New Jersey
The Garden State was no stranger to gambling prior to PASPA being overturned. After this change, NJ did not take long to build an impressive online and retail betting market, giving residents tons of well-known sportsbooks to choose from.
Legal and licensed apps:
All legal ways to bet on in New Jersey
| Is online sports betting legal in New Jersey? | Yes |
| Is in-person sports betting legal? | Yes |
| Is daily fantasy sports legal? | Yes |
| Is betting on college sports legal? | Legal (restricted) |
| Is horse racing betting legal? | Yes |
| Is greyhound betting legal? | No |
| Is political betting legal? | No |
| Is eSports betting legal? | Yes |
Residents of New Jersey who are of legal betting age have free reign to wager on professional sports. Betting on collegiate sports is also a legal option in NJ; however, residents cannot wager on in-state colleges or any college games that may be taking place in the state. Soon, there could be even more restrictions on betting on college sports, as the state is looking into legislation that would ban all wagering on collegiate player props.
Wagering on eSports can also be done within NJ, and residents can also use daily fantasy sports apps to participate in contests related to eSports or pro/collegiate sports. All DFS products have been legal in NJ since 2017, so much like online sportsbooks, there are plenty of options.
Horse racing is also a significant facet in the Garden State, so betting on it is 100% legal. Outside of sporting events, betting on entertainment events is legal, but betting on politics is not.
Online sports betting in The Garden State
Sports betting caught the attention of voters in New Jersey back in 2011. After a voter referendum that year, a sports betting law in NJ was passed in 2012, but unfortunately, that didn’t mean residents had free reign to start firing off wagers on pro sports. Instead, the subject of sports betting was at the forefront of lawsuits and appeals for the next five years until the Supreme Court decided to overturn PASPA in 2018.
Now that no one could legally challenge New Jersey’s sports betting law, Governor Phil Murphy signed an updated law later in 2018. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement was appointed to approve and hand out licenses.
When PASPA was overturned in 2018, New Jersey was able to launch retail betting in June of that year and mobile betting in August. Since the state already had a strong base of casinos and racetracks, it was easier for NJ to roll out mobile betting, as the law allowed those casinos and racetracks to partner with up to three online operators.
DraftKings was the first mobile sportsbook to enter NJ, but since then, plenty of big-name operators have followed, including BetMGM, BetRivers, Bet365, FanDuel, Fanatics, Unibet, and more.
The best way to describe the online sports betting scene in New Jersey is vast. As of 2024, 13 mobile sportsbooks are available for residents to download or access through their web platform. That is not the end of the market, either, as two more sportsbooks and three exchange-based sports betting apps are expected to launch within the year.
It is not surprising that so many mobile operators wanted to get in on the action in New Jersey, as the state has become one of the biggest sports betting states in the U.S.
All legal NJ sports betting apps in 2024 (from newest to oldest):
Sportsbook app | Launch date |
|---|---|
Fanatics Sportsbook | May 2024 |
Prime Sportsbook | April 2024 |
BetPARX | March 2024 |
ESPN Bet | November 2023 |
Hard Rock Bet | August 2023 |
BetRivers | August 2022 (rebrand) |
Bet365 | August 2019 |
Borgata Sports | May 2019 |
Golden Nugget | February 2019 |
FanDuel | September 2018 |
Caesars Sportsbook | September 2018 |
BetMGM | August 2018 |
DraftKings | August 2018 |
In addition, bettors can access a few other not-so-traditional wagering platforms in NJ, such as Mojo and Sporttrade, which are available here. However, these platforms are sports betting exchanges, which allow their customers to trade sports bets in a stock-like fashion.
Recently Closed Online Sportsbooks
Sportsbook | Detail |
|---|---|
Betway | Closed its online sportsbook US-wide on July 31, 2024, but Betway's online casino remains available in NJ and PA. |
Prophet Exchange | Closed its app on May 28, 2024. |
Superbook | Closed its online sportsbook in eight US states, including NJ, on July 19, 2024. |
Tipico | After being acquired by MGM Resorts International, Tipico exited the US betting market starting on June 26, 2024. |
Unibet | Exited NJ market on June 21, 2024. |
Sports betting & gambling legislation in NJ
While all the casinos in New Jersey are located in one area, residents do not need to be present in those casinos to create a mobile betting account. Remote registration is available to bettors, so as long as they are at least 21 years old, they can create an account on as many NJ sports betting apps as they please.
Bettors do not need to be residents of NJ to place a legal sports wager in the state; they just need to be located inside state lines. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement enforces all rules and regulations regarding sports betting in the Garden State.
Aside from the gambling age, one of the most critical things bettors need to know before placing a bet is the tax rate. In New Jersey, gambling winnings are considered taxable income and have a tax rate of 3%.
Since iGaming, horserace betting, and sports betting are all legal in NJ, there are not many more gambling-related topics for the state to discuss during upcoming legislative sessions. Updates to the law can always come about as the market shifts over time, but for right now, residents can expect the sports betting scene to remain the same.
| Are online casinos legal in New Jersey? | Yes |
| Are retail casinos legal? | Yes |
| Are social sportsbooks legal? | Yes |
| Are sweepstakes/social casinos legal? | Yes |
| Is online poker legal? | Yes |
| Is the lottery legal? | Yes |
| The launch date of sports betting in New Jersey? | August 2, 2018 (online) |
| How many legal sports betting apps are there in NJ? | 17 |
| How many legal retail betting sites are there in NJ? | 12 |
| Is remote registration allowed? | Yes |
| Legal age for sports betting in New Jersey? | 21+ |
| New Jersey's tax rate for betting/gambling winnings | 3% |
| Who regulates sports betting in New Jersey? | New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement |
Most recent updates from the NJ sports betting scene
October 15, 2024: Coming off a loss to Wisconsin, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will remain at home this weekend to host UCLA as (-4.5) point favorites.
October 9, 2024: In front of their home crowd, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will host Wisconsin as (-2.5) point favorites.
October 1, 2024: A gambler in Atlantic City turned $3.75 into $415,000 at a Wheel of Fortune slot machine in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
September 27, 2024: Rutgers will host the Washington Huskies on Friday night for a Big Ten conference game. The Scarlet Knights are (-1.5) point favorites.
September 24, 2024: The 2024-25 NHL season is ten days away. The New Jersey Devils will take on the Sabres in Prague to kick off the year. The Devils are (+1300) to win the Stanley Cup.
September 16, 2024: Bet365 Sportsbook has been fined by New Jersey regulators for the second time in the past two months. This violation stemmed from the sportsbook taking wagers from events that had been completed and then voiding them.
September 5, 2024: Fanatics Sportsbook has opened its newest retail sportsbook location in Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City.
September 3, 2024: New Jersey Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels ruled in favor of the Atlantic City casinos to continue to allow smoking inside.
August 6, 2024: The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement informed Bet365 Sportsbook that they owe over $500,000 to bettors due to violations made from Dec. 2020 to Nov. 2022. Bet365 was shifting odds on wagers and claiming "obvious errors," and the DGE did not approve these odds changes.
September 21, 2023: The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has fined PointsBet $25,000 for permitting unauthorized wagers on esports and college sports. PointsBet was also penalized for allowing bets on a football game when the outcome was already known.
In-person sports betting sites and locations
Atlantic City, aka Monopoly City, is home to all nine casinos in the state, and each offers retail sports betting. According to the state’s sports betting law, each casino can partner with up to three online operators, yet most have just one partner.
Some online operators that partner with these casinos include BetMGM, Bally Bet, Caesars, DraftKings, and more. Race tracks are also present throughout the state, and they have the ability to partner with three online skins as well.
Retail Sportsbook | Location |
|---|---|
Monmouth Park (Caesars) | 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport |
Harrah's Resort (Caesars) | 777 Harrah's Blvd, Atlantic City |
Tropicana Atlantic City (Caesars) | 2831 Boardwalk Tropicana, Atlantic City |
Caesars Atlantic City (Caesars) | 2100 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City |
Bally’s (FanDuel) | 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City |
The Meadowlands (Fanduel) | 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford |
Resorts Casino (DraftKings) | 1133 Boardwalk Atlantic City |
The Borgata (BetMGM) | 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City |
Hard Rock Casino | 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City |
Freehold Raceway (betPARX) | 130 Park Ave, Freehold |
Golden Nugget | 600 Huron Ave, Atlantic City |
Ocean Resort (Fanatics) | 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City |
Sports betting in neighboring states
New Jersey is part of a strong group of northeastern states that have legalized sports betting. The only state that has outdone NJ in terms of overall sports betting handle is New York, while Pennsylvania and Delaware certainly have strong betting markets as well.
By clicking on a state in the box below, New Jersey residents who need to cross state lines can find out what type of sports betting market they are walking into.
| State | Online sports betting | Retail sports betting | DFS | Horse Race betting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| New York | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Delaware | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Sports betting revenue impact on New Jersey's economy
The licensing process in New Jersey varies depending on whether or not it is a retail or online license. Retail licenses for casinos and racetracks have a fee of $100,000, while online operators have to pay a $400,000 license fee on top of a $250,000 responsible gambling fee.
Tax rates also vary depending on whether we are talking about retail or mobile. The retail tax rate is 8.5%, while the online tax rate is 13%. One stipulation is that racetracks have a tax rate of 14.25% for online wagers.
Between Atlantic City and the wide range of mobile apps the state offers, New Jersey is among the highest-earning states for sports betting handle and revenue. After posting $1.6 billion in handle in November 2023, not only did the Garden State make it onto the list of top ten handles in a month since legalized sports betting, but they also raised their yearly handle to $10.69 billion, which was the second highest in the U.S. in 2023.
New Jersey sports betting record months:
Sports betting handle: January 2024 ($1,719,170,088)
Revenue: January 2024 ($170,758,334)
Tax income: January 2024 ($22,211,910)
Latest NJ sports betting revenue report breakdown (September 2024)
Total betting handle: $1,089,701,413
Internet/mobile betting handle: $1,031,241,396
Retail betting handle: $58,460,017
Winnings Paid to Players: $970,145,079
Hold: 10.97%
Gross revenue: $119,556,334
Tax revenue for the state: $15,145,976
Online sports wagering tax (13%): $14,502,030
Retail sports wagering tax (8.5%): $643,946
Reported by The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Top 5 sportsbooks in the state in September 2024:
FanDuel: Revenue: $48.8m
DraftKings: Revenue: $36.6m
BetMGM: Revenue: $7.8m
Bet365: Revenue: $4.8m
Caesars: Revenue: $4.2m
Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)
Report | Total handle | Mobile handle | Gross revenue | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
September 2024 | $1,089,701,413 | $1,031,241,396 | $119,556,334 | $15,145,976 |
September 2023 | $1,299,016,274 | $1,255,482,930 | $111,145,385 | $14,260,414 |
YoY change | Down 16.11% | Down 17.86% | Up 7.57% | Up 6.21% |
NJ sports betting revenue in 2024
The New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement reports the state's sports betting handle, revenue, and tax incomes on a monthly basis, and we have gathered the data from the 2024 year conveniently in the table below. The percentage in brackets represents how the handle and revenue have evolved compared to the month prior.
Month | Handle (MoM) | Revenue (MoM) | Tax income |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 2024 | $1,089,701,413 (55.93%) | $119,556,334 (90.60%) | $15,145,976 |
Aug. 2024 | $698,839,707 (7,14%) | $62,726,443 (-21,62%) | $8,024,238 |
Jul. 2024 | $652,275,524 (-12.85%) | $80,027,220 (33.23%) | $10,265,418 |
Jun. 2024 | $748,417,965 (-10.79%) | $60,066,927 (-23.73%) | $7,997,572 |
May 2024 | $838,946,057 (-19.66%) | $78,750,983 (-25.87%) | $10,372,672 |
Apr. 2024 | $1,044,283,588 (-21.42%) | $106,227,937 (18.44%) | $13,772,067 |
Mar. 2024 | $1,329,010,828 (22.92%) | $89,687,971 (32.74%) | $11,015,159 |
Feb. 2024 | $1,081,171,835 (-37.11%) | $67,564,386 (-60.43%) | $9,118,306 |
Jan. 2024 | $1,719,170,088 (33.83%) | $170,758,334 (56.05%) | $22,211,910 |
2024 Total YTD | $9,201,817,005 | $835,366,535 | $107,923,318 |
Yearly revenue data
Year | Handle (YoY) | Revenue (YoY) | Tax income |
|---|---|---|---|
2024 YTD | $9,201,817,005 | $835,366,535 | $107,923,318 |
2023 | $11,972,321,473 (9.39%) | $1,006,591,602 (31.93%) | $128,885,414 (31.68%) |
2022 | $10,944,593,977 (0.08%) | $762,954,971 (-6.50%) | $97,880,392 (-4.10%) |
2021 | $10,935,903,540 (81.75%) | $816,030,518 (104.77%) | $102,064,002 (104.03%) |
2020 | $6,016,967,699 (31.29%) | $398,512,283 (33.14%) | $50,025,117 (37.30%) |
2019 | $4,582,898,150 (267.42%) | $299,323,097 (217.83%) | $36,435,407 (249.83%) |
2018 | $1,247,307,720 | $94,177,996 | $10,415,225 |
TOTALS | $53,812,108,151 | $4,093,400,668 | $518,482,899 |
New Jersey - Some commonly asked questions (FAQ):
What is the legal status of sports betting in New Jersey?
Sports betting is 100% legal in New Jersey, and it has been so since June 2018. Aside from retail and mobile betting options, residents in the state also have the option to legally bet on horse racing in person or through a racebook.
How much money has NJ gained from legalizing sports betting?
New Jersey is actually the most profitable state in the country when it comes to sports betting, as the Garden State has made over $3.6 billion since June 2018.
What is the largest sports stadium in New Jersey?
MetLife Stadium, which is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is the largest sports venue in NJ. Despite being located in NJ, the stadium is the home of the New York Giants and Jets.
When was the last time a team from the Garden State won a championship?
The New Jersey Devils are actually the lone pro sports team in NJ, and they last won a Stanley Cup in 2003.
