- 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.
- The following Internet gaming sites are approved to conduct continuous 24 hour Internet gaming operations. Internet gaming site approvals will be issued on a rolling basis.
What are the latest casinos to enter the NJ online casino market? This page chronicles the most recent launches of NJ gambling sites as well as providing a quick background on how the rest of the market came to be.
DraftKings online casino – Launched December 2018
New Jersey Online Casinos and NJ Gambling Sites. After what has seemed like a life time, the time has now come when anyone who is living or residing in the US State of New Jersey and is of the legal age to do so, can now log onto one several fully licensed and regulated online casinos and play any type of casino game they chose to play as a.
The DraftKings NJ online casino launched as an integrated site within the DraftKings Sportsbook app. Using the Resorts Casino license for access in New Jersey, Draftkings Casino features a small slate of slots, blackjack and live dealer games. But the site is expected to grow and grow fast.
Latest NJ online casino launches
Bet365 Casino – August 2019
Part of the larger Bet365 NJ sportsbook launch, Bet365 online casino comes with all of the company’s experience in the European online gambling market. The site features some familiar slot and table game titles as well as a unique game menu with categories such as “Bonus Slots” and “Arcade.”
Unibet online casino – June 2019
Unibet Casino is owned by Kindred Group. Its launch in New Jersey marks the first US online gambling entry for the company. Unibet, partnered with Hard Rock Atlantic City, will also have an online sportsbook. It is expected to launch later in summer 2019.
Harrah S Nj Online Casino Gambling
BetAmerica online casino and sportsbook – February 2019
The BetAmerica NJ online casino comes from Churchill Downs Inc. via a partnership with Golden Nugget Atlantic City. Powered by SBTech, the site features both a robust slate of casino games as well as a shared wallet with an online sportsbook.
Ocean Online Casino – July 2018
Ocean online casino launched a couple weeks after the former TEN/Revel casino reopened as Ocean Resort Casino, now called Ocean Casino Resort, in Atlantic City. Powered by GAN, the newest online casino in New Jersey features many familiar games but also exclusive slots and the biggest no deposit bonus in the industry.
Hard Rock online casino – June 2018
Hard Rock Online Casino officially launched the same day as the new casino Hard Rock Atlantic City opened its doors on June 28. The platform is powered by Gaming Innovation Group (GiG). This is the company’s first foray into the NJ online casino market.
MGM online casino and poker site – August 2017
The MGM brand made its long-awaited debut in the New Jersey market in August of 2017. The MGM is the owner of the Borgata and launched under that license in New Jersey. Both an MGM online poker site and MGM online casino are available. The software is the same platform that powers the Borgata online casino, and many of the same games that you’ll find at Borgata are available at MGM.
Scores online casino – July 2017
In partnership with the Borgata and Pala Casino, Scores became the newest brand in the New Jersey market when they launched in July of 2017. The site utilizes the Pala Casino software and offers the same welcome bonus. If you already have an account at Pala, you cannot make an account at Scores.
Scores does not offer an online poker site. Read more about the Scores online casino promo code here.
SugarHouse online casino – September 2016
With Pennsylvania lawmakers spinning their wheels on iGaming legislation, one Pennsylvania-based casino simply went ahead and launched an online casino site – In New Jersey.
The SugarHouse New Jersey Online Casino PlaySugarHouse.com launched in September 2016 with more than 200 games and a number of unique features through a partnership with SugarHouse Philadelphia casino operators Rush Street Interactive and New Jersey online gambling licensee Golden Nugget.
In addition to a traditional desktop website interface, PlaySugarHouse.com launched mobile apps for Apple and Android users. The New Jersey online casino operation also offered leaderboards, free bingo games for bonuses and real-time player-to-player chat from launch in an effort to make the experience a more engaging and personal one.
In an effort to grab market share, the SugarHouse New Jersey Online Casino also offered a number of easy to clear bonuses and promotions.
The addition of SugarHouse has helped Golden Nugget become the gross revenue leaders in New Jersey’s iGaming market.
PokerStars online casino and poker room – March 2016
The world’s most popular online poker site relaunched as an online poker and casino site in the New Jersey market in March 2016. PokerStars NJ began by offering New Jersey players local versions of the the brand’s most popular games, formats and products. It also came with the promise of special New Jersey online promotions, bonuses, and local live events.
Right out of the gate, PokerStars NJ offered Special Sunday tournaments alongside casino games like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Slots. There was a mobile app and a desktop client. PokerStars stayed true to its goal. The site offered New Jersey residents and visitors a similar yet localized experience to that of PokerStars players around the globe.
The site launched under the Resorts Casino Hotel’s online gambling license. Next, PokerStars NJ even went as far as to offer the last held VIP status, Play Money Chips, and StarsCoin (Frequent Player Points) to players who previously held accounts on PokerStars before the company was forced out of the U.S. market in 2011.
PokerStars originally applied for an online gaming license in 2013. But the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement did not approve the application until September 2015.
Resorts / Mohegan Sun – February / July 2015
Resorts may have been New Jersey’s first legal land-based casino, but Resorts was one of the last to enter the online casino market. ResortsCasino.com launched in February 2015. In July 2015, sister site MoheganSunCasino.com also launched under the Resorts online gaming license. In addition to Resorts, Mohegan Sun operates casinos in Connecticut and Pennsylvania under its own name.
Pala online casino – November 2014
Pala Interactive, LLC announced the official launch of PalaCasino.com in New Jersey on November 25, 2014.
The iGaming platform and online casino featured more than 90 games at launch and claimed to provide a seamless and entertaining user experience.
Pala Interactive is an iGaming operator that was founded in 2013 in anticipation of a number of U.S. states passing legislation allowing real-money internet wagering. The Company’s majority shareholder is the Pala Band of Mission Indians, which owns and operates the Pala Casino Spa and Resort in Pala, California. The New Jersey online casino site was launched under the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa’s online gaming license.
At the time, Pala said it was focused on providing an improved user experience and offered New Jersey players the opportunity to take a free spin daily for the chance to win a million dollars on its exclusive PalaCasino.com Slot Machine. Pala Interactive said it planned to launch a New Jersey online poker site in the first quarter of 2015. But that did not happen.
However, Pala Interactive launched PalaBingoUSA.com, New Jersey’s first dedicated 90-Ball Online Bingo website in March 2016.
Background on the NJ online casino market
Online gaming in New Jersey officially launched on November 21, 2013. Six Atlantic City land-based casinos debuted seven online casinos and six online poker sites.
The seven New Jersey online casinos available at launch included:
- BorgataCasino.com (Borgata)
- CaesarsCasino.com (Caesars)
- HarrahsCasino.com (Caesars)
- us.888Casino.com (Caesars)
- TropicanaCasino.com (Tropicana)
- BetfairCasino.com (Trump Plaza)
- UltimateCasino.com (Trump Taj Mahal)
The original six New Jersey online poker sites included:
- BorgataPoker.com (Borgata)
- NJ.partypoker.com (Borgata)
- WSOP.com (Caesars)
- us.888Poker.com (Caesars)
- UltimatePoker.com (Trump Taj Mahal)
- BetfairPoker.com (Trump Plaza)
Golden Nugget online casino
The Golden Nugget online casino was scheduled to launch with the other online casinos in New Jersey in November 2013. However, technical issues during the beta testing period forced operators to wait. The Golden Nugget New Jersey online casino site eventually launched in December 2013.
Virgin NJ online casino
Tropicana launched TropicanaCasino.com in partnership with Gamesys alongside New Jersey’s other original seven online casinos in November 2013. Just a few months later, in January 2014, the two got together to launch sister site VirginCasino.com, bringing the worldwide entertainment, travel and gaming brand to the burgeoning New Jersey online casino market.
Betfair makes a move
The closure of the Trump Plaza hotel and casino in September 2014 forced Betfair to find a new home for its New Jersey online casino and poker sites.
But the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement allowed Betfair to continue operating temporarily under Caesars online gaming license until it eventually found a permanent home at the Golden Nugget. Betfair quickly closed its online poker site after landing at Golden Nugget.
Ultimate Poker and Ultimate Casino walk away
When the Trump Taj Mahal filed for bankruptcy in September 2014, Ultimate Casino, and eventually Ultimate Poker, both closed up shop, claiming issues with payments from the online gaming license holder.
New Jersey’s iGaming future
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement’s continued willingness to grant approval for out-of-state operators to partner with existing New Jersey iGaming licensees to run online casino and poker sites makes one thing clear: The ceiling for New Jersey’s iGaming market is a lot higher than originally anticipated.
In the beginning, the idea that only Atlantic City casinos would be granted iGaming licenses made it sound like the number of online gaming sites would be limited to just a handful. That’s all out the window now.
It’s difficult to predict:
- How many other brands want in
- How many more partnerships existing New Jersey iGaming licensees want to get involved with, or
- When the market will reach saturation.
However, it’s easy to see the New Jersey online casino market is still a growing one. The number of new sites, from in and outside of New Jersey, is likely to increase alongside of it.
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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 2019.
NJ legal online casino and online poker list
- Bet365 Casino
- Parx Casino
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 September 2019.
- Hard Rock Sports
- TheScore Bet
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.
What are the latest updates from NJ gambling sites?
NJ gambling sites 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.
Once PASPA was repealed in May 2018, 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. In fact, NJ online casinos recently added Parx Casino, the online arm of Parx in Pennsylvania.
The entire online casino market now stands at 23.
The result of the continued expansion is high revenues. In August, the industry boasted another record of more than $40 million in total online revenue.
However, five years in, Golden Nugget still leads the charge with 600+ online casino games and $14 million in revenue. And 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: January 2020
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 January 2020, 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
Bet365 Casino
Ocean Casino hosts:
Ocean Online Casino
Parx Online Casino