How We Chose the Best NJ Online Casinos
With so many New Jersey online casino options, our task of narrowing down the list to only a few top choices was fairly difficult. Nevertheless, we took our time and carefully examined each of the regulated casino sites in NJ. We analyzed their key performance indicators, such as safety, games, bonuses, banking, user experience, and more.
Licensing and Safety
New Jersey was one of the first states to legalize online gambling back in 2013. This means that while you’re here, you don’t have to resort to sketchy offshore sites like in some other states. Instead, you can choose from around 20 regulated and licensed casino platforms.
All casinos that you can read about on this page are fully licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) — the highest regulatory body that oversees all gambling activities in the state. You can easily check whether a casino is licensed by the DGE by finding its logo clearly displayed at the bottom of each casino’s homepage. The DGE issues licenses to these casinos and makes sure they abide by all safety and fairness standards. What’s more, each New Jersey online casino deploys the latest online security measures that can keep your personal and banking information out of harm’s way.
Game Variety
All NJ casinos listed here will give you access to the latest video slots powered by industry-leading providers. You will also find a great selection of table and card games, video poker games, and live dealer lobbies.
Bonuses and Promotions
No matter which NJ online casino you select, you’ll be welcomed with a valuable casino bonus offer that extends your initial bankroll. From there, you’ll find plenty of other promotions reserved for existing players, including reload bonuses, cashbacks, free spins, slot tournaments, and many more.
New Jersey casinos are also equipped with loyalty programs. Thanks to them, your long-term playing efforts will be rewarded with special bonuses and benefits once you reach a certain player status.
User Experience
Apart from having quality content, a casino site must also have a good design. We value those casinos that offer modern websites and apps, providing users with intuitive navigation and fast loading times and letting them find and play their favorite games with ease.
Banking
There’s no shortage of deposit and withdrawal options on New Jersey casino sites. Players can use anything — from widely accepted credit and debit cards to e-wallets, bank transfers, checks, and more. In addition, top NJ casinos have optimal payment limits and minimal or non-existent fees. Plus, they guarantee the fastest possible transaction times.
Mobile Play
Since an increasing number of players prefer mobile devices for enjoying online casino games, a worthwhile casino site must be compatible with the latest iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. All top NJ casinos are great in this regard, offering mobile-friendly sites and free downloadable apps and letting you play wherever you are in New Jersey.
Customer Support
Last but not least, we rated New Jersey online casinos by how quickly and accurately they respond to players wanting to contact them. Whether you have a question about the welcome bonus or want to inform yourself regarding the status of your withdrawal, you can reach the support teams of these casinos all day and night using live chat, email, phone, or other contact modes.
A Brief History of Gambling in New Jersey
Gambling has a long legacy in the Garden State. The first lotteries were organized in the early 19th century, and so was informal horse racing. Even though commercial gambling was officially banned in New Jersey between 1894 and 1939, the enforcement was not rigorous, so the state’s residents could still enjoy slot machines, bingo, horse racing, and bookmaking.
The New Jersey Lottery was officially established in 1970, and a referendum legalizing casinos came six years later, making this the second state with legalized casino gambling after Nevada. However, even to this day, in-house casino gambling remains legal only in Atlantic City.
The legalization of sports betting came in 2012, allowing several of the state’s casinos and racetracks to offer wagering on professional and collegiate sports. Several years later, the state’s Governor Chris Christie challenged the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that forbade sports betting in all but four states. The Federal Court declared PASPA unconstitutional in 2018, effectively allowing each state to legalize sports betting within its borders.
In 2013, the New Jersey Legislature approved a bill permitting internet gambling, and the first online casinos in the state were launched already in November that year. Today, New Jersey features around 20 online casinos partnered with land-based venues in Atlantic City, with additional plans to expand the industry.
New Jersey Online Casino Games
Each New Jersey Online Casino has a library that consists of hundreds of different games. We can divide these into several categories — namely, video slots, video poker, table and card games, live dealer games, and a few miscellaneous games like bingo, keno, and scratch cards.
If you’re new to gambling and don’t know much about how these games work, here is some information about each of them.
Video Slots
No matter which NJ online casino you end up playing in, you’ll find that the biggest chunk of its library consists of Online Slots games. It’s easy to see why video slots are the most popular online game — they are easy to learn and play, each game has a different theme and appearance, and the rewards can be massive, especially in progressive jackpot slots.
Another great feature of video slots is that they are fast-paced. Each spin is completed within seconds, and almost every game is equipped with the autoplay option that lets you sit back, relax, and witness the outcome without having to lift a finger.
Online casinos in New Jersey are known for offering games powered by some of the leading gaming studios like NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, and others.
With so many different slots available, you’ll find several types of them on each casino site, including:
- 5-reel slots — These are the most common slots on New Jersey casino sites. They usually have a 5×3 layout, dozens of paylines, and several bonus features. Example: Gonzos Quest Online Slot.
- 3-reel slots (classic slots) — Slots with only three reels are the simplest of all, as they usually have just one or a couple of paylines. The reason they are referred to as “classic” is because their appearance reminds players of old mechanical slot machines.
- Clusters — Clusters are a relatively new type of video slot. They neglect the standard reel and payline system and pay out when symbols are connected in a vertical or horizontal cluster.
- Progressives — If you’re looking for a life-changing reward, you should try your luck on progressive slots. The wagers made by all people playing a progressive game accumulate over time, and the jackpot can increase indefinitely, sometimes rising to over a million dollars. Be the one to land a lucky combination, and you will win the whole prize.
- Megaways — NJ casinos have recently begun featuring slots powered by BTG’s Megaways engine. Each reel in these games can feature a random number of symbol positions. Instead of classic paylines, the wins are triggered when identical symbols find themselves in any position on consecutive reels. Due to this mechanic, Megaways slots allow hundreds of thousands of ways to win.
Table and Card Games
Table games are the second most popular category in New Jersey online casinos, accounting for all the classic land-based casino games played on a baize table cloth.
Blackjack is the go-to table game. In it, you need to race the dealer to a card total of 21. You’ll commonly find several variations of it on each casino site. Most casinos also offer the ever-popular roulette, coming in American, European, French, and possibly a few other forms. Baccarat tables are common as well, and so are several single-player poker games, such as Pai Gow and 3-Card Poker. The table game library may also consist of some newer forms of card games, like Andar Bahar.
While each of these games has various rules — some more complex than others — you shouldn’t have any issues learning how to play them. In contrast to physical casinos, online games have rulebooks that you can access with only a few clicks. This way, you can learn exactly how to play each of them before laying down your first bet.
Live Dealer Games
Playing table games online is fun, but it can never match the immersive atmosphere of land-based casinos. In an effort to bring players closer to the action, gaming studios have developed live dealer games that are now present in almost every NJ online casino.
Live games are played through the live stream, on which you can see a professional dealer running the game in real time. All streams are in HD, and players can use the live chat to communicate with the dealer and other players.
Apart from all the standard table games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, and poker, the live casino lobby also consists of game shows which combine the elements of gambling games and television shows. Another distinction between live and regular table games you should be aware of is that live games usually have higher betting limits.
Video Poker
Besides table poker, which you can find in both RNG and live table game sections, all NJ casinos also have a fair share of video poker games. These are exclusively single-player games that come in a 5-card draw form.
Video poker is anything but a luck-based game since you are the one deciding which cards to discard and which ones to keep. If you know the basic strategies of video poker variants, such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or Aces & Eights, you’ll manage to narrow down the house edge and come out on top.
New Jersey Online Casino Bonuses
The New Jersey online gambling scene is very competitive, with more than 20 operators constantly fighting for players’ attention and loyalty. One of the main strategies for attracting new players is having lucrative welcome bonuses and promotions.
Regardless of which casino you choose, you’ll get rewarded after creating an account and placing your first deposit. Additionally, once you’ve used up the initial offer, you’ll gain access to plenty of other ongoing promotions that the casino might have. These rewards may come in several forms, including match deposits, no deposit bonuses, free spins, and more.
That said, here are a few words about the main types of bonuses you can claim on casino sites in New Jersey.
First Deposit Bonuses
Each NJ casino operator is ready to reward you once you choose its platform and lay down your first payment. The most standard welcome promotion is a 100% first deposit match, meaning that if you deposit $50, for example, you’ll get another $50 in the form of a bonus. The more you deposit, the bigger the bonus will be, but there’s always going to be a limit to the amount you can claim, which is usually around $1,000.
Meanwhile, some casinos offer the same type of deal on your second and several subsequent deposits. However, know that all of these come with wagering requirements, meaning that you won’t be getting money for free. Instead, you’ll need to play the bonus over a specified number of times before being allowed to cash out.
Reload Bonuses
A reload bonus is practically the same as the first deposit bonus. You’ll lay down a deposit and expect to get extra bonus money for it.
The difference is that first deposit bonuses can be used by first-time players exclusively, while reload bonuses are up for grabs by all members of the casino site, regardless of their status. Also, reload bonuses are typically lower than welcoming ones. So, if your welcome bonus was 100%, you can expect the reload promo to be around 50%.
No Deposit Bonuses
Even though this happens rarely, some online casinos in New Jersey will give you a bonus immediately after registration, with no deposit required. This will be an ideal opportunity for you to test the casino’s website and its range of games, as this bonus comes with no strings attached.
Of course, because no deposit bonuses are basically free, you shouldn’t expect to receive any more than $10 or $20 or just several free spins. Also, the wagering requirements and cashout limits might be pretty strict.
Free Spins
Apart from bonus cash, both first deposit and reload bonuses can contain some free spins as well. Still, these spins can also come as standalone offers, especially when a casino is trying to promote one of its newest video slot additions.
Free spins can only be used on video slots. Once you claim them, you’ll get a specified number of plays on a featured slot game. The winnings resulting from those plays will count as your bonus, and you can use that money to continue playing as you see fit. Naturally, the bonus acquired from free spins must be wagered several times before being cleared for a withdrawal.
Depending on the promotion, you can get anywhere from 10 to 100 or more free spins per single offer.
Loyalty/VIP Programs
New Jersey online casinos surely like rewarding new players, but this doesn’t mean they tend to neglect their long-term customers. Once you choose an operator, it will want to keep you engaged. One way to do this is through loyalty or VIP programs.
You’ll immediately be enrolled in one of these programs upon signing up. The more you deposit and wager, the more loyalty points you’ll collect. With enough points, you’ll acquire a higher player status. Loyalty schemes usually consist of several tiers, and the higher your tier is, the more prominent the rewards will be.
Some of the benefits you can expect for being a loyal player include special bonuses, cashbacks, more flexible deposit and withdrawal limits, VIP customer support, a professional account manager, birthday gifts, and more.
How to Start Playing in New Jersey Online Casinos
Here is a simple step-by-step guide that will help you start your online casino journey in New Jersey in mere minutes:
- Select one of the top New Jersey online casinos from our list. You can do this on both desktop and mobile browsers, or you can download the casino’s app if available.
- Go to your desired casino site and start the registration process by clicking on Join, Sign Up, or Register.
- Fill out a registration form containing your full name, address, date of birth, desired login credentials, Social Security number, phone number, and other required details.
- Activate your account and log in.
- Claim a no deposit bonus if such a promotion is available. In case you need to place a deposit first, head over to the cashier page.
- Choose one of the presented deposit methods, fill out your card, bank, or e-wallet details, and type in the deposit amount. Mind you — each deposit method has minimum and maximum limits.
- Once you confirm the payment, you’ll see the money appear in your balance in a few moments.
- Claim the first deposit offer and make sure to use any bonus codes properly.
- Browse the casino’s library of games and start playing. Good luck!
How to Claim Your NJ Online Casino Winnings
If you managed to win some money while playing on a New Jersey casino site or simply want to cash out your remaining balance, here’s how to do it:
- Log in to your online casino account.
- Navigate to the cashier page and go to the withdrawal section.
- Select one of the available withdrawal methods and type in the amount you wish to cash out. Again, pay attention to any limitations associated with that method.
- Confirm the withdrawal.
While online casino deposits are almost instantaneous, the same can’t be said for withdrawals. New Jersey casinos will usually need a day or two to process your withdrawal request, and they may also ask you to provide some additional documents.
Once your withdrawal is cleared, the time it takes for the money to reach your banking account will depend on the selected method. Keep in mind that some withdrawals also come with transaction fees.
New Jersey Online Sports Betting
New Jersey was one of the first states to introduce online sports betting back in 2018. Bettors from the Garden State can choose among several high-end sportsbook sites, with each allowing wagers on all the major American and international leagues and competitions.
Some online casinos on this list also have a sportsbook, meaning you can play casino games and bet on your favorite teams from a single account.
New Jersey Responsible Gambling
To make sure that you’re only gambling for fun, without any risk of falling victim to gambling addiction, you need to have a dose of responsibility when visiting NJ online casinos. Always stick to your bankroll, and don’t gamble unless you have sufficient funds in your bank account.
If you feel like your gambling habits are starting to get out of hand, you should consider signing up for a self-exclusion program that will limit your access to online casino accounts.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement also works with several responsible gaming organizations available to anyone in need. These include:
- Council of Compulsive Gambling of NJ
- Gamblers Anonymous
- International Center for Responsible Gambling
- National Council on Problem Gambling
NJ ONLINE GAMBLING
Are online casinos legal in NJ?
Yes, online casinos have been legal in New Jersey since 2013.
Who regulates online gambling in NJ?
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) is tasked with licensing and regulating all gambling activities in the state.
Are New Jersey online casinos safe?
All licensed New Jersey casino sites are completely secure. They employ high-level security protocols that will keep your sensitive information safe at all times.
What are the best online casinos in New Jersey?
For this information, you can browse through our list, which includes only the best performing casino sites in the Garden State. Also, because different players have different preferences, you should check each of our listed casinos to see which one is the best for you.
Am I required to live in New Jersey in order to play in the state’s online casinos?
No, you do not need to be a resident, but you still must be physically present in New Jersey during your play.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How will online casinos know whether I’m in New Jersey or not?
New Jersey casino sites and apps use geolocation tools that can track down your current location. They are also equipped with strong VPN blockers.
What is the minimum gambling age in New Jersey?
The minimum gambling age for online and land-based casinos and sportsbooks in New Jersey is 21. You must be 18 or older to play the New Jersey Lottery.
How to register for an online casino in New Jersey?
First, you should choose one of the casinos from our list. From there, go to the casino’s homepage, click on the Join, Sign Up, or Register button, and fill out the required information. Your account should be activated in a few moments, after which you just need to place a deposit, and you’ll be ready to play.
How many online casinos are in New Jersey?
There are currently over 20 online casinos in New Jersey, with new ones entering the market every year.
Does New Jersey have mobile casinos?
Absolutely! All casinos you can find here have mobile-friendly websites, while some have developed native apps that you can install on your iOS and Android devices.