Best Football Betting Sites in New Jersey - Dec 2024

Football is by far the biggest sport in the United States, with an average viewership of more than 17 million people per NFL game. What’s more, it’s estimated that 46 million people bet on football games every year.

That certainly explains why there's so much wagering focus so much on this hugely popular sport. New Jersey's best football betting sites supply competitive odds on all NFL games, not to mention college football and even the Canadian Football League. And, as you’ll learn in this article, they offer countless innovative features.

Betting on football is a great way to make an action-packed sport even more exciting to watch. However, before you start, learn how to find the best sites, what kinds of bets are available and the best football betting strategies. Our guide is here to help.

Leading Football Betting Sites in 2024

Since New Jersey legalized sports betting in June 2018, more than 20 licensed sportsbooks have launched. As such, it’s easier than ever before to find a sportsbook, whether online or in-person. 

However, here we're focusing on the best football betting sites, and, above, our expert team has compiled the ranking table so you can make an informed decision about the best sportsbook for football wagers.

What Do the Best Football Betting Sites Offer?

Football betting sites in New Jersey work hard to stand out in a crowded market. To deliver the best experience, they must be safe to use, offer straightforward payments and provide a wide range of betting markets and promotions. 

Key to a great wagering experience is using a licensed operator, regulated by the NJDGE - on Best Betting New Jersey, you will only ever see licensed sportsbooks that we believe reach the heights that our users expect.

Football Betting Markets

The best sites feature a huge level of variety, both in terms of events and betting lines. Naturally, NFL games are always covered. But you’ll also find CFL (Canadian Football League) and UFL (United Football League) as well as some college games. 

Long gone are the days of the same old wagers and markets - now the best football sportsbooks will offer a multitude of markets including all the old staples, but going deeper into player props, parlays and even Same Game Parlays (SGPs).

Of course, it’s important to get the best odds when betting on football, something which the top sites understand. But a sizeable selection of bet types also gives us more opportunities to find value. 

Safety and Security

Always make sure your chosen sportsbook is safe and secure before signing up. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is responsible for licensing each football betting site in New Jersey. 

The presence of this license is a sure sign that the site is following industry best practices. You can be certain that the betting rules are fair, money will be handled correctly and your personal details are secure. 

Football Betting Bonuses and Promotions

Football betting bonuses and promotions help to make placing bets even more enjoyable. And hopefully, more profitable too. The best football sites in the Garden State offer matched deposit bonuses, risk-free bets and more, to enhance your betting opportunities and boost your bankroll.

There’s more to bonuses than the headline amount, however. It’s important to check the terms and conditions to make sure they’re fair, with no unreasonable requirements buried away in the fine print.

Payment Options

Wagering with real money means making deposits and withdrawals. But before you can bet on football, you’ll need to choose a payment option and fund your account. 

The best sites make this process as simple as possible, leaving you with more time to research your bets and enjoy the game. But they also make sure your sensitive data is safe, with security technology like SSL and two-factor authentication.

Some of these payment methods will include:

• Apple Pay
• PayPal
• Debit / Credit Cards
• PayNearMe
• PaySafeCard
• Bank Transfers

What Makes a Good Football Betting Product?

The best football sportsbooks obviously include all of the aforementioned features. But they also go out of their way to deliver a superior service. 

One way to achieve this is to constantly review the user experience and make the site or app as accessible as possible. But it also means updating the product to include the latest features and tools, helping you to extract the most value from your bets. That includes live football streams, in-game stats and data visualizations from companies such as Stats Perform.  

For example, many of our recommended sites provide users with a lightweight and user-friendly mobile app. Not to mention an abundance of live stats, streaming options and the invaluable cash out feature. 

Here’s a more in-depth look at the best football betting features available. 

Watch Live Football Games as you Wager

Thanks to live streaming via a sportsbook, you don’t need an expensive cable subscription to watch football. Watching games offers more information, allowing you to see potential betting opportunities as tackles are made and points are scored.  

Caesars Sportsbook became the first NJ sports betting site to offer live NFL betting in 2022. Select regular and postseason NFL games are offered via the website and app. As long as you have a funded account, you’re able to follow the action for free. 

The “Watch and Bet” feature is just one reason why Caesars is considered to be the best football sportsbooks in New Jersey. However, things change quickly, and other sites are getting on board with live streaming. For example, Fanatics plans to offer the same service to bettors in NJ. 

Make the Most of Stats and and Football Data

Using data and statistics is key if you want to maximize your chances of success when betting on sports. Masses of data are collected on every NFL game, with coaches, athletes and fans alike using this information to deliver insights and improve results. 

When betting, you can use such stats to pick the most logical outcomes and improve your win rate. The best betting sites provide up-to-date figures for every game, supplying the latest details on head-to-head records, player form and much more. 

Top sportsbooks provide in-game stats too, to help inform your live betting picks. If there’s no live stream available, they'll provide visualizations, explaining where the action is in real time, supported by play-by-play commentaries and key stats.

Claim Winnings Early with Cash Out

Cash out on football betting is now a standard part of the experience, giving you more control over your bets and collecting your payouts. 

Before the development of cash out, you had to wait until the end of the game to pick up your winnings. But now, thanks to this excellent feature, you can fully or partially complete your bet at any time. You’ll receive a payout based on the current odds, allowing you to lock in a profit or reduce a loss.

This feature is especially useful in action-packed sports like football, as you never know when the momentum in a game might shift. Take advantage of cash out to protect a likely winner or cancel a losing bet. You’re in full control.

Live Betting at Football Sportsbooks in New Jersey

Although you can place your bets before a game gets underway, the top football betting sites offer live betting, too. This means you can view the latest odds and place bets while the action is already playing out on the field. 

Live odds are updated in real-time, so it’s possible to take advantage of line movement as points are scored.

Bet365 has a solid reputation as one of the best options for live betting in NJ. All NFL events are covered as they happen, with prices updated instantly as plays are completed. There are dozens of live football betting markets to choose from, too, with plenty of stats and streams also provided.

How Do I Bet on Football in New Jersey?

It's really simple to wager on football within the state of New Jersey and below we'll walk you through some easy steps to follow. Ever since betting on football was legalized in 2018, it's been a simple process and with a plethora of football betting sites to choose from, you've got a great experience ahead.

1. 1

   Choose a Sportsbook

   A key element is choosing a sportsbook for football betting in the first place. Head to our ranking table above, read our sportsbook reviews, and choose one that works for you.

2. 2

   Register at the Sportsbook

   So the most time-consuming part comes now. Click on the sign-up, register, or join now buttons on the sportsbook you chose. Follow their simple process which means adding in some personal details such as name, address, date of birth, along with some ID verification. Sometimes the verification comes later in a further step but it's a crucial part that sportsbooks follow with regulation in mind.

3. 3

   Verify Your Account

   Once you're registered, the sportsbook will likely want to verify you which means submitting ID and proving who you are. This is for anti-money-laundering purposes (AML), as well as for basic Know-Your-Customer (KYC) practices. It can be a little bit frustrating but ultimately it's there to protect you.

4. 4

   Deposit

   Head to the deposit page and choose a payment method that works for you. The best football betting sites will have a multitude of options for you to choose from.

5. 5

   Head to Football

   Find the Football tab in the navigation - often found listed on the left side of a sportsbook, and navigate to the competition/event you're interested in.

6. 6

   Choose a Market!

   Find a wagering market you're comfortable with and select the outcome you want to happen. This will populate the betslip automatically.

7. 7

   Stake and Confirm

   Add the stake you're willing to wager and confirm the bet.

8. 8

   Enjoy the Event!

   You're done! Sit back, and enjoy the football!

Most Common Football Betting Bonuses

Online sportsbooks often provide bonuses and offers as a way to attract new users and reward loyal punters. The best sportsbooks for football run promotions that are fair, fun and provide real value when claiming them. 

Always read the terms and conditions before activating a bonus, to avoid potential disappointment. Here are some of the most common promotions found at betting sites in New Jersey.

Get More From Your Deposits

Deposit bonuses are the simplest and most accessible type of promotion, instantly boosting the funds you have available when joining. Often, these are the stereotypical welcome bonuses when a new player joins a sportsbook and can be a great way to secure some extra bonus funds to wager with.

A typical sports betting promo is a 100% matched deposit bonus on your first transaction, worth something like $250. To claim this, you would simply sign up and deposit any amount up to $250, automatically doubling your effective bankroll. 

Reduce Risk on Football Bets

Betting on sports is fun, but naturally, it comes with a certain level of risk. If you want to reduce the chance of losing real cash, make the most of promotions that offer money back on failed bets. 

These offers are simple to use. Losses are usually refunded as bonus bets, which you may then apply to future wagers in place of real money. 

Increase Football Profits

Football odds directly affect how much you win from your bets. Naturally, bigger prices mean greater profits. Odds boosts increase these figures, meaning you’ll win more if your bet is successful. 

Price boosts work in a similar way, only they enhance the profits from winning bets by a fixed percentage.

Early Payout

Automatically receive an early payout should your team go ahead by a certain number of points. If the game eventually finishes as a tie, or even if your pick loses, you’ll still keep your winnings. 

This is a great offer if you prefer to back heavy favorites, as you’ll bank your winnings the second they reach the required scoreline.

Major Football Events for Betting

Whilst most sportsbooks out there will cover a huge range of football events, it's clear that some competitions and tournaments are more important than others. Below we walk through the major football events that occur throughout the year.

NFL

The National Football League (NFL) is not just the biggest football competition in the world. It actually attracts more viewers than any other major sports league in the United States. 

It all begins with a three-week preseason in August, as teams warm up and prepare for what’s ahead. The regular season then gets underway in September, kicking off 272 games over 18 weeks. Betting on football is possible during the regular season, as well as pre and postseason games, plus futures markets.

At the end of the regular season, the four divisional winners and three wild card teams enter the playoffs. This elimination tournament is the most exciting part of the season for most fans, culminating in the country’s biggest sporting event, the Super Bowl.

Betting on the Super Bowl is on another level with the whole country having an opinion on the outcome.

College Football

Betting on NCAA college football is also possible in New Jersey, provided the game isn’t played in the state and doesn’t involve local teams. 

Not every sportsbook features NCAA games. However, the majority of football betting sites offer most college games throughout the regular season. In addition, you may wager on the College Football Playoff and National Championship game winner. 

CFL

The Canadian Football League (CFL) is popular with many US football fans because it runs from mid-June to late November. As such, it’s a bountiful source of football betting action during the NFL offseason. 

While it doesn’t quite offer the same level of talent as the NFL, it’s still exciting to watch. Which is why the odds on all CFL games are generally offered by all bookmakers.

At the end of the day, if you're passionate about betting on football, and you have the knowledge around the CFL, then it's a fantastic opportunity.

UFL

In March 2024, the United Football League began with a total of eight teams, following a merger between the XFL and the USFL. 

The new UFL promises high-level minor league football action between March and June, offering fans more opportunities to bet on football during the NFL offseason. 

Winning Football Betting Strategies

Everyone wants to find a winning strategy that ensures greater profits when you place football bets. Although there’s no way to guarantee this, you can certainly improve your chances through adopting these strategies.

Fading the Public

One of the most effective strategies when betting on football is to bet against the general public. The majority of punters tend to react strongly towards recent performances, and often have short memories when it comes to form. 

For instance, the public will typically bet on a team off the back of a great performance, regardless of other factors. This moves the line against the other team, increasing its odds. In a lot of cases, opportunities to find value appear as a result. 

The vast majority of bettors are casual punters with no expert edge. In other words, they don’t really know what they’re doing. Over the course of a season, you have a good chance to make a profit just by opposing them. 

Timing Your Bets

This ties into the previous strategy, but you should time your bets properly to maximize the potential returns. If you’re betting on a favorite, for instance, it’s a good idea to place your bet early, before the line moves too much. 

On the other hand, underdog bets should be made as close to the game as possible, when more money has been wagered against them. Naturally, as the money pours in for the favorite, the odds on the underdog grow larger, giving you more value.

Even if you lose sometimes, improving your expected value means you have a higher chance of making long term profits.  

Be Sensible - Let the Data Guide You

As human beings, we're generally an optimistic bunch; which is exactly why most people wagering on football tend to wager on the optimistic side - taking the overs on a points line for example.

If you're smart, know football well, and are happy to let the data guide you, then you can find yourself with an edge over others. It's about removing the emotion - yes it's not the most fun backing a low scoring result but when it pays out, you'll be grateful.

Most Common Football Betting Lines

Football sportsbooks in New Jersey offer a wide variety of game lines and betting opportunities. In the minor leagues, you’ll typically see three main bet types for each game: moneylines, totals and spreads.

The moneyline is simply a bet on which team will win the game. Point totals and spreads simply offer more ways to bet on the same event. NFL games and the Super Bowl feature these lines too, but there are usually many other betting opportunities to choose from as well. 

If you prefer to bet on the outcome of the season, consider the futures market. This allows you to predict which teams will make the playoffs, as well as the eventual division, conference and Super Bowl champions. You can often bet on player-specific events too, such as Rookie of the Year or Super Bowl MVP.

Moneyline

The simplest and most popular betting opportunity, moneylines are offered by all of the best football betting sites. With the moneyline, all you have to do is choose which team will win the game. In most cases, this includes overtime, if played.

DraftKings is perhaps the best site for moneyline odds, with generous prices on all major NFL, UFL, CFL and NCAA games. 

Totals

This line is a bet on how many points will be scored over the course of the game, by both teams. Sometimes called “Under / Over”, the aim is to predict whether the total number of points will be higher or lower than the set line. 

Big games often feature several alternative total lines, should you wish to take the bet at different odds. 

Spreads

The spread helps to even the odds between two teams. Essentially, the favorite is given a points handicap, while the underdog receives an advantage. 

To win a bet on the spread, your selection must win by enough points to cover the handicap. For instance, if you back the favorite -3.5, they have to win by at least four clear points. If you bet on the underdog at +2.5, they can only afford to lose by two points.

Football Betting and Parlays

Parlays allow you to combine multiple outcomes into one bet, increasing the odds and potentially leading to higher payouts. To create a parlay, simply add two or more bets to your slip.

The odds increase with each pick, but bear in mind that every selection must win for your parlay to be successful. If any selection lets you down, the whole bet is a loser.

These days, the best football sites also offer Same Game Parlays. This means you can combine multiple bets from within the same game.

Conclusion

Football is the biggest and most popular sport in the United States. Fans can enjoy the action all year round thanks to the NFL, CFL, UFL and NCAAF. There’s never been a better time to bet on the sport, thanks to an array of legal and secure sportsbooks, with numerous innovative features. 

The very best football betting sites make things easy and enjoyable for punters. Join one of our trusted sites today for an excellent user experience, competitive odds and an array of betting opportunities.