New Jersey Sports Betting

New Jersey sports betting enthusiasts can wager on just about anything they want, with only a few exceptions. Thanks to the state’s progressive regulatory framework and the robust offerings of licensed sportsbooks like Hard Rock Bet, New Jersey bettors can engage with both traditional and niche sports betting markets.

Major professional sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, are immensely popular among New Jersey sports bettors. From football betting, basketball betting, and soccer betting, to the likes of betting on baseball, hockey, and even betting on table tennis and darts –  there are tons of markets for each sport and individual contest.

Overall, New Jersey sports betting regulators have ensured that there’s something for every bettor, making the state a premier destination for sports betting entertainment.

Hard Rock Bet: Your home for major events

New Jersey sportsbooks often feature special betting markets for big time events including competitive Super Bowl odds, and unique options for the NBA Finals, World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, etc. These marquee events attract both casual bettors and seasoned gamblers, creating a festive atmosphere and driving increased betting volume.

Betting on college sports in New Jersey

Hard Rock Bet New Jersey offers betting markets for college sports, including football and basketball. Tournaments, like March Madness, and the College Football Playoff generate substantial excitement and betting activity among fans and bettors alike. Markets are also available for individual games, futures, and more.

No betting on New Jersey colleges, in-state games

While betting on college sports is legal in New Jersey, there is a provision that prevents bettors from wagering on in-state college teams, or on events taking place in the state. As an example, no game involving Rutgers will ever be listed on Hard Rock Bet NJ or any other New Jersey sportsbook. Similarly, any college sporting event that is being held in the state won’t be listed either… like an NCAA tournament game in Newark or Atlantic City, or a college football bowl game at MetLife Stadium.

International sports

Beyond the big American favorites, New Jersey sportsbooks like Hard Rock Bet provide betting options for a variety of international sports and events. Soccer enjoys a dedicated following with betting opportunities available for major leagues like the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FIFA World Cup – in addition to other tournaments like the European Championships or Copa América.

Additionally sports like Handball, Table Tennis, and Cricket which have enormous followings in other countries are also offered.

New Jersey sports betting law allows for all of the most popular types of bets. This includes:

• Moneyline bets (winner bets with Hard Rock Bet!)
• Spread bets
• Over-under wagers
• Futures
• Props
• Parlay betting
• Same Game Parlays (SGP)
• Teasers
• … and a lot more.

It’s been a busy couple of years for gambling legislation in New Jersey. Here’s an overview of the key elements that came together to create a legal sports betting market in New Jersey.

PASPA Overturned

The legal landscape for sports betting in New Jersey changed dramatically with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018. Ultimately it was New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, picking up the fight that former Governor Chris Christie began, who worked with state lawmakers to get Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association brought before the US Supreme Court. In a 6-3 decision it was deemed that PASPA was in fact unconstitutional, taking too much power away from the states.

This ruling effectively allowed each individual state the freedom to legalize and regulate sports betting within their borders.

AB 4111 Passes

Following PASPA, New Jersey swiftly moved to legalize sports betting. In June 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 4111, officially legalizing sports betting in the state. This legislation authorized New Jersey sports betting both in-person at local casinos and racetracks, but also online.

Division of Gaming Enforcement takes charge

The Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) oversees the regulation and enforcement of sports betting in New Jersey. The DGE ensures that all operators comply with state laws and regulations, including licensing requirements, responsible gaming measures, and consumer protections.

The DGE was a natural choice to regulate the NJ sports betting industry having worked with local casinos since the late 1970s.

Licenses required

To operate legally in New Jersey, sports betting operators must obtain a license from the DGE. This process involves thorough background checks, financial disclosures, and compliance with regulatory standards. Licensed operators must also partner with land-based casinos or racetracks to offer online sports betting.

Hard Rock Bet is able to operate its New Jersey sportsbook due to the licenses obtained by the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

New Jersey sports betting taxes and revenue

As a legal, regulated activity sports betting revenue in New Jersey is subject to taxation. Licensed operators are required to pay taxes on their gross sports betting revenue, with rates varying depending on the type of wagering (in-person or online) and the revenue generated. Online sports betting is taxed at a rate of 13%, while retail sports betting in New Jersey is taxed slightly lower at 8.5%.

Consumer Protections

New Jersey’s sports betting law includes various provisions to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of sports wagering. These measures include age verification requirements, responsible gambling initiatives, anti-money laundering safeguards, and mechanisms to detect and prevent problem gambling.

While New Jersey sports betting is now legal, it’s important to remember that not all sportsbooks are legal. Offshore operators, accepting illegal wagers will still try to monopolize part of the market. Be sure to keep your action on a legal, licensed NJ online sportsbook like Hard Rock Bet.

With legal sportsbooks your wagers are protected, your funds are safe, and you are guaranteed transparency and accountability with your gaming experience.

Legal age for New Jersey sports betting

You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in New Jersey. That’s the rule with Hard Rock Bet, and every online sports betting operator in the state. This is a state law and there is no getting around it.

Geofencing: Bets must be placed in New Jersey

While AB 4111 legalized sports betting in New Jersey, it’s important to point out that it legalized sports betting specifically in New Jersey – not in other states. If you travel outside of the state you will not be able to bet with your New Jersey sportsbook. For example, crossing into Pennsylvania or New York for the day to watch a game? Place your bets before you go because New Jersey sportsbooks can only take bets from players in New Jersey.

To confirm locations, Hard Rock Bet and other New Jersey online sportsbooks rely on GeoLocation tools to pinpoint the bettors location. A phone can confirm your location using it’s GPS, and a program can be downloaded to your computer to satisfy the requirement there, too. If you can’t prove you’re in New Jersey, you can’t bet.

When it comes to legal sports betting in the United States, no state has been more influential than New Jersey. Standing at the forefront of the battle for legalization there’s no doubt that the industry would like significantly different now if not for the efforts of a few trailblazing Garden State lawmakers.

The state’s persistent efforts culminated in a monumental Supreme Court ruling in May 2018 when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 was struck down, paving the way not just for sports betting in New Jersey, but sports betting in the United States.

New Jersey swiftly capitalized on the landmark ruling, legalizing sports betting in June 2018 with the state’s first retail sportsbooks hitting the market a month later in July. New Jersey online sportsbooks launched in August, allowing the first new state to accept legal wagers in decades.

NJ sports betting paves the way for other states

The legalization of sports betting in New Jersey was not just a win for the state but also set a precedent for others to follow. In the years since the NJ sports betting market has evolved in to one of the most robust in the country with multiple operators, including Hard Rock Bet accepting wagers, offering promotions, and servicing players around the clock.

The impact of New Jersey sports betting extends beyond the betting community, contributing significantly to the state’s economy through tax revenues and creating a new entertainment paradigm for sports fans. New Jersey’s success story has served as a model for other states, demonstrating the potential benefits of a well-regulated and dynamic sports betting market.

Hard Rock in New Jersey

With the advent of New Jersey online casino in 2013, and legal online sports betting in 2018, the Garden State quickly established itself as a center for legal online gaming in the country. With an eye to the future, in March 2017 Hard Rock International purchased the former Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City which had closed a few months prior.

The next year was spent transforming the property, top to bottom, into one of the most impressive casino resorts in the country. The grand opening for the state of the art Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City took place on June 27, 2018 and the online casino extensions of the brand weren’t far behind. The online Hard Rock Casino launched just a day after the retail casino opened, and Hard Rock Sports launched for online sports betting in January 2019.

Bolstered by the iconic Hard Rock brand, renowned for its entertainment and hospitality ventures worldwide, Hard Rock Bet brings a legacy of excellence and innovation to the New Jersey sports betting landscape.

Rebranding: Hard Rock Bet takes over

In August 2023 the Hard Rock Casino and Hard Rock Sports apps in New Jersey were officially rebranded to Hard Rock Bet, an improved all-in-one betting experience covering both online sportsbook and casino. The new platform immediately delivered more betting markets, casino games, and enhanced rewards to players throughout New Jersey.

Since its inception Hard Rock Bet has continued to innovate and expand its presence in the New Jersey sports betting market, forging strategic partnerships and enhancing its product offerings to meet the needs of bettors.