New Jersey Sports Betting

New Jersey — April 2026 Update

1. **Horseshoe Casino** launched November 20, 2024, as the newest NJ online casino under Caesars, offering 1,400+ slots, live dealers, and PayPal payouts in 24-48 hours. 2. **BetMGM NJ Casino** provides a 100% deposit match bonus up to **$2,500 + 100 spins** (promo code ROTO2500), with 2,600+ games and $10 minimum deposit. 3. **Caesars Palace NJ Online Casino** offers up to **$1,010 bonus + 2,500 Reward Credits**, launched in 2013 under NJ DGE permit NJIGP 23-007. 4. **Hard Rock Bet NJ Casino** gives deposit $10 for **500 bonus spins on Cash Eruption + up to $1,000 lossback**, with 2,500+ games and 65+ live dealers (permit NJIGP 23-010). 5. NJ has **30 online casinos** licensed by the Division of Gaming Enforcement as of April 2026, including BetMGM, Caesars Palace, Fanatics, and PlayStar. 6. **Responsible Gaming Coalition** added Fanatics Betting and Gaming, Hard Rock Digital, and PointsBet in early 2026, totaling nine members with Bally’s, BetMGM, and others. 7. **VGW sweepstakes brands** (Chumba Casino, LuckyLand) exited NJ in 2026 amid regulatory scrutiny, alongside prediction wagering platforms. 8. **Mary Jo Flaherty** leads the Division of Gaming Enforcement under Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, with an April 8, 2026, update from the NJ Office of the Attorney General.

Key Topics

• NJ.gov
• Your gateway to New Jersey government programs and services.
• New Jersey Features
• New Jersey Features
• Popular

April 2026 Update: This page has been reviewed and updated with the latest information available.

New Jersey occupies a singular position in American sports betting history. The Garden State did not simply join the wave of legalization that swept the country after 2018 — it created that wave. For nearly a decade before the first legal wager was placed at Monmouth Park racetrack on June 14, 2018, New Jersey fought a lonely and expensive legal battle against the NCAA, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, all the way to the United States Supreme Court. That case, Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, resulted in the landmark May 2018 ruling that struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, declaring it an unconstitutional violation of the Tenth Amendment. Every legal sportsbook operating in America today — from DraftKings in Massachusetts to BetMGM in Arizona — exists because New Jersey refused to stop fighting. Understanding that history is essential context for anyone considering where and how to bet in the state, because it explains why New Jersey has built one of the most mature, competitive, and bettor-friendly markets in the country.

The numbers tell a story of extraordinary scale. Since launch, New Jersey sportsbooks have processed more than $70 billion in cumulative handle, according to data compiled from the Division of Gaming Enforcement. The 2024 calendar year set a state record with approximately $12.8 billion in total wagers and roughly $1.1 billion in gross gaming revenue. The 2025 calendar year came in at $12.2 billion in handle and $1.18 billion in revenue — a slight dip in total wagers but a 7.5% increase in operator revenue, suggesting that bettors are wagering on higher-margin products like parlays and same-game parlays at increasing rates. Monthly handle has consistently exceeded $1 billion in recent months, with January 2026 generating $1.08 billion in wagers and $114.2 million in gross revenue. These are not abstract figures. They represent a thriving ecosystem of 14 licensed online sportsbooks, multiple retail betting locations across Atlantic City and the state’s two racetracks, and a regulatory framework that has become a model for other jurisdictions. For bettors, the practical implication is competition — and competition means better odds, more generous promotions, and a wider range of bonus offers than you will find in almost any other state.

The Legal Foundation: From PASPA to Present Day

The story begins in 2011, when New Jersey voters approved a referendum to amend the state constitution and allow sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos and the state’s racetracks. Governor Chris Christie signed the Sports Wagering Act into law in January 2012, but the four major professional sports leagues and the NCAA immediately sued, arguing that PASPA prohibited the state from authorizing sports betting. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the leagues, but New Jersey did not relent. The state passed a revised law in 2014 that took a different legal approach — rather than affirmatively authorizing sports betting, it simply repealed the state’s existing prohibitions on the activity at casinos and racetracks. The theory was that PASPA prevented states from “authorizing” sports betting but could not compel them to prohibit it. The leagues sued again, and the case wound its way back through the courts until the Supreme Court agreed to hear it in June 2017.

On May 14, 2018, Justice Samuel Alito delivered the opinion of a 7-2 majority, holding that PASPA violated the anti-commandeering doctrine of the Tenth Amendment by effectively forcing states to maintain laws prohibiting sports betting. The ruling did not legalize sports betting nationwide — it simply cleared the way for individual states to make their own decisions. New Jersey moved with remarkable speed. Governor Phil Murphy signed the enabling legislation, Assembly Bill A4111, on June 11, 2018, and the first legal wager was placed at Monmouth Park three days later on June 14. Online and mobile sports betting launched the following month in August 2018, with DraftKings and FanDuel among the first operators to go live through their partnerships with Atlantic City casino licensees. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), an arm of the state Attorney General’s office that had regulated Atlantic City casinos since 1977, assumed regulatory oversight of all sports wagering activities in the state.

That regulatory structure — requiring online sportsbooks to partner with existing Atlantic City casino or racetrack licensees — has shaped the competitive landscape in important ways. It ensured that established gaming companies with deep compliance expertise would anchor the market, while allowing technology-forward operators like DraftKings and FanDuel to bring their mobile platforms to New Jersey bettors through partnership agreements. The result has been a market that combines robust consumer protection with genuine innovation. The DGE maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework that includes mandatory geolocation verification, responsible gambling tools, and regular audits of all licensed operators. For bettors, this translates into a level of security and fairness that offshore or unregulated sportsbooks simply cannot match.

All 14 Licensed Online Sportsbooks in New Jersey

New Jersey offers more licensed online sportsbook options than nearly any other state in the country. As of March 2026, 14 mobile sportsbook apps hold active licenses from the DGE. Each online operator must be tethered to an Atlantic City casino or New Jersey racetrack license, which is why you will sometimes see casino branding alongside the sportsbook name. This tethering requirement creates an interesting market dynamic — some casino partners power multiple skins (separate sportsbook brands operating under the same license), which is why the number of online sportsbooks exceeds the number of underlying casino licenses. The following table summarizes every licensed online sportsbook operating in New Jersey, along with current welcome offers and casino partners.

Sportsbook	Casino/Racetrack Partner	Welcome Bonus	Key Strength
FanDuel	Meadowlands Racetrack	Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets	Best odds on NFL/NBA spreads
DraftKings	Resorts Casino Hotel	Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets	Deepest prop market selection
BetMGM	Borgata Hotel Casino	Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets	Largest first-bet offer
Caesars Sportsbook	Caesars Atlantic City	Up to $1,000 First Bet	Best loyalty rewards program
Bet365	Hard Rock Hotel & Casino AC	Bet $1, Get $200 in Bonus Bets	Best live in-play betting
ESPN BET	Borgata Hotel Casino	Up to $1,000 First Bet Reset	ESPN media integration
Fanatics Sportsbook	Meadowlands Racetrack	Get Up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets	FanCash loyalty currency
BetRivers	Monmouth Park Racetrack	100% Deposit Match up to $500	Best deposit match bonus
Hard Rock Bet	Hard Rock Hotel & Casino AC	No Sweat Bet up to $100	Sleek mobile app experience
Borgata Sportsbook	Borgata Hotel Casino	Up to $1,000 First Bet	Tied to BetMGM platform
Golden Nugget Sportsbook	Golden Nugget Atlantic City	100% Deposit Match up to $100	Strong casino crossover promos
betPARX	Freehold Raceway	$100 Bonus Bet	PA-based operator expanding NJ
Bally Bet	Bally’s Atlantic City	Second Chance Bet up to $100	Growing retail presence
Prime Sports	Resorts Casino Hotel	Varies by promotion	Newer entrant, competitive lines

The sheer number of operators creates a marketplace that genuinely benefits bettors. With 14 apps available, line shopping — the practice of comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks before placing a wager — becomes exceptionally effective. On a typical NFL Sunday, the spread on a given game might be -3 (-110) at DraftKings but -3 (-105) at BetRivers, a difference that compounds meaningfully over a full season of wagering. Our recommendation for serious bettors in New Jersey is to maintain active accounts with at least four or five operators. FanDuel and Bet365 consistently offer the sharpest odds on major markets, DraftKings provides the deepest prop selection, BetMGM delivers the most valuable welcome bonus, and BetRivers’ deposit match structure offers genuine bankroll amplification. For a deeper comparison of every operator, see our comprehensive sportsbook reviews.

Handle, Revenue, and Market Growth Since 2018

New Jersey’s sports betting market has grown from a nascent experiment into a multi-billion-dollar industry in less than eight years. The trajectory of that growth reveals important patterns about market maturation, seasonal dynamics, and the competitive pressures that shape the bettor experience. In the partial year of 2018, from June through December, New Jersey sportsbooks processed roughly $1.2 billion in total handle — an impressive figure for a market that was still finding its footing. The 2019 calendar year saw handle jump to approximately $4.6 billion as mobile betting gained mainstream adoption and national awareness of legal sports wagering increased. The COVID-19 pandemic created a temporary disruption in 2020 when major sports leagues suspended operations, but the market rebounded sharply in the second half of that year and into 2021, driven by pent-up demand and the accelerating shift toward mobile wagering.

The real inflection point came in 2022, when annual handle surpassed $10.9 billion for the first time, accompanied by $763 million in gross gaming revenue. That figure climbed to nearly $12 billion in 2023, with revenue crossing the $1 billion threshold at $1.01 billion — a 31.9% year-over-year increase. The 2024 calendar year pushed handle to a record $12.8 billion, though growth rates had clearly moderated from the explosive early years, reflecting a market that was approaching saturation in terms of bettor acquisition. The 2025 figures showed the first year-over-year decline in handle, with $12.2 billion in total wagers representing a 4.2% decrease — but critically, revenue actually increased to $1.18 billion, a 7.5% gain. That divergence between declining handle and rising revenue points to a structural shift in how New Jersey bettors are wagering: fewer total dollars bet, but a higher proportion flowing to parlay and same-game parlay products that carry significantly higher margins for operators.

Year	Total Handle	Gross Revenue	YoY Handle Change
2018 (partial)	~$1.2 billion	~$94 million	Launch year
2019	~$4.6 billion	~$300 million	+283%
2020	~$6.0 billion	~$393 million	+30%
2021	~$10.2 billion	~$594 million	+70%
2022	$10.9 billion	$763 million	+7%
2023	~$12.0 billion	$1.01 billion	+10%
2024	$12.8 billion	~$1.1 billion	+7%
2025	$12.2 billion	$1.18 billion	-4.2%

The monthly cadence of New Jersey sports betting follows predictable seasonal patterns that every bettor should understand. September through February represents the peak season, driven by the NFL regular season, college football, the NBA, and the NFL playoffs culminating in the Super Bowl. During this window, monthly handle routinely exceeds $1 billion, with November and December historically posting the highest figures — November 2023 hit $1.62 billion, the highest single month in state history at that point. March sees a boost from the NCAA Tournament, while the summer months of June and July consistently represent the annual low point, with handle typically falling to $600-700 million as the sports calendar thins to baseball and soccer. Understanding these cycles matters for bettors because promotional activity closely tracks the sports calendar. Sportsbooks deploy their most aggressive welcome offers and retention promotions during NFL season, making September through January the optimal time to open new accounts and take advantage of sign-up bonuses.

The 2025 Tax Rate Increase and What It Means for Bettors

The most significant regulatory development in New Jersey sports betting since launch occurred on June 30, 2025, when Governor Phil Murphy signed the FY2026 budget that included a substantial increase in the tax rate on online sports betting revenue. Under the original 2018 framework, online sports wagering gross revenue was taxed at 13%, while retail sportsbook revenue was taxed at 8.5%. Effective July 1, 2025, the online rate jumped to 19.75% — a 52% increase. The retail rate for casinos and racetracks received a corresponding adjustment to 9.75%. Casino licensees also continue to pay an additional 1.25% surcharge earmarked for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), bringing the effective online rate for casino-partnered sportsbooks to 21%.

The tax increase, codified through Assembly Bill A5803 and passed by votes of 45-33 in the Assembly and 25-14 in the Senate, was negotiated down from Governor Murphy’s initial proposal of 25%. Industry advocates argued that a higher rate would erode operator margins and ultimately harm bettors through less competitive odds and reduced promotional spending. Based on the twelve months of results preceding the increase, FanDuel faced an estimated additional $29 million in tax obligations and DraftKings an estimated $20 million — figures that operators must absorb through some combination of reduced marketing spend, tighter odds, and operational efficiencies. The combined additional tax revenue across all operators was projected at approximately $172 million annually.

For New Jersey bettors, the practical question is whether the tax increase has tangibly affected the betting experience. The early evidence, now roughly nine months into the new rate structure, suggests the impact has been modest but real. Promotional budgets have tightened somewhat — the frequency of odds boosts and profit boost tokens has declined on some platforms — but the core competitive dynamics remain intact because New Jersey’s 19.75% rate is still dramatically lower than the 51% rate in neighboring New York. Operators have strong incentives to maintain competitive offerings in New Jersey precisely because the state serves as a more profitable market per dollar of revenue. The lesson for bettors is to monitor promotional calendars more carefully and line shop more diligently, because the marginal dollars that operators previously spent on generous promos are now flowing to state coffers instead.

Retail Sportsbooks: Atlantic City and the Racetracks

While mobile and online wagering accounts for approximately 90-95% of all sports betting handle in New Jersey, the state’s retail sportsbook landscape remains robust and offers a meaningfully different experience for bettors who prefer in-person wagering. Retail sportsbooks operate at all nine Atlantic City casinos and at the state’s two major racetracks — the Meadowlands in East Rutherford and Monmouth Park in Oceanport. Each location offers a dedicated sportsbook lounge with large-screen televisions, live odds boards, and betting windows or kiosks where wagers can be placed. Some, like the Borgata and Hard Rock sportsbooks in Atlantic City, have invested significantly in creating premium viewing environments with private seating areas, food and beverage service, and VIP sections for high-volume bettors.

The retail experience at the Meadowlands deserves particular mention because of its partnership with FanDuel. The FanDuel Sportsbook at the Meadowlands has become one of the highest-grossing retail sportsbook locations in the country, benefiting from its proximity to New York City and the massive population base of the northern New Jersey metropolitan area. On major event days — NFL playoff weekends, the Kentucky Derby, March Madness — the Meadowlands draws thousands of bettors who could easily wager from their phones but choose the communal experience instead. Monmouth Park, the racetrack in Oceanport where the very first legal post-PASPA sports wager was placed, maintains its own sportsbook operation and carries symbolic importance as the birthplace of modern legal sports betting in America.

The Atlantic City casino sportsbooks operate under the lower retail tax rate of 9.75% (plus the 1.25% CRDA surcharge for casino licensees), compared to 19.75% for online wagering. This tax differential occasionally manifests in slightly better odds or promotions at retail locations, though the difference is typically marginal. The primary advantage of retail betting in New Jersey is the ability to wager with cash — no digital trail, no bank account linkage, and immediate access to winnings through cashier windows. For bettors who value privacy or prefer to manage a separate physical bankroll, Atlantic City sportsbooks provide a legitimate and well-regulated option. You must be at least 21 years of age and physically present within the casino or racetrack to place a retail wager.

College Sports Betting Rules in New Jersey

New Jersey imposes specific restrictions on college sports betting that every bettor in the state needs to understand. The DGE prohibits wagering on any collegiate sporting event that takes place within the state of New Jersey, regardless of which teams are involved. Additionally, you cannot bet on any game involving a New Jersey-based college or university team, no matter where that game is being played. The one exception involves multi-round tournament events: if a New Jersey school is participating in a tournament where other rounds are played out of state (such as the NCAA Tournament), bettors may wager on the tournament games that occur outside New Jersey borders.

These restrictions were part of the original enabling legislation and reflect a policy decision to protect college athletes, many of whom are young adults, from the potential pressures and integrity risks associated with legalized gambling. In 2025, the state went further. A bill advancing through the New Jersey Senate (S-3080) sought to ban player-specific proposition bets on all college athletes statewide, driven by concerns about harassment and social media abuse targeting individual players after losses. Governor Murphy also signed legislation (S-2155/AB4113) in July 2025 that explicitly prohibits New Jersey’s public colleges and universities from entering into marketing or sponsorship partnerships with sports betting companies — though private institutions are exempt from this restriction. The practical impact for bettors is relatively limited: you can still bet on most college football and basketball games involving out-of-state teams, but Rutgers home games and any event held at a New Jersey venue are off-limits. During March Madness, check whether your intended wager involves a New Jersey school or venue before placing it.

Banking, Deposits, and Withdrawals at NJ Sportsbooks

New Jersey sportsbooks support a comprehensive range of payment methods that make funding your account and collecting winnings straightforward. The most popular deposit methods include debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, though credit card acceptance varies by operator), PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, ACH/eCheck bank transfers, and prepaid play+ cards. PayPal has emerged as the preferred method for many experienced bettors because it offers near-instant deposits, fast withdrawals (typically processed within 24 hours), and a layer of separation between your bank account and the sportsbook. Venmo operates on a similar timeline and has gained popularity among younger bettors.

Withdrawal speeds vary meaningfully across operators and payment methods, and this is an area where New Jersey’s competitive market benefits bettors. FanDuel and DraftKings consistently process PayPal and Venmo withdrawals within 12-24 hours. BetRivers and Bet365 are similarly fast. BetMGM and Caesars can take 24-48 hours depending on the method. ACH bank transfers typically take 3-5 business days at most operators, while check by mail (still available at all operators) is the slowest option at 7-14 days. Notably, New Jersey sportsbooks do not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals — any processing fees come from the payment provider, not the sportsbook. For detailed comparisons of deposit and withdrawal options across all operators, see our bankroll management guide.

Responsible Gambling Resources

The DGE takes responsible gambling seriously, and every licensed operator in New Jersey is required to provide a suite of consumer protection tools. These include self-exclusion programs that allow bettors to voluntarily ban themselves from all licensed gambling sites for a defined period, deposit limits that cap how much you can add to your account within a given timeframe, loss limits, session time limits, and cool-off periods that temporarily restrict access to your account. The state also funds the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, which reported a 277% increase in call volume since the legalization of sports betting in 2018 — a statistic that underscores both the growing reach of legal betting and the importance of accessible support services.

Every sportsbook app in New Jersey includes a responsible gambling section in its settings menu where these tools can be configured. If you feel that your betting activity is becoming problematic, the DGE’s self-exclusion list is comprehensive: once enrolled, your name is shared with all licensed operators in the state, and any attempt to open a new account or place a wager will be flagged and blocked. The program has proven effective and has been adopted as a model by other states developing their own responsible gambling frameworks. For additional resources and strategies for maintaining a healthy relationship with sports betting, we recommend the bankroll management guide on our site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sports betting legal in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey legalized sports betting on June 11, 2018, following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Murphy v. NCAA. Both online/mobile and retail in-person sports betting are legal for anyone 21 years of age or older who is physically located within the state’s borders.

How many sportsbook apps are available in New Jersey?

As of March 2026, there are 14 licensed online sportsbook apps operating in New Jersey: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Bet365, ESPN BET, Fanatics, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Borgata, Golden Nugget, betPARX, Bally Bet, and Prime Sports.

What is the minimum age to bet on sports in New Jersey?

You must be at least 21 years old to place a sports bet in New Jersey, whether online or at a retail sportsbook location.

Do I need to be in New Jersey to place a bet?

Yes. All licensed sportsbook apps use geolocation technology to verify that you are physically within New Jersey state lines at the time of each wager. You can register and fund your account from anywhere, but you must be in-state to place a bet.

What is the tax rate on sports betting in New Jersey?

As of July 1, 2025, online sports wagering gross revenue is taxed at 19.75%, increased from the original 13% rate. Retail sportsbook revenue is taxed at 9.75% (up from 8.5%). Casino licensees pay an additional 1.25% CRDA surcharge.

Can I bet on college sports in New Jersey?

You can bet on most college sports events, but there are restrictions. You cannot wager on any collegiate event taking place within New Jersey, or on any game involving a New Jersey-based school (such as Rutgers, Seton Hall, or Princeton), unless the game is part of a multi-round tournament with other rounds held out of state.

How do I claim a sportsbook welcome bonus in New Jersey?

Most NJ sportsbooks offer automatic enrollment in their welcome bonus when you create a new account and make your first deposit or wager. Some may require a promo code at registration. Check our sports betting bonuses page for the latest codes and offer details.

What sports can I bet on in New Jersey?

You can bet on virtually all professional and college sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, tennis, golf, UFC, boxing, NASCAR, F1, esports, and more. Political betting markets are also available at some operators. The primary restrictions apply to certain college events as described above.

How fast are withdrawals at NJ sportsbooks?

Withdrawal speeds depend on the payment method. PayPal and Venmo withdrawals typically process within 12-24 hours at major operators. ACH bank transfers take 3-5 business days. Check by mail takes 7-14 days. No NJ sportsbook charges withdrawal fees.

Who regulates sports betting in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), a division of the state Attorney General’s office, is the primary regulatory body overseeing all sports wagering in New Jersey. The DGE issues licenses, conducts compliance audits, enforces responsible gambling requirements, and publishes monthly revenue reports.

How does New Jersey compare to New York for sports betting?

New Jersey offers more licensed operators (14 vs. 10), lower tax rates (19.75% vs. 51%), and both retail and online options (New York is primarily mobile-only). New York generates higher total handle due to its larger population, but New Jersey’s lower tax rate typically results in more generous odds and promotions for bettors. Many residents of the New York City metropolitan area cross into New Jersey specifically to bet at Meadowlands-area sportsbooks or to take advantage of NJ-exclusive promotions.

Can I use multiple sportsbook apps in New Jersey?

Absolutely, and we strongly recommend it. Maintaining accounts at multiple NJ sportsbooks allows you to line shop for the best odds, stack welcome bonuses across operators, and take advantage of different promotional offers. There is no limit on how many accounts you can hold.