On June 11, 2018, New Jersey officially legalized sports betting. The sector became legal when Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 4111.
However, at that time, sports betting was only legal at casinos and racetracks across the Garden State. Since then, online betting has taken the sector by storm, with many players preferring the ease and convenience of placing a bet with just a few clicks.
Before you obtain a NJ gaming license, you need to know if mobile and online betting are legal in the state. Today, we’re answering that question and sharing the details that all bookies need to know.
History of Sports Betting in New Jersey
When Governor Murphy signed sports betting into law in 2018, he was willing to participate in the action. Just three days after signing the bill, Murphy placed the first sports bet at NJ’s Monmouth Park Racetrack.
The bet was simple: He wagered $20 that Germany would win the World Cup and the New Jersey Devils would win the Stanley Cup. To understand the gravity of this event, it helps to look back at how this state has addressed gambling in the past.
In the mid-1800s, all lotteries were banned throughout New Jersey. This was a revolutionary move, as lottery money had historically been crucial to the state’s success. Funds from prior contests were used to assist the state’s military and build major institutions, including Princeton University and Rutgers University.
This regulation was in place until 1939 when gambling became allowed across NJ. In 1976, state voters approved a referendum to make casino gambling legal in Atlantic City. As a result, the first legal casino opened in 1978: the Resort Casino Hotel.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Atlantic City established itself as the major gambling hub of the U.S. In 2013, New Jersey expanded this service to the digital space, legalizing online casino gambling and poker.
Obtaining Your NJ Gaming License
Under Assembly Bill 4111, casinos and racetracks can seek approval for online and mobile sports betting after they’ve been in operation for 30 days. The first online sports bet took place in August of 2018.
Today, players can place bets both in person and online. If they use a mobile sportsbook app, they can wager from anywhere within the state’s limits. While this service is legal on smartphones, tablets, and computers, offshore or non-registered sports betting and online sportsbooks are still illegal in New Jersey.
Anyone who wants to operate sportsbooks in New Jersey needs to have an NJ gaming license. You can learn more about this process through the State Office of the Attorney General.
Steps to Create a Bookie Business
The sports betting industry is growing, and starting your sportsbook can be profitable. We look at how to become a bookie and start your own business.
Owning your own sports betting business can be a rewarding and profitable venture. This is especially true in today’s digital age, where old-school pen-and-paper bets are replaced by virtual platforms that make it easy for players to place wagers on the go.
Thinking about joining this lucrative market? If so, there are certain steps you’ll need to complete first.
Today, we’re sharing how to become a bookie and how our pay-per-head (PPH) software can help you get up and running ASAP.
Step 1: Understand the Basics
Before you jump into your betting business, you need to get the basics down. This includes steps such as:
- Make sure online betting is legal in your state
- Understanding all applicable licensing requirements
- Complying with state mandates (e.g. types of options you can offer, how to store player data)
- Obtaining the requisite licenses and permits
- Knowing the rules and laws for advertising your business
When becoming a bookie, it’s also important to educate yourself on how this industry works. Our guide on breaking into the sportsbook business is a great place to start!
Step 2: Set Your Budget
When researching how to become a bookie, remember to create a realistic start-up budget. You need to know how much money your operations will require and how you expect to earn an income. While some sportsbook platforms require you to pay an up-front fee to use their services, look for a PPH model that only requires you to pay for what you need.
This makes it easy to plan your budget and monitor your expenses as you grow your business.
Step 3: Choose a Platform
Next, it’s time to choose your betting platform. While there are many options out there, the best sportsbook online will offer robust, user-friendly features such as:
- Transparent PPH pricing model
- Player security controls
- Dedicated account specialists
- Website design services
- Fully configurable boards, lines, limits, and players
These are only a few of the perks you can expect from a partner like Ace Per Head. Check out all of our features to learn more about what makes our platform the best in business.
Step 4: Make Plans for Growth
Once your betting site is live, you can start attracting new players and catering to existing ones. Before long, you should find marketable success in this space!
To keep the momentum going, implement a scaling plan to grow steadily and securely. With the right strategy, you can keep your sportsbook live and active for years to come.
That’s How to Become a Bookie
Still wondering how to become a bookie? The good news is that you don’t have to do everything yourself!
Utilizing the tools at your fingertips, including PPH software like ours is smart. From web design to security controls and customer support, we’ll help you handle it all.
You can enjoy up to six weeks of our services for free when you sign up!
Get Your NJ Sportsbook Up and Running
New Jersey has historically been more lenient with gambling and sports betting than other states. However, there are still protocols to follow if you want to set up a sportsbook here.
The first step is to learn about the business and understand the requirements. Then, you can apply for an NJ gaming license.
Once you have all the required approvals, we’ll help you set up your online betting site. You can try out the Ace Per Head platform for up to six weeks for free with our latest promotion!
Ace Per Head has been in the online bookmaking services business since 1998 running one of the top-rated and most trusted brands in the pay per head industry. We give our bookie agents the personalized dedicated service they deserve.
