Gambling in New Jersey isn't a new affair, and neither is it a taboo. As one of the pioneering states to legalize sports betting and later online gambling, New Jersey has some of the most favorable laws on gambling in the US.
In this guide, we answer a common question – "Is online gambling legal in New Jersey?"
We dig deep into the legality of online gambling in New Jersey, highlighting the major gambling laws, transformative bills, future speculations, and everything in between. Be sure to read through to the end to check our top-rated Garden State operators.
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New Jersey is one of the U.S. States with the least restrictive gambling laws. Over the years, the legal landscape has shifted tremendously. However, the current regulations allow sports betting and online gambling in New Jersey, in addition to other gambling activities such as charity and social gambling.
Like several other states that struggled to keep up with the impact of gambling and betting, New Jersey residents interchangeably voted against and in favor of gambling. It wasn't until 1976 when residents voted for a referendum that legalized casinos.
Like sports betting, there are specific laws governing casino gambling, state lottery, horse racing & off-track betting, and charity, amusement, and social gambling. Inside New Jersey, casino gambling is restricted to Atlantic City. Recent efforts to expand casino gambling outside of Atlantic City didn't succeed. Some analysts have also claimed that the proposed plan would negatively impact the economic stability of the region. The reason given was increased competition, leading to major job losses, low revenue generated, and reduced taxes.
That said, New Jersey's laws on illegal gambling have been known to be lenient to players. The laws target criminal gambling enterprises which could be fined or/and face up to 5 years in prison. Even then, arrests due to illegal gambling are so rare. Plus, first-time offenders may be subject to less severe consequences.
In summary, New Jersey gambling laws
are friendlier than those of many states, including those that have legalized some form of gambling. You can compare New Jersey to its neighboring state Pennsylvania in our recent review, where we answered a similar question "Is online gambling legal in Pennsylvania?" If you have the time, you can even extend your comparison to every other state in the US.
Sports betting in New Jersey – for the sports enthusiasts
Sports betting has a fascinating history in New Jersey. In 2012, legislation was signed that allowed people to bet on sporting activities within the state. The law allowed a total of 12 casinos and four racetracks to offer sport betting services on college and professional sports. However, it prohibited the operators from accepting bets on any college event played in New Jersey or outside the state but involving a New Jersey team.
In 2018, the court allowed New Jersey to implement legalized sports betting. This meant that casinos and racetracks within New Jersey could seek approval for mobile and online sports betting. As of 2020, New Jersey had 17 legal operators licensed by New Jersey's gaming enforcement division.
Today, several sportsbooks are licensed to offer sports betting in New Jersey. Not all of these operators offer the same betting experience. If you are looking to sign up with a New Jersey sportsbook, there are several factors you need to consider. The variety of betting markets, bonus offers, customer support, and the ease of depositing and withdrawing money are vital aspects to prioritize.
Here are the top five sportsbooks that accept players from New Jersey. Remember, these sites have varying features, as we've highlighted their differences in the comparison table below.
Casino gaming in New Jersey – what you should know
Casino gambling, popularly referred to as online gambling, is a booming business in New Jersey. The state law allows physical casinos to operate only in Atlantic City. Ideally, all computer servers that run gambling sites must be situated at licensed physical casinos within the City.
Several legislations have been proposed trying to modify how players can gamble online in New Jersey. For instance, there was legislation in place that prevented any business located outside of Atlantic City from advertising an online gambling event. In 2013, a comprehensive bill was passed into law, allowing 11 casinos in Atlantic City to operate internet gambling.
The law also required the players to be at least 21 years old to play from a computer located in New Jersey. The bill further allowed for a future authorization of multistate gambling. And as of 2017, New Jersey's online gambling industry had surpassed the traditional casinos by millions of dollars in tax revenue. In 2019, there were nine land-based casinos in New Jersey, all of which were located in Atlantic City.
Now that you know the legality of casino gambling in N.J., what follows is to find the best New Jersey
online gambling sites to play with. The goal is to bet on a site that offers security, great bonuses, various casino games, and high-quality customer support. The site's reputation and experience in the casino gaming niche are the other key features to consider.
Online poker in New jersey - real money poker New jersey
Online poker became legal in New Jersey in 2013 and since then, residents have freely participated in competitive and real money online poker games. With hundreds of tournaments and different game variations, online poker is a long-loved pastime in New Jersey.
Online poker sites in the state are licensed through the Atlantic City partner casinos, meaning they are safe and regulated.
Fantasy sports in New Jersey – the state of D.F.S.
New Jersey legalized fantasy sports betting in 2017, becoming the 16th U.S. state to do so. And while this was a significant achievement, it didn't come as a surprise, thanks to New Jersey's positive attitude towards gambling. New Jersey also allowed players to bet on college football leagues, becoming the first U.S. state to make such a move in the daily fantasy sports niche.
To bet on daily fantasy sports in New Jersey, you must be 18 years or older. There are different D.F.S. betting markets for New Jersey players. Some of the most popular ones include salary cap-based contests, tiers, beat the score, single game, and the parlay,
prop
& prediction sports.
Sports offered include football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and esports, among others.
Social casinos in New Jersey – the perfect escapade
Social casinos in New Jersey mostly run from social media sites such as Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, and Google+. Like online casinos, these sites offer a wide range of games, such as poker, blackjack, and baccarat. All these games are meant for entertainment, but players can also redeem wins for cash prizes.
Some social casinos offer stimulating features, resembling regular gambling sites. Such sites could provide tickets to social gambling events and tournaments. And since most of these events are free, operators make money through advertisements and in-app purchases.
The most common social gambling games include Blitz Bingo, Farmville, Mob Wars, and Farm Town. That said, some of the most prominent power players in this niche include Big Fish, Slotomania, DoubleDown, and Zynga.
Other betting and gambling options in New Jersey – going beyond the obvious
Besides sports, casinos, and fantasy betting, other gambling and betting activities are legal in New Jersey. Social gambling, for instance, is never a criminal offense in the Garden state. And while social gambling is free, players can win rewards and prizes. However, it's illegal for bars or any holder of liquor licenses to conduct social gambling activities. Here are the other betting options that are legal in New Jersey:
Horse racing and off-track betting – New Jersey has three racetracks and five off-track betting halls. All these halls are managed and regulated by the state's racing commission, an entity of New Jersey's Office of the Attorney General.
State lottery – New Jersey's state lottery started in 1975 after residents voted in favor of a referendum that contained a supporting bill in 1970. Today, the state offers 8 lottery draw games sold by retailers across New Jersey.
Esports betting – The New Jersey Assembly approved bill A637 in July 2020 to allow sportsbooks to accept bets on esports. Even before then, certain casinos in Atlantic City like Borgata were licensed to offer Esports betting. With the new bill, operators have already begun accepting bets on esports.
Charity gambling – this mainly applies to non-profit organizations such as churches. These organizations are allowed to run raffles, bingo, armchair races, and even casino nights.
Amusement gambling – this applies to amusement parks, carnivals & boardwalks coastal communities. In these specific places, it's legal to conduct amusement games of chances or those involving skills. Here, games of chance include skeeball or spinning wheels.
Editor's recommendation – the best operators for New Jersey
Based on the many betting and gambling activities we've highlighted above, there are those sites that stand out from the rest. These sites not only have an outstanding reputation, they also have a huge following thanks to their competitive bonuses, exceptional user experience, ease of depositing and making withdrawals, and the variety of betting markets. Here’s our pick for the best site based on our ranking.
BetMGM
BetMGM is one of the best sportsbook and online gambling casinos in the United States. This operator has cemented its reputation over the years and has also expanded its services across nine other U.S. states. And within all these jurisdictions, the company has upheld its status as a trusted site that abides by the law and stays true to its promises.
As we were comparing the best operators in New Jersey, BetMGM outshined its competitors in several ways. For instance, its excellent in-play betting feature allows bettors to wager at any minute of the game without any lag or delays. Here are the other benefits of betting with BetMGM:
Generous welcome bonus
– With BetMGM, bettors can claim a great First Bet Offer. Here, you can get up to $1,000 paid back in bonus bonus bets if your first sports bet loses. The primary casino offer is the refer-a-friend promotion where you can earn a $50 bonus for each friend you successfully invite to sign-up.
High-end security
– BetMGM is licensed to operate in New Jersey , and its online services feature the latest encryption technology. One such control is the Symantec Class 3 secure server certificate, which helps keep away the bad actors.
Promotions and loyalty programs
– Whether you are a sports or casino enthusiast, BetMGM regularly rewards players through its loyalty reward program. For casino lovers, the iRewards loyalty program has five progressive tiers. Rewards are given for every game played, and you need a certain amount of credits in a year to move to the next tiers.
A variety of markets
– For both sports and casino games, BetMGM offers a wide range of markets to suit every player’s taste. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the many betting and gambling markets before playing with real money.
From generous bonuses to a variety of markets and an intuitive site experience to boot, BetMGM stands out from the many operators in New Jersey. It's also legal for
online gambling in Oregon, which is one of the latest states to legalize gambling and sports betting, plus several others. Feel free to sign up with the site and explore the other features it has on offer.
What does the future hold for betting and gaming in New Jersey?
New Jersey is one of the U.S.
states that have embraced new online casinos
and sports betting from the very beginning. Over the last decade, New Jersey has passed a couple of bills supporting various gambling and sports betting activities. For instance, the most recent esports bill passed in July 2020.
Looking into the future of online gambling in New Jersey, it's only fair to make an educated guess that the state isn't done bringing transformative gambling bills before the assembly. As of now, there are speculations on whether to legalize in-house casinos in other places outside of Atlantic City. This is a developing story that gained traction a couple of years ago. Whether or not it will resurface again in the future is up to the lawmakers.
Conclusion for online gambling New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the states that favors gambling and sports betting. This state has pushed for more legislation to support different gambling and sports betting forms than most other U.S. states. Now that you know some of the best betting and gambling sites in New Jersey, feel free to pick our most recommended operator and you’ll probably find that you love all that the site has to offer.
Like the other U.S. states, several laws are governing online gambling in New Jersey. Most states in the U.S. have legalized some form of gambling, while others have banned any gambling activity within their jurisdiction. Browse through our guides to learn "Is online gambling legal in Rhode Island?" as well as more about the legality of online gambling in New Jersey.
🖥️ Which is the best online gambling site in New Jersey?
Several online gambling sites accept players from New Jersey. If you are looking for the best site, there are certain factors you need to consider. These include the site's reputation, variety of casino games, site security, odds, and bonuses, among others. Check out this guide to see the top-rated online gambling sites in New Jersey.
👮 Can I be arrested for gambling in New Jersey?
Several laws govern the legality of casino gambling and sports betting in New Jersey, as they do for all US states, including sites for the
best online gambling in South Dakota. If you are new to gambling, you need to understand these laws to avoid potential violations. Read through all of our gambling reviews to learn more about the US gambling laws.
🕵️ What are the laws surrounding New Jersey internet gambling?
New Jersey has an interesting history as far as online gambling, and sports betting are concerned. The laws governing casino gambling and sports betting have also changed over the years. Refer to our New Jersey internet gambling guide to learn more about these laws.
New Customers: Bet $5+ and get $300 in Bonus Bets if it wins!
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21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 2/1/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/25/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY and present in select states for KS in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
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