NJ Online Horse Betting

The Garden State has had horse racing betting far before the legalization of sports betting. Those in New Jersey have a number of options when it comes to horse racing betting operators.

Only recently, has NJ online horse racing been available. Being so new, we only recommend one online bookie, and that’s TVG’s 4NJBets!

Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back

  • Best horse betting site
  • Large number of racetracks to wager on
  • Option to stream live and replay races

History of Horse Betting Online New Jersey

In 2001, the Off-Track and Account Wagering Act was passed, which allowed online horse betting in the state.

New Jersey has Monmouth Park, Freehold Raceway, and Meadowlands as racetracks in the state which you can go to and bet on horse racing around the world. However, online horse racing betting operators offer that ability while sitting on your computer or mobile device

How to Fund Your Horse Racing Account

Online horse racing betting banking methods will vary, but we do go over what is available for each one in our reviews. Be sure to check what banking methods are accepted before choosing a sportsbook.

Some of the popular betting account banking methods include:

  • PayPal
  • Online Banking
  • Debit/Credit Card
  • Play+ Card
  • PayNearMe
  • eCheck
  • Cash at Casino or Racetrack
  • Skrill

How to Bet on Horse Racing in NJ

Horse racing has a large number of ways in which you can wager. It is far more complicated than just picking a winner of a football or basketball game.

When trying to determine how to read a horse racing program, you should look for a couple of things. The horse and jockey name will be shown, with the record of the horse included. You will also be able to look at how the horse has done in previous races and workouts.

The racing program will also inform you how the horse has performed on a certain type of track, or in certain weather. So, if a horse has two wins on a sloppy track, he might be a popular bet on a rainy day.

If you are unsure about the types of horse racing bets, here are some of the best ways to bet on horse racing.

Straight Bets

  1. Win – Betting on a horse to win the race
  2. Place – Betting on a horse to finish in second place, or better
  3. Show – Betting on a horse to finish in third place, or better
  4. Across the Board – Placing three separate bets, including a win bet, a place bet, and a show bet

Exotic Bets

  1. Exacta – Betting on two horses to finish in the top two
  2. Trifecta – Betting on three horses to finish in the top three
  3. Superfecta – Betting on four horses to finish in the top four

When placing any of these bets, you have to name the horses in the exact order that they will finish. However, you can β€œbox” any of these bets, which allows the horses you pick to finish in any order. This will cost a bit extra and pay out a little less than picking the exact order.

How to Bet on the Triple Crown

Betting on the Triple Crown in incredibly popular, even for those who usually aren’t interested in horse racing. These races include The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.

Traditionally, The Kentucky begins the Triple Crown with a race on the first Saturday in May. The Preakness and Belmont shortly follow. If a horse happens to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the buzz around the Belmont is electric.

Horse racing operators, such as TVG, will have a lot of info leading up to these races.

How to Read Horse Racing Odds

If you are a little confused on how your payout works, here is horse betting odds explained.

For example, if you see a horse with 6-1 odds to win the race, you will win a $6 profit for every $1 wagered. In this case, you would come out with a total of $7.

There might be times when a horse has even odds, or 1-1, but you still win money. For every $1 invested, you win an additional $1. So that would be $2 off a $1 risk.

You will want to gather as much information as possible when looking into who to bet on. The odds will tell a lot, but there is still plenty of other information to look into.

How to Sign Up for a Horse Betting Site


Signing up for a horse betting account, such as TVG, is fairly straightforward. It will ask for information that any online store or streaming service might ask for. The only other thing it might need is your social security number, which operators ask for to confirm your identity.

As long as you are providing this information to operators we have shown and reviewed on this site, it is fine to do so. These operators are legal in New Jersey and can be trusted with your personal information.

Horse Racing Betting Bonus

Before you sign up with a horse betting site or mobile app, be sure to check out the best NJ horse betting promotions. Some of these may include:

  • Cashback for second or third place finishes
  • Deposit bonuses
  • Exacta insurance
  • Weekly Contests
  • Loyalty Programs

Each operator will have unique offers, especially for popular races such as The Kentucky Derby.

NJ Online Horse Betting FAQs

Does TVG offer a sign-up bonus for horse betting?

Yes. If you go to our TVG review, we have the deposit bonus listed, as well as how to claim it when you sign up.

Is horse betting legal in NJ?

Yes. You are able to bet on horse racing in New Jersey, both at the track and off. It is regulated by the NJ Racing Commission.

Can I bet on The Kentucky Derby in NJ?

Yes. Operators, such as TVG, will have odds for The Kentucky Derby as well as all of the other Triple Crown races.

Is there a horse racing betting app?

Many operators in New Jersey have an app, including TVG. While it is only available for iPhone devices, it provides an easy way to bet from anywhere in the state.

Greg
Greg US Online Gambling Expert
About Greg

A professional poker player by profession, I have a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in marketing. In a short timespan, I've been able to transfer my expertize to the fast growing US online gambling sector. I aim to guide US players in their search for the best, legal US online casinos and sportsbooks.