However, the state's biggest win was the legalization of sports wagering. Betting on horse racing has a long history in New Jersey because the Freehold Raceway has been around longer than any track in the United States.Ģ013 was a banner year for poker players in the state of New Jersey, as online poker websites started being offered for NJ residents. The Garden State's rich gambling history can be traced back to several lotteries that helped build the modern-day universities of Princeton and Rutgers. Whether you want to partake in one of the many NJ casinos or gamble online at one of the many mobile casinos, you have the options. The NJ online gambling market is no different. While most states have been puritanical when it comes to games of chance, New Jersey has always been one of the most accepting states when it comes to gambling.