Legal Sports Betting For New Jersey Residents
When it comes to online gambling in New Jersey, few options compare to legal New Jersey sports betting sites. Those who want to bet on sports in the state of New Jersey will find that there are plenty of Internet-based sportsbooks that accept bets from residents of the state. If you are going to wager online, we can suggest that you stick only to the sites we have tested for quality. Since not all gambling sites are legitimate, it is important to be careful when attempting legal N.J. sports betting online.
Exploring the legal sports betting sites for NJ residents does not have to be complicated, and we can help you in finding the best online sportsbook. By first understanding federal and state sports betting laws you will feel more comfortable with betting on sports online. Once you learn more about legal sports betting in New Jersey, you can read through our online sportsbook reviews that will cover the highlights of the best online sports betting sites for NJ residents.
Online sports betting was not legalized in New Jersey in 2013 despite the fact that the state would like it to have been. Online poker and online casinos were made legal in New Jersey and launched in November of 2013. Several state-regulated websites backed by Atlantic City casinos lead the way. When it concerns sports betting, however, that is an issue that New Jersey had to bring to federal court, arguing that the will of state residents should be enough to implement legal sports betting. Finally, the state’s argument was heard by the US Supreme Court, and the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) – which barred most US states from offering sports betting products – was overturned. Online sports betting is now legal inside New Jersey, but accessibility is very limited (though it should expand somewhat in the future).
Sports Betting Laws in New Jersey
New Jersey does currently have legal online sports betting in the state, but it is largely limited to a few brick-and-mortar venues, like various casinos in Atlantic City or the premises of the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford. For now, Internet sports betting and the various legal sports betting apps available to NJ residents are geo-fenced to only allow players to submit wagers within the state. This is convenient for those who live and stay put in New Jersey, but what about those who travel, or work in New York? That’s where offshore online sportsbooks come into play. And in addition to being way more accessible than NJ-based sportsbooks, they almost always have better odds and line values for their hundreds of thousands of New Jersey customers.
Indeed, even when online sports betting will be accessible by NJ residents no matter where in the state they happen to be, the Interstate Wire Act (1961) is still going to be in effect, and once you’re outside of New Jersey’s borders, you will not be able to place a sports bet on your official New Jersey sports betting apps or Internet sites. That’s where offshore online sportsbooks come into play. And in addition to being way more accessible than NJ-based sportsbooks, they’ve almost always have better odds and line values for their hundreds of thousands of New Jersey customers.
No, sports wagering online will not land you in jail in New Jersey. There have never been any arrests in New Jersey for online sports betting of any sort. New Jersey isn’t one of the American states with laws against online sports wagering, so New Jersey residents can wager away at the online sports betting site of their choice without fear of prosecution. However, Bovada cannot be used in New Jersey, but this is based on their terms and conditions – not a law from New Jersey.
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The most influential and substantive federal law that impacted New Jersey sports betting was the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). This caused New Jersey’s long legal battle that was only recently settled in the US Supreme Court (May 14, 2018). PASPA made land-based sports betting illegal in all but four states: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana, as these states had existing sports lotteries or sportsbooks.
Fortunately, because the SCOTUS deemed PASPA unconstitutional, all US states are now free to regulate their own sports betting industries. New Jersey has already done this, with the first legal sports bets being placed inside the state (at the historic Monmouth Park horse track) just a month after PASPA’s elimination from federal books.
The Wire Act of 1961 is another federal law that sports bettors should be aware of. The law makes it illegal for those in the business of gambling to transmit interstate sports wagers and betting information by way of a wire communication facility over state lines. The goal was to make it easier for individual states to punish the criminal underworld that commonly used telegraphs and telephones in their racketeering efforts.
In today’s day in age, the federal law also applies to US sports betting businesses operating over the Internet. Like all of the federal New Jersey sports betting laws that we mention, the act only applies to operators and not bettors. The Wire Act does not prevent offshore sportsbooks from operating, as the US government has no legal jurisdiction over the lawful industries instituted and regulated by other countries.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is the last of the federal laws that can affect NJ sports betting over the Internet, as it is a banking restriction imposed on US financial institutions and payment processors. Certain entities that participate in designated payment systems such as credit cards, bank wires, and checks must have security measures in place to block known transactions related to online gambling. Card systems are the most complex, which is why your credit card may initially get declined when making a deposit.
The legal New Jersey sports betting sites that we recommend all work with a variety of processors to improve your credit card success rate. And remember, the UIGEA does not make Internet sports betting illegal; it is just a stipulation for businesses, not bettors. If your card is ever declined, you are not in trouble. Simply use a different card or payment type and continue placing your wagers!
The legal sports betting age in New Jersey is 21 years or older. This coincides with the general gambling age across the US for most types of betting. When researching different online sportsbooks, you may notice that some sites take bettors as young as 18 years old. You should still abide by the legal betting age in New Jersey because it is state law, and it shows good faith on your part. Bearing that in mind, if you are not yet 18 and participate in underage gambling at legal NJ sports betting sites, you will face having your account suspended or terminated and all of your funds confiscated permanently. Never gamble underage – it’s just not worth it!
You can bet on sports from anywhere in New Jersey when you use a mobile sports betting app (or, technically, a “web app”). Nearly every legal New Jersey sports betting site has some sort of mobile offering. Mobile sports betting web apps allow you to bet on the New York Giants or the Brooklyn Nets (or any other team anywhere in the world) while waiting in line, sitting at the bar, or dining at a restaurant. You have access to all of your essential account features, such as deposits, withdrawals, and bonuses.
Bettors can even enjoy live betting from their mobile devices while out watching the game. Odds will be updated during every play of the game, or during commercial breaks. Some of the available wager types include moneylines, totals, point spreads, and more. Most devices are compatible with mobile sportsbooks, including iPhone, Blackberry, Amazon Fire, Windows Mobile, and Android devices. Tablets like the iPad work as well, and all you have to do is visit the sportsbook site from your browser to be redirected to the mobile betting platform. Some of the best mobile sports betting apps for NJ residents include BetOnline and SportsBetting. (Just remember, you will not find any official apps from these NJ sportsbooks on the App Store or in Google Play, as Apple and Google do not allow real-money sports betting products from overseas vendors on their sales platforms.)
Legal New Jersey sports betting sites are definitely an interesting topic, given the fact that much is changing in the realm of online gambling in the state overall. Check out some of the most frequently asked questions about legal sports betting in New Jersey below and get the proper answers that you are seeking.
When Will State-Sponsored Online Betting Sites Open in New Jersey?
This has already happened, as New Jersey quickly passed its own updated local sports betting laws as soon as PASPA was overturned in May 2018. All of New Jersey’s Atlantic City casinos and racetracks state-wide should have their own sports betting platforms up and running by the time you read this. But there are still a few working out the details.
Why Should New Jersey Citizens Choose Online Sports Betting Sites?
New Jersey citizens choose online sports betting sites for several reasons that go beyond convenience. When you use an online sports betting site, you have a much wider range of betting options than what you would get in local casinos and racetracks. You can bet on any team in any sport, anywhere in the world – also, they don’t have in-state collegiate betting restrictions like the local books. Legal New Jersey sports betting sites also have huge bonuses and promotions that local bookmakers cannot match, allowing bettors to double and even triple their bankrolls instantly. When you want to make a profit from betting on sports, online sportsbooks are the way to go.
What Are The Legal Deposit And Withdrawal Methods for NJ Residents?
Legal New Jersey sports betting sites have numerous ways for bettors to move money in and out of their accounts. The majority of bettors find it most convenient to use a credit card, however, there are other options that can be used for both deposits and withdrawals. These include checks, money orders, MoneyGram, Western Union, bank wire transfers, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Though the method you should use will depend on your betting strategy and budget, Bitcoin is the best overall option. Deposits are nearly instantly credited into your account no matter how much you put in, and there are never any fees charged by an online sportsbook. Withdrawals are just as easy, with most cashiers allowing bettors to withdraw at least $9,500 in a single Bitcoin transaction. When you want to make the fastest, largest, and most reliable deposits and withdrawals, Bitcoin is the best legal banking option for NJ sports bettors.
New Jersey is one of the most gambling-friendly states in the US, especially when it comes to sports. Even though the only professional sports team that currently carries the state’s name is the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, they once were home to the New Jersey Nets – now the Brooklyn Nets. Still, there are several teams that NJ residents tend to bet on due to their proximity and history, including the Buffalo Bills, the New York Jets, and the New York Giants. The Jets and the Giants actually play in East Rutherford at MetLife Stadium, which only increases fan loyalty and popularity amongst bettors.