What is in This Guide?
In this guide, you’ll find the most important information on horse betting sites in NJ. I’ll cover the best horse betting sites, bonuses on horse races, how to bet on them, and NJ racetracks. Also, I’ll talk about the best horse racing events to bet on in NJ. Keep reading to find out what online horse betting sites in New Jersey have in store for you.
Legal Online Horse Racing in New Jersey
Thanks to New Jersey’s Off-track and Account Wagering Act, account wagering on horses is now legal. If you reside in NJ and you are at least 18 years old, you can bet on horses at legal gambling sites. The Act allows casinos operating in Atlantic City to open racebooks.
You can open an account and place bets on both local and simulcast races across the globe. To register for an account, you’ll be required to share personal information. This includes your name, email address, phone number, current address, date of birth, current address, and password.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in New Jersey
There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you watch racing horses and bet on them to win real money. Although it’s a great experience to watch and bet on horses at racetracks, that’s no longer a requirement in New Jersey. If you don’t live near where the horses are racing, there’s off-track and account wagering. And online horse betting has numerous benefits over betting on horses at NJ racetracks.
If you would like to bet on horses and jockeys in NJ, I already have your back. With a license to promote online gambling websites, I’ve gathered lots of information on approved legal horse betting sites. To bet on horses right away, check my list of the best horse racing betting sites in New Jersey.
How to Find the Best Horse Betting Sites in NJ
Of course, you want to bet on horses at top-rated wagering sites that focus on the best races. You also expect the selected betting site to offer various betting options. Above all, the chosen betting site must offer legal betting services according to NJ gambling laws. Here is a summary of everything I keep in mind when choosing online horse racing sites.
Licensed and Regulated Online Horse Racing Gambling Sites
To stay safe while wagering on horses, make sure every betting site you choose operates legally. The New Jersey Racing Commission licenses and regulates horse races to ensure safety and integrity. Moreover, the Division of the New Jersey Racing Commission has jurisdiction over the state’s thoroughbred and standardbred permit holders. It regulates races at the state’s three racetracks.
The Commission is responsible for overseeing pari-mutuel betting and supervising pari-mutuel operations. Additionally, the Commission has jurisdiction over horse racing simulcasting at racetracks, 6 off-track wagering facilities, and the account wagering system.
Plenty of Horse Betting Options
Without a doubt, the available horse betting options at a betting site will influence your decision to join the site. The best online horse betting websites cover every option when it comes to types of bets and horse races. You should be able to bet on popular races like the Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown, and the Hambletonian Stakes. I’ll talk about the different types of bets and horse racing events later, so keep reading.
Secure Payment Methods
If you choose to bet on horses online, the betting site must offer secure payment methods. In New Jersey, online gambling sites accept a huge range of reputable payment options. They have trusted banking options like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Mastercard, Visa, bank wire transfers, and online bank transfers.
Bettors can also use ACH/e-checks, PayNearMe, or deposit at the track These banking options have proven to be effective even when wagering on horses. You should always check the payments section of the betting site to see which payment methods are available.
Bookie Bonuses on Horse Races
One of the benefits of betting on horses online is that bettors can claim various bonuses. A nice welcome bonus will make you feel valued the first time you join a gambling site. In New Jersey, online casinos and sportsbooks have bonuses for new players and existing customers.
You should learn how to capitalize on the available bonus offers to boost your bankroll. If you like betting on horses, you’ll benefit from the following types of bonuses in New Jersey.
Deposit and No Deposit Bonuses
It’s a common practice for NJ online casinos and sportsbooks to offer deposit and no deposit bonuses. These bonuses are often awarded from the moment you create your online betting account. Depending on the type of bonus, you may or may not be required to make a deposit.
The minimum deposit requirement will vary from one betting platform to another. Most of the betting sites I have seen require new players to deposit as little as $10 to get their first deposit bonus. If the bonus offer is 100% free, you won’t be asked to make a deposit! A no deposit bonus is probably the coolest of all bonuses because you can win real money out of nothing.
Match Deposit Bonus
Welcome bonus offers at horse betting portals in NJ come as percentages or cash bonuses. Bonuses that are expressed as a percentage of your deposit amount are called match bonuses. The standard match offer is at 100% and is always capped at a certain amount. For example, the betting website operator may welcome new punters with a 100% match up to $1,200 and so on.
Risk-Free First Bets
One of the most thrilling bonuses awarded by online horse betting sites in NJ is a risk-free bet. Betting on races is all about taking risks because you can’t be sure that your bet will win. The good news is, you don’t need to worry about losing your first bet on horses.
If you choose a gambling site with a risk-free offer for new players, you’ll bet confidently because there’s no risk of losing. Once you sign up, your welcome offer could be a $300 risk-free bet. In other words, you can wager up to 300 bucks without the risk of losing your hard-earned money. But you’ll be required to make your first deposit to claim the offer. You may also be required to wager your bonus several times before you are allowed to withdraw your winnings.
How a Risk-Free Bet Works
Allow me to use a simple example to show you how a risk-free bet works. Let’s say the horse racing betting website welcomes you with a $300 risk-free bet. Generally, this means that you get a chance to bet up to $300 risk-free bet on your first bet. So, the casino will refund any amount you lose on your first bet up to a maximum of 300 bucks.
A $300 risk-free bet is good enough to get you started when betting on any sport. However, you’ll be excited to know that some gambling sites have more lucrative offers. For instance, I’ve seen betting websites offering risk-free bets worth $500 and above. To find what’s on offer, you should always check the promotions page.
Free Bet
Both new and existing bettors can benefit from free bets at NJ online betting websites. Usually, free bets are awarded upon meeting the minimum deposit requirement. A free bet is not risk-free, meaning that you won’t get a refund when you lose your bet. A good example will be a free bet worth $25 if you deposit $30.
Money-Back Bonus
The ideal situation is that every bet you make on horses wins. However, there are moments when you incur losses and run out of money. Luckily, NJ betting operators will help you resume betting by offering a money-back or cashback bonus if you lose. It’s usually a small fraction of your losses.
Just like other bonuses, a money-back bonus will come with terms and conditions. For example, the betting site may give you up to $10 back if your horse runs second or third. If you had exhausted your bankroll, you’d have 10 bucks to keep betting on your favorite horses.
Refer-a-Friend Bonus
One of the easiest ways to get yourself a bonus is to refer a friend. Of course, this offer works even if the person you’ve referred is not someone you know. All you need is to get them to sign up with your invite or referral link to get the bonus.
In some cases, this type of bonus is only available to the person who has successfully referred a friend. But some gambling sites will reward you as well as the person you’ve successfully referred to them. If the bonus applies to you alone, you might get something like $20 for every fruitful referral. And if your friends are eligible, the gambling site may give them the same bonus as you.
How to Bet on Horse Races in New Jersey? –Types of Horse Racing Bets
To bet on horse racing, you need to understand the different types of bets on offer. As a fan of horse betting, I can assure you that betting on races is easy even for new punters. But it’s vital to gather information on the horses, jockeys, and different races in NJ and around the world.
Once you are ready, you can choose from the following types of bet:
- Win – This is the easiest straight bet in horse racing betting. Your job is to bet on the horse you think will win the race.
- Place – A place is another straight bet that allows you to bet on a single horse to finish in first or second place.
- Show – The third straight bet is all about betting on a single horse to finish in the first, second, or third place.
- Exacta – An exacta bet involves selecting two horses to finish the race in the first or second place in the correct order. You can also ‘box’ to flip and cover both finishing orders.
- Quinella – A quinella is an exotic bet that allows you to bet on two horses to finish in first or second place in any order.
- Trifecta – This exotic bet allows bettors to pick the top three horses to finish the race in the correct order. You can also ‘box’ trifecta bets to change the finishing order.
- Superfecta – This is another exotic wager that allows you to place bets on the top four horses in the correct order. It’s one of the riskiest bets to place on races, but the payouts are generally high.
- Pick 5/6 – This bet involves wagering on the winner of various races at a specific racetrack each day.
- Future Bets – Big horse racing events allow you to place bets on races that will take place in the future. For example, you can bet on the winner of the Triple Crown in advance.
Road to the Legalization of Horse Racing Betting in New Jersey
Horse racing in NJ has been around since the 1700s and had attracted many admirers by the 1800s. In the mid-1800s, larger racetracks started to operate in places like Ho-Ho-Kus, North Bergen, Paterson, Vernon, Clifton, and Long Branch. The Long Branch Racetrack became what is now known as Monmouth Park.
Banning Pari-Mutuel Gambling at Racetracks in 1894
Although NJ was a central horse racing venue, the races were still informal, and betting on horses remained illegal until the 1940s. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, anti-gambling efforts had a significant impact on horse races. Particularly, moral reform movements led to the prohibition of pari-mutuel gambling at racetracks in 1894.
Following the banning of pari-mutuel gambling, several racetracks closed, including Guttenberg and Monmouth. Nevertheless, some racetracks such as Weequahic Park and the Long Branch Racetrack continued with their operations.
Pari-Mutuel Gambling Returns in 1939
There was too much pressure in the 1930s to reinstate betting. Horse racing betting proponents argued that betting would create employment and generate revenue through taxes.
Eventually, the 1939 amendment allowed pari-mutuel betting, opening doors for NJ punters to bet on horses. Currently, the Garden State has three racetracks where bettors can watch horses and bet on world-class races. I’ll explain the three racetracks later in this guide.
The Off-Track and Account Wagering Act
On August 5, 2001, the state of New Jersey introduced the Off-track and Account Wagering Act. The legislation provides for the licensing of the Sports and Exposition Authority to carry out account wagering and launch off-track wagering sites with identified participants.
The Act gives the Racing Commission power to regulate Account and Off-track betting. It also states the requirements for the Commission to issue Account and Off-track wagering licenses.
New Jersey Racetracks
One of the reasons why horse racing betting attracts many punters in New Jersey is the availability of racetracks. Standardbred and thoroughbred races in NJ take place at three racetracks: Freehold Raceway, the Meadowlands, and Monmouth Park. These racetracks are home to exciting races and have created lots of opportunities for fans of horse racing betting.
The three horse racing tracks provide never-ending action if you are interested in horse racing events. You can enjoy popular events like the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, the United Nations Stakes, and the Hambletonian Stakes. Now, let’s have a look at each of the three-horse racing tracks in the Garden State.
Freehold Raceway
Freehold Raceway is located in the historic town of Freehold in central New Jersey. Established in 1853, it’s considered to be the oldest racetrack offering live racing in the US. Freehold Raceway hosts standardbred and harness racing for trotters and pacers. Moreover, the racetrack offers simulcast races from various tracks in the US.
Another amazing thing about Freehold Raceway is that it’s open 7 days and 7 days a week. This gives horse racing fans a chance to enjoy and bet on their favorite sport throughout the year. You just need to keep an eye on the schedule.
The Meadowlands
The Meadowlands horse racing track in NJ is known for both thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing. Located in East Rutherford’s Meadowlands Sports Complex, the racetrack opened on 1 September 1976. It offers live thoroughbred racing in October and harness racing from January to August and in November and December.
You won’t miss out on any race because the Meadowlands is open 7 days and nights per week. It’s one of the best horse racing locations if you are looking for year-round events. Throughout the year, you can bet on thoroughbred and standardbred (harness) racing simulcasts. Moreover, punters can wager on various horse racing events at the Meadowlands to win real money. Notably, horse racing betting fans can bet on the annual Hambletonian Stakes.
Monmouth Park
If you are interested in horse racing betting on thoroughbred races, Monmouth Park is the place to be. Located in Oceanport, NJ, the racetrack officially opened on 30 July 1870. Notable horse racing betting options at the racetrack include the Haskell Invitational Stakes and the United Nations Stakes. The Monmouth Cup and the Molly Pitcher Stakes also take place at the racetrack, offering incredible horse racing betting options.
Top Horse Racing Events to Bet on in NJ
As I said before, the best NJ horse wagering websites cover a multitude of events. They include both local and simulcast races around the world. You should keep an eye on the following racing events:
- Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing – The Triple Crown is awarded to title awarded to a 3-year-old thoroughbred horse who wins three races. The horse must win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes to receive the award.
- Breeders’ Cup – The Breeders’ Cup is a top-rated horse racing event held every year. It involves a series of thoroughbred races and features a huge prize pool.
- The Haskell Invitational – This event features the best 3-year-old horses and invited participants.
- United Nations Stakes – Each year, Monmouth Park hosts the United Nations Stakes. This racing event involves horses 3 years and older.
- The Hambletonian Stakes – This harness race takes place annually at the Meadowlands Racetrack. It involves 3-year-old trotting standardbreds.
Conclusion
Overall, horse racing betting is both fun and rewarding at gambling websites in New Jersey. Whether you want to bet on the Kentucky Derby or the Hambletonian Stakes, there are lots of opportunities. And bettors can enjoy a wide range of bonuses at top-rated horse betting platforms.
I hope that the information presented here has been useful if you want to bet on horse racing in New Jersey. Feel free to come back for more and choose the best horse betting portals recommended here. Whatever you do, be a responsible gambler.
FAQ
Can You Bet Online In New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey legalized legal online gambling in 2013.
What’s the Legal Betting Age in NJ?
The legal betting age is 21, but you can bet on horse racing in NJ if you are 18 years old or older.
What is the Best Online Horse Racing Betting Site?
The best online horse racing betting website has a gaming license and is regulated. In New Jersey, top horse racing betting platforms operate under the New Jersey Racing Commission.
Where Can I Watch Horse Racing Replays?
If you missed live horse racing events, you could access replays on horse racing betting websites.
