New Jersey Online Sports Betting
On May 14th, 2018 the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled in favor of the state of New Jersey (NJ) in the momentous sports betting case Murphy vs NCAA. The SCOTUS decided that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is indeed unconstitutional and lifted the restrictions that prevented NJ and other states from launching their own sportsbook gambling initiatives. This was a huge legal victory not only for New Jersey but for all US states.
This portion of our guide is dedicated to providing clear and concise information that is helpful to individuals who are attempting to determine what their legal betting options are and how to find legitimate New Jersey sports gambling opportunities. We will take a look at the legal status of sports betting in the Garden State, how to access legally sanctioned online bookmakers, and discuss some of the details that matter when betting online.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In New Jersey?
Yes, online domestic sports betting is now legal in NJ as of August 2018. When NJ enacted domestic sports betting laws, there was a 30-day wait clause before online sports betting could start. After the initial 30 days, Draft Kings was the first to launch an online sportsbook for New Jersey residents.
The Federal Wire Act still prohibits NJ and other states from accepting bets from across state lines or from foreign countries. Atlantic City's casinos were legally allowed to launch online sportsbooks by the end of 2018. While offshore sportsbooks were commonly used by NJ residents before the PASPA overturn, the state legislature has threatened the most reputable operators with legal action if they continued to accept NJ bettors over the Internet. As a result, most offshore betting sites have voluntarily withdrawn from the NJ market. If you wish to gamble with an offshore sportsbook, you will have to do so from outside New Jersey borders.
Other New Jersey Gambling Pages
NJ Domestic Online Sportsbooks
New Jersey recently elected to allow online sports betting through their Atlantic City casinos and state-wide racetracks. Draft Kings was the first NJ online sportsbook to launch in August 2018 under the Resorts Atlantic City license. Residents must be located within state lines to place a legal sports bet. By the end of 2018, all major Atlantic City casinos and the state's two biggest racetracks had sports betting services up and running, both on site and online.
DraftKings Mobile Launch
In August of 2018, DraftKings was the first online sportsbook to launch in New Jersey. The mobile platform is offered through the Resorts Atlantic City license and is available to anyone within state lines and of legal gambling age (21+). The mobile sports betting app provides betting lines for domestic and international sporting events.
The DraftKings mobile app offers many different bet types including props, futures, and alternative lines. In play betting or live betting options are plentiful and can be wagered on for a variety of different sporting events.
Land-Based NJ Sportsbooks
The first legal New Jersey sports bet was placed on June 14th, 2018, by NJ Governor Phil Murphy at Monmouth Park. Sports betting in New Jersey earned $3.5 million in revenue and produced over $16 million in wagers in its first legal month. Below is where you will find legal sports betting options in New Jersey at this time.
Atlantic City Casino Sportsbooks:
- Resorts Atlantic City - SBTech domestic and online sportsbook. Online sportsbooks include BetStars, and DraftKings.
- Borgata - Provides a sportsbook that is incorporated into their racebook. IGT, GVC, Stadium Tech
- Ocean Resort Casino - Provides a William Hill US sportsbook located on the casino floor.
- Hard Rock Atlantic City - Partnered with GIG sportsbook technologies.
- Golden Nugget - Partnered with Churchill Downs, no physical or online sportsbook available at this time.
- Ceasars, Ballys, & Harrah's - Each casino now has a domestic sportsbook, with all powered by Scientific Games.
- Tropicana - Partnered with William Hill sportsbook.
Racetrack Sportbooks:
- Monmouth Park (Oceanport, NJ) - Provides a William Hill sportsbook.
- Meadowland Racetrack (East Rutherford, NJ) - Domestic sportsbook provided by FanDuel, they have also partnered with BetFair US. Most popular online sportsbook in NJ.
- Freehold Raceway - Sportsbook TBA.
Sporting Teams In New Jersey
There are 4 professional sporting teams located in New Jersey, even though 3 of the 4 are technically from New York. The 4 professional teams cover 3 major sports and assist in providing a substantial revenue stream from neighboring states, especially New York.
- New York Giants - The New York Giants have been a part of the NFL since 1925. The Giants have spring training at the Meadowlands Sports Complex (East Rutherford, NJ.) and currently share a stadium with the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey (MetLife Stadium).
- New York Jets - The New York Jets have been a part of the NFL since 1959. They currently share a stadium with the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey (MetLife Stadium).
- New Jersey Devils - The New Jersey Devils are a NHL team and the only professional sporting franchise to include New Jersey in their name. They currently play in Newark, NJ, and have won several championships since the franchise moved to New Jersey in 1982.
- New York Red Bulls - The New York Red Bulls are a Major League Soccer (MLS) team based out of Harrison, New Jersey. They were founded in 1996 and have produced an average attendance of almost 20,000 spectators for the last few years.
NJ Sports Betting FAQs
What Types Of Sports Are Covered In Online Sports Betting Lines?
The great thing about online sportsbooks is that they cover sports on a global scale. Not only will you have access to lines for all the popular USA sports events, games, teams, leagues, players, and matches, but you will also be able to bet on a host of international teams, sports and events as well. You'll find lines on football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, boxing, motor sports, golf, tennis, cricket, darts, ruby, Olympic events, and much more. Both professional and college sports are included, and there is a wide range of wagering options to choose from.
Note that NJ sportsbooks cannot offer action on NJ-based collegiate teams or NCAA contests held inside state borders. In order to wager on such matchups, you will have to go outside of NJ borders and bet at a reputable, legal offshore sportsbook.
Can I Bet On Sports From My Mobile Phone Or Tablet?
Mobile sports betting has become extremely popular, especially with the emergence of live betting and live in play betting. These types of options allow you to place bets on a sports event while the game or match is taking place. You can manage your account, place bets, track scores and progress, all through your NJ mobile betting app. It is estimated that more people place bets online through mobile apps than they do via PC or laptop betting portals.
Are There Any Sportsbook Bonuses For NJ Residents?
There certainly are! In addition to welcome bonuses, there are also reload bonuses and special bonuses, contests, and promotions for seasonal events. A promotional bonus example would be free-plays for the annual March Madness tournament or extra deposit match limits for the Super Bowl.
How New Jersey's Efforts To Legalize State-Based Sports Betting Worked
Despite the fact that New Jersey has embraced legal state-sponsored online gambling for both the New Jersey online casino and NJ online poker platforms, they were unable to legalize state based sports betting until 2018.
If it wasn't for the former Governor Chris Christie, sports betting might still be outlawed under the PASPA law. Christie opted to legalize sports betting twice and got sued by the US sports leagues for doing so. NJ lost their appeal to the higher state court before the Supreme Court decided they would hear the case. When the SCOTUS announced that they would hear the PASPA case, many sports betting enthusiasts were shocked and considered the hearing a small victory in itself.
During the time that the SCOTUS was waiting to hear oral arguments about the PASPA case, many states started drafting legislation in case the decision went in favor of New Jersey. Months later, when the court's decision became public, many states started passing laws and enacting their legislation in what became a race to legalize domestic sportsbooks.
Are There Any Federal Laws That Affect New Jersey Online Sports Betting?
On the federal level, it has been determined by the Department of justice that the Federal Wire Act does apply to US-based online sports betting. Since PASPA is gone, the Federal Wire Act now prevents states from accepting bets from across state lines or from foreign countries.
The Federal Wire Act is likely the next US gambling law to be challenged in court. Now that states have domestic online sportsbooks, they are going to want to increase state revenue by offering their betting lines to as many people as possible. Only time will tell, but for now, the Federal Wire Act is preventing interstate sports betting commerce.
How Do I Find A Legitimate And Secure New Jersey Accepted Online Sports Betting Site?
We have developed an intense review process that we place all potentially viable web-based sportsbooks through before they are considered for inclusion in our guide. Relying on the input of professionals who are experienced in the evaluation of online gambling sites through a guide like ours ensures that bettors have access to helpful information that will allow them to make informed decisions regarding their choices for online sports betting participation.
Each sportsbook referenced in this guide is legally licensed, compliance certified and employs a state-of-the-art security profile. Each also provides some of the most competitive betting odds and lines in the business, and their bonus offers and promotions carry reasonable and attainable wagering requirements. Further, their customer support staff is knowledgeable and responsive. We are registered customers at each brand we recommend because we believe in putting our money where our mouth is. Remember, however, that the current NJ sports betting climate has scared most offshore operators off, and you need to be outside of NJ borders when using these books to place sports wagers.