Tuesday, April 21, 2026

New Jersey Breaks National Sports Betting Record, Again

Chris Pedota-USA TODAY NETWORK/Design: Alex Brooks

Just one month after becoming the first state to reach $1 billion sports wagers handled in a single month, New Jersey has beaten its own record, hitting $1.3 billion sports bets handled in October — a 30% monthly increase.

Since January, the state has recorded nearly $8.5 billion worth of sports bets.

One of the 18 states that allow mobile betting, about 90% of New Jersey’s October bets were placed online, totaling $1.18 billion of the $1.3 billion. The rest were placed at physical sports books.

Sports betting revenue rose 44% year-over-year to $84.1 million.

  • More than half of the revenue made in the state was from bets placed at the Meadowlands Racetrack, winning over $44 million in October.
  • In September, the Associated Press mentioned the NFL season as a reason for the rise in sports wagers. 
  • The American Gaming Association expects 45.2 million Americans to bet on the NFL season — a record for the sport and 36% more  than last season.

New Jersey brought in $45.8 million in gaming taxes in October, just under the $46 million in rake-in the month before. Year-to-date, the state has brought in $396.8 million in gambling-related tax revenue.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Illinois Lawmakers Race to Advance $5B Bears Stadium Plan

State legislators race against the clock as a stadium decision nears.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Vrabel: Russini Photos Led to ‘Difficult Conversations’

Vrabel previously called the interactions ”completely innocent.”
An overall look at the newly opened MGM Grand Detroit sports betting & entertainment venue called BetMGM Sports Lounge at its casino in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

‘Purely Gaming’: Inside the Tribal Fight Against Prediction Markets

A California tribal leader tells FOS “we have the truth on our side.”

NFL Rookie Deals Will Top $50M for the First Time Since 2010

This year’s top pick will make nearly $55 million.

Featured Today

Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
March 30, 2026

NFL Warns Prediction Markets Operators Over Vulnerable Bets

Ongoing litigation in the burgeoning industry has muddied the waters.
Jan 14, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., delivers remarks during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on the expected nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.
March 31, 2026

‘Astonishing and Appalling’: Senator Blasts MLB-Polymarket Deal

A Connecticut senator says prediction markets are part of an “addiction conspiracy.”
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
The March Madness logo is pictured during a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday March 21, 2026.
March 23, 2026

Coinbase Takes Heat for Pushing March Madness Markets

Viral posts showed that users feel pummeled by sports event contract promotion.
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts with third baseman Max Muncy (13) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the eleventh inning for game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
March 23, 2026

Bipartisan Bill Wants Sports Banned on Prediction Markets

It’s the latest indicator that prediction markets have gone mainstream.
March 20, 2026

NCAA Sues DraftKings Over March Madness Trademark Infringement

NCAA president Charlie Baker has also gone after prediction markets.
In this photo illustration, a mobile device displays the Kalshi logo while a laptop displays the webpage of the prediction market platform in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto)
March 20, 2026

Judge Temporarily Blocks Kalshi’s Sports Markets in Nevada

Nevada previously won a similar ruling in its case against Polymarket.