New Jersey has always been a state for playing games of chance. That’s why today it is considered a hot spot for slots.
It’s home to every type of game and every type of place to play, from Monopoly Casino to the famous Boardwalk.
New Jersey’s slot history
Slot machines arrived here with the legalization of casino gambling in Atlantic City in 1976. Resorts Casino Hotel was the state’s first legal venue, opening in 1978.
Within a decade, slots became the main casino attraction.
By the 1990s, slots made up three-quarters of casino revenue in Atlantic City. Titles like Wheel of Fortune, Double Diamond and Quick Hit packed the state’s casino floors.
Today, it’s one of the few states with both world-class land-based casinos and a fully regulated online gambling market.
The state legalized online slots in 2013 – ahead of most others. So players can now spin anywhere: on the sofa or on the boardwalk.
Why do people love slots in New Jersey?
Slots have never been so popular. They offer simplicity, speed and variety.
Some games offer as many as 1,024 ways to win. Others link to huge progressives with life-changing jackpots.
Add in the modern trends of bonus rounds, free spins and loyalty points, and the appeal has never been greater.
Slots in New Jersey blend the tradition of the machine games with the innovation of new tech. That’s why it’s one of the best places in America to spin.
Here are six of the top slot venues in New Jersey:
Borgata Hotel Casino, Atlantic City
Borgata offers an incredible array of more than 3,000 slot machines. It opened in 2003 and is now the highest-grossing casino in Atlantic City.
The floor includes penny slots, high-limit rooms and linked progressives. Its top titles include Buffalo Gold, Dragon Link and Wheel of Fortune.
Slot tournaments run weekly and Borgata is part of MGM, so players earn MGM Rewards points. The casino vibe is upscale but accessible.
The casino runs 24/7 and is always busy. Payout rates are strong, and new machines are added regularly.
Borgata also has an online casino which offers many of its top physical slots.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City
The music-themed Hard Rock casino packs in over 2,000 slots. It’s a high-energy venue and close to the famous Boardwalk.
Players love the mix of new and classic slot games. Titles include 88 Fortunes, Dancing Drums Explosion and Cleopatra II.
The casino has a popular high-limit slot room and often runs on-floor giveaways. Unity by Hard Rock is the rewards program which gives perks across all Hard Rock venues.
Hard Rock also has a strong online slot platform.
Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City
Ocean is a newer venue that opened in 2018. It offers around 1,750 slot machines.
The design is sleek, modern and spacious. It’s most popular games include Lightning Link, Cash Express Luxury Line and Ultimate Fire Link.
Views of the ocean set this place apart. It feels fresh, open, and welcoming.
Caesars Atlantic City
One of the oldest names on the Boardwalk offers around 1,500 slot machines. There’s a strong mix of classics, including Quick Hit, Blazing 7s and Double Diamond, and new titles like Coin Combo and Wild Wild Buffalo.
Caesars Rewards is a top-tier loyalty program which is valid at venues nationwide. Players accumulate points fast through slot play.
The atmosphere is vintage Vegas, with Roman columns and red carpets.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Maybe it’s smaller than the big names but Golden Nugget is well-respected. Around 1,000 slot machines focus on regularly updated quality over quantity.
Titles include Mega Bucks, 88 Fortunes and Wheel of Prosperity. It runs daily promotions and themed slot events.
Even the high-limit room is low-key and friendly.
Golden Nugget’s online casino is considered one of the best in New Jersey. Its digital slots mirror many of the real machines.
Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City
This is the first casino in New Jersey and opened in 1978. Resorts now has around 1,500 slot machines.
There’s a solid mix of classic reels and new video slots. Players can find 5 Dragons, Dancing Drums and Triple Red Hot 7s here.
Resorts uses the Starlight Rewards program, offering free play, comps and VIP offers. The Boardwalk casino is compact and easy to explore.
It also operates Resorts Online Casino, featuring many of the most popular physical titles.
Why New Jersey?
New Jersey has become a slot player’s paradise. With over 20,000 machines across land-based venues and thousands more online, choice is unmatched.
Atlantic City blends tradition with modern style, while its online platforms keep growing.
Expect even more in the years ahead – from skill-based slots to virtual reality games. Whether on the Boardwalk or your phone, thrilling spins are alive and well in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.