Reviews of the best New Jersey sportsbooks – Fanatics at the helm
As promised, I’ll jump straight into the top 5 New Jersey sportsbooks, so you can see what’s what. I’ve evaluated every nook and cranny of these online betting sites, paying extra attention to bonuses, betting markets, odds, payment systems, and more. The idea is to help you find your match.
1. Fanatics – Generous welcome bonus
- Awesome market coverage.
- User friendly betting tools.
- Bet legally from 22+ states.
- Fun FanCash promos.
- App only.
Fanatics Sportsbook, the brainchild of Fanatics Inc., an online sports merchandise giant, leads the pack. Backed by the iconic retailer, it has a fat purse that can afford to throw big bonuses without counting pennies. As a new player, you pick up $300 in Fan Cash. Fan Cash is a fancy name for the brand’s site credits. That’s a substantial bonus to get from the jump, and unlike most New Jersey sportsbooks with one-time deals, it’s spread across the first 3 days.
Fanatics has a lot going for it, including a great rewards program, competitive odds, and strong Same Game Parlay markets. It covers all major sports markets but particularly impresses with NFL live streaming. You can place all sorts of wagers, from Moneyline to teasers. All betting happens on the highly-rated Fanatics app for Android and iOS users. It supports a string of payment options, including PayPal and Instant bank transfer.
2. bet365 – Best for live betting
- Fast, reliable mobile app performance
- Quick deposits and fast withdrawals
- 24/7 live chat customer support
- Unavailable in some US states
- Phone support hours not 24/7
bet365 is a global betting powerhouse that has found its way into the hearts of NJ bettors. Its live betting platform is insane, often dubbed the best in the world. Where most betting sites in New Jersey cover a handful of live sports, bet365’s has an extensive market range across major and niche leagues. And in-play betting happens on a user-friendly interface with fast loading times.
Live streaming is available for several sports, including football. Unlike most bookies that offer the bare minimum, bet365 includes complimentary features like play-by-play data to help you make informed live betting decisions.
The bookie also jumps to the top of punters’ lists with consistent competitive odds, early payout offers, and parlay builders for several sports. You receive $200 in bonus bets, whether your bet wins or loses, plus 10 Golden Chips as a welcome bonus. Golden Chips can be used on bet365 blackjack and roulette. No other sportsbook on this list includes this in their welcome deal.
3. DraftKings – Low minimum wager
- Great mobile apps
- Supports live streaming
- Withdrawal takes 1 to 3 days
- Subpar customer service
DraftKings may have started out as a DFS site, but it now owns the NJ sports betting scene. It also dishes out free bets to newcomers but slashes the minimum wager to only $5. The only catch with this particular bonus is that you only receive it if your first bet wins.
Return bettors aren’t sidelined and can take advantage of NFL Parlays, NHL Odds Surges, and the NBA King of Court promo. Like most bookies here, you can bet on several leagues, including college football and MLB. Its niche sports coverage is quite exhaustive, even surfing made the list.
Live streaming on sports like soccer and basketball is possible via the DraftKings app thanks to its partnership with Sportradar. Its list of payment options is similar to most New Jersey sportsbooks and includes PayPal, Play+, e-check, and bank transfer. Payout limits differ with the payment options. For example, you can take out $60k with PayPal and $100k with a bank transfer, but you must wait 3 to 5 days with the latter.
4. FanDuel – No minimum withdrawal
- Best in class usability
- Available in 25+ states
- Competitive odds and coverage
- Top tier brand rep
- No sportsbook VIP program
FanDuel is yet another sports betting icon in the US and stands out for scrapping minimum withdrawals. You can take pretty much as little as you want from your winnings, which is great news for casual bettors. The bookie offers the exact same welcome bonus as DraftKings minus the NBA League Pass, but we’ll still bite.
FanDuel is highly praised for its exceptional mobile app that allows live streaming on select sports. Speaking of sports, it has extensive betting options, whether you want to bet on the NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL. The Same Game Parlay feature may now be found in several New Jersey sportsbooks, but FanDuel cooked up the feature.
Payouts are quick, often taking 24 hours to process using PayPal and Venmo. It uses robust security features, including encryption protocols and 2FA, to keep hackers out.
5. Caesars – Rewarding loyalty program
- Generous welcome offers
- Wide range of markets
- Live chat support
- No esports available
Caesars wraps up our list, but that doesn’t mean it’s among the low-hanging fruit in NJ sports betting. If anything, it’s easily the top choice for betting newbies. I say this because you only need a $1 wager to get cracking on your favorite sports. NBA, NFL, WNBA, MLB, and UFC are among the leagues to bet on.
The brand offers dozens of daily boosts and promos to bump those payouts. Plus, it’s live betting on multiple sports like soccer that flows ever so smoothly. Caesars has a great banking system that includes the usual Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, and online banking.
You should totally check out the site’s rewards program that dishes out shopping rewards and exotic vacations as perks. That’s over and above the standard promos given by regular New Jersey sportsbooks' loyalty programs.
Comparing sportsbooks in New Jersey – Weigh the odds
Still unsure which of my recommended New Jersey sportsbooks to get into bed with? Maybe the comparison table below will give you an epiphany.
| Sportsbook | Sign-Up Bonus | Sports to bet on | Live Betting | Live Streaming | Mobile App |
| DraftKings | Bet $30 and Get $300 FanCash | 40+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fanatics | Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets+ 10 Golden Chips. | 30+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| bet365 | Bet $5 Get $150 in bonus bets | 40+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FanDuel | Bet $5 and Get $300 in Bonus Bets | 20+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Caesars | Bet $1 and double your winnings on your next 20 Bets. | 30+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
Sports betting is legal in the Garden State
Are sportsbooks legal in New Jersey? Yes. US bettors owe New Jersey big time. It was bold enough to take on the federal government, resulting in the overturning of the ban against online betting.
NJ’s quest to legalize sports betting
So, here’s the deal. There was an 18-year federal ban on sports betting in the US, according to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). May 2018 was the dawn of a new era as the ban was lifted. This came after NJ won a 10-year legal battle to overturn it. States could now set their own betting laws, and NJ legalized sports betting on June 11, 2018.
21 years and up
Like with New York sportsbooks, NJ lawmakers have set the minimum age for sports betting to 21. While you can be 18 to wager on things like lottery and DFS in NJ, sports betting starts at 21—no exceptions. You can’t game the system and must provide verification documents at New Jersey sportsbooks to prove your age.
Sportsbook in your pocket
When online sports betting was made legal in the Garden State, mobile betting was a package deal. You’re more than welcome to place your sports wagers on the go without breaking any laws. Most New Jersey sportsbooks have developed high-powered apps to allow this, which will also stop you from placing bets when you stray outside of state lines.
Bet from within the state’s borders
As for Pennsylvania sportsbooks, you must be physically located within the borders of the Garden State to enjoy sports betting. You don’t necessarily have to be a NJ native, but you must be in the state to access the available sportsbooks. These sites use geolocation software to verify if you’re in the right place, or showing up as out of state.
💰 24% Tax on Winnings
As you celebrate your sports betting winnings, the IRS will be waiting to collect its dues. You’re required to pay up to 19.75% of your winnings as tax in NJ. It’s significantly higher than the 8.4% tax levied at Michigan sportsbooks but that’s just the way things are.
📝 No In-Person Registration
There’s no need to register when you walk into a physical NJ venue that offers sports betting. The story is a little different with online sportsbooks, where it’s a prerequisite. This is how the sportsbook in question can verify your location, age, and proof of income.
🏛️ NJDGE Licensing
Interested sportsbook brands must partner with an existing NJ land-based casino or racetrack to offer sports betting in the Garden State. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) then issues a 5-year betting license after vigorous testing.
What you can bet on at New Jersey betting sites
NJ is quite easy going about the types of bets you can place. After highlighting what betting sites are legal in New Jersey, I’ve rounded up the main options as follows:
- Professional leagues: All major professional leagues are fair game, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL
- Niche sports: Alternative markets you can bet on include golf, motorsports, and MMA.
- College sports: You can bet on college sports like football, baseball, basketball, and softball, provided NJ teams aren’t participating.
- International sports: Bettors can wager on iconic soccer leagues like the Champions League and the Premier League.
- Events: Depending on the sportsbook, you can also wager on major entertainment events like the Academy Awards.
What you can’t bet on in NJ
NJ is quite accommodating with numerous sports betting options, but draws the line at taking your bets for the following:
- NJ College Sports Teams: You can’t wager on any sporting event involving NJ college teams in any shape or form. This applies regardless of where the game is being played.
- College Sports Events in the State: College sporting events involving NJ teams are strictly off limits.
- Political Events: You won’t be betting on the next governor or US president at NJ sportsbooks.
- High School Sports: Betting on high school sporting events, of any kind, is strictly forbidden.
Discover our top-rated bookmakers!
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
New Customers: Bet $5+ and get $200 in Bonus Bets if it wins!
2-minute registration at Top New Jersey Betting Site
Getting started with NJ betting sites takes 2 minutes or less. As long as you’re at least 21 and residing in the Garden State, follow these steps. I’ll use DraftKings as an example.
- Visit Site: Click the DraftKings link on this page to be directed to its official website and click Sign Up.
- Sign Up: Provide the requested information on the registration form, like your full name, email, physical address, date of birth, and last 4 digits of your SSN. Agree to the terms and conditions and click Create Account. Click the verification sent to your email to activate your account.
- Deposit: Go to the banking section and deposit at least $5.
- Claim Bonus: Your deposit activates the welcome bonus.
- Start Betting: Make your first bet of $5 or more on any betting market. You receive $300 in bonus bets, but only if your initial bet is a winner.
New Jersey sportsbooks pros and cons
There are several perks that come with betting in NJ. I can’t imagine you’ll face that many issues, but you must contend with a few drawbacks.
- Safe and secure betting
- Cover a wide range of sports
- Generous welcome offers
- High-performance apps
- College sports restrictions
Betting par excellence
Kudos to NJ for paving the way for other states to legalize sports betting in the US. You can bet on a boatload of sporting events and claim fantastic bonuses right off the bat.
I’ve done my part and provided you with five of the best sportsbooks legally operating in the Garden State. They are safe and secure to join provided you toe the legal lines by observing the respective state laws regarding age and location. Find a site you like? Click the banners on this page to sign up with one of the best sportsbooks in New Jersey today.
The best online betting bonuses in 2025
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
New Customers: Bet $5+ and get $200 in Bonus Bets if it wins!
New Jersey sportsbooks FAQ
What can I bet on in NJ?
You can bet on both major and minor sports, professional leagues, international leagues, and entertainment events at NJ sportsbooks.
️ Is online sports betting legal in New Jersey?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in NJ after the Assembly Bill was passed into law in June 2018 by Governor Bill Murphy.
What are the best betting sites in New Jersey?
Fanatics, DraftKings, and bet365 are some of the top NJ bookies to join with generous bonuses, extensive sports coverage, and live streaming opportunities.
Will a VPN allow sports betting in New Jersey?
Yes, it can let you access sportsbooks in NJ, but your account will be blocked if the bookie picks it up.
