FOX Bet Sportsbook. In May 2019, a landmark announcement had some ripple effects across the betting industry. Media giant Fox and gambling titan The Stars Group announced that a tag-team effort was in the works. That led to Fox Bet, which went live in New Jersey. New Jersey, eager to offer sports betting, allowed the first retail sportsbook (Monmouth Park) to open in June, and the first online sports betting app (DraftKings) in August. 2020 - There are now 17 online sportsbooks available in New Jersey, making it the premier state to bet on sports online. Given this is the Borgata, we assume the permanent sportsbook, whenever it is complete and open, will be a top-notch facility, rivaling anything New Jersey has to offer. For now, splitting with. SINCE New Jersey legalised sports betting there has been monumental movement in the local industry, with many of the biggest sportsbooks in the world now having a foothold in the US state. This page will highlight the best sportsbook reviews online, with our take on the best NJ Sportsbooks an independent view from local writers.
Incredibly, nearly three months have passed since New Jersey legalized sports betting.
Dec 15, 2020 The NJ sportsbooks offer a large pool of sports types and cover a wealth of sporting events. All of which is happening under the keen eye of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Regulation is good for the bettors, and the government doesn’t mind the influx of additional tax money.
Now with eight brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, NJ is also the only state outside of Nevada to boast mobile wagering. Seven online skins are live in the Garden State, giving residents from Jersey — as well as from neighboring states — a variety of options with which to place bets. Of course, you have to be in New Jersey to access those apps.
Here’s a rundown of all the options available currently in the Garden State, with the most recent updates included:
NJ online sports betting options
Per the bill signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in June, online sports betting platforms could not launch until 30 days after the governor’s signature. No operator tested the timeline.
In fact, it wasn’t until August that the first mobile app rolled out.
DraftKings Sportsbook
Daily fantasy sports giant DraftKings introduced its DraftKings Sportsbook app at the beginning of the month and was fully launched by Aug. 6.
DraftKings utilizes the Resorts sports betting license and tech provided by Kambi Group.
At DraftKings Sportsbook, the options are limitless on what to bet including in-game betting. Since it’s a mobile sports betting app, it’s available 24/7.
For the better part of the month, DraftKings Sportsbook ran a mobile monopoly in New Jersey. Until the floodgates opened.
PlayMGM
The wait for the playMGM sports betting app was a long time coming. On July 31, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren said an app would launch by week’s end. That obviously did not come to fruition.
Finally, though, the app went liveAug. 22. Powered by IGT, the playMGM app banks on seasoned operators. The app has been operational in Nevada since 2016, using GVC to provide the platform.
“Fortunately we have a running start here because we operate the largest sports betting operation in Las Vegas with our 10 resorts,” Murren said in July. “We hub out of the Mirage property, but as you know, we own properties up and down the Las Vegas Boulevard. And our playMGM app has been active for quite some time and is already quite popular.
“So I think that the experienced gaming customer, and even the novice, is really going to gravitate toward integrity, trust, branding, information. And I think this provides us a tremendous advantage over my competitors.”
SugarHouse Sportsbook
Though not the first mobile sports betting app, SugarHouse online casino did become the first in one area.
With its SugarHouse Online Sportsbook & Casino, the Philadelphia-based and Rush Street Interactive-operated company was the first to integrate an online sportsbook with an existing online casino.
“Being the first US-based gaming operator to launch a regulated online sportsbook outside of the US has been helpful in establishing the SugarHouse Online Sportsbook & Casino,” Rush Street president Richard Schwartz said in a press release, referring to Rush Street’s regulated online operations in Colombia. “We’ve matured our sportsbook product and validated that players value our proprietary sportsbook loyalty program, including earning points on every single bet.”
Like DraftKings Sportsbook, the SugarHouse sportsbook benefits from its partnership with Kambi Group and opened Aug. 23 by using the Golden Nugget sports betting license. And also like DraftKings, it has all the bells and whistles including the popular in-game betting.
Download the SugarHouse Sportsbook app.
FanDuel Sportsbook
The chief daily fantasy sports competitor of DraftKings, FanDuelsoft-launched — and has since fully activated — its mobile app Sept. 1.
Clad in the company’s trademark blue and white color scheme, FanDuel used company members and resources from owner Paddy Power Betfair to complete the mobile sportsbook.
Also with a website that went live the same day, FanDuel Sportsbook features a carousel of potential bets for patrons, a carousel that becomes more customized after users begin placing wagers.
Similar to DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel’s product allows users to share funds between DFS and sports betting and offers in-play and prop bets.
Additionally, the FanDuel Sportsbook mobile platform provides customers the opportunity to follow individual events via game casts rather than bettors needing to physically watch gameplay.
William Hill
Quietly launched the same day as FanDuel Sportsbook, a mobile product from William Hill US entered the New Jersey market.
The William Hill online sportsbook, available only for desktop and Android for the time being, is adorned in the company’s traditional blue, gold, and white color scheme and features sports ranging from football, basketball, and baseball to auto racing and boxing.
Partnered with both Monmouth Park and Ocean Resort Casino, William Hill US — the American arm of the major British bookmaker — designed its product to allow users to wager on props and futures as well as with in-play wagering. It’s also now available on both Android and iOS.
Caesars
For the better part of the summer, Caesars Entertainment has worked toward a mobile product that integrated its online casino with sports betting. That finally came to fruitionSept. 6.
That day, as a complement to the company’s retail books at Bally’s and Harrah’s, Caesars online rolled out its Caesars Casino & Sports app, which is available for desktop, iOS, and Android.
Betting selections include the traditional football, basketball, baseball, and hockey as well as golf, tennis, soccer, motorsports, boxing and MMA. Bettors also have access to moneylines, totals, futures, point spreads, and parlays. While no in-play betting is available just yet, that feature should be expected to be introduced in the near future.
“Since New Jersey decided to allow mobile sports betting, we have been working diligently to create the most engaging and fun mobile platform which provides users with the ability to place bets on their favorite sporting events,” said Mark Frissora, CEO and President of Caesars.
888 Sportsbook
The NJ mobile sports betting crowd swelled to seven as 888 Sportsoft-launched its product Sept. 10.
A European sports betting giant, 888 Sport takes its first crack at the US market, featuring a wide selection of sports, high-end graphics, software and user interface.
Courtesy of its partnership with Caesars, 888 has roamed the Garden State airwaves for some time. You might recognize the name since its popular 888 Poker and 888 Casino sites have been active in New Jersey for some time.
Best New Jersey Sportsbooks
With the 888 sportsbook, bettors can wager on football, baseball, and basketball as well as boxing, cricket, and soccer, among other sports. Users will also have access to in-play betting, or live betting, as well as the traditional prop wagers.
BetStars NJ
Mere days after 888 Sport entered the party, BetStars NJ waltzed through the door.
A subsidiary of The Stars Group, BetStars, using its partnership with Resorts to gain licensing access, skipped the testing period and became fully activated on day one. With an Android app as well, BetStars for iOS users was integrated with the PokerStars NJ app. A standalone product for Apple customers is expected to be developed in the future.
With in-game betting and a game feed to keep bettors updated on game action, BetStars also offers early cash-out options and bonuses. The BetStars app features a variety of sports, from football and basketball and baseball to horse racing and soccer and tennis.
Retail locations in New Jersey
Monmouth Park
The Oceanport racetrack had sports betting plans in place since 2013, when Monmouth first partnered with bookmaker William Hill US. After a lengthy wait, the track finally had its dream become reality.
Three days after NJ sports betting was legalized, Monmouth opened its sportsbookJune 14. Over two days during the sportsbook’s first weekend, nearly 35,000 people went to the racetrack. In its first 17 days, the William Hill sportsbook piled up $2,279,166 in NJ sports betting revenue, a figure that dropped to $856,280 in July due in part to a dead time in the sports calendar.
But that won’t be for long. Football is just around the corner and you can bet there will be a variety of bets available.
The Monmouth Park Sportsbook by William Hill is open at the following times:
- Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Borgata
Not long after Monmouth kicked off the legalized sports betting era in New Jersey, Borgata joined the party.
Philadelphia 76ers Hall of Famer Julius Erving christened the Atlantic City casino’s IGT-powered operation by placing the first wager. His bet started the ball rolling for a respectable first month for Borgata, which reported $986,831 in June. Like Monmouth, a down time in the sports calendar led to a dropoff in revenue in July, during which Borgata posted $562,830.
You can place your bets at the Borgata Race &. Sports Book daily starting at 11 a.m.
It was obviously the first AC casino to launch a sports betting operation, but it would not be long until another property along the Boardwalk joined the fray.
Ocean Resort Casino
The arrival of Ocean Resort Casino had long been anticipated by Atlantic City. Replacing the former Revel, Ocean Resort opened its doorsJune 28 and immediately began accepting wagers.
As part of the $2.4 billion property is an expansive William Hill sportsbook that sits as the crown jewel of Atlantic City sportsbooks. Located at the heart of Ocean Resort’s casino floor, the $6 million, 7,500-square-foot book includes a state-of-the-art 360-degrees sports ticker, multiple TV viewing spots and a nearby bar area. The resort reported $192,671 in revenue for June, followed by $1,036,766 in July.
Are there football bets at Ocean Resort sportsbook? You bet. Check out the action from 9 a.m. to midnight daily.
Meadowlands Racetrack
If not for New York lawmakers failing to pass sports betting legislation, who knows how long it would have taken for Meadowlands Racetrack to open its FanDuel Sportsbook? The Empire State stumbled, though, resulting in the East Rutherford track fast-tracking its sportsbook opening.
As a result, after debuting July 14, Meadowlands reported the strongest July of all New Jersey sportsbooks.
With help from FanDuel owner Paddy Power Betfair and powered by IGT, the FanDuel Sportsbook piled up $1,357,477 in revenue during the first full month. Considering the lack of events on which to wager, it was an impressive month, setting a trend that should only spike with football season about to kick off.
FanDuel takes bets at the following times (sportsbook will close after all live US games have finished):
Bally’s and Harrah’s
Within three days spanning July and August, Caesars Entertainment had two properties introduce sportsbooks in Atlantic City.
First came July 30 at Bally’s with its Wild Wild West Sportsbook, powered by Scientific Games. Two days later, Harrah’s opened its temporary sportsbook for business, also from Scientific Games.
Scientific Games president and CEO Barry Cottle during the Bally’s opening:
“We’re thrilled to partner with Caesars to help them bring best-in-class sports wagering experiences to their players. Our SG Digital team is excited to help Caesars stay ahead of the game, as they work to expand their sports betting, digital and mobile offerings into newly regulated markets.”
Conveniently enough, Bally’s and Harrah’s have the same operating hours (and also the same lines):
- Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Golden Nugget
An eleventh-hour July submission for sportsbook plans allowed Golden Nugget to roll out its sports betting operationAug. 15.
The temporary Golden Nugget sportsbook sat in the casino’s former, repurposed poker room. The permanent book, dubbed The Sportsbook, opened at the end of August as planned. It includes several self-service betting kiosks, lounge areas, and a bevy of televisions.
Golden Nugget partnered withSBTech to power its book. From Thomas Winter, who oversees online gaming for Golden Nugget, speaking with Legal Sports Report at the time of the deal:
“Since sports betting is a critical component of our successful expansion for online betting and gaming in the US, SBTech persisted through our arduous review process. In the end, we knew SBTech was the right partner for us because of its industry-leading retail and online technology, their significant and diverse regulatory experience, as well as its innovative product-driven approach.”
Golden Nugget sportsbook is open daily, 10 a.m. to midnight.
Resorts
Shortly after Golden Nugget’s opening, Resorts Atlantic City debuted its sportsbook.
After partnering with DraftKings in June, then again with SBTech a month later, it became clear that Resorts would not feature a DraftKings-branded sportsbook. That was confirmed when the book opened Aug. 15 as Resorts Sports Book.
Residing in the casino’s old iGaming lounge, the temp sportsbook is the latest to hit the New Jersey retail market.
“It’s very big for Resorts,” Ed Andrewes, a consultant at Resorts who heads up the online casino and sportsbook, said at the time. “But it’s also big for all the casinos in Atlantic City, really, and for the US as a whole. … This kind of makes total sense for the industry and the government and the regulators. Everyone knew (sports betting) was going on. Now it can be taxed and properly regulated.”
Place your bets at Resorts Sports Book daily 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. (though that’s subject to change).
What’s in the works for NJ sports betting?
In August, NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement director David Rebucktold Legal Sports Report that several other mobile products “in the lab” could go live in the near future.
While a majority of those products have since hit the market, that does not mean the Garden State is done rolling out online sportsbooks or retail books.
After unveiling its sportsbook in August, Resorts targeted a September launch for its mobile product. Several months earlier, the casino partnered with SBTech to develop a “sportsbook solution across on-property, online and mobile channels.”
“That’s a big project for us,” Ed Andrewes, a consultant at Resorts who heads up the online casino and sportsbook, said in August. “But it’s an exciting one. We think sports (betting) was going to flourish both on the property, which offers a different and social experience, and mobile and online as well because that allows the consumer to bet and watch it at home or at the sports bar they use to quench.”
And then there’s Tropicana
Not to be left on the outside looking in, Tropicana officially partnered with William Hill US in the first week of September. The deal comes courtesy of Eldorado Resorts’ pending acquisition of Tropicana. A day before the casino’s partnership with William Hill, Eldorado entered a 25-year agreement to make the British bookmaker its “exclusive partner in the provision of digital and land-based sports betting services as well as online gaming.”
While the language of its partnership with William Hill suggests it has not applied for a sports betting license just yet, a casino executive shared plans for the property’s future sportsbook.
“A brand new venue is being created to host sports betting in the North Tower Casino, with kiosks located throughout the property,” Tropicana general manager Steve Callender said in a release. “We offer several sports bars to watch all the games while enjoying your favorite food and drinks including A Dam Good Sports Bar, Hooters, Chickie’s & Pete’s and Ri Ra Irish Pub. We are excited to share more details about Tropicana Atlantic City’s sports book in the coming weeks.”
In preparation for the 2019 football season, I visited all 10 of New Jersey’s retail sportsbooks to review what’s in store for NJ college and pro football bettors.
From the Meadowlands near the New York border to Ocean Casino at the northern tip of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, I’ve visited them all. And while the amenities are fairly consistent, each sportsbook does things just a little bit differently.
Whether it’s the size, the seats, the food availability, the tellers, or something else, no one sportsbook is the same as the other. That’s a good thing for New Jersey bettors because who doesn’t like variety. But it’s also a bad thing because how do you decide where to watch the game this weekend?
With the college football season up and rolling and Week 3 of the NFL season kicking off on Thursday, here’s my recap of the best sportsbook amenities (with runners-up) to help guide you as to where to spend your Saturdays and Sundays this fall.
Just remember that the best sportsbooks in New Jersey depend on what factors matter to you most.
Note: You can read all 10 full reviews of New Jersey’s sportsbooks below:
Best NJ sportsbook to watch the game
Winner: The Book at Bally’s
Runner-up: William Hill Sportsbook at Ocean Casino
These two books showcase the Vegas-style sportsbook in Atlantic City. But when it comes to the best of the best, the brand-new Bally’s sportsbook offers giant screens in a luxurious sportsbook setting. It has an overwhelming wow factor and the ability to transform those giant screens to show multiple games.
William Hill at Ocean’s layout offers almost a complete 360-degree circular view of multiple large screens. It’s a good plan B if Bally’s is too busy.
Best NJ sportsbook for a comfortable seat
Winner: The Book at Harrah’s
Runners-up: William Hill at Ocean and The Book at Bally’s
You would think the big boys in AC would be the winners here but no dice.
Harrah’s features top-shelf comfort with 50+ oversized leather chairs in its main viewing area. A quiet space with comfortable leather seats… what’s not to like?
But I have to give honorable mention to Ocean’s sportsbook, which features a nice mix of leather chairs and sofas, and Bally’s, which does just about everything well.
Best NJ sportsbook to bet with live tellers
Winner: FanDuel at the Meadowlands
Runners-up: William Hill at Ocean’s and William Hill at Tropicana
There’s never a shortage of live tellers at FanDuel Sportsbook’s retail space near New York City with 20+ positions available. Being so close to the big city, the double-digit number of tellers is likely a must for those busy game days.
Both William Hill locations in Atlantic City have multiple teller positions, too, with plenty of space to queue up while in line.
Best NJ sportsbook to bet at a self-service kiosk
Winner: FanDuel at the Meadowlands
Runner-up: DraftKings at Resorts
This category is dominated by the upstart fantasy sports leaders who now rule as sportsbook operators. FanDuel has 50 self-betting kiosks and DraftKings has 18. Those numbers are unmatched in New Jersey.
So if self-betting is your thing, look to the leaders of the NJ sports betting market. My choice casino.
Best NJ sportsbook for in-seat food and drink
Winner: The Book at Bally’s
Runner-up: Moneyline Bar & Book at Borgata
The Book at Bally’s features a seven-panel menu with copious food and drink options. The Borgata sportsbook features an upscale restaurant as an integral part of their sportsbook design.
This category might best highlight the variety at New Jersey sportsbooks. You can either reserve your seat at Bally’s and order conveniently from that seat. Or you can watch and bet on the game while sitting in an elegant restaurant.
Best NJ sportsbook bar to celebrate a big win
Winner: Moneyline at Borgata
Runner-up: William Hill at Ocean Casino
The upscale bar at the Borgata is in the center of all the action. That’s why it’s the winner in this category. It is both eye-catching and perfectly situated to be within reach when the game ends on a high note for your bet (or your fellow fans).
The rectangular bar at William Hill at Ocean is adjacent to the main sportsbook area and is topped off with scrolling LED odds and information screens. So it deserves a mention here.
Best large-scale sportsbook in New Jersey
Winner: The Book at Bally’s
Runner-up: William Hill at Ocean
Bally’s AC sportsbook features seating for 280 with loads of additional space for standing-room capacity, so was there ever any doubt it would be the top dog in this category? It’s also bigger than all other Atlantic City sportsbooks by a mile.
Ocean has more than 130+ seats with plenty of areas to move around the book to get to the tellers, the bar, or to another part of the casino. Being in the center of the casino floor certainly helps, too.
Now, I could have mentioned Fanduel at the Meadowlands, which is big, but FanDuel’s space is split into three sections. Bally’s and Ocean Casino sportsbooks are one contiguous space.
Best smaller, cozier sportsbooks in New Jersey
Winner: Golden Nugget
Runner-up: Harrah’s
Both books mentioned above do their best to work with the space they’ve been allotted. Golden Nugget sportsbook has close quarters but has that “Mega Fan Cave” feel to it with wall-mounted TV screens on almost every foot of the space.
Harrah’s has fewer TV screens available in their main viewing area, but the 50 overstuffed armchairs make for a pleasurable sportsbook experience.
Best NJ sportsbook for reserved VIP options
Winner: The Book at Bally’s
The Book at Bally’s is the runaway winner in this category; there’s no runner-up.
From five private fan cave sections (each holding to 16-24 people) to six VIP sections located toward the rear of the open section of the book, there are plenty of options for one to lock down their game-day experience.
To top it off, everything is reservable online, including all the general seating locations. All it takes is a food/beverage minimum spend vs a space or seat rental fee.
Best NJ sportsbook to also play the horses
Winner: FanDuel at the Meadowlands and William Hill at Monmouth
Runner-up: Borgata Atlantic City
If you are looking to spread out your action or want to fire $$$ on every game and race that takes place, both the Meadowlands (FanDuel) and Monmouth Park (William Hill) offer live horse races, simulcasts of out of state races, as well as sports betting. It’s a great combo.
Borgata AC has a great racing book/simulcast theatre and is currently the only location in Atlantic City where you can bet the ponies. The Race & Sports Book is right next to the new Moneyline sportsbook.
Best Atlantic City sportsbooks with self-park deals
Winner: Golden Nugget
Runner-up: Borgata
Golden Nugget is the only casino with a sportsbook that also offers free self-parking. That’s more money in your pocket for betting, eating, and enjoying the game (or casino).
The high-end Borgata does keep their self-pricing reasonable at $5. Definitely worth mentioning here, but that’s not free, now is it?
New Jersey Sports Betting
One top tip to save money wherever you decide to park is to pick up a player’s card, as most hotel’s offer some form of parking discounts when you are a loyal member of the casino.
New Jersey Sportsbook Revenue
The best sportsbook in New Jersey? It all depends…
There are many options for New Jersey football bettors because there really is something out there for everyone.
Of course, you could take the hard-core approach of finding which books offer the best odds and pricing but that is a day-by-day, game-by-game approach. The odds and prices around the state will vary on a daily, even hourly basis.
But if your goal is to sit back, relax, place a bet, and enjoy the game, there are some awesome amenities at NJ retail sportsbooks. And there’s that added benefit of being able to bet on one of 17 NJ sports betting apps while you are served a meal and your favorite drink.
Here’s to a great NFL season, and for Jersey’s sake, we can only hope to dream of an Eagles-Jets or Giants-Jets Super Bowl come next February.