New Jersey is home to the largest online casino market in the USA. In this guide to the top NJ online casinos, you’ll discover the sites that offer the best games, bonuses, and more.
Table of Contents
- Best NJ Online Casinos
- NJ Online Casino Reviews
- How Best NJ Casinos are Selected
- Best Casino Apps
- Best Payout Options
- Common Games
- Things to Keep in Mind
- FAQs
Best New Jersey Online Casino Sites
Whether you’re looking to play slots, table games, live dealer games, or online poker, you’ll find it all at the best NJ casinos. Garden State locals have access to a myriad of high-quality and legal online gambling options that are guaranteed to be safe, fair, and trustworthy.
| Betting Site | Promo | Top Games | Rating | To The Casino | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | BetMGM | $25 FREE + up to $1000 cash bonus |
|
5/5 | Claim Your Bonus! |
| 2. | 888casino | Up to $500 + $20 |
|
4.9/5 | Claim Your Bonus! |
| 3. | BetRivers | Up to $250 deposit match |
|
4.9/5 | Claim Your Bonus! |
| 4. | Caesar’s Sportbook | Up to $2000 |
|
4.9/5 | Claim Your Bonus! |
| 5. | Betway | Updated monthly |
|
4.8/5 | Claim Your Bonus! |
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve covered a range of important topics related to legal online gambling in New Jersey. To kick things off, you’ll find short reviews for each of the top online casinos. We’ve then discussed the best bonuses, and gambling laws that you may need to consider before you sign up.
NJ Online Casino Operator Reviews
Many casino operators choose to open their businesses in New Jersey due to the favorable many incentives and state advantages. With so many great gambling sites to choose from, it can be difficult to choose which site will best suit your individual preferences. In this section, we’ve provided reviews for six of the top online gambling options. While each offers a different gaming experience, we’re confident that you’ll be satisfied with each and every one of them.
You can start your time with a new casino with a generous welcome bonus and play most titles on your mobile device. All of the sites we have recommended have been licensed in New Jersey, so are verified to be safe, secure, and fair. If you’re searching for more great options, you can view here more best New Jersey online casinos.
BetMGM Casino
The BetMGM online casino offers a diverse gaming experience over its high-powered gambling platform. You can finds hundreds of slots, table games, and live dealer games to enjoy, with titles provided by some of the best developers in the world. Popular slots here include Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest.
You can download a native BetMGM app for your mobile devices and enjoy the same seamless gaming as you would on the desktop version. As the affiliate site to the Borgata, this platform also regularly offers great promotions and perks that are relevant to New Jersey players.
New players are eligible to receive a huge bonus on sign up which has very reasonable terms and conditions. For those looking to try something new, the site also hosts a world-class online poker platform as well as a sportsbook, both of which are accessible through your same casino account.
Hard Rock Casino
The Hard Rock casino offers a comprehensive gaming platform to players. You can enjoy a range of new, popular, and classic video slots, in addition to titles that are exclusive to the site. You’ll find linked progressive jackpots here, with prize pools regularly exceeding $2 million.
The live games have been provided by Evolution Gaming, which is the premier live gaming studio in the world. Whether you wish to play roulette, baccarat, blackjack, or an exciting online game show, you’ll be able to find a table with diverse betting limits to suit your budget.
The site has been licensed in New Jersey and deemed to be safe and legal. Its average return to player rate is quite high, which guarantees a higher chance of earning a payout. Regular users can also benefit from a lucrative loyalty scheme that can offer online and real-world rewards.
Golden Nugget Casino
As one of the most well-known casino brands in the USA, Golden Nugget’s online casino has a lot to live up to. Thankfully, the operator’s online gaming platform performs beautifully, with players able to access a huge library of games. This ensures that you’ll never run out of new and interesting things to try.
You’ll find slots such as 88 Fortunes and Bonanza Megaways among the most popular games, as well as online roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and video poker options. You can filter the games based on software developers, game type, and theme, which allows you to find the perfect game for your mood.
There are plenty of popular payment methods supported here for deposits and withdrawals, making all transactions a breeze. Of course, new players can also benefit from a generous welcome offer. Once that is spent, you’ll be able to find reload bonuses every week that can award additional bonus funds and free spins.
Borgata Online Casino
The Borgata online casino is similar to the BetMGM platform and offers many of the same games and betting options. This is a highly-reputable online gaming operation and has one of the largest followings in New Jersey for a good reason. Here, you’ll find plenty of top-notch games in a safe and legal setting.
You’ll find live games from both Ezugi and Evolution Gaming, with hosts located within state lines for an authentic New Jersey feel. The site is extremely easy to navigate and has a professional and slick atmosphere that indicates the highest quality. You can easily claim bonuses and make transactions.
One of the best things about this casino is that its loyalty and VIP scheme is intertwined with the land-based MGM Resorts program. This means that your online spending can earn you rewards points to spend at any MGM casino in the country, which could include accommodations, entertainment, and dining.
Betway Casino
While you may associate the Betway brand with sports betting, the site also offers a top-quality online casino platform. You’ll find all of your favorite slots and table games here, including Cleopatra and Jumanji. You’ll also be able to play NetEnt’s progressive jackpot suite, with Divine Fortunes being the top jackpot game.
While you won’t be able to play live dealer games here, you will have access to virtual table games such as blackjack, roulette, and video poker. All of these titles are high-RTP games and generally offer better and more consistent payout rates than slots. Better yet, all of these games are available to play on mobile.
As a sports betting operator, this well-respected brand is an official affiliate of all major US sports leagues. Along with its NJ licensing, this indicates that the operator is legitimate and trustworthy. As with all of our recommendations, you can claim a new player welcome bonus here and partake in the loyalty scheme.
Criteria for the Top New Jersey Casino Operators
In order to create our shortlist of the best NJ online casinos, we relied on strict grading criteria that considered the most important factors of gambling sites. From the bonuses and games to the mobile experience and fairness ratings, all of the top sites have excelled in these essential categories.
Excellent Casino Bonuses for New Players
One of the biggest perks to joining a new gambling site in New Jersey is that you can claim some great online bonuses and play the games right at the favorite NJ beach. These work by awarding special perks such as bonus funds and free spins after you register an account. These are very versatile and every site has its own unique promotions.
While you usually need to make a deposit first, sometimes a casino bonus in NJ can be awarded without a deposit at all. It’s important to understand that these bonuses aren’t the same as cash giveaways, and you will need to meet terms and conditions before the funds are converted into real money.
The best bonuses will have terms and conditions that make it realistic to turn your bonus funds into cash. Great online casinos will also continue to offer promotions to returning customers. These can include reload bonuses, slots of the week free spin giveaways, slots tournaments, and risk-free gaming periods.
Extensive Selection of Games
We understand that for many online gamblers, the games library is the most important feature of an online casino. Some New Jersey online casinos have libraries stocked with over 1,000 unique titles. You’ll always find that slots make up most of the options as these are the most popular casino game.
When we grade an online casino, we also like to see that there are several variants of virtual and live dealer table games such as roulette, blackjack, and video poker. The more variants there are, the more choices players have in terms of aesthetics, side-betting options, and betting limits to suit their budgets.
It’s also essential that the casinos stock games from several different reputable developers. This ensures that players can have a more diverse experience and can find titles from a range of popular franchises. In our experience, the top slots providers are NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’N GO, and Playtech.
Dedicated Casino Apps
Nowadays, most online gamblers prefer to gamble on their mobile devices. This on-the-go gaming experience is extremely convenient, especially when sites create native casino apps. The best apps will allow users to play all of the same games as the desktop version, including slots and live dealer games.
Often, you’ll also be able to access the site’s other platforms, including the sportsbook and online poker rooms. It’s also essential that basic account features can be accessed, such as making transactions, claiming promotions, and reaching customer support. We were pleased to find that all of our recommended sites have dedicated apps.
These apps have been optimized to guarantee seamless mobile gambling and are easy to navigate. If you don’t wish to download an app, you’ll also be able to access the platforms through your mobile web browser. These browser apps will share a similar interface to the native apps, but may not be as stable.
Live Casino Dealers Available 24/7
One of the biggest trends to hit online New Jersey casinos is the live dealer experience. If you’re yet to try this, live games are titles that are hosted by real-life dealers and streamed straight to your screen. This provides an immersive experience that replicates the fun of visiting a land-based casino.
You can play live variants of blackjack, roulette, video poker, baccarat, and even some gameshows. These tend to offer much larger betting options than virtual table games, with maximum bets exceeding $5,000. That said, small bets are also supported, which means you can play blackjack or roulette for less than you could in person.
The top live gaming providers in the USA are Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and Ezugi. Some casinos will host games from all, while others may only stock the games of one. We highly recommend that you try these options out for yourself, as they can provide the feel of a great night out without having to leave your home.
Wide Range of Banking Options
Great online casinos understand that players want to be able to make convenient transactions from their preferred payment methods. This is why the best accept deposits via debit and credit cards, eWallets such as PayPal, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. In many cases, you’ll also be able to withdraw with these methods.
Depending on which method you choose, the minimum deposit amount will be $10. While deposits should be processed instantly, the characteristics of withdrawals will always differ. Bank transfers and credit card withdrawals tend to take the longest to process, while eWallets tend to be processed within one day.
This is why we recommend eWallets and the Play+ card for online gambling transactions. Play+ is a payment option that is exclusively dedicated to gambling transactions. You can use this at a number of different online casinos and sportsbooks and top it up in person with cash or by transferring from your bank.
Excellent RTP and Payouts
There’s nothing more important than fairness at an online casino. To gauge the fairness of any game, you can head to its settings many and look for the return to player rate (RTP). This represents the theoretical return of prizes compared to what’s invested by players, so the higher this number, the better it is for you.
The RTPs of slots tend to vary from game to game due to their unique mechanics and special features. We suggest choosing slots with RTPs of 96% or more. Table games’ RTPs are more consistent as the rules of the game won’t vary much from title to title. Online blackjack has the highest RTP of around 99%.
If you’re given the opportunity to play European Roulette over American Roulette, take it. As the European variant has one less zero-slot than the American, your chances to win are slightly higher. All of the RTPs of the titles at licensed casinos have been independently tested and verified to be legitimate.
Most Common Casinos Games Available in New Jersey
There are several casino games that you’re likely to find at most if not all New Jersey online casinos. These tend to be blockbuster titles that have huge followings for good reason. It’s hard to say why some games become more popular than others, but it’s usually down to their fairness, great design, and alluring special features.
In this upcoming section, we’ve described some of the most common and popular online casino games in NJ. If you’re a regular online casino player, there’s a good chance you’ve tried some of them before. If you haven’t, do yourself a favor and check them out for yourself.
Slot Games
One of the best things about playing slots online is that you often have hundreds if not thousands of unique game choices. You’ll find everything from classic-fruit machine games to modern titles that come loaded with innovative payout mechanisms and a plethora of special bonus features.
Some of the most popular titles in New Jersey include Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, 88 Fortunes, and Cleopatra. Slots using the Megaways payout system also generate plenty of user interest. There are also several popular linked progressive jackpot games including Divine Fortunes and Mercy of the Gods, with jackpots often building into the millions.
There are a number of great software developers that are licensed in the USA, including NetEnt and Microgaming. When an online casino stocks a variety of developers, users have broader options when it comes to the style of gameplay they can enjoy. All of our recommended NJ casinos have a plethora of slots from plenty of developers.
Blackjack
Fans of this land-based casino card game classic will be delighted by their online gaming options. You can choose to play virtual table games that have a traditional no-frills design or play titles that take advantage of modern gaming technology to provide broader betting options.
This can include the ability to play multiple hands at once and make interesting side bets as you play. Of course, you can also play a number of live dealer blackjack variants. These have accessible betting options that can start from as little as $1 per hand.
Blackjack is a great gambling option as it has one of the highest RTP rates of any casino game. You can also adopt strategies when you play, so the experience is beneficial. Some popular NJ online blackjack titles include NetEnt’s Blackjack classic and Evolution Gaming’s live Infinite Blackjack.
Roulette
Roulette is one of the most iconic table games of all time, and you’ll be pleased to know that it has been beautifully adapted for online play. You’ll often have a range of options to choose from, including European, French, and American variants. These each have different RTP rates that are worth considering before you play.
You can also play live versions of roulette. These immersive games offer a convincing land-based gaming experience while at home or on the move and can offer exciting payouts with extra multipliers and betting features. In this way, online roulette can be a very distinct experience that is at times better than at a retail casino.
All online roulette variants use random number generator (RNG) technology, which ensures that every single spin is random and has the same RTP rate as in-person play. This means that you can trust games not to be rigged.
Poker
Online poker is incredibly diverse, and you can choose to play against computers, real-life dealers, or other players at several of our top-rated casinos. There are plenty of variants available at the best NJ online casinos, including Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Poker, Stud Poker, and more.
Video poker games use RNG technology and are played against computers. Live dealer games are played against the house, and often multiple players will decide to make bets or fold on the same hand. Online poker is played against other players and can offer single cash games or tournaments.
Things You Must Know About Playing at Online Casinos in New Jersey
Since New Jersey first legalized online casinos laws, the market has flourished to be one of the most established in the country. However, there are a few important details to consider before you gamble that relate to local laws. In this section, we’ve described everything from regulations to the minimum gambling age.
New Jersey Casino Laws
In 2013, New Jersey became the third state to legalize online casino gambling. According to the state gambling laws, all online casinos must be associated with a land-based retailer to be awarded a license. Licenses are distributed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).
The DGE is also responsible for monitoring the market and ensuring that license holders are following regulations. These regulations are concerned with ensuring minimum player safety requirements are being met, that sites are safe, fair, and secure and that all owed taxes are being paid.
If license holders breach the laws, they risk losing their license, receiving large fines, or even imprisonment. It is illegal to gamble at unlicensed online casinos and sportsbooks in New Jersey. While this may seem limiting, licensing actually guarantees that players can enjoy much safer and higher-quality gambling options.
Taxes on Casino Winnings in New Jersey
There are several taxes applied to winnings at any NJ online casino site. For starters, all licensed gambling operators must pay 15 percent taxes on revenues generated from casino games. You won’t have to worry about this, though. New Jersey’s players will have to pay both federal and state taxes.
The NJ gaming tax rate is set at 3 percent of your gambling winnings. The federal tax rate is set at 24 percent of your winnings. However, you will only need to pay federal taxes on slots if your annual winnings exceed $1,200. It is your responsibility to declare gambling earnings on your annual tax return.
Legal Casino Gambling Age in New Jersey
Players must be over the age of 21 years old to legally gamble at land-based or online casinos in NJ. When you register an account, you’ll need to submit identification to verify your age. You won’t be able to play until your age is verified, which is an important step to protect minors.
If a minor is convicted of underage gambling, will result in a fine of between $500 and $1,000. The offender will also have their driver’s license suspended for six months. This is a very serious matter that can also generate huge fines and consequences for operators that fail to prevent underage gambling.
Other Forms of Legal Online Gambling
If you want to try something different to online casino gameplay, you also have several other legal online gambling options in NJ. The most popular option is sports betting. In most cases, online casinos will offer a separate betting platform on their sites. Here, you can enjoy single and parlay bets as well as live betting.
If you’re looking for another sports-related gambling activity, you may enjoy daily fantasy sports (DFS). These require players to draft fantasy lineups of sports teams and earn points based on the player’s real-life performances. You can also sign up to access online horse race betting, which usually includes live streams of races.
Some online casinos will also offer bingo rooms, with cards available for $1, $2, or $5. Bingo games are held around the clock, with several free options also available. There are also several websites that are licensed to sell lottery tickets for both the New Jersey lottery and national draw games.
Safe Casino Certificates
As a part of their licensing agreement, online casinos will need to prove that their games and platform are safe for consumers. All games must be independently tested and verified to be as fair as advertised. Companies such as iTech Labs and eCOGRA are the primary certifiers of game fairness in the world.
Gambling sites must also collaborate with responsible gambling organizations to ensure that their sites are not dangerous. In New Jersey, you’ll find that all licensed sites will have a Responsible Gambling New Jersey certification. They will also often have links to services such as Gamblers Anonymous or the 1800 GAMBLER hotline.
Another common certificate to find is a logo for the encryption provider. All sites are required to use SSL encryption technology to protect players’ data from being hacked. Common security certificate providers include Sectigo, DigiCert, CloudFare, and GoDaddy.
Image by Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you looking for answers to the most commonly asked questions about the online casino market in New Jersey? Below, we’ve provided brief responses to your burning questions, and have covered everything from the safety of online gambling to making payments and withdrawals.
How old do I have to be to gamble online in New Jersey?
The minimum gambling age in New Jersey is 21. This applies to both land-based and online casino gambling. You will need to prove your identity by submitting your ID when you sign up for a new account. There are harsh penalties for anyone convicted of an underage gambling crime.
Are online casinos in NJ safe to play?
Yes, as long as the online casinos have been licensed by the DGE, they are completely safe to play at. All licensed operators must go through a strict application process to prove that they are fair, safe, and secure. It is not only illegal to gamble at unlicensed sites, but it is also unsafe.
Are online casinos legal in New Jersey?
Yes, online casino gambling is legal in New Jersey as long as the operators have been licensed. Online casinos have been legal in the state since 2013. All operators must be affiliated with a land-based casino based in the state to earn a license and have undergone strenuous fairness testing.
Do I need to live in NJ to place an online bet?
If you wish to place a bet or wager at an online New Jersey casino, you must be located within state lines. However, if you are in a state with legal online casinos such as Pennsylvania or Michigan that also host the same online gambling platform, you can access your account and wager legally.
Do I have to pay taxes on my casino winnings?
Yes, your casino winnings will be subject to both state and federal taxes. Federal taxes are set at 24 percent of earnings, while state taxes are set at 3 percent of your earnings. You won’t have to pay taxes on slot winnings if they do not exceed $1,200 per year.
Can I play online casino games on a tablet or mobile device?
Yes, you can play online casino games on your mobile device. In most cases, online casinos have created dedicated apps that support the full suite of games, transactions, and promotional offers. Alternatively, you can log in to your casino through the mobile web browser. Just make sure you have a stable connection as online casino play can be data intensive.
Do NJ casinos accept PayPal?
Most NJ casinos accept eWallets such as PayPal. This is perhaps the best option for deposits and withdrawals, as it tends to be the fastest and has the fewest limitations. It also comes with additional security features that act as an extra safety layer between your bank account and player wallet.
Are there Social Casinos in New Jersey?
Yes, you can join social casinos in New Jersey. Social casinos are special websites that all you to play casino-style games without risking your own cash. Sometimes, these sites will host tournaments and events that offer cash prizes to those who win. Common social games include bingo and slots.
What is the best New Jersey online casino?
We believe that BetMGM and the Borgata online casinos are the best in the state. These have the largest selections of games, the best rewards program, the best mobile apps, and the most generous new player bonuses. That said, all of the casinos recommended on this page are of very high quality and are worth checking out.
Can I play NJ casino games for free?
Most NJ casinos will give you the chance to try the demo versions of games before you play them. This is worth doing, as it gives you the opportunity to learn the rules and features of slots and experiment with different betting options. That said, you won’t be able to win real money from these free games.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve concluded this guide to the best NJ online casinos, we hope that it’s clear that the state is home to a thriving, high-quality online gambling market. Players have access to some of the best gambling games in the world, with some sites offering over one thousand slots, table games, and live games.
| FOOTER DISCLAIMER |
| All free offers, promotions and bonuses listed are subject to the terms and individual wagering requirements of their respective operators. In most cases, offers, promotions and bonuses apply for new customers only. All listed amounts of offers, promotions and bonuses describe the maximum possible amount. The actual amount depends on the size of the individual deposit. The user may be required to make a deposit multiple times in order to receive the advertised amount. Please check the operator’s website for full T&Cs. |
| You must be 21+ to play. Please check the laws of the place you reside and inform yourself if it is legal to participate in casino games. |
| Please gamble responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER |
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
