Are online casino sites legal in New Jersey?
Yes. Despite the common misconception that online gambling is prohibited in the state, it has actually been legal for a number of years.
Raymond Lesniak was the first to sponsor a bill for the legalization of sports betting in 2011. However, while the bill was passed by the New Jersey legislature, the bill was eventually scrapped as a result of other lawmakers’ concerns and the Department of Justice’s 2011 opinion on the Wire Act. Work began on a new piece of legislation and, on 26 November 2013, a new bill for online gambling received approval from the New Jersey legislature and the state’s senator, Governor Chris Christie.
This bill authorized online casinos to operate in New Jersey for a 10-year trial period, but specified that Atlantic City casinos could offer online casino gambling. In 2016, an amendment was proposed to this bill that would permit casinos outside of Atlantic City to offer online gambling platforms. However, the amendment was unsuccessful due to concerns over how this could affect the local economy.
Are NJ online casinos safe?
There are a number of safety and security measures in place to protect players. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) are responsible for overseeing all gambling activity in the state, including New Jersey sports betting, which means online casinos are subject to strict regulatory standards.
The NJDGE has earned a reputation as one of the strongest casino regulators in the entire world and implements security measures to protect both players and operators. Gambling sites must all store player funds in accounts separate from operating funds and offer secure payment methods with banking-standard encryption, while players are subject to identity verification processes and geolocation checks to ensure they’re playing legally.
The NJDGE also ensures that there are strong player protection measures in place to protect those who are vulnerable or at risk of developing a gambling problem. Players can set limits on a number of variables, including deposits, play time and loss limits, and can register on self-exclusion lists to help control their gambling habits.
While all of New Jersey’s online casinos are fully licensed and take steps to protect players, it’s always important for you to take responsibility for your own gambling, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. The National Council on Problem Gambling offers support and a range of resources should you, or a loved one, be concerned about problem gambling.
You can contact National Problem gambling helpline via:
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
Text: 1-800-522-4700
Can I gamble at offshore casino sites in New Jersey?
No. Offshore casino sites are based overseas, outside of New Jersey jurisdiction, which means they are illegal in the state. These sites don’t hold New Jersey gambling licenses and aren’t subject to NJDGE regulation, which means they may not have adequate security and player protection measures in place. It’s pretty easy to sport an overseas gambling site; the domains end in .EU or .AG.
But it’s not just these domains you should be wary of; even some sites under a ‘.com’ domain may be operating illegally. We’d always advise checking a site for the NJDGE seal before signing up to play at New Jersey online casinos.
Play these casino games at New Jersey casinos
There’s a variety of different games available to New Jersey bettors, meaning there’s something to suit just about everyone. Slots are among the most popular because of how easy it is to play a quick game. Aside from slots, New Jersey residents and visitors can play a variety of games such as:
- Stepper slots
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Let it ride
- Live dealer games
- Video poker
- Bingo
- Virtual sports
- Scratchers
Each Atlantic City casino is licensed to operate up to five online casino brands and have therefore partnered with different software providers to offer a variety of games for their customers. Each site has your standard selection of online casino games, but some casinos go a step further and put a unique twist on them.
Can I play mobile casino games in NJ?
Yes. A number of New Jersey casino operators offer online games that can be played on mobile devices. Players can enjoy mobile casino games via their mobile web browser, but some operators offer a casino app for iOS and Android devices. As with any other form of NJ gambling, you’ll need to be within state borders to play mobile casino games at New Jersey casino sites.
How to sign up to New Jersey casino sites
To register an account with an online casino in New Jersey, you must be 21 years old and located within state lines. While the exact sign-up process will vary between New Jersey casino sites, it tends to be pretty straightforward. Creating an online casino account usually takes about five minutes and you’ll just need to provide some basic personal information to verify your identity. This information includes: email address, password, full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
Want to make this process as quick as possible? Make sure you have all the necessary information to hand before you begin.
Payment methods
Online casinos in New Jersey accept a variety of different payment methods for making deposits and withdrawals, which means there’s an option for everyone. Here’s a look at the payment methods available at New Jersey online casinos:
| Payment Method | Payment Type | Deposits | Withdrawals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | Credit/debit card | Yes | No |
| Mastercard | Credit/debit card | Yes | No |
| PayPal | Online wallet | Yes | Yes |
| PayNearMe cash | Deposit at select stores | Yes | No |
| Neteller | Online wallet | Yes | Yes |
| Online bank transfer | Bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Cash at casino cage | Cash | Yes | Yes |
| Safekeeping | Account transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Wire transfer | Bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| VIP Preferred | Online checking | Yes | Yes |
| Play+ | Play+ prepaid card | Yes | Yes |
Each payment method has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s up to individual players to decide what’s best for them. While online Visa payments are familiar, some banks block gambling transactions, and while prepaid cards are secure, they often have transaction limits. It’s simply a matter of comparing your options and picking what works best for your online gambling needs.
Before you make a deposit, it’s important to understand that each casino has different terms and conditions. This means that some factors, such as deposit limits, withdrawal processing times and minimum withdrawal limits, may vary between operators.
Bonuses at New Jersey Online Casinos
Each New Jersey online casino has a number of different promotions for players to take advantage of. Whether you’re signing up to a casino for the first time or are a returning player, the best New Jersey casinos have something for everyone to enjoy.
Matched deposits and free spins are the most welcome common bonuses at New Jersey casino sites. Matched deposits see casinos reward players with a percentage of their deposit as bonus cash, up to a certain amount. Free spins bonuses are useful for slots fans, boosting a players’ bankroll and letting them play for free for a certain number of spins.
Some New Jersey online casino platforms even have loyalty schemes and challenges to keep existing players coming back for more. These vary between operators- while some offer daily rewards, others hand out rewards when players hit certain milestones on the site. Rewards can consist of anything from free bets to bet multipliers.
It’s important to check the terms and conditions before you sign up to play at a New Jersey casino site. Certain factors, such as wagering requirements and minimum deposits, may mean that a bonus isn’t quite what you expected.
Minimum deposits
You’ll usually need to deposit a minimum amount before you can claim your casino bonus or promotion. The minimum deposit will vary from casino to casino and at some sites, if you’re lucky, you may even come across a no deposit casino bonus. This means you won’t need to deposit a dime to claim your bonus reward.
Wagering requirements
Certain New Jersey casino bonuses require players to complete wagering requirements before they can convert a bonus reward to real cash. For instance, when redeeming a spin bonus on a slot game you may be required to wager any winnings at least 20 times before you can withdraw any profit.
Customer Support at New Jersey Online Casinos
When signing up with an online casino, you want to be sure that you can contact customer support if you were to have a problem. New Jersey online casinos typically operate a customer service helpline, a live chat and email support, but it’s best to check the contact options before you sign up.
Want to keep up to date with New Jersey gambling laws? Compare.bet US has the latest.
