Gambling in New Jersey

Editor’s note: As of Nov. 28, 2019

New Jersey already is the Nevada in the east but it also is on the precipice of unseating the Silver State as the sports betting capital of the nation.

The two strongholds of gambling have been trading No. 1 in sports handle spots for months, but many experts believe it could become a one-sided competition.

Alex Kostin, founder of AmericanGambler.com, told the New York Post that the popularity of National Football League could be the reason Jersey may upend Nevada permanently. Adding fuel to that is location, location, location. Atlantic City draws bettors from elsewhere in New Jersey but also Giants and Jets fans from New York and Eagles fans from Pennsylvania.

In October 2019, Nevada bounced back from a two-month run as No. 2 putting upstart Jersey in its place – for now.

Nevada’s total handle in September was $546 million. New Jersey’s handle was $445.6 million.

There’s a touch of irony in this handle war since Nevada had a monopoly on sports betting until New Jersey sued and won a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2018 that made sports betting a possibility across the U.S. New Jersey was betting on sports within a month of the decision and has been gaining ground on Nevada every month.

Is sports betting currently legal in the state?

Yes

When did New Jersey start accepting bets?

Gov. Phil Murphy placed the first legal sports bet on June 14, 2018 at Monmouth Park. Mobile betting, more specifically DraftKings, went live on August 1, 2018.

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

21 years old

What restrictions are there on sports betting in New Jersey … is online wagering allowed?

Online and mobile betting dominate in New Jersey. The only restriction in New Jersey is a prohibition of wagering on in-state colleges. And a very specific exclusion involves the Golden Nugget casino owned by Tilman Fertitta. Because Fertitta also owns the Houston Rockets, his casino cannot take action on NBA games.

Where can you open an account in New Jersey?

In the Garden State, bettors can register and deposit funds online without having to visit the sportsbook, unless a wager of more than $10,000 is made.

What do I need to open an account in New Jersey?

You need a valid photo ID and you will likely have to give your Social Security number.

What are the betting-related banking options in New Jersey?

There are multiple banking options for sports betting in New Jersey including eCheck (ACH), PayPal, online banking transfer, pre-paid cards, credit/debit cards, eWallets, bank wire transfers, PayNearMe or heading directly to the cashier’s cage and depositing in person.

Withdrawals can be handled by many of the same options including a bank transfer, PayPal, check by mail, cashier’s cage at a casino, Neteller, Skrill or a pre-paid card.