New Jersey Online Gaming Sites
The New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement records all jackpots in the state over the last 30 days, and invariably, those report major wins from NJ online gambling websites. If a player happens to get lucky and hit it big, the procedure for getting the money is the same as if they won $50. Primary licenses to operate legal online gambling websites in NJ are limited to Atlantic City casinos. Each casino is then allowed to operate up to five unique online casino brands, which is why you’ll see some legal online casino sites in New Jersey – like Betfair or Virgin – that aren’t Atlantic City casinos.
- New Jersey Online Casino
- New Jersey Online Gaming Sites For Teens
- New Jersey Online Gambling Sites
- Online Gaming Sites In New Jersey
The current offerings on real money online casinos in PA are growing, and fast. Casino sites regularly add new games as they are approved by the PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB). We offer an overview of how diverse these casino game categories are. Keep in mind that the most prominent New Jersey online casinos offer more than 600 titles.
- by Anthony Cicali IIIMarch 8, 2021
- by Sean ChaffinMarch 3, 2021
- by Sean ChaffinFebruary 26, 2021
Legal Online Poker Sites in the US
State | Poker Sites | Bonus Offer |
---|---|---|
• All (excl. WA) | Global Poker | Free $20 Gold Coin package |
• New Jersey | PokerStars WSOP.com 888poker partypoker BorgataPoker.com BetMGM Poker | Free $30 (with $20 deposit) Free $10 Free $25 Free $25 Free $25 Free $25 |
• Pennsylvania | PokerStars | Free $30 (with $20 deposit) |
• Michigan | PokerStars | Free $30 (with $20 deposit) |
• Nevada | WSOP | Free $10 |
• Delaware | 888poker | Free $25 |
Where is online poker legal in the US?
The following six states have now officially signed legislation to offer legal US online poker:
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Nevada
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- West Virginia (Not live yet)
Five currently have open and operating legal online poker sites. And there are some differences between each of the regulated online poker states.
- Nevada only permits online poker.
- New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Delaware also spread casino games banked by the house (More about Michigan online casinos, NJ online casinos,Pennsylvania online casinos).
- Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania allow the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos to operate online sites. In Delaware, the state lottery is the sole operator.
- Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have entered into an interstate online poker agreement. If you play in those three states you can compete against each other only on WSOP.com.
Where can I play online poker in the US right now?
NJ online poker
New Jersey is currently home to the most online poker sites. Those sites are spread across four distinct networks and operate through three different licensees. Here are your options:
New Jersey online poker sites
- PartyPoker NJ (Borgata Poker, BetMGM Poker)
- Pala Poker
WSOP NJ is the second biggest site after Borgata/partypoker. It used 888 software, but was a standalone room. 888 operated its own platform, but began to share player pools with WSOP.com in January 2015.
PokerStars NJ launched in New Jersey on March 21, 2016.
The site opened at around the same size of WSOP.com and Borgata. Since launch, PokerStars has been the top site in the Garden State for much of its tenure.
In April 2018, New Jersey joined the multi-state compact with Nevada and Delaware. The agreement allows the three states to share their player pools across state lines.
Background
The New Jersey legislature legalized online poker and casino games in the state in December 2012. After some back-and-forth between Gov. Chris Christie and the lawmakers, the governor finally signed the bill into law.
As a result, New Jersey online poker and casino games launched on November 21, 2013. Borgata and its partner Party Poker dominated the New Jersey online poker world at the time after launch.
Pennsylvania online poker
Pennsylvania became the fourth state to legalize and regulate online poker and online casino play in the U.S. when Governor Tom Wolf signed bill H 271 on Oct. 30, 2017.
Online poker was expected to launch by July of 2019. However, that date was pushed back until PokerStars officially launched on Nov. 4, 2019. It was the first online poker site in Pennsylvania.
The site is now fully operational with the excellent software, cash games, and tournaments that players have come to expect. PokerStars has promised much more for players in the state and received a nice reception from many in the state.
There are eight casino or operators attempting to launch online poker in Pennsylvania right now. One of them is MGM Resorts, which applied for a license as a qualified gaming entity through its Borgata property in New Jersey.
Pennsylvania casinos which have both applied for and been approved to offer online poker are:
- Mount Airy Casino (now live through its partnership with PokerStars)
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
- Parx Casino
- Sands Bethlehem
- SugarHouse Casino
- Valley Forge Casino
Michigan online poker
In a nice twist to start off 2021, Michigan online poker went live on Jan. 29. So far just one real money online poker site, PokerStars, is online for cash games and tournaments but BetMGM Poker is expected to go live in February.
Included in the PokerStars lineup for Michigan are the ever-popular Spin & Go’s (not available in Pennsylvania), lots of weekly guaranteed tournaments, new player freerolls (free online tournaments for real money) and the standard $30 in free play bonus with a $20 deposit. You can also choose an up to $600 deposit bonus at 100% match.
The full PokerStars poker app and PokerStars’ highly popular Home Games feature, for playing online poker games with your friends, are both available in Michigan.
Stay tuned for an exclusive PokerStars Michigan promo code from USPoker right here.
Nevada online poker
Nevada was the first state to launch regulated online poker. In December 2011, the Nevada Gaming Control Board adopted regulations pertaining to Nevada online poker sites.
The regulations required affirmation through the Nevada legislature. Nevada lawmakers meet on a biennium. The state passed the regulations governing Nevada online poker in February 2013.
On April 30, 2013, Ultimate Poker launched as the first regulated online poker room in the US. The launch was flawed due to poor software and unproven geolocation services. Ultimate Poker attracted about 300 peak players and the same number of players participated in sit and gos and tournaments.
WSOP.com launched on September 17, 2013. WSOP.com enjoyed massive brand awareness and dominated the market within two months.
Ultimate Poker succumbed to the small intrastate poker player pool in Nevada. It left the Nevada market on November 17, 2014. This leaves onlyWSOP.com and Real Gaming in the Nevada online poker market.
On March 24, 2015, a liquidity sharing agreement between Delaware and Nevada went live. New Jersey joined the compact in April 2018. So, players from three states can now sit at the same table.
Technically, there is a second active poker site in Nevada. Real Gaming, backed by South Point Casino, launched in February 2014. However, the site never has gained more than 1 percent of the market at any time. Currently, its influence in the market is small enough that WSOP more or less enjoys a monopoly in the market.
Nevada online poker sites
Delaware online poker
Delaware was the second state to legalize and regulate online gambling. It was legalized through the state legislature in June 2013. Online casino games went live on October 31, 2013. The Delaware online poker network opened on November 8, 2013.
Delaware offers online poker and casino games through its state lottery. Interactive gaming is marketed through its three video lottery racinos.
888supplies the platform all three sites. The online poker room shares liquidity between all sites. Delaware and Nevada started sharing online poker player pools on March 24, 2015. New Jersey joined the pool in April 2018.
Delaware online poker sites
- Doverdowns.com
- Delawarepark.com
- Harringtonraceway.com
West Virginia online poker and casino
West Virginia joined the online gambling party on March 27, 2019. Gov. Jim Justice allowed H 2934, the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act, to become law without his signature.
The law allows the five land-based casinos to apply for interactive licenses. Each license initially costs $250,000 and must be renewed for $100,000 every five years. Casinos will pay 15 percent of revenue in taxes.
The five properties which will develop online casino sites in West Virginia are:
- The Casino Club at Greenbrier Resort
- Hollywood Casino Charles Town
- Mardi Gras Casino
- The Mountaineer Hotel, Casino & Resort
- Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack
Legalization is terrific news, but active online gambling in West Virginia is still somewhat in the future. The state’s officials will have to create a set of regulations. The best estimate from various sources is that the first online casino with online poker in West Virginia won’t appear until 2020.
Can I play at a legal online poker site while not in that state?
No. Legal online poker sites use geolocation software to ensure that players are located in the state at the time of action.
This takes into account the IP address of the player, location of a related cell phone, and nearby wireless access points. It is impossible to play at legal online poker sites when located outside state lines.
You do not have to be a resident of that state to play online poker there, however. If you visit any legal US online poker state you can download and create an account from your home state, claim any no deposit poker bonus, make any additional deposits and then play online poker when you arrive as long as you are within state borders.
Why should I choose legal poker sites?
One of the biggest advantages to playing online poker at regulated US sites is that all player funds are just as safe as they would be at a licensed real money online casino in any of those states.
The very same gaming regulations that apply to live and online casinos are also valid for regulated US online poker sites. All deposits are held in separate accounts from cash used for operations.
There are also ample deposit and withdrawal methods that are safe and secure. Legal poker sites in the US accept deposits by:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Electronic checks
- Neteller
- Skrill
- PayNearMe (7-Eleven)
- Cash at associated casinos in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, etc
How do I withdraw from legal poker sites in the United States?
Legal poker sites pay winnings by:
- Electronic check
- Check by mail
- Bank wire
- Neteller
- Skrill
- PayPal
- Cash at associated casinos in Atlantic City,Las Vegas, etc
Regulated online poker sites also undergo rigorous checks to ensure that games are fair and secure.
When will online poker be legal in my state?
The situation regarding online poker bills is always changing. There are several states that are considering legal online poker currently. They are:
- Connecticut
- S 17 would legalize online gambling and sports betting
- Kentucky
- H 175 would legalize online poker, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports
- New York
- A 4924 would certify online poker as a game of skill under New York law
- Tennessee
- SJR 165 would legalize all forms of online gambling
- Virginia
- HB 2321 seeks to study online gambling expansion of all types
Two more states, Illinois and Massachusetts, are also interested in online poker.
History of legal online poker in the US
Legal US online poker sites debuted on April 30, 2013.
Ultimate Poker was the site that made history. Nevada was the first state to host fully legal online poker. Texas Hold ’em was the only game spread at Ultimate Poker during its first six months in business.
WSOP.com joined the Nevada online poker market on Sept. 17, 2013. The World Series of Poker’s online site brought the first games of Omaha, Omaha High/Low, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud High/Low to Nevada.
WSOP.com now controls 99 percent of the Nevada market. This near-monopoly was caused by the shuttering of Ultimate Poker in November 2014.
Delaware online poker was the second state to launch. There is one network powered by 888. The state’s three racinos – Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway – are skins on the Delaware poker network. Nevada and Delaware began pooling poker players in April 2015.
WSOP.com and 888 were the sites responsible for creating the first legal interstate online poker pool.
New Jersey online poker came next on Nov. 21, 2013. There are currently three poker networks in New Jersey. One hosts Borgata and partypoker, the other has WSOP.com and 888 on it, and the third is made up solely of PokerStars NJ. All networks are about equal in overall size at any given point in time.
There were three additional poker platforms in New Jersey when the state launched regulated poker sites. 888 was originally a standalone site before it merged player pools with WSOP.com. Ultimate Poker was unable to gain more than 3 percent of the market share.
The Ultimate Poker site was shuttered on Oct. 5, 2014. The associated UCasino was also closed at that time. Betfair failed to attract any players and closed its poker site on Dec. 1, 2014. Betfair still operates an online casino in New Jersey.
After a long legislative battle, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law that legalized and regulated online gambling in the state of Pennsylvania on Oct. 30, 2017, making it the fourth state to legalize online gaming. The bill legalized online poker, online casino table games, online slots and daily fantasy sports.
It also allowed for a number of other gambling expansions such as online lottery, tablet gambling in airports, video gambling terminals at truck stops and 10 satellite casinos. Players were officially able to play online poker in PA in 2019.
Why isn’t there a federal online poker bill?
There have been many attempts to pass an online poker bill at the federal level.
- 2009 – Rep. Barney Frank first proposes regulated online poker.
- 2011 – Frank and Rep. Joe Barton attempt to get Congress to repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
- 2012 – Sen. Harry Reid and Sen. Jon Kyl combine to propose a poker-only bill, known in the poker community as Reid/Kyl. The bill dies when Congress adjourns.
Nowadays, the federal government is more likely to focus its attention on sports betting. Unfortunately, online poker and gambling just doesn’t rate for many constituencies as key issues.
There does seem to be a movement towards greater states’ rights, however. The dismissal of PASPA in May 2018 allowed sports betting to proceed at each state legislature’s discretion.
A recent reversal of Department of Justice opinion on the Wire Act may also end up being a net positive for online gambling advocates. The DOJ seems to have been swayed by anti-gambling lobbyists funded by Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson.
Neither the states nor the media are amused by the appearance of corruption and impropriety. As a result, online gambling might become a medium for states to argue a greater issue, and thus, rise in prominence.
What is the UIGEA?
UIGEA is an acronym for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. It passed Congress in September 2006 and was signed into law by President Bush two weeks later.
The UIGEA made it illegal for banks to process payments for unlawful gambling sites. It did not define what that was. Most publicly-traded sites immediately left the US market after the UIGEA was enacted.
These included Party Poker, iPoker, Microgaming Poker Network, Ongame, and 888. All of these examples returned to the US market when states started to regulate online poker.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday was the day the US online poker community describes April 15, 2011.
On that date, PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker were charged with gambling crimes by the US Department of Justice in the Southern District of New York.
Unfortunately, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker did not have enough cash on hand to pay players. PokerStars paid all customers within weeks. Strange as it may seem, it was PokerStars that eventually made all Full Tilt Poker players whole after coming to an agreement with federal authorities.
Will the federal government ban online poker?
Federal law allows states to legalize and regulate online poker. This is specifically exempted from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. A September 2011 Department of Justice opinion confirmed this and explicitly gives states the right to permit intrastate gaming.
There was an attempt in Congress to reverse this legal opinion. The effort was spearheaded by Sheldon Adelson, founder and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, the parent company of Venetian in Las Vegas.
Adelson’s lobbyists submitted the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA). The bill failed in 2016 and does not appear to have much support in this Congress. Libertarian groups, states’ rights activists, governors, state lotteries and most of the gaming industry have come out in opposition to RAWA.
Since then, Adelson and company have been working through other channels to head off online casino and online poker play. It is extremely likely that the group effected some degree of influence over the Department of Justice’s January 2019 opinion to reinterpret the Wire Act.
In that opinion, the DOJ essentially reversed its prior position on the statute to say that the law actually pertains to all gambling, not just sports betting. Needless to say, there were many parties in opposition to this opinion.
So far, the opinion has not found much success in court. A June 2019 ruling from a New Hampshire federal court dismissed the opinion from affecting that state’s lottery commission and an associated vendor. Only time will tell if the precedent will ripple out to other interested and/or affected parties.
NJ online gambling sites: Background
New Jersey’s online gambling history is a short and well-chronicled one. For decades, Atlantic City was the premier gambling destination on the East Coast. It essentially served as the Las Vegas of the east.
But as the rest of the country loosened their attitude toward regulated land-based gambling, the fortunes of Atlantic City began to suffer. There was the weight of increased competition from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, NewYork and Delaware.
The result was a long decline in local gambling revenue for New Jersey. This situation was exacerbated by the continued addition of casinos in Atlantic City. And it certainly wasn’t helped by the massive economic downturn of the mid-2000s.
Those conditions provided the recipe for online gambling to enter the conversation in New Jersey. With the hope that regulating online poker and online casino games might provide a competitive advantage for New Jersey’s casinos — while also providing a financial boost to the state — then-Gov. Chris Christie and other NJ lawmakers worked together to pass a bill that legalized NJ online gambling sites offered by licensed AC casinos in 2013.
That hope was born out in the years that followed. In fact, in 2016 NJ’s online casinos powered the state to the first year of casino revenue gains in a decade. Without revenue from online gambling sites, Atlantic City’s casinos would have continued a yearlong slide. Hence, bringing casinos online in New Jersey has proven a wise decision. And as a result, both casinos and tax collectors have benefited to the tune of tens of millions of dollars.
Bottom line: Online gambling in Atlantic City has helped New Jersey’s casino industry recover from the most challenging period in New Jersey gambling history.
NJ online gambling law
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) oversees NJ online casinos. To offer legal online casino play in New Jersey, a casino must, among other things:
- Hold a valid Internet Gaming Permit (issued by the NJDGE).
- Submit all games and systems for audit by the NJDGE.
- Ensure that only players located within the state of New Jersey at the time of play can access real-money games.
- Ensure that only players 21 or older can access real-money games.
- Pay a 15% tax on gross gaming revenues to the state of New Jersey.
- Pay a variety of additional taxes and fees (e.g., responsible gambling, license fee).
- Allow for complete financial auditing of all funds flowing in and out of the site.
You can view the full text of the regulations governing online gambling in New Jersey here. All NJ online gambling sites are subject to these regulations and additional oversight by the NJDGE.
NJ online casino list: Identifying licensed NJ online casinos
Why do you need a list of NJ online casinos? Simple. It’s because there are still plenty of online casinos out there pretending to be safe and legal. And if you’re not careful, it’s difficult to know the difference between the legal NJ online casinos and those that are based offshore.
With offshore online casinos, you don’t know what you’re getting — the games may not be fair, and your money may not be safe.
But with licensed NJ online casinos, you can enjoy the comfort of knowing that the sites are regulated by the same body — the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement. This means you know who is accountable if there’s a problem with your account.
Here is the list of legal NJ online gambling sites (casino and poker). These sites have been verified with the NJDGE as of March 2021.
NJ legal online casino list
NJ Online Casinos | Casino Games | Free Bonus | Bonus Code | Play | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Golden Nugget | 631 | $10 | PLAYBONUS | PLAY NOW |
2. | Virgin | 236 | $30 | 30BUCKS | PLAY NOW |
3. | Tropicana | 241 | $25 | PLAY25 | PLAY NOW |
4. | Caesars | 533 | $25 | PLAYFREE25 | PLAY NOW |
5. | Unibet Casino | 289 | $25 | UBPLAY25 | PLAY NOW |
6. | BetMGM Casino | 412 | $25 | PLAYNJFREE | PLAY NOW |
7. | Borgata Online | 250 | $20 | PLAYNJ | PLAY NOW |
8. | SugarHouse | 581 | NA | PLAYNJ | PLAY NOW |
9. | DraftKings Casino | 87 | $45 | None - Use Links | PLAY NOW |
As for the best online NJ casino, you can browse our reviews and details of opening bonuses here. But all licensed NJ casino online gambling sites are the same when it comes to safety, security, game fairness and account integrity.
NJ legal online sportsbooks list
And here is the list of legal NJ online sportsbook apps. These sites have been verified with the NJDGE as of March 2021.
NJ Sportsbook | Mobile App | Free Bet | Bonus Code | Play | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | DraftKings Sportsbook | Yes | $50 | None - Use Links | PLAY NOW |
2. | William Hill | Yes | $500 | LEGALRF | PLAY NOW |
3. | FanDuel Sportsbook | Yes | $1,000 | None - Use Links | PLAY NOW |
4. | Fox Bet | Yes | $500 | None - Use Links | PLAY NOW |
5. | BetMGM Sportsbook | Yes | $600 | PLAYBONUS | PLAY NOW |
6. | PointsBet Sportsbook | Yes | $2,000 | BETBONUS | PLAY NOW |
7. | SugarHouse Sportsbook | Yes | $250 | PLAY250 | PLAY NOW |
8. | Unibet | Yes | $20 | None - Use Links | PLAY NOW |
9. | Bet365 | Yes | $500 | None - Use Links | PLAY NOW |
More online sportsbooks are in the works, but the bottom line is that this is yet another avenue for online gambling revenue in NJ. You can read more about the NJ sports betting industry here.
Top NJ online poker sites
NJ Online Poker Sites | Cash Game Traffic | Sit & Go Tourneys? | Free Play Offer | Play | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | WSOP Poker | High | A few | $10 | PLAY NOW |
2. | 888 Poker | High | Yes | $20 | PLAY NOW |
3. | PartyPoker | Low | Yes | $25 | PLAY NOW |
4. | PokerStars | Medium | Yes | $30 | PLAY NOW |
5. | Borgata Poker | Low | Yes | $20 | PLAY NOW |
6. | BetMGM Poker | Low | Yes | $25 | PLAY NOW |
What are the latest updates from NJ gambling sites?
NJ online casinos are still offering very generous sign-up and depositbonuses. And on top of that, players now have even more games to explore and online sportsbooks to bet on.
It’s a whole new world in NJ online gambling.
NJ sports betting took off and now boasts 17 active sportsbook apps, eight Atlantic City sports betting locations, and two North Jersey racetrack sportsbooks.
That’s 27 total sports betting options in the state.
And after five years, gambling sites show no signs of slowing down either. The entire online casino market now stands at 24.
The result of the continued expansion is high revenues. The COVID-19 pandemic that shut down Atlantic City casinos in March did give online casinos a boost as more gamblers flocked to the apps.
The industry boasted a record $85.9 million in total online revenue in April. Golden Nugget and its partners earned $29 million in May alone.
And Golden Nugget still leads the charge with 700+ online casino games. Live dealer games are now at more sites than ever including DraftKings, Hard Rock, 888 Casino, and PlaySugarHouse.
Related:
The focus of our coverage at NJ Gambling Sites
Our coverage touches on a variety of topics having to do with online and land-based gambling in NJ. There are a few key issues that form the basis of the majority of our coverage, listed below in no particular order.
Financial performance of NJ online casinos
Our coverage includes a detailed analysis of the regularly-released information regarding the financial performance of the online casinos and online poker sites operating legally in New Jersey.
We go beyond the NJ online gambling numbers to provide depth and context. We report not only the numbers for NJ online gambling site revenue but what those numbers mean for individual casinos and the broader regulated market for NJ casino online gambling.
The interaction of online and land-based casinos
Companies licensed to operate land-based casinos are the only entities that can hold licenses to operate online gambling sites in NJ.
While some Atlantic City casinos partner with other brands to offer NJ online gambling sites, there is always an Atlantic City casino holding the ultimate license to operate online betting in NJ.
As a result, what happens in one industry usually has a direct effect on the trajectory of the other. This means that keeping tabs on developments in Atlantic City is a critical part of staying up-to-date and informed about the online gambling industry in New Jersey.
Related:
The broader political climate for gambling in NJ
The decision to regulate online gambling is far from the last political decision regarding gambling in the Garden State. The gambling industry in NJ is interconnected, as mentioned above. Any news that’s relevant to the land-based side matters to the online side as well, at least to some degree.
For example, the state of NJ was at one point locked in a pitched debate regarding the concept of expanding casino gambling outside of Atlantic City. That development, if it had come to pass, would’ve held significant implications for regulated online gambling. And, depending who won the new licenses to operate in other parts of NJ and how said licenses were handled, there could have been an expansion of the number of online gambling sites.
If the new competition from additional casinos harms an Atlantic City operator, support would have shifted. However, voters turned down any idea of a casino expansion in 2017, effectively making the subject moot.
That’s just a quick example to make the central point. The gambling industry in NJ is effectively one industry, even though it’s easy to imagine a delineation between land-based and online gambling.
Product and promotional developments at NJ online gambling sites
The online gambling product in NJ is constantly evolving. New online poker sites open and online casinos add new game variants. Additionally, operators continue to roll out a steady stream of promotions and bonuses in an attempt to entice players to sign up or switch brands.
These are all touchstones for understanding the general health and trajectory of regulated online gambling in the Garden State. As a result, we devote a significant amount of our NJ regulated online gambling site coverage to stories focused on how the product — on both the online poker and online casino front — is evolving to meet the changing demands, tastes, and interest levels of NJ gamblers.
Safety and security concerns surrounding online gambling in NJ
Finally, we devote a significant amount of our NJ online gambling coverage to the critical topics of safety and security.
One of the core advantages of a regulated online gambling environment is that players can take comfort in knowing that a regulator is watching NJ’s online poker and casino games to ensure that everything is on theup-and-up. Regulators are also available to help mediate consumer issues or other complaints. Additionally, systems are in place to prevent unauthorized access by underage or out of state players. These and other topics are an important piece of the larger puzzle of NJ’s online gambling industry.
Last updated: March 2021
NJ Gambling FAQ
When did NJ legalize online gambling?On Feb. 26, 2013, a bill permitting internet gambling in the state was approved by the New Jersey Legislature. It was signed into law by then-Gov. Chris Christie later that day. It took almost nine months before legal and regulated online gambling actually launched in New Jersey.
Who can play at NJ’s legal online casinos?Anyone 21 and older and physically located inside the state of New Jersey can play on the state’s legal and regulated online gambling sites. The sites verify identification and use geolocation software to ensure both these stipulations are met.
How many legal online casino and poker sites are there in New Jersey?There are 23 different online casinos and seven different online poker sites licensed to operate in the state. That makes a total of 30 NJ online gambling sites. Two of the online poker sites operate on the same network, sharing player pools. Another online poker network shares player pools between three of the sites.
What is the connection between land-based casinos and online gambling sites?New Jersey law dictates Atlantic Citycasinos are the only entities that can be licensed to run online gambling sites. However, the casinos can partner with outside entities to host online casino operations for them. Several do. However, the same laws dictate the computer servers operating the online gambling websites must be located at licensed casinos in Atlantic City. That means that in effect, all of New Jersey’s online gambling websites are being run out of Atlantic City casinos. The law also dictates that a portion of revenues from the online gambling sites be reserved for capital improvements at the host Atlantic City casino.
What types of casino games can you play online in New Jersey?Just about every game you can play inside a brick-and-mortar casino in Atlantic City is also offered online in New Jersey. That means a huge variety of slots and video poker games are online. Plus, electronic versions of all the classic table games and a wide variety of other casino games are there as well, including:
BlackjackRoulette
Craps
Baccarat
Pai Gow
Let It Ride
Texas Hold’em
Three Card Poker
When did the first legal NJ online gambling sites open?
The state’s first online gambling websites officially launched Nov. 26, 2013.
Who oversees and regulates NJ online gaming sites?New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement oversees and regulates NJ online gaming sites and NJ online sports betting sites. It handles things such as licensing for the sites, tax revenue collection, and game testing and approval.
Who is the leading NJ online casino in terms of revenue?Golden Nugget emerged as the New Jersey online gambling market revenue leader in 2017. In fact, Golden Nugget has continued to dominate the market into 2019, becoming the first site to post more than $14 million in revenue in a single month in August 2019.
How do I make a deposit at NJ’s legal gambling sites?Making a deposit at all of New Jersey’s online gambling sites is an easy, safe, and secure process. Most online gambling sites accept various methods of deposit, including:
Major credit cards including Visa and MasterCardElectronic checks
Cash deposits at partner Atlantic City casinos
Cash deposits via 7-11 PayNearMe
Online payment processors such as Skrill, Neteller, or PayPal
Prepaid debit card
How do I know what is a legal NJ online casino and what is an illegal one?
All of New Jersey’s legal and regulated gambling sites have a Division of Gaming Enforcement licensed and regulated insignia on the home page linking out to the division’s website at http://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/index.html. All of the state’s legal and regulated online gambling websites are listed on the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement website. They are also listed here in this FAQ. If it’s not on the lists and you can’t find the Division of Gaming Enforcement licensed and regulated insignia on the site, it isn’t legal in New Jersey.
Is sports betting legal in New Jersey?Sports betting is officially legal in New Jersey. On May 14, 2018, the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, clearing the way for NJ (and other states) to begin offering legal sports wagering. The state first tried to legalize sports betting inside its borders in 2011. In December 2017, the US Supreme Court heard the state’s case against the law that bans sports betting operations almost everywhere outside of Nevada. A decision was rendered on May 14, 2018 that declared PASPA unconstitutional. This means that New Jersey is free to offer sports betting to residents and visitors.
How many legal online sportsbooks are in New Jersey?As of March 2021, there are 17 online sportsbooks. They are:
DraftKings SportsbookFox Bet NJ
FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
888 Sportsbook
SugarHouse Sportsbook
Resorts Sportsbook
PointsBet NJ
BetMGM Sport
William Hill NJ
Hard Rock Sportsbook
BetAmerica Sport
Golden Nugget Sportsbook
Borgata Sports
TheScore Bet
Bet365 NJ
Unibet Sports
What sites are legal and licensed by New Jersey regulators?
There are currently seven Atlantic City casino operations that have been licensed by the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement to operate online gambling sites. They are:
Borgata Hotel CasinoCaesars Interactive Entertainment- Affiliate of Boardwalk Regency Corporation
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Resorts Casino Hotel
Tropicana Casino and Resort
Hard Rock Atlantic City
Ocean Casino Resort
These seven Atlantic City casino operations actually host 28 different online poker and casino sites.
Borgata hosts:Borgata Casino
Borgata Poker
NJ partypoker
NJ partycasino
Pala Casino
Pala Poker
Pala Bingo
BetMGM Casino
BetMGM Poker
Scores Casino
Caesars Interactive hosts:
Caesars Casino
Harrahs Casino
WSOP.com
888 Casino
888 Poker
Golden Nugget hosts:
Golden Nugget Casino
Betfair Casino
PlaySugarHouse
BetAmerica
Resorts casino hosts:
Resorts Casino
Mohegan Sun Casino
PokerStars NJ
DraftKings Casino
Tropicana hosts:
Tropicana Casino
Virgin Casino
Hard Rock hosts:
Hard Rock Casino
Unibet Casino
New Jersey Online Casino
New Jersey Online Gaming Sites For Teens
Bet365 CasinoOcean Casino hosts:
Ocean Online Casino