As one of the few states where all types of online gambling are legal – casinos, poker, sports betting, daily fantasy, and even the lottery – New Jersey has become a trailblazer for the country’s gambling market, delivering an extensive range of products and operators to choose from. We only review licensed brands, looking closely at what they offer from games to apps, as well as the security they uphold to keep players safe. Get started with a verified bonus from the best NJ online gambling sites?below:

John Isaac, Editor at online-gambling.com

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John Isaac is one of the editors at online-gambling.com. He is an expert at card games, such as blackjack and poker. In addition, he writes about the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets.

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Types of Online Gambling in New Jersey

We have already laid out the best online gambling sites in NJ, and if you enjoy playing casino games you’ll be pleased to know there are many legal gambling sites in the state. For sports fans, we’ve reviewed licensed sportsbooks with a wide variety of markets and betting opportunities among their highlights.

Those looking to play games of skill may also be interested in daily fantasy sports or poker. We explore the best options for playing whichever type of gambling you prefer, from the lottery to roulette. We only recommend legitimate operators that are legal in NJ. So, whatever your preferences, our New Jersey online gambling guide will help you find the right site to match your needs.

Casinos

While the state’s first casino opened back in 1978 in Atlantic City, casino sites have only been a form of legal online gambling in NJ since February 2013. The state currently has the most diverse online gambling market in the USA. Players can choose among a variety of excellent operators. To help you find your favorite, we have listed the best gambling sites in the state:

Online gambling sites offer diverse game selections to gamblers. They feature the best real money slots, blackjack, baccarat, and other popular games. You can play European, French, and American Roulette at any of our recommended roulette sites in NJ, for example.

All top-rated New Jersey online casinos offer lucrative welcome bonuses and accessible apps to play on the go. You can also choose from many convenient payment options to fund your account and transfer for your winnings.

Sports Betting

There’s no shortage of sportsbooks in New Jersey. Online sports betting was officially legalized on August 6, 2018.^[1] Since then, the NJDGE has issued various licenses for online betting, and many operators have joined the market. We’ve selected the top online sportsbooks to help you find your favorite:

New Jersey is one of the leaders in the US when it comes to gambling regulations. For example, the state launched Prophet Sportsbook, the first peer-to-peer betting platform in the US. Licensed online sportsbooks must adhere to strict safety and security standards. So, you can be confident your payments and personal data are protected when betting online in NJ.

Daily Fantasy Sports

This section of our guide explores daily fantasy games. This is a highly innovative way of betting on sports. Daily fantasy contests allow you to use your sporting knowledge to your advantage. In August 2017, New Jersey became the 16th state to legalize daily fantasy sports formally. Below are the best DFS websites in the state:

Daily fantasy sports betting is a relatively new niche in online gambling. Many operators have applied for licenses in New Jersey. While the list of recommended operators is currently quite limited, we anticipate more NJ daily fantasy sites to launch in the future. So, bookmark this page and visit regularly to see the latest options.

Poker

Online poker officially became legal in New Jersey on February 26, 2013. NJ is part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), meaning you can play against players from different states. That creates the possibility of bigger tournaments and prize pools. Here are some of the most popular poker sites:

Whether you’re interested in speed poker, cash games, tournament play, or another alternative, you’ll find what you’re looking for at poker sites in New Jersey. The recommended operators provide several versions of the game. We do like to remind our readers that, as in all states, there is a difference between traditional poker and online video poker in NJ as well. Regardless, you can put your skills and strategies to use at any of these sites.

Lottery

The New Jersey Lottery has been officially running since 1970 and offers eight draw games. In 2016, the state made its first steps towards creating an official online lottery. Governor Chris Christie signed the lottery bill, though it didn’t initially attract much attention. The state legalized a courier service that can deliver lottery tickets purchased online.

The state officially took steps towards legalizing online lottery in December 2019. It gave the green light to a lottery app called Jackpocket, which currently offers some of the most exciting online lottery games in NJ. Although no official lottery website is available in New Jersey, recent news indicates a project in the works.

Bonus Offers & Promo Codes for Gambling in NJ

All recommended NJ online gambling sites offer an appealing bonus or promo code for regulars and new players. You should always be aware of the specific terms and conditions attached to each offer or bonus code. That way, you can determine whether it is worth claiming the deal.

The most important bonus terms include minimum deposit, wagering requirements, expiry periods, and game contributions. It’s also essential to know for which games a particular offer is applicable. Remember, if you don’t fulfill the bonus requirements in the provided time frame, you will forfeit all remaining bonus money and winnings. Here are the bonuses available for online gambling in NJ:

Another type of casino bonus you’ll come across at online gambling platforms is the no deposit bonus. While harder to come buy, many?players prefer these types of promotions.

Remember that they also have their own set of terms and conditions, so make sure to follow instructions carefully. Note that you must usually complete wagering requirements before withdrawing bonus winnings. There are a number of differences between deposit and no deposit bonuses that we’ll explain in the following paragraphs.

Deposit Bonuses

In most cases, you’ll need to make your first deposit to claim a welcome bonus for online gambling in New Jersey. Usually, the minimum deposit is around $10- $20. The reward is often a 100% deposit match-up bonus, which will double your account balance. If you’re a credit card holder, such as Mastercard, gambling sites that offer this type of bonus are widely available to you.

No Deposit Bonus Offers

We’ve already mentioned money bonus offers. We should further specify that they’re not only for casino players. Some top online betting sites have also included them in their promotional offers. There are differences between a no deposit and a deposit bonus in terms of size and validity. No deposit bonuses are generally smaller and valid for a shorter period.

Gambling Apps in NJ

Our research for this NJ online gambling review found that more than 70% of gamblers prefer to use their mobile phone for betting and gaming. Therefore, it is no surprise that all operators offer apps. However, casino and betting apps can vary in quality and performance. We looked for the most reliable options to recommend to our readers.

We compared gambling apps in NJ. It is worth noting that not all operators offer native apps that you can download for iOS and Android. Instead, some operators provide web apps. You can access these mobile responsive sites directly in your browser. Based on our tests, we selected the top mobile casino app:

What have we taken into account when looking for the top mobile app? On the one hand, speed and platform reliability were essential as they can greatly impact the user experience. On the other hand, welcome offers, game selection, and security had to meet industry standards. We selected the best mobile gambling app in NJ by analyzing these factors.

Live Dealer Gambling in NJ

While poker and lotteries are appealing, most players consider live dealer games unmatchable in terms of thrill and action. Fortunately, you can access a variety of live dealer casinos with plenty of live table options directly from our list of the best NJ online gambling sites.

If you prefer a different type of live betting at New Jersey online gambling sites, sportsbooks will meet your needs. They offer the chance to bet on various sporting events as they happen. If you have a favorite sport or team you avidly support, many sports welcome offers wait to be claimed and used on in-play betting.

Whether real money blackjack is your go-to game or sports betting on the Jersey Bearcats is more your thing, we encourage you to explore the different live gambling options and their advantages.

Deposits and Withdrawals at Gambling Sites in NJ

Considering the available payment methods is an important aspect of selecting an online gambling site in NJ. Players can expect a wide variety of options for depositing and withdrawing funds. Reputable operators provide numerous secure and convenient deposit options. You can typically choose from debit and credit cards, e-wallets, online banking services, and cash payments.

You’ll find various classic and contemporary payment options when you navigate to the banking cashier page on any New Jersey gambling site. The modern ones, such as e-wallets, typically stand out due to their convenience, quick withdrawal times, low/no fees, and advanced security. For these reasons, many players prefer PayPal.

Depositing at the best online gambling sites in NJ is relatively easy. It takes just a few minutes to fund your account safely. Deposits are processed immediately, meaning you don’t have to wait to start playing. You must verify your account before depositing for the first time by providing a valid ID.

Withdrawals are also made effortless. Keep in mind that cash-out time depends on your chosen payment method and the banking policy of the operator. The top PayPal gambling sites generally offer the fastest withdrawal times. Something else worth noting is the possible transaction fees. So, double-check the financial T&C’s to stay informed.

Payouts and Odds

If you’re wondering what type of casino game to choose, payouts and odds provide an objective look. All products are legal under online gambling laws in NJ. So, you can see some generous payout odds on offer as operators compete for your custom.

Return-to-player (RTP) rates offer a theoretical perspective on the potential percentage of your real money bets that could be returned to you as winnings. Conversely, sportsbooks operate with profit margins, indicating the house edge or the operator’s advantage on a specific bet. The difference between 100% and the profit margin represents your theoretical RTP. For a high RTP betting experience with reliable transaction methods, consider exploring gambling websites that accept Visa, for example.

Considering these key metrics, we’ve created a table featuring some of the most enticing NJ gaming and betting markets alongside their average payout rates. View these options and select the one that best aligns with your preferences. Whichever game you choose, remember to gamble responsibly with funds you can comfortably afford.

While the average payouts for real money casino games are fixed, the ones for sports may fluctuate. So keep in mind that they change regularly. When it comes to online gaming in general, our best advice is to choose betting opportunities where the profit margin/house edge is below 10% – this way, you’ll know that you have a theoretical chance of more than 90% to win.

How to Start Gambling Online in New Jersey

If you’re new to gambling, the following paragraph will provide insights on the necessary steps to register and play on an online platfrom. Although we’ve covered a lot of different products, the steps remain similar regardless of your choice. So, you can safely rely on the information below.

From registering to betting on a particular gambling game, the process is self-explanatory. However, making the right decisions is vital. With so much competition around, you might get confused, and the details we’ve included around each step will surely help. Don’t miss out on them as they will help you get started gambling online, betting on sports, playing poker online, and more.

So, there you have it – five steps that can save you a lot of hassle. The most valuable advice we can give you is to enter a gambling site for fun and never risk money you can’t afford to lose. If you are looking for a real-money gaming experience, the gambling sites that accept Venmo are accessible options for making your first deposit.

Online vs. Retail Gambling

There are pros and cons of online gambling. One of its main pros is that you don’t need to travel to a casino. Instead, you can enter a gambling website whenever you want to. However, land-based alternatives, such as those in Atlantic City, also have noteworthy advantages. So, in the following table, we’ll compare both options:

Although it’s hard to compare both ways of gambling, the purpose remains the same – suiting player needs. Whether you’re a fan of online gambling, or you’re more traditional in your approach and prefer casinos in Atlantic City, we advise a mix of both to get the full experience of NJ gambling.

Land-based Casinos, Kiosks, and Racetracks

When we talk about NJ gambling, two words always come to mind – Atlantic City. Widely considered as one of the top cities for casino play, Atlantic City has excellent resorts you shouldn’t miss out on. Some household names include the Tropicana, Harrah’s, Golden Nugget, and more flashy land-based casino resorts.

Of course, there are also other ways to experience the thrill of gambling. One of the most traditional ways to do so is by visiting a horseracing track. Multiple options are available in the state, and some of the most popular racetracks include the Freehold Raceway, Monmouth Park, and the Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment.

Care to partake in some sports betting? Many gambling kiosks have been made available for New Jersey players, and they are considered trendsetters in the world of land-based gambling. While some of them are located at race tracks, others can be found at casinos, giving great opportunities to diversify your NJ gaming experience.

New Jersey Gambling Laws

Home of Atlantic City, New Jersey is one of the states with the least restrictive gambling laws and gaming enforcement. The gambling history of the state is marked by its first brick-and-mortar casino opening in 1978 in Atlantic City. However, one of the biggest expansions of the casino industry came with the legalization of online gambling in New Jersey.

In January 2011, the politician Raymond Lesniak sponsored a bill to allow New Jersey residents over the age of 21 to gamble online. The legislation specified that all servers operating gambling websites must be located in Atlantic City. Nevertheless, Governor Chris Christie vetoed the bill, stating that not every bet placed in New Jersey should be considered an Atlantic City bet.

After long discussions, new legislation was drafted. The new gambling laws in NJ allowed Atlantic City businesses to advertise online gambling and to use their facilities to offer such activities. A new bill was eventually signed on February 26, 2013, authorizing legal gambling sites for a trial period of 10 years.

Casino Legislation

The primary regulator of online gambling sites is the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement which is a part of the Casino Control Commission. Of course, certain criteria need to be followed to be granted a license to operate, including factors such as integrity and honesty.

The main official document for online casino regulations in New Jersey is the Casino Control Act. It ensures transparent gambling and defines the conditions needed for an operator to provide casino services. Thanks to the regulated casino market and the gambling environment of the Garden State, is required to provide a safe and convenient way to play real money games.

Sports Betting Legislation

In 2012, New Jersey became famous for its fight to legalize sports betting. In June of that same year, the New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a bill, which allowed sports betting in the state. However, the NCAA, the NBA, the NFL, and other athletic leagues filed a lawsuit against New Jersey. They claimed that allowing sports betting was illegal according to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992.

In 2013, the United States District Court Judge, Michael Shipp, ruled in favor of the athletic leagues, prohibiting New Jersey from issuing sports betting licenses. Nevertheless, in 2017, New Jersey took its case to the Supreme Court, which eventually ruled in its favor. In 2018, online sports betting was officially legalized.

Daily Fantasy Sports Legislation

In July 2017, the state passed a bill that legalized and regulated paid-entry daily fantasy sports similar to many other states, including neighboring Maryland. The wait was well worth it for sports fans who like to assemble their fantasy team.

After a period of consideration, Governor Chris Christie signed the bill into law. The legalization of fantasy sports was positively accepted by fans as it protects their rights and facilitates a secure gambling environment. The acceptance of this innovative type of online gaming again reaffirms that the New Jersey online gambling industry is a leader in the field.

Poker Legislation

Since online poker was officially legalized at the same time as online gambling, New Jersey became the fourth state to regulate online poker. Therefore, the niche gained even more credibility among gamblers. Initially, only three poker sites were granted a license, but that number has recently increased to seven.

Since 2018, some of these websites have started to operate in other states, expanding their business beyond the borders of the Garden State. For New Jersey players, however, to be physically present in the state remains a legal condition to play the game.

Lottery Legislation

When it comes to online lotteries, the situation is complicated. Consequently, this type of online gambling in NJ has yet to expand. Back in 2017, without making any noise, an official bill was signed. It stated that a “courier company” can offer online lottery tickets.

At the end of 2019, this online lottery service was introduced. However, amendments to these regulations are underway. A new rule was proposed and passed in September 2022, allowing the state’s official lottery website and app to sell tickets. The online ticket purchase option will launch in the fall of 2024, further expanding the NJ online gambling industry.

History of Gambling in New Jersey

We have already discussed the gambling laws in Atlantic City and the state of New Jersey in general, but do you wonder how it all went down? The state’s gambling efforts began in 1870 when the first racetrack opened at Monmouth Park. However, this event only marked New Jersey’s long journey to becoming one of the states with the most successful casino industries, so check out below some of its most important gambling milestones.

Facts and Statistics

The state has undoubtedly gone through a long journey since it opened its first racetrack in 1870 and Atlantic City casino in 1978. Nowadays, the state’s residents have the third-highest income in the US, and the gambling industry has had a positive effect on the state’s economy. Online gambling taxes in NJ have generated significant revenue for local services and community projects. For a more comprehensive overview, the table below shares the most important facts about New Jersey.

Legal Gambling Age in NJ

New Jersey might be one of the most modern and developed states in terms of gambling, but it still follows the United States’ strict gambling age limitation. According to the state’s laws, a person must be at least 21 years old to be legally allowed to gamble at a casino.^[2] However, the legal gambling age in NJ for lottery and DFS is 18.

Minors can still enter casinos in Atlantic City. However, they must refrain from gambling, remaining on the gaming floor, and drinking alcohol. Anyone caught violating the New Jersey gambling age restriction shall be required to pay a fine between $500 and $1,000. They might face a six-month driving license suspension in addition to further legal consequences.

• Legal Online Gambling Age
  A person must be over 21+ old to gamble at the land-based casinos and online casinos in New Jersey.
• Legal Drinking Age
  A person must be at least 21+?to purchase and consume alcohol in New Jersey.
• Legal Age for Marijuana
  The recreational use of marijuana is currently illegal in New Jersey. The age for the medicinal use of cannabis is 21+.

Responsible Gambling in New Jersey

Being one of the states with the most developed gambling industry, the Garden State understands that on certain occasions, gambling may become an addiction. To treat and prevent gambling addiction, the state has established various specialized organizations in cooperation with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

The National Council of Problem Gambling provides a list of options for immediate help to those struggling with gambling addiction. Additionally, the Council on Compulsive Gambling offers localized therapy. The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement and the broader gambling industry want to ensure that those individuals who require support can access it quickly and without barriers.

Upcoming Regulation and Expected Changes

Updates to gambling laws in New Jersey have seen the state’s industry undergo various legal and gaming enforcement changes within the last few years. The changes have impacted both the online and Atlantic City scene. Online casinos, poker, sports betting websites, and daily fantasy contests are legally available. New Jersey is among the leading markets for online gambling in the United States.

We expect further regulatory changes regarding online lottery to come into force. While you can purchase lotto tickets through a courier app, more options are on the horizon. The New Jersey Lottery has announced that online ticket sales will commence in Fall 2024. The possibility to play the lottery on the official website and app will provide even wider options to those in the Garden State. If you’d like to stay on top of further changes within the market, you can track legislation in NJ to know what to expect.

Conclusion: Leader in the Online Gambling Industry

The progressive attitude of state legislators means that New Jersey continues to be the number one location for online gambling in the United States. Residents and visitors to the Garden State have great options for gambling online. We have laid out what we believe are some of the top sites to get involved in the action. So read our recommendations and follow the links to sign up and claim your deposit bonuses.

References

1. American Gaming Association, (09/28/2023), Interactive U.S. Map: Sports Betting, Retrieved December 1, 2023.
2. American Gaming Association, (2022), Gaming Regulations and Statutory Requirements New Jersey, Retrieved December 1, 2023.

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