New Jersey didn’t just legalize sports betting — it changed the entire landscape of American sports wagering. After a decade-long legal battle against the federal government and the major professional sports leagues, the Garden State won the landmark Murphy v. NCAA case at the U.S. Supreme Court in May 2018, striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and giving every state the right to legalize sports betting. New Jersey launched legal sports betting on June 14, 2018, and hasn’t looked back since. Today, New Jersey is one of the largest and most competitive sports betting markets in the world, generating over $12 billion in annual handle with more than 15 active online sportsbook operators. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, Bet365, and Fanatics are all live in the Garden State, competing fiercely for New Jersey bettors’ action. Here’s your complete guide to sports betting in New Jersey in 2026.
Quick Facts: Sports Betting in New Jersey
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Legal — Full retail and online/mobile |
| Launch Date | June 14, 2018 (retail); August 1, 2018 (online) |
| Enabling Legislation | A4111 (signed June 11, 2018 by Governor Phil Murphy) |
| Regulator | New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) |
| Online / Mobile | Fully legal — 15+ active operators |
| Retail Locations | Atlantic City casinos and licensed racetracks |
| Minimum Age | 21+ |
| Online Sports Betting Tax Rate | 19.75% (effective July 1, 2025) |
| Retail Sports Betting Tax Rate | 8.5% of gross gaming revenue |
| Annual Handle (2025) | $12+ billion |
| Annual Revenue (2025) | $1.165 billion |
| Lifetime Handle (through 2025) | $67+ billion |
Top Sportsbooks in New Jersey
Online Sportsbooks Available in New Jersey
New Jersey has one of the most competitive online sports betting markets in the country, with more than 15 licensed operators live as of 2026. Each sportsbook operates through partnerships with Atlantic City casinos or licensed racetracks, which serve as the anchor licensees. Each casino licensee may offer up to three online betting “skins.” Here are the major platforms available to New Jersey bettors:
FanDuel Sportsbook NJ
- Consistently ranked as the market leader in New Jersey handle
- Full suite of betting markets, live betting, same-game parlays, and promotions
- Operates through a partnership with Meadowlands Racetrack
- Available on iOS, Android, and at FanDuel.com
DraftKings Sportsbook NJ
- One of New Jersey’s earliest online sportsbooks, launching August 1, 2018
- Deep market selection including props, live betting, and same-game parlays
- Partners with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City
BetMGM Sportsbook NJ
- Operates through MGM’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa anchor license
- Wide range of sports, bet types, and a robust promotions calendar
- Full integration with the BetMGM rewards ecosystem
Caesars Sportsbook NJ
- Backed by Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City anchor license
- Offers the Caesars Rewards loyalty program with sports betting integration
- Competitive odds and promotions for new and returning customers
ESPN Bet NJ
- PENN Entertainment’s ESPN-branded sportsbook, launched nationally in November 2023
- Integrates ESPN’s sports media content with real-money wagering
- Operates through PENN’s Hollywood Casino Atlantic City partnership
Bet365 NJ
- Global powerhouse with deep in-play betting markets and competitive odds
- Known for one of the best live betting interfaces in the industry
- Partners with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Fanatics Sportsbook NJ
- The sports merchandise giant’s sportsbook platform, live in New Jersey
- Integrates with FanCash rewards for merchandise and betting
- Competitive odds and an expanding promotions program
Retail Sportsbooks in New Jersey
New Jersey allows retail sports betting at Atlantic City casinos and at licensed racetracks. While online wagering dominates — accounting for the vast majority of New Jersey’s betting volume — retail sportsbooks remain popular for the in-person experience, particularly at Atlantic City’s major resorts.
| Facility | City | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa | Atlantic City | BetMGM |
| Caesars Atlantic City | Atlantic City | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City | Atlantic City | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Hard Rock Hotel & Casino AC | Atlantic City | Hard Rock Sportsbook / Bet365 |
| Resorts Casino Hotel | Atlantic City | DraftKings |
| Golden Nugget Atlantic City | Atlantic City | DraftKings |
| Bally’s Atlantic City | Atlantic City | Bally Bet |
| Meadowlands Racetrack | East Rutherford | FanDuel |
| Monmouth Park Racetrack | Oceanport | Monmouth Park Sportsbook |
History of Sports Betting in New Jersey
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2012 | New Jersey voters approve a constitutional amendment allowing sports betting; Governor Chris Christie signs legislation authorizing wagering at casinos and racetracks |
| 2012–2017 | New Jersey engages in a prolonged legal battle with the NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL (plus the U.S. Department of Justice) over the right to offer sports betting, arguing PASPA is unconstitutional |
| October 19, 2017 | U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Christie v. NCAA (later renamed Murphy v. NCAA), setting the stage for a landmark ruling |
| May 14, 2018 | Supreme Court rules 6-3 in Murphy v. NCAA, striking down PASPA as unconstitutional — effectively legalizing sports betting nationwide at the state’s discretion |
| June 11, 2018 | Governor Phil Murphy signs Assembly Bill A4111 into law, making New Jersey one of the first states to formally authorize sports betting post-PASPA |
| June 14, 2018 | First legal bet placed at Monmouth Park racetrack, officially launching retail sports betting in New Jersey |
| August 1, 2018 | DraftKings NJ becomes the first legal online sportsbook in the state, launching the mobile sports betting era in New Jersey |
| 2019–2022 | New Jersey sports betting market grows rapidly; monthly handle regularly surpasses Nevada; FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, and others launch in the state |
| July 1, 2025 | New Jersey increases online sports betting tax rate from 13% to 19.75% under budget legislation A5803, signed into law as part of the FY2026 budget |
| 2025 Full Year | New Jersey records $12+ billion in sports betting handle and $1.165 billion in gross revenue; lifetime handle surpasses $67 billion since 2018 launch |
Sports Betting Laws and Regulations in New Jersey
New Jersey’s sports betting framework is one of the most developed in the United States, overseen by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). The regulatory model is casino-anchored, with online operators required to partner with licensed Atlantic City casinos or licensed New Jersey racetracks.
Key aspects of New Jersey’s sports betting laws include:
- Operator licensing: Sports betting operators must partner with an Atlantic City casino or licensed racetrack as an anchor licensee. Each casino licensee may offer up to three online betting skins (platforms). Operator license fees are $100,000.
- Online and mobile: Fully legal statewide. Bettors must be 21 or older and physically located in New Jersey to place online or mobile bets. There is no residency requirement.
- College sports restrictions: Betting on New Jersey college teams or on college sporting events being held in New Jersey is prohibited. College player proposition bets are not restricted in New Jersey (unlike many other states).
- Esports: Esports wagering is legal in New Jersey, provided the majority of participants in the event are 18 or older.
- Tax rate (as of July 1, 2025): Online and mobile sports wagering is taxed at 19.75% of gross gaming revenue — increased from 13% under the FY2026 budget. Retail sports wagering remains taxed at 8.5%. Both casino and racetrack operators also pay a 1.25% additional tax on sports wagering GGR.
- No cap on operators: New Jersey law does not cap the number of sportsbook licenses, though the practical limit is determined by the number of casino and racetrack anchor partners available.
Taxes on Sports Betting Winnings in New Jersey
New Jersey bettors are subject to both federal and state income taxes on their sports betting winnings. Here’s the full breakdown for 2026:
- New Jersey state income tax: New Jersey levies a state income tax on gambling winnings. Winnings are taxed as ordinary income at NJ’s graduated tax rates, which range from 1.4% to 10.75% depending on income level. There is no special lower rate for gambling winnings.
- Federal income tax: All gambling winnings are taxable at the federal level. Sportsbooks issue a Form W-2G for winnings of $600 or more (when the payout is 300x the wager or more). All winnings must be reported on federal returns regardless of W-2G issuance.
- Deducting losses: New Jersey taxpayers who itemize may deduct gambling losses up to the amount of their winnings. The 2026 federal law change now caps gambling loss deductions at 90% of losses (down from 100%).
- Operator tax rates (2026): Online and mobile sports wagering operators pay 19.75% of gross gaming revenue to the state — up from 13% before July 1, 2025. Retail sportsbooks at casinos and racetracks pay 8.5% of GGR. The tax increase was part of Governor Murphy’s FY2026 budget, which originally proposed a 25% rate; the final rate was negotiated down to 19.75%.
- Non-residents: Non-residents who win money betting in New Jersey are subject to New Jersey income tax on those winnings. FanDuel, DraftKings, and other operators will withhold NJ state income tax where applicable.
Latest News on Sports Betting in New Jersey
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| 2026 (YTD) | New Jersey sports betting market continues strong performance; January 2026 handle reaches ~$999 million with revenue of $112 million at an 11.2% hold rate |
| July 1, 2025 | New Jersey’s online sports betting tax rate increases from 13% to 19.75% under legislation A5803; retail rate remains at 8.5% |
| Full Year 2025 | NJ records $12.037 billion in handle and $1.165 billion in gross revenue; year-over-year handle slightly down from $12.774 billion in 2024 |
| June 2025 | NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement releases updated sports wagering reports confirming the new 19.75% tax rate applying to all online betting revenue from July 2025 forward |
| November 2023 | ESPN Bet launches nationally including in New Jersey, bringing a new major brand to the competitive Garden State market |
| 2023 | New Jersey annual sports betting handle surpasses $11.9 billion; the state maintains its position as one of the largest legal betting markets in the U.S. |
| 2022 | New Jersey sports betting handle exceeds $10.9 billion — another record year as mobile betting continues to dominate the market |
| June 14, 2018 | New Jersey launches legal sports betting at Monmouth Park racetrack following the Murphy v. NCAA PASPA victory, becoming a trailblazer for the industry nationwide |
FAQs About Sports Betting in New Jersey
Is sports betting legal in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey has had legal sports betting since June 14, 2018. The state is fully legal for both retail wagering at Atlantic City casinos and licensed racetracks, and for online/mobile betting through more than 15 licensed operators including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, Bet365, and Fanatics.
What sportsbooks are legal in New Jersey?
New Jersey has over 15 licensed online sportsbooks including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, Bet365, Fanatics, Bally Bet, and several others. Retail sportsbooks are available at Atlantic City casinos and Meadowlands Racetrack.
What is the sports betting tax rate in New Jersey?
As of July 1, 2025, online and mobile sports betting is taxed at 19.75% of gross gaming revenue — up from 13% previously. Retail sports betting is taxed at 8.5% of GGR. Both casino and racetrack operators also pay an additional 1.25% tax on sports wagering revenue.
Can I bet on college sports in New Jersey?
You can bet on most college sports in New Jersey, but there are restrictions. You cannot bet on New Jersey college teams, and you cannot bet on college sporting events taking place in New Jersey. Betting on out-of-state college games is generally permitted. College player props are legal in New Jersey.
What is the minimum age to bet on sports in New Jersey?
You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in New Jersey — both online and at retail sportsbooks.
How does New Jersey sports betting generate state revenue?
Online operators pay 19.75% of gross gaming revenue (GGR) in taxes; retail operators pay 8.5%. Between 2018 and 2024, New Jersey collected $561.2 million in cumulative sports betting taxes from $4.03 billion in gross revenue. With increased rates since July 2025 and continued market growth, annual tax collections are expected to increase significantly.
Do I need to be a New Jersey resident to bet online?
No. You must be 21 or older and physically located within New Jersey’s borders at the time of wagering, but residency is not required. Visitors and tourists can use any of New Jersey’s licensed sportsbook apps while in the state.
Who won the PASPA case that legalized sports betting?
New Jersey won the case. The state, under Governor Chris Christie, challenged PASPA’s constitutionality all the way to the Supreme Court. In Murphy v. NCAA (May 14, 2018), the Court ruled 6-3 that PASPA violated the anti-commandeering doctrine, effectively legalizing sports betting nationwide at each state’s discretion.
Responsible Gambling in New Jersey
New Jersey has one of the most comprehensive responsible gambling frameworks in the United States. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement requires all licensed sportsbooks to maintain problem gambling programs, including self-exclusion options, deposit and loss limits, and access to help resources. New Jersey’s statewide self-exclusion program (NJSELF-EXCL) allows bettors to ban themselves from all licensed sportsbooks statewide.
- NJ 800-Gambler Hotline: 1-800-426-2537 (1-800-GAMBLER) — 24/7
- Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ: 800gambler.org
- NJ Statewide Self-Exclusion: Available through the NJDGE — njoag.gov
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
- Gamblers Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org
If sports betting ever stops being fun or starts to feel compulsive, please reach out for help immediately. New Jersey’s resources are among the best in the country — free, confidential, and available around the clock.