Guide to sports betting smartly & responsibly in New Jersey

Sports fans are considered some of the most passionate types of individuals, and the increasing availability of sports betting has only brought that further to the forefront. More states continue to legalize it even today, but a reason for that and one of the first to do so was New Jersey.

While they may not be home to many professional teams in name, the New York Giants and New York Jets actually play their games there, and the Garden State is already known for its gambling scene due to Atlantic City. Given how much New Jersey surrounds people with sports betting opportunities, it’s vital to understand how to do so smartly and responsibly if you are going to take part.

History of sports betting in New Jersey

As mentioned, New Jersey was one of the first states to legalize sports betting, which happened back in June of 2018. That was immediately following the Supreme Court ruling (after being pressured by New Jersey) that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was in violation of the 10th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

That decision officially ended the nationwide prohibition of sports betting (except for some states like Nevada) and led to the 38 states – plus Washington, D.C. – in the country now offering some form of legal sports betting. Retail sports betting went live in New Jersey in the aforementioned June 2018, and just two months later in August online/mobile platforms were launched.

Of course, prior to all this Atlantic City was already a gambling mecca, which was possible due to it being a casino with offerings such as table games and slots rather than sports betting. New Jersey legalized casino gambling nearly five decades ago in 1976, and in 1978, the first legal casino opened, which propelled the popularity of Atlantic City.

Such a booming market is why New Jersey has long been one of the largest gambling states, which still continues today, as they regularly rival their neighbors in New York for the most betting handle in the country.

What legal betting options are available in New Jersey?

NJ Online Sportsbooks

Given the lengthy history of sports betting in New Jersey in comparison to other locations, it’s no surprise that they have one of the highest numbers of available sportsbooks. Along with technology being the primary driver of advancements in this day and age, the majority of those are online platforms.

However, with so many years of legal sports betting and recent market consolidation, there have also been several sportsbooks that were opened but have since shut down. As of July 2024, there are 16 New Jersey online sportsbooks available, which are as follows:

DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, ESPN BET, betPARX, SuperBook, BetRivers, Borgata Online, Tipico (shutting down soon), Hard Rock, Golden Nugget, Prime and Betway

NJ Retail Sportsbooks

Similarly, with New Jersey being home to Atlantic City, there are also retail in-person sportsbook locations. In total, the Garden State has 15 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, with all but one of them in Atlantic City.

The lone exception is at the Meadowlands Racetrack, and it is a FanDuel-operated location. So, MetLife Stadium - home of the Giants and Jets - does not have a sportsbook within its grounds, but it’s a short walk away. Along with that retail FanDuel Sportsbook location, New Jersey’s in-person sportsbooks are primarily a mix of William Hill (Caesars), DraftKings, BetMGM and Hard Rock.

Problem Gambling in NJ

With gambling so available and prominent in New Jersey, it is extremely important that resources are available. Gambling addiction rates in the Garden State are higher in comparison to the rest of the nation. Rutgers University in New Jersey conducted research that reported 6% of residents in the state are at-risk for problem gambling.

When compared to the national average of 1-2%, that 6% figure is alarming. Thankfully, there has been a recent push for more research and resources. Also, many different care providers are available, from hotlines to support groups, including virtual treatment options from Birches Health.

Gambling Addiction treatment options in New Jersey

There are connectors to resources such as 24/7 hotlines available at 1-800-GAMBLER and more on the way with a gambling addiction task force put in motion by New Jersey senator John McKeon. However, one immediate way to help those either dealing with gambling addiction or at risk of it is Birches Health.

Birches has a large team of licensed professionals, specially trained to treat problem gambling, including many in New Jersey. Whether it’s the draw of Atlantic City or the rise in mobile gambling products that has created the problems, Birches provides online treatment from the comfort of home that can help you or someone you know.

There are many options for taking an initial step toward help and recovery with Birches Health:

You can also simply call 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com to get in touch directly with the Birches team.