N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:40-2

Whoever pays, delivers or deposits any money, property or thing in action upon the event of any wager or bet prohibited by this chapter or by any law of this state, may sue for and recover the same of the winner, or person to whom the same shall be paid or delivered, or of the stakeholder or other person in whose hands the same shall be deposited, or any part thereof, whether or not the same shall have been delivered or paid over by such depositary or stakeholder and whether or not any such wager or bet be lost.