Best Online Gambling Sites In New Jersey 2023

Coming in close at second place, behind Nevada, New Jersey is another state in the US where gambling online is known to thrive. Atlantic City was the state’s crown jewel in the past, but that is no more; In the past few years, multiple iGaming sites have emerged, and our experts at Profitsquad will look at the best of them. Read on to discover more about online gambling in the state, its history, available markets, and laws.

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Best NJ Gambling Sites 2023

1
Caesars Online Casino
#1 CASINO IN AMERICA
100% up to $2,000
  • bullet-iconTop notch $2,000 deposit bonus
  • bullet-iconGreat variety of games in offer
  • bullet-iconCaesars rewards system for special promos
9.6
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Caesars NJ online casino is perhaps one of the best out there. In fact, no Caesars online casino review would be complete without mentioning the great selection of games, great customer service contact options, and the excellent level of security. This online casino is well worth spending time on thanks to its great graphics and overall enjoyable atmosphere. Caesars NJ online casino really is here to stay.

2
Golden Nugget
MOST POPULAR CASINO
100% up to $250
  • bullet-icon900+ games including progressive slots and live dealer games
  • bullet-iconDemo games allowed before signup
  • bullet-iconGreat navigation and design
9.5
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Golden Nugget NJ online casino is perhaps one of the best online casinos around. With a wide variety of games, great bonuses, and promotions, this online casino is set to impress. Golden Nugget also hosts live casino games and sports games. Throw in the multitude of deposit and withdrawal methods and you know you’re in for a great time. This Golden Nugget online casino review is well worth reading.

3
BetMGM Casino
CASINO OF THE YEAR
100% up to $1,000
  • bullet-iconOver 410 games & Live Dealer available
  • bullet-iconAwesome $1,000 match deposit bonus
  • bullet-iconWide variety of slot games
9.4
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BetMGM online casino is without a doubt one of the best online casinos around. With a very impressive selection of games and a wide range of bonuses and promotions, it’s no wonder this casino is very popular. The customer service options are very good, as is the level of security. BetMGM NJ online casino is well worth visiting.

Table of Contents

Overview Of Online Gambling In NJ

Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, let’s check out which iGaming markets are available and what is the legal age to gamble.

Types 

Legal

Legal age of gambling

Online Casinos

Yes

21

Sports betting

Yes

21

Horse Racing

Yes

18

Daily Fantasy Sports

Yes

21

Lotteries

Yes

18

Online poker

Yes

21

Legal Age

All the legalized markets are available for players who want to indulge as long as they are 21 years old. The two exceptions are horse racing and lotteries, which allow you to participate when you reach 18.

Required Residency

You don’t have to be a resident of NJ to place online wagers. You can legally bet on any of the regulated platforms if you are located within state borders.

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Note

Every platform will use geolocation software to ensure that you are within the borders before allowing you access to the site. 

Crypto Wagering

Cryptocurrencies aren’t legal in the US, and neither is crypto betting. To be on the safe side, stay away from online gambling sites that promote crypto wagering.

Is Gambling In New Jersey Legal?

The origins of gambling date back to the 1700s, as lotteries were used to help finance the military. Later, a gambling ban was imposed from 1894 until 1939. However, it wasn’t widely enforced, as racetracks, bingo, and slots were starting to become accessible for residents. 
The first gambling market to be legalized was horse racing in 1939, which allowed the state coffers to profit from its two big racetracks.
In 1976, a bill was passed allowing casinos to operate in Atlantic City. However, it took quite a long time for online gambling to be accepted. Today, the residents can enjoy casinos, sports betting, daily fantasy sports, horse racing, and lotteries.

Online Casinos – Legal Overview

In February 2013, a bill was signed officially making this the third state in the US where online casinos were legal, and residents could play slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, and other casino games.

Today, a platform can apply for a gaming license and partner with an iGaming software vendor. Operators will need to pay a non-refundable fee of $100,000 at first. If they receive approval, they will also need to deposit a renewal fee of $250,000 and an annual fee of $250,000.

There are three iGaming licenses required to operate an online casino in NJ

 

  • Casino Service Industry Enterprise License, 
  • The Vendor Registrants, 
  • The Ancillary Casino Service Industry Enterprise License.
     

The DGE, or the Division of Gaming Enforcement, is the governing body that regulates all internet wagering platforms in New Jersey.

Sports Betting – Legal Overview

The Christie vs. The NCAA New Jersey sports betting case was the main event that allowed sports betting to become legal.

In 2014, they attempted to allow
casinos and horse betting tracks to offer sports wagering online. However, this law went around a federal law called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act or PASPA – which was the act which banned sports betting on a federal level.

In 2018, the Supreme Court took the case, and it was argued that PASPA is unconstitutional and that each state should be able to decide whether gambling should be allowed within its own borders. 
The Supreme Court sided with the ruling, stating that a federal ban on sports betting is unconstitutional.

Since the ruling of the Supreme Court, sports betting in New Jersey became legal. Today, operators can claim a license from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and start operating. The NJDGE also regulates all bookies, ensuring they are fair, safe, and secure. 
Others also benefited from the ruling, and it has paved the way for the legalization of sportsbooks in numerous states across the US.

Horse Racing – Legal Overview

Horse Racing has been popular in the Garden State since the mid-1700s, as the first racetrack was opened in the 1830s. Freehold Raceway still operates today, making it one of the oldest racetracks in the USA.

The sport was first made legal in 1939, with the authorization of pari-mutuel racing. Today, there are still several operational racetracks.
However, as local horse race betting got legalized in 2020, many players tend to wager online.

The New Jersey Racing Commission provides all the licenses and oversees all the racing and wagering in the state.

Daily Fantasy Sports – Legal Overview

Before regular sports betting was legal, residents could register and play at Daily Fantasy Sports sites. This was officially the 16th US state to legalize daily fantasy sports, and not only that, but it was the first to extend some of the laws for betting on college sports.
Today, if an operator wants to open a DFS site, they will need a license and permit from the Division of Consumer Affairs. Also, one of their servers (that will provide DFS) needs to be physically located in Atlantic City.

Lottery – Legal Overview

While lotteries go way back in history, legally, voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of a lottery back in December 1969. In the general election, more than 80% of voters wanted a lottery to be established.
To this day, the lottery law enforces all the proceeds gathered from the lottery to go toward state institutions and aid for education. This includes higher education and senior citizen education.

Online Poker - Legal Overview

Online poker and gambling was legalized in February 2013 after the bill A2578 was passed by Gov. Christie. This law would authorize the DGE to oversee operators and issue licenses. It allowed online poker establishments to provide poker games to any one aged 21 or over and who is physically present within the state (although they need not reside within). 
Six online poker sites launched in November 2013 although two have since ceased to operate; three more have launched and it is continuing to grow.

New Jersey Gambling Bonuses And Promotions

While all operators include freebies for players, they generally stay the same no matter from which state you visit the operator.
Here are some of the best bonuses that you will come across:

 

  • Welcome Bonuses: The aim of welcome bonuses is to attract new players. The sign-up bonus usually contains a deposit match, meaning the operator gives a certain percentage upon your deposit. Depending on which operator you choose to play, the welcome bonus can be a single incentive, or you will get to claim multiple deposit bonuses.

  • No Deposit Offers: One of the best incentives you can get at these platforms is a bonus that doesn’t require you to deposit any of your own money first. It doesn’t matter if you want to play casino games or place bets, a no-deposit bonus gives you the chance to wager without parting with your own funds.

  • Reload Bonuses: These are similar to the welcome promotions; however, you can claim them as an existing player multiple times – or as many times as the operator determines. They can become available anytime, meaning frequent visits to the Promo page are recommended.

  • Loyalty and VIP Programs: Apart from the classic type of bonuses that you will find at every gaming site, some operators also provide VIP or Loyalty programs. These are features that reward the most frequent players.
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Expert Tip

If you become part of the Loyalty or VIP scheme, you could get additional benefits such as faster cashouts, higher withdrawal limits, better T&Cs and even discounts at land-based counterparts!

What Are the Most Popular Gambling Sites Within New Jersey?

Digitalization offers many benefits, one of which is easy access to all diverse types of services – including gambling. This explains why many players prefer playing online, regardless of whether it’s for sports wagering or casino games. 

In recent years, internet casinos have been the most common form of gambling, with bookies coming second. On the other hand, both online and offline, horse-racing bets and lottery tickets are also immensely popular. Some of the most well-visited sites include:

 

Online Gambling Taxes In New Jersey

Following the legalization of all the iGaming markets, each one has been taxed as follows.

Casino

 If an operator wants to open a new site, all the fees they need to deposit go to New Jersey’s wagering treatment programs. Furthermore, operators also get taxed 14.25% for their gross gaming revenue, while 2.5% goes toward the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Sports Betting

The betting law requires operators to pay 13% of revenue generated from sports wagers. DFS operators, on the other hand, are required to pay a 10.5% tax on gross in-state revenue.

Horse Race Betting

Horse race betting operators also need to pay a 14.25% tax on their revenue.

Lottery

When it comes to the lottery, 34.20% of the profit goes toward public schools. Because the lottery is the fourth largest revenue producer in the state, all the funds generated have been given to community colleges and universities, school nutrition programs, the Department of Human Services, and other public organizations.

Poker

Poker is taxed in much the same way as online casinos and operators will be taxed at 14.25% of their gross revenue.

But what about your tax responsibility?
You are required by law to report wins over a certain size to the IRS – and this depends on the type of win:

 

Type

Tax Rates

Notes

Online Casino

3%

24% withholding for federal tax

Any wins lower than $1200, don’t need to be reported in your tax report

Sports Betting Site

3%

24% withholding for federal tax

Any wins lower than $5000, don’t need to be reported in your tax report

Lottery

5% or 8%

Wins between $10,001 and $500,000 are taxed at 5%.

Any win above this amount is taxed at 8%

Daily Fantasy Sports

3%

24% withholding for federal tax

Any wins lower than $600, don’t need to be reported in your tax report

Horse Racing

3%

Any wins lower than $600, don’t need to be reported in your tax report

Poker

3%

24% withholding for federal tax

For wins of more than $5,000


What this Means:

  • Every time you win a taxable sum, the operator must report this win to the IRS – and you will need to declare this on your tax return.
  • The operator will withhold 24% of the win for federal taxes.
  • There is a standard state tax of 3%
  • Ultimately, the amount of tax you pay on your win depends on your taxable income

Conclusion

This is one of the US regions where you have complete freedom to choose whether you want to play casino games, place horse racing bets, or wager on your favorite team.

There are many NJ online gambling sites to choose from, so when picking an operator, look for those that have a valid gaming license, multiple available betting markets, and the best freebies – look through our list, read the reviews and see which ones you like the look of the most!

In other words, the opportunities are endless. Just make sure you’re old enough, within state borders, and are playing on a legal site.

FAQ

Depending on what type of online wagering, you must be over 18 or 21. Buying a lottery ticket or placing a bet on horse racing requires you to be over 18. All other gambling markets require you to be 21 or over.

There are currently 27 bookies where you can join and place a bet on your preferred game.

Once you register at your preferred NJ casino site, you will be able to play slots and table games such as blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and various live casino games.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is the body that controls, regulates, and oversees every operation done by any iGaming site.

Given that more and more players are starting to play casino games and place bets using their mobile phones, all the top-tier iGaming sites have fully mobile-optimized their platforms.

There are multiple different promotions that betting sites offer both their new and existing members. You will come across operators that provide welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, reload perks, and VIP or Loyalty programs.

When making deposits and requesting withdrawals, NJ wagering sites offer various methods, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill, Bank Transfer, and others.