Gambling in New Jersey
The New Jersey casino scene is well-established and highly regulated. After a long period of consolidation and being dragged through courts, legal sports betting in New Jersey is also now a thriving market.
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New Jersey Online Casinos
Is online gambling legal in New Jersey? By now, you have probably learned it is not only legal but also well regulated and welcomed by sports punters and casino fans alike.
Our top picks for New Jersey online casinos are:
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View all of our New Jersey online casino listings.
Land-Based Casinos
Gamblers have to make the well-trodden journey to Atlantic City to find casinos in New Jersey, but once they arrive there is a great choice of some of the most famous brands as well as great local venues.
In an attempt to spread the areas in which gaming establishments can be found in the Garden State, politicians have brought forward a number of bills, but to date none have passed through the state legislature.
All the New Jersey casinos are regulated by the New Jersey State Casino Control Commission, who supervise the New Jersey gambling laws. Remember the legal casino gambling age is 21, as is the minimum drinking age.
Here are our picks for the best NJ casinos:
Borgata
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opened in 2003 and brought a Vegas-style gambling experience to the city. It opened with plenty of slots, 200 hundred table games and a 34-table poker room. This is also one of the New Jersey casinos which offers online gaming and sports betting.
MGM operate the casino within the building and now are sole owners. Visitors benefit from the great MGM Rewards loyalty card, but let’s take time to look at what is on offer in this New Jersey casino.
Slots
The Borgata is home to some of the biggest jackpot slots and most diverse slots amongst New Jersey casinos. On the 161,000 sq ft gaming floor players will find over 4,000 slot machines. Here are some of the most popular slots on offer:
- Wheel of Fortune Linked Jackpot
- Buffalo Link
- Prosperity Link
- Wheels of Fortune Lucky Coins on Stage
- Lightning Dollar Link
- Buffalo Ascension
- Mystery of the Lamp
In some months Borgata has paid out jackpots totaling almost $40m.
Table Games
This is one of the New Jersey casinos which offers over 180 table games, including baccarat, blackjack, craps, pai gow poker or roulette and mini baccarat. There are 50 poker tables available in a dedicated poker room, which offers a series of tournaments and where you can try Omaha, Texas Hold’Em, Three- and Four-Card Poker, Caribbean Stud and Flop Poker.
Sportsbook
If you are looking for New Jersey casinos offering a sportsbook, you will not be disappointed, and it is the only venue in Atlantic City where you can bet on horse-racing and enjoy parimutuel betting.
Accommodation
You can also enjoy some great fun away from the gaming floor at the Borgata with luxury hotel rooms available. These include both smoking and non-smoking rooms of all sizes. There is also the MGM Tower available offering some fantastic places to stay.
Dining
When it comes to dining in the resort, visitors can choose from 18 establishments ranging from fine dining at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa to coffee shops and wine bars. This should be no surprise at one of the leading casinos in New Jersey.
Try the American Bar & Grill to enjoy Garden State specials mixed with some modern twists. At the Angeline savor Italian cuisine from a Michelin-star chef, while Michael Schulson provide a taste of Japan in a relaxed atmosphere at the Izakaya.
Entertainment and Leisure
For live shows, this is one of the top New Jersey casinos offering a wide range. Try out The Music Box theater for some of the best live shows. The Event Center offers alternatives, and of course there is the Comedy Club with some of the best current acts on stage.
Finally, the Spa Toccare offers a relaxing time and an indoor pool, whilst another outdoor pool, a rarity amongst New Jersey casinos, is also on-site. You will find the experience here one of the best at any New Jersey casino.
Ocean Casino
Spanning 20 acres on the beach front in Atlantic City, the Ocean Casino Resort is amongst the New Jersey casinos which is regularly nominated for awards. It is housed in the tallest building in Atlantic City, boasts an award-winning hotel, great restaurants and is home to one of the finest casinos in New Jersey. In 2021 New York Hedge fund Luxor Capital agreed to sell a significant share in the operation to the Ilitch family, who own sports teams in Detroit.
If you are looking for New Jersey casinos with plenty to offer on and away from the gaming floor, take a look at the Ocean Casino Resort. It has over 2,000 slots and 125 table games alongside a great sportsbook. Ocean Rewards is the loyalty program which offers incentives and exclusive perks to players.
Slots
Here is a quick look at some of the slots on offer.
- Buffalo Ascension
- Coin Trio - Piggy Burst
- Frankenstein
- Tarzan Link City of Gold
- Cash Express Mega Line
- Mystery of the Lamp
- Lightening Buffalo Link
The high-limit slots can be found in the Cove area.
As you would anticipate at New Jersey casinos you will find a host of table games here at the Ocean. Try Vegas-style games such as mini baccarat, roulette, craps, blackjack and Let It Ride. Again you will find high-stakes tables in the Loft area. Sign up to the Ocean Rewards program to get extra benefits.
Dining
Away from the gaming floor relax with some fine dining at the Amada with a taste of Spain, the Linguini by the Sea, which offers amazing views and great food and cocktails, or the sample fine grills at the Ocean Steak.
Entertainment and Leisure
If you are looking for 24/7 entertainment at New Jersey casinos look no further than the Ocean. From comedy nights to sports events or massive top liners from the US world of music, you will find extraordinary events on offer at one of the top entertainment casinos in New Jersey. Beyonce, The Eagles and Barry Manilow have trodden the boards here, and if you are looking for something edgier, try the Villain & Sait venue for some local rock’n’roll and a few craft beers.
Visitors to New Jersey casinos often stay over, and here at the Ocean you will find a great hotel with contemporary rooms and studio and one-bedroom suites.
Finally, this is one of the New Jersey casinos offering online gambling. Take a look at the Ocean Online Casino, where payment methods include Visa, MasterCard and Play+.
Hard Rock
Located at 1000 The Boardwalk, the Hard Rock Hotel Casino Atlantic City is set in 17 acres and is owned by Hard Rock International. The casino was originally constructed by Donald Trump in 1990 at a supposed cost of US $1bn and was named the Trump Taj Mahal.
After a difficult period the site was purchased by Hard Rock to give them their first presence amongst New Jersey casinos. Players can expect a Vegas-style experience with over 120 tables and 2,000 slots available in the casino, and a sportsbook is a new addition to join other New Jersey casinos with this offering. The contemporary hotel and the entertainment available bear the stamp of the owners.
Slots
The slots available include the following:
- Michael Jackson King of Pop
- Sugar Jackpot Party
- Timberwolf
- Pompeii
- Thunder Cash
- China Shores
- Quick Hit
- Platinum Black and White
Table Games
There are over 130 tables offering the kind of games you would expect at one of the best New Jersey casinos. Blackjack, roulette and craps are all on offer alongside some of the best poker games you will find in casinos in New Jersey. Whether you prefer small stakes or want to sit with the high rollers, you are catered for at the Hard Rock.
You can also enjoy Three- and Four-Card Poker, Criss Cross Poker, Texas Hold’em and Mississippi Stud Poker. Fans of Asian games can visit the Asian Gaming Room and sit down in this comfortable lounge to play Pai Gow Baccarat, Asian Poker and plenty more popular Chinese casino games.
Sports Betting
In the north of the casino you will find the Hard Rock Sportsbook, rapidly becoming a must-have in New Jersey casinos. Players can enjoy the venue 24/7, and the sports bar has 40 great screens to follow the action. Hard Rock Bet is also one of the New Jersey casinos which offers an online casino wherever you are in the Garden State.
Visiting New Jersey casinos, players will expect to find plenty of entertainment away from the gaming floor, and at the Hard Rock you are spoilt for choice. First off, the hotel is one of the finest you will find in New Jersey casinos. Many of the rooms have great views of the bay or city, and you can expect a rock’n’roll experience when you stay. You will find a pool, spa, salon and fitness center too.
With fifteen eateries Hard Rock visitors can enjoy fine dining in four venues offering local classics, Italian specials and a great Japanese evening. If you prefer something more spontaneous and casual, try the seafood or Harvest Buffets or the Hard Rock Café. If you prefer, just order in to your room.
When it comes to entertainment if you thought the Hard Rock would be the best offering amongst New Jersey casinos, you will not be disappointed. Check out the calendar of live events at the Etess Arena and Sound Waves.
Caesars AC Hotel & Casino
No look at casinos in New Jersey would be complete without a review of Caesars, the second oldest casino in Atlantic city, with its 145,000 sq ft gaming floor. There is a tunneled walkway joining it to sister casino Bally’s, making the joint floors the largest casino space amongst New Jersey casinos.
Slots
There are over 2,000 slots available, including the following:
- Cleopatra
- Super Jackpot
- African Treasure
- Blazing 7’s
- Wheel of Fortune
- Red White and Blue Wild Star Reel
- Cash for Life
Table Games and Video Poker
Players can also look forward to exciting table games, including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Baccarat. Poker fans can try Three-Card, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em, Asian Poker, Face Up Poker and much more.
If video poker is your game, step up to enjoy it at one of the most famous New Jersey casinos. The popular Caesars Sportsbook is also available.
Whether it is comedy or the biggest names amongst Atlantic City headliners, you will find them here at one of the top casinos in New Jersey.
When it comes time to relax you can retreat to luxury rooms in the 1144 rooms and suites across the three hotel towers. This is one of the New Jersey casinos that offers fantastic view from its rooms, which cater for high rollers who need an extensive suite or players who just need a single room.
Before you retire you might want to take in one of the six great bars or sample a meal. You can dine in restaurants provided by one of the greatest chefs in the world, Gordon Ramsey, the famous Nobu brand or BBQ Hall of Famer Guy’s Bar-B-Que Joint.
Resorts Casino Hotel
Finally, we take a look at Resorts Casino Hotel, a Mohegan Sun property which was the forerunner of New Jersey casinos when it became the first US casino outside Nevada in 1978 and recently celebrated its 45th anniversary.
Here is a quick look at one of the most famous New Jersey casinos by numbers.
- Rooms/Suites: 942
- Casino: 79,909 square-feet
- Slots: 1,367
- Tables Games: 75
- Sportsbook 5,000 square-feet
- Food/Beverage outlets: 23 (including food court)
- Retail outlets: 7
Resorts offers some of the highest limits of any of the casinos in New Jersey. Featured games include Mini Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and a host of poker games such as Texas Hold’em Bonus, Three-Card Poker and five-card Let It Ride. You will also be able to try Pai Gow Poker.
Dining and Entertainment
Like many of the casinos in New Jersey visitors will find most of their needs met inside the resort, and the Resorts is no different. There are five fine dining establishments offering everything from steaks to sushi and plenty of casual dining options too.
There is plenty of entertainment too in the Green Room and elsewhere, with Resorts being one of the casinos in New Jersey offering a great comedy club to enjoy in downtime away from the gaming floor.
Atlantic City Casinos
New Jersey is for the East Coast, what Nevada is for the West Coast with plenty of great cities that host many impressive gambling venues. Although Atlantic City is not as luxurious, glimmering, and glistening as its counterpart Las Vegas, it still attracts millions of casino fans looking for high-quality gambling entertainment.
New Jersey is no stranger to the gambling industry. It has some of the least restrictive gaming laws in the US and is generally very open to new ideas and forms of gambling.
According to laws in power today, the authorities in this state allow New Jersey lottery, betting on horses, off-track betting, charity, social gambling, and carnival or amusement games. On top of that, it also legalized wagering on sports, making sports betting in New Jersey one of the most popular pastimes for grown-ups.
And what counts as a grown-up? Unlike in Europe, where gambling is allowed to those older than 18, in New Jersey, one must be over 21 to play games in licensed gambling and betting venues and through online platforms.
Online Gambling Laws in New Jersey
One of the main advocates for gambling legalization and regulation was, and still is, Democratic politician Raymond J. "Ray" Lesniak. Lesniak started his battle in 2011 and was relentlessly working on making online gambling in all its shapes and forms happen.
Luckily, Ray had many matches under his belt, and his efforts resulted in two bills that resulted in a plethora of playing and betting options for everyone in NJ. Bill A2578, ratified on February 26, 2013, legalized online gaming in licensed casinos within the State borders. The main idea behind it was to further develop the economy and prevent money from leaking out to unlicensed operators. You know what they say: “players gonna play,” so it is best to channel the money in the right direction.
Online Poker
Unlike many other states, New Jersey doesn’t mind online poker platforms. Players can enjoy their daily those of the popular card game, but only as long as they play on websites licensed by the DGE (Division of Gaming Enforcement). However, online poker is available only to those older than 21 who are physically located within NJ borders during the gaming session. Even so, one doesn’t have to be a New Jersey resident, so even tourists from neighboring states can play!
The selection of online poker sites is solid and provides enough variety. Players who can’t get enough of this game don’t have to look for offshore brands, as the offering of legal operators is truly impressive.
Online Betting
Online sports betting is growing strong in the Garden State. It is regulated by the Sports Wagering Law, P.L. 2018, c. 33, and just like in the case of poker, DGE is the authority in charge.
All About Atlantic City
The good old A.C. is known for its casinos, boardwalks, and beaches. Although not as enormous as Las Vegas, Atlantic City is the only gambling city in New Jersey and, therefore, a hot gaming destination to many who reside on the East Coast.
Needless to say, there were some efforts to expand the gambling scene beyond Atlantic City’s borders, but they notoriously failed after an unfavorable public vote.
As of 2019, New Jersey is home to nine brick-and-mortar casino venues. The nine casinos employed 33,000 people and served well over 28 million players of all sorts. Casinos also made the state much richer by paying $287 million in taxes. All nine casinos operate under the approval of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
So, take a walk on the boardwalk, visit Steel Pier amusement park, and then spend a night at some of the best casinos the East Coast of the US has to offer: Borgata, Caesars, or Hard Rock!
New Jersey Gambling History
1754
1854
1976
1978
2011
2012
2013
2018
2021
New Jersey Tribal Gaming
Where there is gaming in the US, there is usually tribal gaming, yet one also has to remember there are always exceptions to the rules. There are four different tribes (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, Powhatan Renape Nation, Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation, as well as Inter-Tribal American Indians of New Jersey) residing in NJ territory. Still, no real money online casino New Jersey is operated by a tribe. Or any other type of gambling joint, for that matter.
New Jersey Casinos FAQs
What is the legal gambling age in New Jersey?
The Casino Control Act in New Jersey prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from gambling in an Atlantic City casino or any simulcast facility. Under-21s may enter the casino. However, they may not consume alcoholic beverages, gamble, or stay on the casino floor.
How do I lift a voluntary exclusion of gambling in New Jersey?
After a minimum of one year, or five years depending on the period you chose, you can submit a Voluntary Self-exclusion Reinstatement Form. If, however, you have selected the lifetime exclusion, your name cannot be removed from the list.
Can I take pictures inside a New Jersey casino?
Today, casinos have allowed some photography in their casinos, primarily via phones. In most casinos, however, photography is still not permitted at gaming tables or near the cashier's counter.
Is online sports betting legal in New Jersey?
Yes. Online sports betting has been legal in New Jersey since 2018, with sportsbooks operating just two months after Governor Phil Murray signed it into law. There are 20+ licensed sports betting apps in New Jersey.
Do I have to be a resident of New Jersey to gamble online?
No. You can gamble online while visiting the state. However, to open an account or to gamble online, you must be within the state borders.