New Jersey has always been a state that has kept its doors open for gaming action. They were among the first to adopt online casino gambling and online sports betting: the Garden State is equally receptive when it comes to daily fantasy sports.
There are a number of DFS sites legally operating in New Jersey. While DraftKings and FanDuel are certainly the most well-known, DFS players in the Garden State have several other DFS options from which to choose. All DFS sites offer mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices.
Here are the top daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps in New Jersey for 2024 and what each is best for.
The 10 top daily fantasy sites, apps and offers in New Jersey:
- Underdog Fantasy – best NJ fantasy app
- DraftKings: Contest variety, large prizes (Bookies.com) (RotoGrinders).
- FanDuel: Large player pool (Bookies.com) (ATS.io – Betting Picks, News & Reviews).
- Underdog Fantasy: Best Ball tournaments (OddsShopper) (RotoGrinders).
- PrizePicks: Pick’em contests (Bookies.com) (RotoGrinders).
- Sleeper Fantasy: Dynamic payouts, social features (FantasyLabs) (RotoGrinders).
- Vivid Picks: Live games, social features (FantasyLabs) (RotoGrinders).
- ParlayPlay: Player prop parlays (Bookies.com) (ATS.io – Betting Picks, News & Reviews).
- OwnersBox: SuperFlex salary cap (SportsHandle) (ATS.io – Betting Picks, News & Reviews).
- Jock MKT: Player stock market (ATS.io – Betting Picks, News & Reviews) (OddsShopper).
- Thrive Fantasy: eSports inclusion, prop bets (ATS.io – Betting Picks, News & Reviews) (RotoGrinders).
In our opinion, the best new player bonus that NJ Daily Fantasy apps currently offer is a deposit match of up to 250. Who offers this? Our favourite DFS platform, Underdog Fantasy.
New Jersey’s top daily fantasy online sites offer competition in NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA basketball and football, EPL and other soccer leagues, tennis, NASCAR, WNBA and golf. There are daily, weekly and season-long events offered, as well as tournaments, head to head competitions, 50-50s, pick’ems, daily snake drafts, multipliers and best ball events in golf. New Jersey DFS sites accept traditional payment options such as debit and credit cards, and there are also e-wallet options including PayPal. DFS sites also offer incentives to encourage new players to sign up: Underdog Fantasy provides a match to a player’s initial deposit up to $100, while FanDuel offers two free contest entries with a minimum $10 deposit.
New Jersey Sports Daily Fantasy Rules
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Fantasy Sports Unit (FSU) is charged with the task of regulating fantasy sports activities across the State of New Jersey. Among the duties of this group is to review applications from organizations looking to conduct fantasy sports activities in New Jersey. They issue Fantasy Sports Operator permits and oversee and monitor the conduct of fantasy sports activities in order to ensure the integrity of all fantasy sports activities.
The state of New Jersey requires that DFS operators pay a quarterly fantasy gross revenue tax of 10.5 percent of all revenue generated through DFS operations.
The legal age to play DFS in New Jersey is 18 years of age.
DFS vs Sports Betting
Sports betting is considered at its heart to be a game of chance. DFS, on the other hand, is viewed more like a game of skill. In sports betting, players are competing against the house with their wagers.
Forms of fantasy sports have existed as far back as the 1960s. They involve people selecting teams of actual athletes and utilizing the statistics of those players to compete against other teams that have also selected a team of real athletes in the same sport.
The difference with DFS compared to traditional fantasy sports is that, in most cases, competition takes place in one day rather than over the course of a season.
Launched in 2009, FanDuel offers a dozen different ways to play DFS. Newcomers can enter into beginners only competitions. It’s also possible to set up events involving only friends and families. Players compete to finish as high up the leaderboard as possible and seek to end up in a prize-winning position.
Based in Brooklyn, NY, Underdog Fantasy offers daily, weekly, season-long and pick’em competitions. With their pick’em events, competitors select over or under on any number of player prop picks: get five picks right and you will win 20 times your entry fee.
Daily Fantasy NJ Market Share and Trends
The daily fantasy sports (DFS) market in New Jersey continues to be robust and competitive in 2024. Although the broader gambling market, including sports betting and NJ casinos, has seen substantial growth, DFS remains a significant segment.
- Current Market Position: DFS is a well-established sector within New Jersey’s betting market, with major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel leading the charge. These platforms have successfully integrated DFS with traditional sports betting, maintaining a strong user base and consistent revenue streams.
- Revenue Contribution: New Jersey’s sports betting market generates around $300 million monthly, with DFS contributing a considerable share. This indicates that DFS is still a popular choice among players, although its growth may be overshadowed by the rapid expansion of sports betting.
- Legal and Regulatory Environment: DFS was legalized in New Jersey in 2017, and the state continues to support it through favorable regulations. Operators are required to obtain permits and comply with a 10.5% tax on gross revenue, ensuring a regulated and stable market.
Is DFS Dying?
While DFS is not experiencing the explosive growth seen in its early years, it is far from dying. The integration with sports betting and the continuous innovation by platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel ensure that DFS remains a popular and viable option for many players. The market is evolving, with new formats and features being introduced to keep players engaged.
DFS FAQ
What are the top DFS apps available in New Jersey for 2024?
The top DFS apps in New Jersey for 2024, according to user ratings and preferences, include DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog Fantasy (our pick), PrizePicks, and Sleeper Fantasy. These apps are known for their various contest formats, large prize pools, and user-friendly interfaces.
What types of daily fantasy offers and promotions are available on these apps?
Many DFS apps offer a range of promotions such as deposit matches, free entry contests, and bonus rewards. For example, DraftKings and FanDuel frequently provide sign-up bonuses and promotional contests, while PrizePicks and Sleeper offer deposit match bonuses for new users.
How do you play daily fantasy sports on these apps?
To play daily fantasy sports, you need to create an account on a DFS app, deposit funds, and join contests. You draft a lineup of players while staying under a salary cap or participate in pick’em contests where you predict player performances. Points are scored based on the real-life performances of your selected players, and you compete against other users for prize – similar to slot tournaments at NJ casinos.
Which DFS app is considered the best in New Jersey for 2024?
While the “best” DFS app can depend on user preference, DraftKings is often highlighted for its extensive contest variety and large prize pools. FanDuel is also a strong contender due to its large player base and user-friendly interface.
What types of sports can you play on DFS apps?
DFS apps offer a wide range of sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, and golf. Some daily fantasy mobile NJ apps, like Vivid Picks and PrizePicks, also feature niche sports such as eSports, NASCAR, and even college sports. This variety allows users to engage in fantasy contests across their favorite sports disciplines.
It’s actually a very simple process. Players will be asked to provide a date of birth and active email address. This information will need to be verified. A unique username and password must be created. Two factor authentication is available for added account security.
Not in New Jersey. While some US states consider DFS a form of gambling, in New Jersey, since there are no odds as with a sports bet and players are competing for a set prize pool, DFS is viewed as being the same as a lottery or a raffle.
All New Jersey DFS players must be at least 18 years of age.