Want to do some horse betting in the Garden State? It’s about time you joined the party because the popular hobby has been going on since the beginning of the 1830s. But what about the process of horse betting? How does New Jersey’s horse betting actually work? Let’s figure it out and start off with a short history lesson.
Horse Betting Bills and Regulations
Although pari-mutuel betting started in New Jersey in 1941, its origins date back further. Ten years before racing at Saratoga began, in 1853, the first races in New Jersey were staged in Freehold. In reality, when Monmouth Park opened its doors in 1870, New Jersey already had two established racetracks. These two racetracks surprisingly still operate today. Since that time, the state has seen its fair share of highs and lows, tragedies and victories, as well as controversies.
Additional tracks were opened over time. The first Garden State Park meet was held at Cherry Hill, which is across the river from Philadelphia, in 1942. The Atlantic City Race Course opened soon after in Mckee City, an area of Atlantic City. For many years, the three thoroughbred racetracks in Atlantic City, Garden State, and Monmouth had the same mid-April to mid-October racing schedule.
But what about now? Well, the industry has evolved over the years, naturally, the industry of online gambling is bustling with new operators like PointsBet and sites like iGaming NJ for all avid players to enjoy. And recently we’ve got a huge breakthrough. Assembly Bill 4909 now allows fixed-odds wagering on events hosted at New Jersey’s three horse racetracks, Meadowlands Racetrack, Monmouth Park Racetrack, and Freehold Raceway.
Prior to bookies closing betting as the race started, pari-mutuel wagering was the sole option available to gamblers. Residents of the state are now able to fix their odds at the moment of a bet, exactly like with conventional sports betting. In case you want to learn how online poker is regulated in the Garden State, click here to read more about the subject.
New Jersey’s Racetracks
You are able to place a wager on a variety of different horse races. There are a ton of different tracks available. This means that you have access to races all around the world as well as the ability to wager on anything from the world of horse racing in North America.
Thoroughbreds racing
People also call it “flat racing”. It’s basically a race between horses galloping either straight between points or around an oval track.
Harness racing
Similar to flat racing, but with the jockey riding in a harness rather than directly on the horse’s back or saddle. The driver is pulled around the course by the horse.
What about New Jersey racetracks? Where to find them? What are the best? Here are some of our favorites:
- Meadowlands Racing (1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ, 07073)
- Monmouth Park Racetrack (175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, NJ 07757)
- Freehold Raceway (130 Park Ave., Freehold, NJ 07728)
How to Enjoy NJ’s Horse Betting Online
You can place a bet on a horse in person. However, if convenience is what you’re after, online is the way to go. 4NJBets, which is run by TVG, is the official online horse betting service in New Jersey. Opening an account with TVG, making a short deposit, and placing bets directly from your phone or computer make the process quite straightforward.
