New Jersey was one of the first states in the US to legalize online gambling. Following the passage of UIGEA and the government’s shutdown of online poker operators PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, states began working on a legal framework to offer online gambling within the law, leading to the launch of the first NJ online casinos.
Delaware was the first state to succeed at this, followed shortly by New Jersey. The New Jersey Assembly passed Bill A2578 in December 2012, and following some back and forth regarding the taxation, Gov. Chris Christie signed the bill into law.
This made it possible for the first New Jersey online casinos to start acquiring licenses, which happened gradually across 2013.
Today, there are two dozen legal New Jersey online casino apps which you can play at. We bring you all the New Jersey online casino reviews you could need to make sure you are playing with the best casino operators in the state.
Keep reading to find out more about the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and its licensing processes, the real money New Jersey online casinos you can play at, and the advantages of playing with these operators instead of offshore ones.
Online Casino Operators in New Jersey
NJ is the state with the biggest number of independent online casinos in the country, with more than 20 casinos currently in operation. Some of the best in the state are listed here.
BetMGM Casino NJ
BetMGM Casino NJ was one of the first to get licensed by the NJDGE and remains the industry leader. Offering a valuable welcome package worth over $1,000 and a huge portfolio of casino games, BetMGM Casino is one of the best places to start.
At BetMGM Casino, you can experience everything from simple slots action to playing popular card games or chasing valuable progressive jackpots. As it is run by one of the biggest domestic gaming brands, BetMGM guarantees security, reliability, and more.
DraftKings Casino NJ
A fully licensed online casino in New Jersey operated by a major gaming company, DraftKings gained much of its popularity for offering daily fantasy sports competitions. However, now it is a serious contender in other verticals such as sports betting and casino.
At DraftKings Casino, NJ players can experience the full thrill of casino play with a massive $2,000 welcome package and some free casino credits to get you started. Roulette, blackjack, poker, and slots are all on the list of thrilling games you can enjoy.
Borgata Online Casino NJ
Borgata is another operator that enjoys all the benefits of the NJ gaming license and offers a massive welcome bonus and an exciting gaming platform. Live dealer casino games, modern video slots with progressive jackpots, and unique bespoke games designed for Borgata only are all a part of the appeal of this amazing online casino.
PlaySugarHouse Casino NJ
This online casino may offer a smaller welcome package for starters, but it does not lack in any other department. With a full portfolio of casino games that reaches into hundreds of individual titles, the operator won’t leave you hanging in terms of variety. Whether you are into video poker, slots, or casino table games, titles by some of the leading software developers in the world are all available.
Ocean Casino NJ
Powered by the Ocean Casino Resort, this is another option for New Jersey players looking to play online at a premium gaming site. With a large library of fun casino games, appealing bonuses and promotions, and a stylish design, Ocean Casino will ensure you enjoy your time while playing in a safe and fair environment.
New Jersey Online Casino Laws and Regulations
The push for legal online casinos in New Jersey started early, with the state being one of the first to adopt legislation pertaining to this matter. In late 2011, the Department of Justice issued an opinion stating that the Wire Act should not extend to betting on things other than sporting events, which gave wind to those supporting the legislation.
In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie decided to support the iGaming bills, with the state Senate and Assembly working on drafting a bill that could set the framework for future New Jersey online casino apps.
In December 2012, Assembly Bill A2578 was passed, and confirmed by the Senate just days later. Gov. Christie put his signature on the Bill only after forcing the legislators to increase the taxation rate to 15%, and NJ joined Nevada and Delaware as the third state to allow legal online gambling.
Online casino operators in New Jersey are licensed and supervised by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Under the pertaining bills, each operator must partner up with a live casino within New Jersey to set up the online gambling apps, which has been done by more than 20 different operators who offer legal iGaming to date.
Types of Online Casino Games in New Jersey
Legal and regulated NJ online casinos offer an excellent variety of gaming options for all tastes, preferences, and bankrolls. This is an overview of games you can expect to find at pretty much any online casino licensed in New Jersey.
Video Slots
By far, the biggest part of the overall casino games offer at various New Jersey online casino apps falls off to video slots. With hundreds of different games available in this category, players can really enjoy their pick of the slot type they want to play, including game themes, gameplay mechanics, and volatility.
Slot games for the NJ market can only be supplied by companies that are licensed to operate in this market, but this includes some of the biggest game suppliers around, including IGT, NetEnt, WMS, and many others.
The different types of slot games you can find include classic slots, modern video slots with many paylines, megaways slots, and even progressive jackpot slots that offer top prizes worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Roulette
It may not be every player’s favorite game, but roulette is one of the most popular gambling games around and online casinos are no exception. At NJ casino sites, players can find different versions of the game of roulette, including European, American, French and more.
Roulette games offer huge adrenaline spikes, big potential wins, and plenty to be excited about. If live roulette games have always been too high-stakes for your blood, online casinos offer roulette from the lowest of stakes, giving everyone an opportunity to get involved and play.
Poker Games
Moving away from slots, players at top NJ online casinos can find plenty of table games, including various poker games. Different poker variations such as Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, and Casino Hold’em are only a few of the games you can find in the NJ lobbies.
On top of these games played as table games with cards, video poker machines are also available. Video poker games are appealing to any nostalgic players out there who enjoy the vibes of the old Atlantic City and the way casino gambling looked in its early days.
Blackjack
Another popular card game spread at NJ online casinos is blackjack. This game has been one of the favorites among Atlantic City casino players for decades and has now made its way to legal New Jersey online casino apps, where you can play multiple versions of blackjack and enjoy it across all stakes.
If you are a fan of blackjack, online casinos are definitely the right place for you, as they allow you to play blackjack faster and more efficiently than any live casino out there, while also allowing you to use any resources and charts you want to play the optimal game.
How to Choose a Legal and Safe New Jersey Online Casino
With the number of real money New Jersey online casinos growing by the day, we are seeing more opportunity of choice all the time. This means you can now pick the casino you want to play at among a couple dozen operators, which begs the question of how you should make this selection.
There are a number of criteria you can use when making the decision on which online casino operator to play with. These range from game selection to bonuses, promotions, and other factors. So, let’s talk about some of the most important things you should be looking for in an online casino before you sign up there.
Game Selection
We have already talked about the massive selection of casino games available in the top online casinos in NJ. With so many different game types and titles on offer, it can be difficult to figure out which site offers the most.
We highly recommend checking out the operator’s gaming library before you do register. This allows you to make sure that the favorite games you want to play are available and that there is a good selection of such games on the site.
For example, some online casinos in NJ offer more live casino games, while others are more video slots oriented. Depending on your personal preference, you should pick the site that gives you more choice in your preferred game type and offers the exact titles you enjoy playing.
Bonuses & Promotions
Casino bonuses are perhaps the biggest upside of online casinos compared to live ones. Whether you are looking for a New Jersey online casino deposit bonus, no deposit bonus, or recurring promotions, there are plenty of offers you can benefit from with the leading operators in the state.
Yet, these offers differ from site to site, and you should make sure you play with the operators that give you the highest value. While some players don’t like playing with bonuses, the ones in NJ come with agreeable terms and conditions and should almost always be claimed if there is an option, as they significantly boost your chances of walking away as a winner.
Security & Fairness
Your security should always be your main concern when you are doing anything online. Casino gaming is no exception, which is why you want to make sure you are playing at a fully licensed and regulated casino site.
When choosing between different licensed online casinos, you will want to take a look at the security protocols they employ and the user reviews you can find. Of course, thanks to the strict regulation in place, all legal NJ online casinos are actually very safe to play at and the games offered there are 100% fair, with the game RTP publically advertised.
Banking
Another department you should look at is banking, as you want to ensure you can deposit and withdraw funds from your account quickly, effectively, and affordably. The best NJ online casinos offer several different payment methods, don’t charge withdrawal fees, and ensure quick monetary transactions for their players.
Free Play
Free play casino games are very convenient as they give you the option of playing without the risk of loss. This is an amazing way to try new games or different strategies in the ones you are already familiar with. Since there is no money in play, you can play any way you want and see what happens.
Not all online casinos offer free play games, and if you like to experiment with new titles, you may want to find a site that does. Even if you only play at this casino for practice, having a place where you can hone your skills and enjoy some leisure time without any risk can be very satisfying.
Downloading Casino Apps in New Jersey
Now that you have picked the operator you want to play with, it’s time to get your hand on the appropriate New Jersey online casino app. Even without downloading an app, you will be able to play at most casinos through your mobile internet browser.
For the best experience, however, you will want to download the appropriate app.
The leading casino operators in NJ offer separate casino apps for iOS and Android devices. These apps can be found on the operators’ websites, and some of them may be available in the Google Play or App Store. Yet, for the most part, these stores don’t allow the download of gambling apps.
By simply visiting your selected operator’s website, you will be prompted to download the app that’s appropriate for your mobile device. Once you initiate the download this way, you will also have to accept the download and let your device know that you trust the source of the download. This security measure is in place to prevent you from accidently downloading harmful content to your phone.
Once the app downloads and installs, you will have full access to your NJ online casino on the go. The mobile apps offer full access to the cashier section, the games portfolio, customer support, and other parts of the casinos. As NJ casino operators are so focused on catering to mobile players, the quality of the mobile experience you will encounter is hardly matched by online casinos anywhere else in the world.
Online Casino New Jersey Sites: Safety and Fairness
Staying safe while gambling online is very important, but can also be tricky at times. With no real way to know what’s going on and if the games you are playing are safe, you will be relying on someone else’s word, which means you need a trustworthy entity to take care of this for you.
Fortunately, casino gaming in New Jersey is now fully regulated, and all online casinos operate under gaming licenses issued by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. This division is responsible for enforcing the applicable laws and overseeing the operation of all its licensees.
You can be assured that every online casino licensed by the NJDGE is 100% safe to play at and that the games offered there are fair and in compliance with the regulations. Since the operators must prove their compliance to the regulator, they make sure to run a smooth business in terms of security.
This includes all the most modern security protocols and encryptions when it comes to handling your private information and money. On top of that, all games offered in NJ use fair random number generators that are unable to discriminate against player on any basis and only produce random numbers, giving every person an equal winning chance.
Land Based Casinos in New Jersey
All online casinos operating in New Jersey must create a partnership with a live casino venue that operates within the state in order to receive a gaming license. Fortunately, the state has a long history and tradition of live casino gaming, with Atlantic City hosting some of the biggest and most prominent casinos in the country. Here are the top three live casinos in NJ that you should know about and visit if you ever want to play some real casino games there.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
One of the biggest and most prestigious live casinos in Atlantic City, the Golden Nugget is a prestigious casino known around the world. A massive gaming floor, variety of restaurants, a lively poker room, and a luxurious hotel are all parts of the experience that is offered by the Golden Nugget.
The resort is certainly one of the very best in Atlantic City and the east coast in general, so it comes as no surprise that it also has an online presence now in the form of GoldenNuggetCasino.com, a top-notch online casino platform where hundreds of casino games can be played on mobile devices around the clock.
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
Another prestigious live casino and resort in Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort is more luxurious than most properties in the city and offers more in both terms of gaming and amenities. With a wide array of different rooms and suites on offer and plenty of extra activities to take part in away from the gaming floor, Harrah’s Resort is the place to be in Atlantic City, especially if you are not just there to gamble.
This is not to say that the gambling offer is not rich, as Harrah’s offers hundreds of slot machines, dozens of live tables spreading popular table games, and more. On top of all this, Harrah’s is also another one of the casinos that have an online presence, which means players can enjoy games with Harrah’s even when not physically located on the premises.
Ocean Casino Resort
One of the most beautiful properties in Atlantic City, the Ocean Casino Resort offers a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean and absolute luxury to all its visitors. The favorite place to stay for many high-rollers in AC, Ocean Casino Resort is where you go to experience the full luxury of the city.
Like other major casinos and resorts in AC, Ocean Casino Resort offers plenty of amenities its guests can use, on top of the nearly endless array of slot machines, casino table games, and other gambling options on offer. Whether you want to wine and dine, enjoy entertainment, gamble, or relax, Ocean Casino Resort has you fully covered.
FAQ
Is online gambling legal in New Jersey?
Yes! After years of legal battles, the state of New Jersey regulated online gambling within its borders. Online sports betting, poker, and casinos are all legal in the state. However, you should be aware that only operators that have the appropriate license from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement are allowed to offer services to citizens of NJ.
When did online gambling go live in New Jersey?
The laws and regulations to allow for the operation of NJ online casinos were adopted by the state assembly and senate in late 2012. In 2013, New Jersey became the third state to offer licenses to online casino operators, alongside Nevada and Delaware.
Which online casinos operate in NJ?
Today, New Jersey is the state with the biggest number of online casino operators in the country. Among the most popular sites, you can find the likes of BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Borgata Online Casino, Ocean Online Casino, PlaySugarHouse, and Caesars.
What types of games are available?
The NJ online casino landscape is vast and versatile. Players can enjoy all sorts of casino games, ranging from slot machines and video poker to live dealer games which include blackjack, roulette, poker, and much more.
How can I deposit and withdraw funds?
Players in the US generally have access to a solid number of different payment methods and options. NJ online casino players can use their credit and debit cards to make deposits, or use e-wallets like PayPal or cash deposit methods like PayNearMe. Cashout requests are often processed via wire transfer, and PayPal is another common withdrawal method among NJ players.
Do I need to pay taxes on my online casino winnings?
Yes! If you win in an online casino, you will need to pay federal tax of 25%, as well as state tax, which stands at 3% in NJ. The casino will withhold federal taxes on any winnings above $5,000 during the cashout process, while you are responsible for paying your own taxes on any smaller wins.