NJ Online Sports Betting: Which App Is Best?

NJ Online Sports Betting is several years into its legal sports gambling existence, with more than 16 online sportsbooks accepting bets in New Jersey.

How do you sort through the morass? Which NJ betting sports betting app is best? Which offers the best signup bonus? We got you covered.

Here are our updated NJ online sports betting rankings and promos as of October, 2023, with bet365 NJ Sportsbook’s tremendous Bet $1, Get $200 Guaranteed Bonus (win or lose) leading the charge:

NJ Sports Betting Sites

New Jersey currently has 16 sports betting sites or apps approved by the DGE to accept bets, which means plenty of options for bettors.

Better yet, online sportsbooks in New Jersey are among the most aggressive in terms of signup bonuses, due to both the amount of competition and favorable tax rates for operators. But that’s only a small part of what makes each unique.

Here is our overall ranking of the top NJ betting sites:

• DraftKings Sportsbook– Bet $5, Get $200 Bonus
• Caesars Sportsbook– Bet $20, Get $250 Bonus
• FanDuel Sportsbook– Bet $5, Get $200 Bonus
• FOX Bet– $50 bonus bet
• Unibet– $250 bonus bet
• BetMGM– $1,000 bet insurance
• BetRivers– $500 in second-chance bets
• 888sport– $500 bonus bet
• Prophet Exchange– $250 deposit match
• BetAmerica
• theScore
• Borgata Online
• Golden Nugget
• Hard Rock Online
• Resorts
• Caesars
• bet365

Best NJ Sportsbooks

While our overall ranking considers a range of factors, the fact is sportsbooks have different strengths and weaknesses. So we choose the best NJ sports betting app in a range of categories.

Best Overall: DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook review

DraftKings Sportsbook is another pick for one of the best all-around NJ sportsbooks. It does everything well and a few things great.

They offer some of, if not the most, action among all legal sports betting sites in NJ. The back-end infrastructure is top-notch. Their signup bonus is better than big-name competitors, and they offer a rotation on ongoing odds boosts.

What’s more, DraftKings Casino is contained in the sportsbook app. It includes the best available live Blackjack experience in New Jersey.  I personally think the interface can be simplified a bit, but that’s a nitpick. DraftKings is very good.

DraftKings Sportsbook

States: AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

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Runner-Up: FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Sportsbook review

FanDuel’s interface is awesome, and the best of the bunch so far, making it the best NJ sportsbook.

It just looks good. One of the best things it has going for it is its live data visualization built right into the in-play bet areas. This is one of the things we wish DraftKings would implement.

FanDuel might not offer betting on as many sports as its counterparts, yet, as its focus is on the more traditional American sports. For most online sports bettors, this is a nonissue—unless you want to get really exotic.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Must 21+ and present in participating state. Gambling problem? Call 1 - 800 - GAMBLER.

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Another Top Option: Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Entertainment is one of the most popular gaming brands, and now, after the company’s blockbuster purchase of William Hill, it’s one of the biggest sportsbook players in the country.

Crossing Broad touts the Caesars Mobile Sportsbook App as the best in the business. New online sports bettors can take advantage of Up to $1,250 on Caesars today:

Caesars Sportsbook

States: NEW JERSEY

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Best Deposit Options: BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers review

BetRivers Sportsbook (formerly SugarHouse in New Jersey) is not the household name that DraftKings and FanDuel is, but they have been out ahead of the curve with legal sports betting by offering industry-leading deposit options.

Right now, you can get money into your BetRivers app account in New Jersey with: online banking, credit or debit card, BetRivers Play+ card, Pay With Cash at 7-11, PayPal, Cash at Cage, and wire transfer.

BetRivers basically defined the market for providing customers the most ways to get money into their accounts. Their $500 second-chance bets, while not the largest, is the best among NJ sportsbooks because it requires only a 1x play-through before it is eligible to withdraw. DraftKings, on the other hand, is 25x.

BetRivers.Sportsbook

New Jersey

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PROMO CODE:

SPORTS

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Best Casino-Based Sportsbook: BetMGM

Casino-branded sportsbooks have struggled in New Jersey.

In the year since its launch, it’s become clear that mobile-first players like DraftKings and PointsBet have a significant advantage over less-well-developed casino brands. HOWEVER, BetMGM is the best of that bunch. What we like most is their unique signup bonuses– they offer 100-1 odds boosts on select events for new players. This is a fun way to get new people signed and the type of promo we’ve seen is popular with new bettors.

BetMGM Sportsbook

STATES: OH, MA, MD, LA, AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, NJ, PA, TN, WV, VA

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Other NJ Online Favorites

Bet365 NJ Sportsbook

Although only available in a handful of states so far, New Jersey is one of the lucky locations where bet365 Sportsbook is live and accepting wagers. New bettors in the Garden State can take up the ultra-impressive bet365 NJ bonus code to bet $1 and get $365 in bonus bets.

Prophet Exchange

Little-known Prophet Exchange seeks to change that idea in New Jersey. Interested New Jersey online sports bettors can use Prophet Exchange to capitalize upon a tremendous $250 deposit match today:

Prophet Exchange

States: NJ

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NJ online sports betting launch dates and partnerships

NJ sports betting sites have to partner with licensed operators in New Jersey. Here is a list of partnerships and launch dates for sportsbook skins and their casino partners:

Deposit methods

This is something that often doesn’t get much attention from potential bettors, but the ease at which you can deposit and withdraw from betting apps is a major factor in the overall user experience.

NJ online sports betting sites offer the following deposit options (options vary by sportsbook):

• credit and debit card
• online banking
• PayPal
• echeck
• wire transfer
• Play+ card
• Neteller
• Skrill
• Cash @ Cage
• PayNearMe at 7-11

While customers had issues early on with banks and credit card companies declining gambling transactions, these problems have mostly been solved.

Odds and pricing

A lot has been made about how the legal sportsbooks have inferior odds or are “more expensive.” In some cases, this has been true in the early going, but the lines are on par with Las Vegas.

To be clear, legal sportsbooks have to pay taxes and, thus, may not always compete with offshore books on prices. We’ve explained this tradeoff at length on our page of sports betting sites, but the gist is that you pay for a superior experience and the relative safety of betting with a regulated casino.

But negative publicity about expensive odds, particularly when it comes to DraftKings and FanDuel, has been overblown.

Though they have different odds, they are on par with what you’ve come to expect.

In fact, the casino apps, in several cases, are offering much more expensive bets. The upside is that sites like DraftKings, FanDuel and SugarHouse offer a wide range of betting options, making it possible to find a sweet spot.

NJ sports betting casinos

New Jersey online sports betting is ready to go. But in-person sports betting is still a big deal. Here are the casinos that currently feature a sportsbook:

Monmouth Park

175 Oceanport Ave.

Oceanport, NJ 07757

Monmouth Park was the first NJ sportsbook to open. They are partnered with Caesars and offer bets on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, boxing, MMA, and auto racing. Types of bets include straight bets, parlays, futures, propositions, teasers, and round-robin bets.

The betting guide for Monmouth Park in NJ can be found here.

Hours of operation:

Monday-Thursday: 10am to 1am
Friday: 10am to 2am
Saturday: 7:30am to 2am
Sunday: 7:30am to 1am

The Borgata

1 Borgata Way, Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The Borgata was the second sportsbook to open in NJ. They are backed by MGM Resorts and take bets on football, basketball, hockey, baseball, NASCAR, boxing, MMA, soccer, golf and tennis.

The sportsbook, officially called the Race and Sports Book, is located in the space formerly known as the Racebook. It features 100 seats, 10 betting windows, a video wall with a large screen, and a bar.

Hours of operation:

Windows open daily at 11 am.

Ocean Resort

500 Boardwalk

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The Ocean Resort’s sportsbook is also powered by Caesars. It will feature a 7,500-square-foot facility in the center of the casino, but for now, is in a temporary space. The new area is scheduled to open in late July or August.

The sportsbook will feature large screens, widows to place bets, and three private rooms, catering to both families and big-spenders alike.

Hours of operation:

There are now posted hours for the Ocean Resort’s sportsbook.

Meadowlands

1 Racetrack Drive

East Rutherford, NJ 07073

The Meadowlands’ sportsbook is powered by FanDuel.

Harrah’s

777 Harrah’s Blvd.

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Harrah’s opened to a low-key launch with a bet on the Yankees.

Wild Wild West

1900 Boardwalk

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The first Bally’s sportsbook features 30 chairs situated in front of three large screens and five smaller screens.

Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave.

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Golden Nugget’s sportsbook opened in a temporary location until the casino can build a permanent spot for it.

Resorts

1133 Boardwalk

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

SBTech backs Resorts’ sportsbook, and the casino also serves as the license partner for DraftKings Sportsbook and BetStars. The casino will also offer its own sports betting app.

Caesars

2100 Pacific Ave.

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

There are no details, but Caesars Sportsbook is said to be opening in mid-August.

NJ online sports betting updates

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Where and how to bet on sports in New Jersey

You can bet on sports in-person and online in New Jersey.

Here are the specifics for NJ online sports betting:

You must be located within the state when you bet. In fact, thus far, you can’t even open apps or deposit funds if you’re not in New Jersey when you try to do so. All sites and apps use geolocation services to determine your exact location with GPS (don’t both with a VPN because it won’t work).

You don’t have to live in New Jersey to bet, however. You just have to be there when doing so. If you work there or are at the Shore on vacation, you can access online betting apps just like you would if you were at a casino.

This goes for depositing and withdrawing funds, as well. So if you win a bet you placed while in New Jersey and want to withdraw those funds from a different state, you’ll have to go back to NJ to access the app and withdraw to your bank account. It’s not ideal, and regulators are working on ways to allow betting across state lines, especially where online sports betting is legal, but this is not something that is in place yet.

Racetracks and casinos

Bettors looking to get in on the action right away should head to the closest casinos and racetracks. They’ll get a head start, as state regulators can give any casino or track that wants to host wagering an immediate temporary license to do so after the law is signed. This allows the large gambling houses to start taking action right away while the commission adopts more comprehensive regulations down the line.

Monmouth Park in Oceanside was the first location to accept bets. It bet big that sports wagering would eventually be legalized and invested $1.5 million into converting one of its bars into a sportsbook. Atlantic City’s Borgata also began taking bets on the first day it was allowed. Other tracks and casinos, including the Meadowlands, Ocean Resorts, Harrah’s and Wild Wild West soon followed.

Kiosks and self-serve machines

Bettors may not have to visit a window and speak to a live person to make a bet; the law permits the use of self-service machines and kiosks to take bets within an individual sportsbook.

Online sports betting

NJ online and mobile sports betting is live. The law permits casinos and tracks to provide websites and apps to host their sportsbooks. This makes sense. As you might have heard, mobile slot play and table games have been legal in New Jersey for several years. You will not, however, be able to use a New Jersey-sponsored app to bet unless you are physically within the state when the bet happens, though regulators are considering ways to allow wagers across state lines.

This provision was needed because of a federal law forbidding online gambling across state lines (the same one that still forbids online poker throughout the U.S.).

Some games and events are off-limits

Betting on any college or high school game or event taking place within New Jersey is prohibited. So is betting on any game involving a college team located within New Jersey—so Rutgers fans (and foes), take your money elsewhere. First thought to be a no-go, esports betting will be allowed in New Jersey, provided participants are at least 18. This came after updated regulation language was issued.

But most bets will be fine. Any professional game can be bet on. Any collegiate game not within New Jersey can take action. The legislation does not specify, but line, moneyline, parlay, over/under, and prop bets will most likely be posted. Check the board for a complete list of bets that the book will take. This site has put together a comprehensive sports betting guide which includes a guide on how to bet on sports along with advanced strategies like teaser bets.

Winning bets must be collected within one year

If any winning bet is not cashed within one year, the casino or track and the state get to split your winnings. The law is silent on the way to cash a winning ticket, but it does give each sportsbook the power to create its own house rules. Check your ticket and the book for information concerning cashing winning bets.

Be prepared to disclose personal information

The law requires any sportsbook to have procedures to take “personally identifiable information” from any person making a bet of $10,000 or greater. This is in line with federal money laundering and banking statutes governing the transfers of large amounts of money. The casinos and state need to make sure big bets aren’t fraudulent.

Don’t set up a sportsbook without a license

Only “sports wagering licensees” are entitled to do so. The only entities really permitted to be “sports wagering licensees” under the law are casinos and tracks. Persons without a license who try to set up a sportsbook in New Jersey could be fined up to $25,000, and companies or partnerships who do it are looking at a fine of up to $100,000. Not to mention: they could be breaking federal law as well.

FAQ

This FAQ was put together by Mike Lyon. He is an attorney in Montgomery County, PA specializing in litigation and gaming law. He tracks all developments in sports gambling in the United States, with a particular interest in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The information provided in this post is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. You should not act or rely upon the information contained in this post without specifically seeking professional legal advice.

The future of legal online sports betting

The casino industry came together at the East Coast Gaming Congress to discuss the future of NJ online sports betting. Here are some of the takeaways.

Mobile sports betting

This is, unquestionably, the growth area for NJ online sports betting. Mobile sports betting makes up roughly 70% of the market in Europe. Live sports betting and prop bets dominate online sports betting and are popular in the US through offshore sites, which offer a variety of options.

For the legal market to compete it will have to offer a more compelling product than is available through those offshore sites. It can benefit by offering quicker and easier payouts, better technology, and the confidence in knowing that bets are safe with regulated, licensed casinos.

League partnerships

Much has been made about sports leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB requesting a 1% integrity fee from the gambling industry. But that effort has been met largely with skepticism. However, casinos and sports leagues can partner in other ways. One is for operators to license data from the leagues for prop bets. This will enable sportsbooks to offer unique in-play wagers with accurate measurements. Already, MGM has partnered with the NBA, and undoubtedly there are more such deals coming.

Deposits and withdraws

Another benefit of legal sports betting is that casinos can partner directly with credit card companies to offer fast deposits and withdrawals. This is important for the mobile market, where user experience is key. Offshore sportsbooks have a less-than-stellar reputation when it comes to withdrawing money. Early critiques of NJ online sports betting have been that, in some cases, making deposits with sportsbooks has been a less-than-stellar experience.

Sponsorships

As sports betting becomes legal in more states, expect to see large-scale corporate sponsorships between casinos and leagues, teams and broadcasters.

Fan experience

With viewer attention spans decreasing, sports betting will offer a unique way to engage fans while they watch. It will also improve the market for uninteresting games as they will for some carry the same weight as premier matchups.

Fans can expect to see odds, spreads and prop bets included in coverage, and sportsbooks sponsoring their favorite teams. The sports fan experience in New Jersey will change thanks to sports betting.

New Jersey sports betting history

The path to legal sports betting in New Jersey was paved on May 14, 2018, when a Supreme Court ruling overturned a 1992 decision that effectively made sports gambling illegal in the US everywhere except Nevada, which was grandfathered in.

Officially Christie v. National Collegiate Athletic Associate, the case pit the state of New Jersey against the NCAA and the four major sports leagues in a battle over whether states had the right to legalize sports betting. Put simply, New Jersey was for it and the leagues were against it.

In 2014, New Jersey repealed a law that prevented sports gambling, but it was immediately challenged citing a 1992 federal law that prohibited state-sanctioned sports betting. The law didn’t itself ban betting on sports, but it directed states not to permit it. That’s the crux of the argument the Supreme Court heard– whether the federal government directing states not to do something was the same as the government doing it themselves.

New Jersey challenged that this was a federal overreach, and won.

The NCAA and other major sports leagues technically opposed New Jersey’s move (though the NBA has since come out in favor of legalized betting and most other leagues are also probably in favor of it) on the grounds that the law didn’t instruct states to do anything, with their stance rooted in the sanctity of sports, match-fixing, social ills and other relatively abstract reasons that aren’t fully grounded in reality.

The court ruling in favor of New Jersey paved the way for states to legalize sports gambling.

Shortly after the ruling, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a bill legalizing sports betting in New Jersey. With NJ online sports betting, New Jersey is the first state following the Supreme Court’s ruling to allow both casino-based and online sports betting.

Other live betting states

Not in New Jersey? No problem! There are several other states that offer legal online sports betting, such as these:

• Arizona Online Sports Betting
• Maryland Online Sports Betting
• Ohio Online Sports Betting
• Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting

*If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

21+. NJ only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.