2Legal sites are subject to the strictest regulations forcing them to use the latest encryption technologies, anti-fraud algorithms, verification, and a whole bunch of other safety measures.
Encompassing Guide on Online Gambling in New Jersey
One of the first four states to offer legal online gambling, New Jersey is abundant with online games, leaving you with bazillions of options to choose from. But quantity doesn’t mean quality: the range of online casinos includes all sorts of sites, from outright scams to world-class venues.
We don’t want you to waste your time separating the wheat from the chaff. In the all-encompassing guide below, you can find all the details on online gambling in NJ along with an exhaustive list of top-notch NJ online casinos. No more ambiguity in reading the NJ gambling law, no more mediocre sites – from now on, you have an access to the most accurate guide on gambling in New Jersey and a list of the seven best NJ online casinos.
Top-10 NJ Online Casinos for You
Here’s your shortcut to the top-tier NJ online casinos: first, pick the site you like; second, exploit Demo PLay to get the hang of it; finally, switch to Real-Money Play to convert your gambling skills into wads of cash.
Brick-and-Mortar Casinos in New Jersey: Hottest News & Updates
Online Gambling Landscape of New Jersey: NJDGE, Licensed Casinos, Games
Who operates NJ legal online casino sites?
Let’s start off by answering the burning question ‘is online gambling legal in New Jersey?’ Drumroll…Yes, as long as you are 21 or older, you can indulge in any form of online gambling provided by legal casinos, which are Atlantic City brick-and-mortar casinos and their partners.
And now let’s dive into the history of gambling in NJ so that you can understand why online gambling came to the point at which it is now. For many years, Atlantic City was an uncontested gambling destination on the East Coast. But as the crackdown on land-based gambling started to loosen in other states, the formed gambling paradise found itself in the world of trouble: Atlantic City continued to open new casinos, but that was nowhere near enough to beat the ever-increasing competition coming from New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, and Ohio. The Great Recession of 2007 – 2009 didn’t help either. The need for a new approach became obvious.
The mold-breaking bill that legalized NJ online casinos was approved by the New Jersey Legislature on February 26, 2013, and signed into law by Governor Chris Christie the next day to establish the rules that are relevant until now. Here’s what you should know:
- Online gambling is overseen by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). To receive an online gambling license in NJ, a casino must (among many other obligations):
- Belong to the chain of Atlantic City casinos or be one of its partners.
- Obtain an Internet Gaming Permit from the NJDGE and have all games checked by the NJDGE.
- Provide access exclusively to players of 21 years of age or older located within the borders of New Jersey.
- As a player, you are free to access both legal and offshore online casinos, but it would only be wise to choose authorized sites since they are in many regards superior to their illegal counterparts.
Read on to learn why legal NJ online casinos would be the best choice for you.
How to Distinguish Between Legal and Illegal Online Casinos in New Jersey?
The good news is, all legal online casinos in NJ are included in a single list available on the official website of the Department of Law & Public Safety of New Jersey. At the time of writing, there are seven official providers of online gambling in NJ:
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.
- Caesars Interactive Entertainment- Affiliate of Boardwalk Regency Corporation.
- Golden Nugget Atlantic City.
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
- Ocean Resort Casino.
- Resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City.
- Tropicana Casino Resort Atlantic City.
It’s so easy to find what you need, but illegal online gambling thrives all the same, ranging from illegal betting pools to multimillion-dollar online casinos. One reason for that is that players are allowed to play wherever they want as there’s no punishment or prohibition to access illegal online casinos. Another reason is that some gamblers prefer bookmakers and casinos that they know personally. Anyway, though, it’s much safer to deal with a legal online casino than trying to broaden your gambling horizons by venturing into a risky avenue of illegal gambling
Safe Online Gambling with Regulated Casinos in NJ
All regulated casinos live up to the highest standards, ensuring the ultimate level of safety and an all-around perfect user experience.
Safety and security.
Fairness of Games and Banking
You can be sure of the fairness of the RNG of a legal casino, which cannot be said about unlicensed sites. So far there hasn’t been a single issue with payouts at legal casinos in NJ.
Bonuses
Illegal casinos may offer mind-boggling bonuses, but you can never know whether they’ll pay you. That doesn’t apply to licensed sites – you’ll get what you deserve.
Top-Tier Poker and Sports Betting Websites + Mobile Apps to Play on the Go
Limited to Atlantic City casinos and their partners, online gambling in New Jersey is nevertheless highly competitive, which benefits players, who can get access to the most favorable gambling conditions, all-embracing gaming libraries, and encouraging bonuses.
In addition to classic casino games – slots, video poker, and table games, and live dealers – there’s a pretty broad betting market comprising classic sports betting, horse betting, virtual betting, and live betting. Most casinos have already designed their own Android/iOS mobile apps. Besides, you can get the vibe of any legal online casino even without spending a single dime – for that, launch the game in Demo Play and enjoy the same gambling extravaganza with no risk and for as long as you want.
Online Poker in NJ
The first several semi-legal poker tables were introduced in the late 1970s on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, but only twenty-some years later the state officially legalized poker to bring the most skill-demanding casino game to the masses. Online poker became legal on November 21, 2013, when the first wave of legalized online casinos opened their doors to New Jerseyans. In 2017, a multi-state poker compact was signed to provide liquidity across New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware.
New Jersey is home to more online poker sites than any other state. There are at least seven poker websites: PokerStars, BetMGM Poker, 888 Poker, Borgata Poker, Partypoker, WSOP, and Pala Poker. The two other sites – Betfair Poker and Ultimate Poker – were closed in 2014.
Before you foray into the realm of poker, keep in mind that poker is a game of skill and one of few casino games with a huge number of professional players. Many punters take poker seriously, so it might be reasonable to take as much free practice with a free-to-play RNG poker as you need to grow confident in your game.
Mobile Gambling
The world has long gone mobile, and so have the New Jersey casinos, most of which provide mobile gambling to some extent for both Android and iOS users. Almost all games released now are mobile-optimized, but there are still lots of old games incompatible with mobile phones, most of which are slots. On the bright side, live dealer games are also available on mobile, but for a great experience, you have to have a good Internet connection on your phone and reasonable screen size.
Depending on the operator, the app can be either downloaded directly from the Play Market/App Store or the casino website. Theoretically, the latter option could be dangerous since the on-site app isn’t verified, but that’s never the case with legal online casinos since they all comply with the numerous safety requirements put forward by the NJDGE. The last thing to mention is, you don’t need a separate account for mobile gambling – your desktop account would do.
Betting in NJ
No one fought for the right to exist as viscously as sports betting in New Jersey. First allowed in January 2012 by Governor Chris Christie, it was revoked no later than February 2013 based on the lawsuit filed by several national leagues. The fight continued for several more years until in June 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed sports betting into law. The first of the NJ online sports betting sportsbooks – DraftKings – went live two months later and was followed by several more bookies.
Now there are about 12 retail bookmakers and 20 online operators. Both Atlantic City casinos and New Jersey racetracks are allowed to provide online betting services, though each bookmaker is limited to three online brands, each of which requires a flat fee of $100,000 and another flat fee of $400,000 for an Internet gambling license. Also, casinos pay an increased tax on online bets – 13% against 8.5% on land-based bets. The most popular bookmakers in New Jersey are DraftKings, FanDuel, 888 Sports, BetMGM, and Fox Bet, but you shouldn’t necessarily jump on the bandwagon of popular bookies – feel free to pick any other site depending on the type of sports and the betting options you need.
Here’s How You Can Pick the Best Online Casino in New Jersey
There’s no universal recipe for choosing the best gambling site in NJ – after all, to each his own – but there are four factors you can proceed from:
- Bonuses. Kickstarting your career with a welcome package or an entry pleasantry alike would be great, wouldn’t it? If so, look for a casino with the biggest bonuses and as few obligations as possible.
- Casino Games. The collection of games differs from operator to operator, so you have to choose either the site with the games you’d like to play (if you know what you want) or the one with the biggest library of games (if you have no game on the radar yet).
- Reviews. All legal casinos are trustworthy, but they nevertheless have their pros and cons, which you can learn from reviews.
- News. Online gambling evolves fast, which is why you have to keep abreast of what’s happening in the field. New regulations may come about, new casinos may pop up – you have to be the first to know!
More Guides to Maximize Your Casino Performance
Choose one of the following articles
Gamble Responsibly to Keep Your Mind Healthy and Budget Safe
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement promotes responsible gambling and implements all the required measures and instruments to fight gambling addiction. That said, it is you who is responsible for your mental state in the first place.
Here are some tips on managing your budget and emotions:
1. Take full advantage of Free Play
All seven online casinos enable Free Play not just like that – it was done to give you a chance to get accustomed to the gameplay and the features of the title that you’re going to wager your hard-earned money on later.
2. Select the games with the highest RPT and the lowest volatility
To play longer without losing too much at once, opt for the games with the highest payback and the lowest volatility. Any game with an RPT of 98% and more would do. Don’t know what to start from? Play the highest-RTP games then – Ugga Bugga (Playtech, 99.07%) and Mega Joker (NetEnt, 99%).
3. Play with the lowest bet
Nothing can save you as much money as playing with the minimum bet. There are myriads of slots and games accepting wagers as small as one cent, so low-budget gambling can’t be a problem.
4. Limit your gambling budget.
Even playing with the smallest bet can bankrupt you if you’re playing for hours without a break. If you’re prone to revenge gambling or you’re too emotional, set a daily budget and do not exceed it under any circumstances.
Online Gambling Regulator in New Jersey
There is no federal legal body to oversee online gambling in the country, so the U.S. states are entitled to regulate it on their own. This also applies to sports betting, which was legalized in 2018 after the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 was overruled.
Online gambling is overseen by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), a law enforcement agency that consists of investigators, attorneys, and accountants and is supported by DCJ prosecutors and New Jersey State Troopers.
The scope of work of NJDGE includes:
- Investigation, reporting, and challenging the qualifications for an NJ online gambling license and related issues.
- Investigation and prosecution of casino-related crimes.
- Audit and review of operations of land-based casinos.
- Testing of casino floor systems, slot machines, and online gaming platform systems.
On the official website of NJDGE, you can find exhaustive information on:
- NJ sports betting.
- Casino & sportsbook reopening protocols.
- Casino-related issues due to COVID-19 closures.
- New rules and amendments.
- Self-exclusion registration and removal request.
- Fingerprint Instructions for DGE arcade building and Out-of-State.
- Open data sources.
Online gambling in NJ is one of the most regulated domains in the world. No fraud or mistreatment has ever been registered with online casinos of New Jersey.
Important Info for Online Gamblers from New Jersey
You don’t necessarily have to be a resident of New Jersey to be allowed to play, but you have to be located within the territory of the state. When you launch your phone or desktop PC, the geolocation software (mostly developed by GeoComply) checks your IP address and then permits or denies access depending on whether your IP address belongs to New Jersey. However, if you’re gambling near the borders of the state, you are likely to be denied access to NJ online casinos since the geolocation software is not utterly precise and the fines are too big for online casinos to take risks.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires every gambler to fill out Form 1040 or Form W-2G to report online winnings. You can deduct your gambling losses from your tax return under the conditions that the deduction doesn’t exceed your total winnings (if you won $10,000 and lost $25,000, then you can deduct as much as $10,000). The tax rate for online casino games and poker is 17.5%.
Protect Yourself Against Gambling Addiction: Problem Gambling Resources
Approximately 1% of the adult population in the U.S. is addicted to gambling, whereas up to 9% of young adults and young people experience problems caused by excessive gambling. Not all New Jerseyans can stop playing at their own will, which sometimes leads to bankruptcy and unrecoverable damage to health and love lives.
But New Jerseyans are not along with their problem – there are several resources assisting problem gamblers:
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
NCPG is an overarching resource where you can find international and local contacts on problem gambling: National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700), New Jersey Department of Human Services, the fact sheet on problem gambling in New Jersey, self-help resources (Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon, and GamTalk), screening tools, and other resources.
Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ (CCGNJ)
CCGNJ providers several programs and services to help fight problem gambling – prevention programs, intervention and outreach, advocacy, public awareness, and treatment of gambling addiction – and runs a 24/7 confidential helpline
Self-Exclusion Program
The program allows problem gamblers to voluntarily exclude themselves from casino gambling in Atlantic City and its partner online casinos.
The residents of the Garden State have all the resources they need to safeguard or recover against gambling addiction, but just like with any other addiction, the willpower of an addict plays a huge role in his ability to cope with the problem
Casino Games to Play Online in New Jersey
It would be too tedious to systematize the whole range of games on your own, so we’ve done that for you. Just click on the type of games you’re interested in and get thousands of classy titles in return.
New Games
Starburst
10
Best Real-Money Games to Make a Good Buck
As far as money-making is involved, everything matters, from the RTP of the game to its volatility, mechanics, and features. We’ve analyzed tons of slots and table games to find out the titles with the biggest payback and enormous jackpots.
Slots Online
Roulette Online
Blackjack
Baccarat
Craps
Poker
From 2011 to the Present Day: A Brief History of Online Gambling in New Jersey
2011 January
A bill to allow online gambling for New Jersey residents is passed by the New Jersey Legislature, but later vetoed by Governor Chris Christie because it “leaves open the chance of commercial businesses becoming gambling hubs” and “creates a legal fiction that any bet placed in New Jersey counts as a bet placed in Atlantic City.”
2011 December
A legal opinion that the Federal Wire Act does not prohibit online casino games is issued by the United States Justice Department. However, NJ Senator Jennifer Beck states that online gambling cannot be legalized by voting.
2012 February
New legislation was drafted to prohibit the provision of online gambling services by any business other than Atlantic City casinos and their partners. A revised bill permitting Internet gambling in Atlantic City casinos and their partners is approved by the New Jersey Legislature on February 26 and signed into law by Governor Chris Christie the next day.
2012 November
Online casinos opened their doors synchronously on November 21.
2013 February – Now
Online gambling is regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. All legalized online casinos obtain a license for ten years and are obliged to pay a 15% tax on online gambling revenues as opposed to the 8% on land-based gambling. Only residents and visitors of New Jersey aged 21 or older are permitted to play at legal NJ online casinos.
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Team of Professionals to Assist You with Gambling in New Jersey
Everything you can find on this website was researched and fact-checked by our team of professionals comprising gambling experts, researchers, journalists, and analysts. At the same time, we do understand the importance of timely updates in the ever-changing world of gambling, which is why we constantly update our materials to follow the most recent changes.
That said, it’s physically impossible to refresh all articles instantly, so some materials may miss some recent changes, though only because they are yet to be updated.
See Our TeamBrick-and-Mortar Casinos, Cardrooms, Sportsbooks, and Lotteries in New Jersey
The emergence of legalized land-based gambling in New Jersey dates back to 1976, when a referendum on the legalization of casino gambling was approved by 56% to 44%. It was decided to restrict brick-and-mortar casinos to Atlantic City, a ruling relevant until now.
The gambling capital of the East Coast, Atlantic City is home to nine casinos located in different regions of the city – uptown, midtown, downbeach, and marina. In total, there are over 15,000 accommodation rooms and over 1,000,000 square feet of gambling space. But not only casinos are available to New Jerseyans – so are multiple sports betting options. On May 14, 2018, the Supreme Court revoked the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) to allow New Jerseyans to wager on sports at authorized casinos and racetracks.
The choice of land-based games in New Jersey is truly staggering, but you can only gamble for real money in brick-and-mortar casinos. For free practice, opt for an online version of your casino.
Nine Legal Casinos
Since the first opening ceremony of Resort Atlantic City in May 1978, there were about two dozen casinos in the state, of which only 9 are open now:
- Resorts Casino Hotel wrapped in the atmosphere of Roaring Twenties.
- Caesars Atlantic City transferring customers to the time of the Roman Empire.
- Bally’s Atlantic City dedicated to Modern.
- Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City featuring Marina Waterfront.
- Tropicana Atlantic City (Old Havana).
- Golden Nugget Atlantic City commemorating the days of the California Gold Rush Era.
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (Tuscany).
- The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
- Ocean Casino Resort.
Which one to choose in the first place? That depends on your gambling appetites and location. If you’re heading uptown, there are three casinos there – Resorts Casino Hotel, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and Ocean Casino Resort. Craving spacious gambling halls? Consider Bally’s with its 225,756 square feet of gambling space. Love cozy atmosphere? Golden Nugget might be your best pick then.
Six Cardrooms
Both live poker and online poker are legal in New Jersey, but there are no dedicated standalone card rooms, which leaves you with the six Atlantic City casinos that provide card games: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Bally’s, Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Tropicana Atlantic City, or Ocean Casino Resort.
What card games would suit you best? That depends on whether you want to rely on luck or your knowledge of the game.
- Poker, blackjack, and other skill-based games. In skill-oriented games, you can fold bad cards, bluff, read opponent’s gestures, facial expression, behavior, etc. – you can do all kinds of tricks to outplay your archnemesis.
- Roulette and other luck-based games. Whether you’re new to gambling or just want luck to be on top, you can play easier games where skill doesn’t matter that much.
Before paying a visit to your beloved cardroom, make sure you’ve learned the RNG-based version of the game through and through (online casinos are always at your service) and thus can be competitive in its live analog.
Seven Sportsbooks
After the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned on May 14, 2018, New Jersey followed Delaware and Nevada to legalize sports betting. Not only sportsbooks but also racetracks are allowed to offer sports betting in NJ.
Retail sportsbooks can be found at:
- Bally’s Atlantic City – the Book.
- Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City – the Book.
- The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City – Hard Rock Sportsbook.
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – Moneyline Bar & Book.
- Golden Nugget Atlantic City – the Sportsbook.
- FanDuel Sportsbook – Meadowlands.
- DraftKings Sportsbook at Resorts.
The largest sportsbook in the state belongs to Bally’s Atlantic City, and more sportsbooks may appear soon. Freehold Raceway may open soon, or it may be Caesars Atlantic City that finally incorporates sports betting into its properties.
Countless In-State Lottery Vendors and Multi-State Raffles
With over half a century of history and $42 billion paid in prizes, the New Jersey State Lottery is available across the state in grocery stores, convenience stores, and retail outlets. Also, there’s a mobile app – Jackpocket – through which you can purchase lottery tickets, but any winnings over $599 should be paid in person.
There are six in-state lottery draw games (Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 6, Cash Pop, Quick Draw, and Jersey Cash 5), three multi-state draws (Mega Millions, Powerball, and Cash4Life), a dozen fast-play games, and about eight dozen scratch cards.
To pick the game that would resonate with you, take into account your budget (scratch cards cost from $1 up to $30; fast-play games are ranged between $1 and $10; Mega Millions, Powerball, Cash4Life tickets are priced at $2 per ticket) and the volatility factor. The most volatile are multi-state draws: they feature enormous prizes up to millions of dollars at the cost of a fewer number of medium and small payouts.
Other Games
In addition to classic slots and table games, New Jersey accommodates a few raffles and bingo halls, both overseen by the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission and run by charitable organizations. However, since the maximum prize cannot exceed $1,000, charitable raffles and bingo may not be too attractive for those aiming at huge wins.
The Full List of Brick-and-Mortar Casinos in NJ
Nine classy casinos are scattered across Atlantic City so that you can pick the closest one or the one you like the most.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Highly recommended for rock and high-end gambling fans, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino shines on the backdrop of the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Ocean Casino Resort
One of the two newest venues in New Jersey, Ocean Casino Resort can boast over 130,000 square feet of gaming space and countless games representing all genres.
Golden Nugget
The California Gold Rush is a thing of the past, but you still have a chance to find a life-changing golden nugget in the eponymous casino in Marina, the smallest among the Atlantic City venues.
Resort Casino
Top-tier service, highest limits among all Atlantic City casinos, red-hot table games…you can’t pass it by without sneak peeking inside, can you?
