware of, and this is reflected in the pros and cons below:
- Amazing welcome bonuses
- Solid mobile accessibility
- Loads of betting options
- Awesome coverage for US leagues
- Not as good support for global sports
My top picks for the best sportsbook New Jersey sites
So you can get started quickly with betting sites in New Jersey, I’ve given you my top 5 recommendations. These operators are all legal in the Garden State, and I consider them the best NJ has to offer.
| NJ Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus |
| Fanatics | Up to $2,000 in no sweat bets across your first 10 days. |
| BetMGM | $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses. |
| bet365 | $200 in bonus bets when you sign up and bet $5. |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, if your bet wins, you get $300 in bonus bets. |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, if your bet wins, you get $300 in bonus bets. |
📱 Fanatics - great for mobile betting
Fanatics In A Nutshell
I prefer mobile betting, so Fanatics is a natural choice as it has THE best mobile app from online betting sites in New Jersey. I use the Android version, which has awesome reviews and ratings, but the iOS version is just as good. This is actually a mobile-only NJ sportsbook anyway, so if you want to give it a try, you will need to download it.
This operator shakes up the things a little differently for its welcome bonus. You can get up to $2,000 in no-sweat bets, and this is given as 10x $200 no-sweat bets spread across your first 10 days of activity! For sports coverage, Fanatics is a top pick for US pro leagues and college sports action, and they have a great collection of futures bets and specials for things like awards and placement predictions.
How To Sign Up
- Download the Fanatics mobile app. This is available on the Apple App and Google Play Store.
- Click “Log In” in the upper right corner.
- Enter your email address to start the account registration process.
- From here, provide the other necessary details like your name, date of birth, address, social security number, and more.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Enable biometrics, which allows you to log in with a face scan.
BONUS
🏀 BetMGM - huge array of NBA props bets
BetMGM Sport In A Nutshell
BetMGM is my top pick for NJ betting sites and Pennsylvania sportsbooks - especially for NBA action. At the time of writing this guide, the NBA regular season has just kicked off, and I’ve had a blast browsing the team and player props for the first week’s games. You’ve got amazing coverage and can create complicated parlays and same-game parlays for each match.
Like Fanatics, the mobile app for this sportsbook is superb too, and it gives you an excellent in-play betting experience if you’re watching games live. New customers can get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets as a welcome offer if their initial bet loses, which is one of the biggest NJ welcome bonuses available.
How To Sign Up
- Begin Registration: Click the gold ‘Sign Up’ button on the top right of the homepage.
- Enter your personal details including your email, address, mobile number, and SSN digits.
- Click “Send me a code” to verify your phone number and pre-fill some details automatically.
- Complete Registration: Click the gold ‘Complete registration’ button at the bottom of the form to finish the sign-up process.
BONUS
⚽ bet365 - best for soccer coverage
Bet365 Sport In A Nutshell
I’ve been using the bet365 app for sometime now on my Samsung, and it’s regularly been my favorite option for soccer betting. I follow many of the European leagues, so I appreciate the coverage for the EPL, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Serie A. You’ve also got all the main events like the Champions League, Europa Cup, Europa Conference League, and the FIFA World Cup.
So you can get more value for your money, this Garden State sportsbook also has a welcome bonus where you can potentially get up to $200 in free bets. You have to sign up, deposit $5, and then wager it on relevant markets to unlock the bonus. Make sure you check though, as the bet353 welcome bonus often changes.
How To Sign Up
- Click on "Join".
- Provide your personal details
- Confirm your email address by clicking on the link sent by Bet365.
- Choose a payment method and deposit the desired amount.
- Browse available sports and events, and place your bets.
BONUS
🏈 FanDuel - top NHL and MLB action
FanDuel Sportsbook In A Nutshell
FanDuel is where NHL and MLB fans feel at home - there’s loads of bets for both sports, and I like that they have a range of promoted popular Same Game Parlay bets for the headline matches each night. You will also find Same Game Parlay profit boost tokens that can potentially give you up to a 30% boost to your winnings for selected competitions.
In terms of a welcome bonus, by using our links and registering with this NJ betting site, you can potentially unlock $300 in bonus bets. To qualify, you have to deposit $5, and make a $5 bet of any type - if it wins, you get the full $300 bonus bets! As a basketball fan, I also love the “NBA choose your reward” feature, which is a type of loyalty reward where you can pick profit boosts, no-sweat bets, or bet-back tokens. This just shows the flexibility of ther site, despite being focused on NHL and MLB betting.
How To Sign Up
- Click the green ‘Join’ button at the top right of the homepage.
- Select your state/location and enter your email address, create a username, and set a password.
- Provide personal details, including full name, date of birth, and home address.
- Enter your phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) for identity verification.
- Agree to the terms and conditions, confirm you are of legal age, and complete any additional verification steps.
- Click the ‘Create Account’ button to finalize your registration.
BONUS
⭐ DraftKings - superb rewards system
DraftKings Sport In A Nutshell
DraftKings has been one of my favorite sportsbooks in the Garden State for some time now, and a main reason for this is the awesome VIP program and Dynasty rewards system that give you a brilliant range of perks, bonuses, and real-life benefits such as discounts on merchandise. If you fancy giving this NJ site a try, you can sign up, bet $5, and if your initial bet wins, you’ll get $300 in bonus bets - this remains one of the top welcome bonuses you can get.
While this operator does specialize in US pro leagues like the NBA, NHL, and MLB, there’s also a brilliant selection of global sports including ATP and WTA Tennis, PGA Golf, cricket, rugby, and MMA. I’ve always been impressed with their range of special bets and in-play betting.
How To Sign Up
- Visit the DraftKings website or download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Click on the “Sign Up” button, usually located in the upper right corner of the website or app.
- Enter your personal details and choose a unique username.
- Create a secure password. It must be at least 10 characters long and include at least one letter, one number, and one special character.
- Click “Create Account” or “Continue” to finalize the registration process.
BONUS
Try the best New Jersey sportsbooks today
I maintain that New Jersey sportsbooks are some of the best the US has to offer. A major reason for this is that they have had time to evolve and grow their customer base, with the Garden State legalizing online sports betting way back in 2018. As a reminder, any NJ resident who is over 21 can legally sign up to sportsbooks in the state.
If you want to get in on the action, and start making bets on home teams like the Red Bulls or Giants, all you need to do is use the links or banners on this page and get signed up. BetMGM is my top pick as an NBA fan, but I also think DraftKings, bet365, FanDuel, and Fanatics are brilliant choices and will give you all the betting variety you could ever need.
Discover the sportsbook bonuses we recommend
- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
New Jersey sportsbook FAQs
What betting sites are legal in New Jersey?
My top picks for legal betting sites in New Jersey are Fanatics, FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, and BetMGM. Any NJ resident who is over the age of 21 can legally register at these operators and make real money bets on their favorite sports in USD.
Are sportsbooks legal in New Jersey?
They are! Online sportsbooks have actually been legal in the Garden State since 2018 when a bill was passed into law. Since then, a range of superb New Jersey sportsbooks have become popular including BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and bet365.
Which is the best New Jersey sportsbook?
This depends on the sports you follow and what you like to bet on. MY top pick is BetMGM and I’ve used this NJ sportsbook for years to bet on NBA games. Other sites are great options too though, like DraftKings, bet365 for European soccer, Fanatics for mobile betting, and FanDuel for MLB and NHL betting.