New Jersey is an interesting state when it comes to sports. This is because while the state hosts some professional sports teams, those teams claim New York as their home. In any case, these teams are prime for sports betting for New Jersey residents.
While fun and profitable, sports betting is technically gambling and therefore has some rules and procedures to adhere to. This guide, created for New Jersey residents, will educate you on how to safely and legally place bets. It will also educate you on the laws surrounding gambling, online gambling and sports betting.
Is It Legal To Bet On Sports In New Jersey
State licensed sports betting is not legal in New Jersey, though the state did recently attempt to move forward with a sports gambling initiative. The matter remains in dispute between state officials and the Supreme Court at this time. The good news is that there are a handful of legitimately licensed and regulated offshore sportsbooks that are operating legally within the industry and that accept players from New Jersey. There are no state or federal laws that make it illegal to participate in online sports betting as long as the destination at which you are placing your bets is legally sanctioned through legitimate licensing and regulatory oversight from a jurisdiction outside of the US. A little further down on the page is a more detailed breakdown of the applicable gambling laws that govern sports betting in the United States.
Most Trusted New Jersey Online Sportsbooks
The key to making sure you are participating in legal sports betting for NJ residents is to ensure that you are only engaged in wagering at those destinations that are confirmed to be operating legally within the industry. This means that they are licensed, subject to regulatory oversight, possess appropriate compliance certifications, and located within a governing jurisdiction that has legalized online sports betting for their respective territories. Additional criteria for inclusion in this guide requires the brands we recommend to also comply with the following: utilization of a sophisticated security profile for keeping data safe and secure; knowledgeable and responsive customer support; an efficient and user friendly banking suite; advanced features such as live betting, in play betting and mobile betting; bonus offers and promotions with reasonable terms and conditions; and a high quality, reliable and enjoyable betting experience. The following sportsbooks all accept customers from New Jersey, and were able to meet our stringent requirements for inclusion as a trusted brand.
| Logo | Site Name | Bonus | Rating | USA | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Betonline Sportsbook | 50% Max $2500 |  |
 |
Visit Site |
 |
Sportsbetting | 75% Max $1000 | |
|
Visit Site |
New Jersey’s Issues With State Licensed Sports Betting
New Jersey is currently undergoing a legal battle with the federal government over the rights to have Nevada-style sports betting in their casinos and racetracks. As it stands now, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) bars New Jersey, along with 45 other states, from having sports betting. Governor Christie attempted to circumvent the restrictions of PASPA and launch a state licensed sports gambling initiative. This has led to a lengthy courtroom battle that will set precedence no matter which way it goes.
Back in 2014, New Jersey tried passing a law that would allow sports betting in the state, however the major American sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and even the NCAA and Department of Justice were quick to get in the state’s way. A panel of judges presided over the hearing and ruled that the law the state was trying to pass was in direct violation of PASPA and therefore couldn’t be allowed. The state has appealed to the Supreme Court and is waiting to see if they will hear their appeal sometime in early 2017. Interestingly enough, this issue could be one of the first President Trump’s administration could deal with should it go that far.
US Federal Gambling Laws And How They Affect NJ Residents
PASPA prevents 46 states in the United States from having Nevada-style sports betting. The only four states allowed to have legal sports betting are Montana, Oregon, Delaware and you guessed it—Nevada. These states had a betting industry before the PASPA came into law, grandfathering them in and exempting from the restrictions of the law. PASPA was passed in 1992 to prevent the spread of legalized gambling, leaving some states to argue that the law is outdated, unconstitutional, disrespectful to states’ rights and should be repealed.
There are also the Federal Wire Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) to consider. The Federal Wire Act pertains to bets being placed over a wired transmission or the Internet, prohibiting all US based online sportsbook gambling, while the UIGEA acts as an overseer to financial institutions processing gambling related transactions. The key thing to take away from these laws is that they only deal with US-based gambling forms. Neither of these laws makes it a crime to place bets online as long as you are wagering at an offshore destination that is operating legally within the industry.
The licensed sportsbooks that we have recommended here are all legally sanctioned forms of online sports betting that operate outside the United States, keeping them out of the jurisdiction of PASPA, the Federal Wire Act and UIGEA. These sites offer Americans a safe and legal outlet for placing sports bets online without fear of prosecution. Another thing to keep in mind is that all three of these laws pertain to owner/operators of gambling businesses and/or US banks and payment processors. They are not directed in any way at individuals who are placing bets. In other words, offering unlicensed betting services is illegal, however the act of placing bets is not addressed.
Popular Sports Teams To Bet On In New Jersey
The New York Giants and the New York Jets both claim New York as their home, but play out of the same stadium in New Jersey. Whether or not you swear allegiance to either team is a personal choice, though either way both teams are available for betting. New Jersey does host an NHL team in the New Jersey Devils, giving New Jersey residents a hometown hero to root for.
NFL Teams in NJ
*Both play out of same stadium in New Jersey
NHL Teams in NJ
FAQs About Betting On Sports
What types of bets can I place on sports in New Jersey?
There are lots of different style bets that you can place on sports. These offshore sportsbooks that we’ve recommended for New Jersey residents include betting on the spread of a game. For example, for an NFL game bet, you can have the option to either pick the Patriots winning by 6 or more points, or the Giants to win or lose by less than 6 points. You can also place future bets, like picking the winner of the Super Bowl outright. There are also prop bets, which can include things like whether or not the Jets score a touchdown on their opening drive—more specific types of bets. Parlay bets allow you to include multiple teams and events in a single ticket.
How do I deposit money into my sportsbook account?
There are plenty of options for users to choose from when it comes to depositing money into your account. The most popular options are usually credit/debit card or wire transfers through services like MoneyGram or Western Union, but there are other options as well, such as Bitcoin or cashier’s checks. Check with the sportsbook to see which options they have available for payout.
How can I cash out from an offshore sportsbook?
Receiving your payout is a little different than making a deposit. You still have options for withdrawing your money, but in most cases, they are more limited than the deposit methods. Most sportsbooks offer the options of checks through the mail (which can take up to 7-10 business days), wire transfers or Bitcoin.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is an online currency that has become one of the most popular ways of spending and receiving money online. For these offshore sportsbooks that we’ve recommended for New Jersey residents, Bitcoin proves to be the fastest way of sending and receiving money and doesn’t include any fees. There are also online services that help you convert your Bitcoin currency to cash.
Are Offshore Betting Sites Safe For New Jersey Residents To Use?
Yes. These offshore betting sites all utilize technologically advanced security profiles that include the same types of protocols used at world class financial institutions and businesses. We only recommend sportsbooks that have been around for at least 10 years and have built up reputations of security and professionalism. Your personal and financial information will be kept safe through the use of secure servers, advanced data encryption, firewall and anti-virus protection and fraud prevention software, all monitored by a trained technical team. These protocols exceed minimum licensing requirements, demonstrating a commitment by these brands to go above and beyond to keep your sensitive and personal data safe and secure.
Are There Any Bonuses, Perks or Incentives For NJ Residents at These Offshore Sportsbooks?
Yes. These soprts betting sites offer what are called ‘bonuses’, which are essentially free money for you to bet with. With some sportsbooks you can even get your first bonus upon signing up for an account and making a deposit. There are some rules associated with sportsbook bonuses, but they are clearly laid out in the Terms of Service. These betting destinations are all competing with each other for your business, so part of their strategy is incentivizing the users to stick around with bonuses. The wagering requirements and terms of use for the bonus offers at our featured sportsbooks are all reasonable, attainable and in line with industry standards.
Are New Jersey Gamblers Required To Pay Taxes on Their Winnings?
Any gambling earnings are subject to the New Jersey income tax code and should be reported to the IRS. Failure to report your winnings and not pay your taxes is a violation of the law and could lead to audits and possible prosecution. You should check with a New Jersey tax professional if you have any specific questions related to taxes reporting requirements in the state.
Are There Any Sports Teams in New Jersey That Have A Shot At Winning A National Title in 2017/2018?
The Giants and Jets both lost out on a chance at the Super Bowl this year. The Giants did make the playoffs, whereas the Jets did not, so the Giants have the best shot of coming back as a threat in the new season. The Devils currently sit in 7th of their division, so they have some climbing they have to do if they want to be title contenders.