New Jersey has been a major player in the efforts to legalize sports betting outside Nevada. In 2018, New Jersey legalized sports betting following a federal ruling against the 1992 PASPA law. Since then, New Jersey sports betting has become a powerful market in the industry when it comes to both in-person betting and online sportsbooks. The success of oddsmakers in New Jersey is often cited by other states hoping to legalize their own sports betting market soon. Currently, top sportsbooks are advancing technologically to offer newcomers free bets for sports gambling NJ mobile and web platforms. Ready to get in on the action in one of the most competitive and punter-friendly markets in the sports betting world? Keep reading below to learn how.
OddsChecker connects you to the top sites that offer New Jersey sports betting. These include FanDuel, BetMGM, BetAmerica, DraftKings, William Hill, SugarHouse, FOX Bet, 888Sports, , Unibet, and bet365.
When it comes to evaluating the top free bets offered by NJ sports betting sites, we take a close look at a few factors. First, a website should be secure and easy to navigate. Second, odds created by analysts should be reliable and competitive. There should also be ongoing bonuses offered by the oddsmakers to entice punters—online casino partners included. Third, a sportsbook should offer a basic glossary for users to reference and, in the least, not confuse punters. Lastly, options for depositing and withdrawing money should be timely, secure, and fit consumer needs.
In OddsChecker’s Free Bets section, we connect punters to the latest and greatest deals from industry-leading New Jersey sports betting groups. Deals are always changing, so be sure to check back in to see what offers your favorite sportsbook is rolling out.
Keep in mind that top offers are usually extended to newcomers and are bundled as part of a sign-up bonus. Be sure to read specific terms and conditions applied to each free bet or bonus promotion.
The top deals offered today are:
• DraftKings Sportsbook: $1,000 sign-up bonus
• FanDuel: $1,000 risk-free bet
Sports gambling NJ markets have one of the most competitive sports betting sectors in the US industry. The state has set a high standard for its sportsbooks, which means that punters have access to exclusive deals, reliable odds, and easy-to-use betting platforms from top developers. Here at OddsChecker, we connect you to the best online NJ sports betting sites offered in the state.
The biggest names in New Jersey sports betting today are:
• FanDuel: FanDuel offers a wide range of sports bets, as well as DFS (daily fantasy sports) opportunities. The company got its start in 2009 in New York as a fantasy sports provider. It’s one of the leading American sportsbooks.
• DraftKings: DraftKings began in 2012 as a DFS provider, much like FanDuel. DraftKings offers competitive sportsbook deals as well as exciting DFS promotions every day. It was the first sportsbook to go live in New Jersey.
• 888Sports: 888Sports is an online betting giant that got its start in Europe and has since moved across the pond to offer competitive deals in the US.
• Bet365: Bet365 is an online sports betting and gaming site that’s based in the UK. Bet365 was one of the very first online sportsbooks in the world and is considered one of the highest standards in the industry. It is a great sight for first-time punters.
• Unibet: Unibet is an online sports betting and gaming site that’s popular and successful worldwide. Like bet365, the site has set a high global standard for quality in design and function.
Horse betting is one of the oldest ways to wager on a sports event. Though it’s incredibly popular in locations like the UK, online sportsbooks in the US have yet to fully adopt horse race wagers as part of their standard offerings. Even so, NJ online horse betting does exist.
New Jersey is home to four active racetracks—though it’s possible to wager on horse races around the world, not just those within state lines. That being said, not all sportsbooks offer wagers on horse races. Currently, BetAmerica and William Hill are the only NJ online horse betting sites to offer remote wagering on horse races. Keep in mind that punters can wager in-person at all four racetracks in the state.
When did online sports betting become legal in NJ?
New Jersey sports betting online became legal in New Jersey in 2018. However, the battle to legalize sports betting began long before 2018.
After a long battle between Atlantic City and Las Vegas over the rights to offer gambling and sports betting options, New Jersey officially challenged the US Federal government in 2014. New Jersey’s lawsuit claimed that the PASPA law (prohibiting sports betting outside of Nevada) allowed Vegas to hold an unfair monopoly on the betting business.
In May of 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey’s lawsuit. PASPA was repealed nationwide and allowed each state to define sports betting legalities. Casinos in Atlantic City jumped to move their sportsbooks online. For this reason, sports gambling NJ groups were some of the first to launch live outside of Nevada. This is another reason the sports betting economy is so robust and competitive.
Betting with offshore sportsbooks is not legal in New Jersey or anywhere in the US. Betting with offshore sportsbooks is not permitted because companies outside the US are not subject to US law and taxation regulations. For this reason, offshore oddsmakers can offer deals without any regulation or accountability.
For this reason, more and more states are opening up legislation to legalize and regulate in-state sports betting. Not only are vetted companies better for the consumer by keeping them safe and holding sportsbooks accountable for their transactions, but legal oddsmakers also allow states to benefit from the market in terms of tax revenue.
New Jersey sports betting does not allow wagering on college teams that fall under two categories. First, the team cannot be from New Jersey. This means no betting on big college teams like Rutgers University or Seton Hall. Second, the event or game cannot be played within New Jersey, like events at Prudential Center or Red Bull Arena.
That being said, New Jersey sports betting is allowed on college sports. NCAA wagers cannot be placed on local New Jersey teams and they cannot be placed on any sports event taking place within the state—even if the competition is between two out-of-state teams.
These laws are set in place in order to protect the integrity of the sport, players, and colleges involved. Thankfully for New Jersey punters, the NCAA’s multiple leagues tend to focus on major universities and conferences outside state borders.