There is no question that football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. The NFL remains to be the biggest league that is associated with football, which means it attracts a lot of viewership nationwide. As a result, betting on the NFL has become quite lucrative with both sportsbook operators and enthusiastic punters wanting to have a piece of the cake. And since many states have legalized sports betting in their respective jurisdictions, the sports betting industry is set to grow and flourish even further.
In particular, New Jersey boasts a thriving online gambling market with most sportsbook operators accepting bets on the NFL. This article will discuss in length about NFL betting in New Jersey and tell you everything you would like to know.
Is NFL betting legal in New Jersey?
Yes, sports betting is legal in New Jersey, so you can bet on the NFL. The quest to legalize sports betting in NJ began in 2011 when the state challenged the existence of the PASPA ban on the same. However, the case was dismissed. In 2012, still determined to turn the tables in their favor, NJ legislators proposed amendments to the law to allow wagering on sports. This time, several leagues including the NFL went to court to block the process, which they eventually won. However, the legislators didn't give up.
In October 2016, they brought a petition to the Supreme Court, citing the unconstitutionality of the PASPA ban. After hearing the case, the court ruled in their favor in May 2018, consequently striking down the ban completely. This was a huge win for New Jersey and other states that were hoping to offer sports betting. A few days later, bill S2602 was introduced and after some debate, it was approved by the NJ legislature. It was then signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. In June 2018, legal sports betting went live in New Jersey.
Which NFL teams around New Jersey can you wager on?
Although there are currently no NFL teams in NJ, there are nearby teams you can bet on. Here are some of them.