Legal online poker has been available in New Jersey since late 2013. Punters can now play at multiple sites. However, these platforms can differ in terms of player traffic, available game formats, variants, and bonuses on offer. This guide should help you choose a site that is suitable for your needs.
Read on, as we will reveal our pick of this state’s best poker sites in 2023.
Licensed and legal in the USA Risk-free sports bet for new customers This Borgata Casino online casino review was a real pleasure to research. This online casino clearly knows how to please its players. With a huge selection of games and impressive withdrawal speed, Borgata Casino could be one of the best NJ casinos around. Customer service and security are very good, and players are set to enjoy spending their time online.
When was online poker legalized? | February 2013 (bill signed) |
How many sites operate in this state? | 7 |
Legal platforms | PartyPoker Borgata WSOP PokerStars 888 Pala Poker BetMGM Poker |
What is the minimum age to play? | 21 |
Do I need residency to play in the state? | No, but you must be physically within the state |
What is the best NJ poker site? | PokerStars |
Can I play against people from other states? | Yes, NJ sites can share player pools with their Nevada and Delaware operations (if any) |
Although they only went live a couple of years after the first few operators did, this international site is a major force today in the US and particularly the New Jersey gambling market. The platform offers an excellent selection of tournaments, cash games and boasts the biggest selection of game variants. Apart from the standard Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud options, punters can enjoy games such as Five Card Draw or Badugi.
Key Facts
Main bonuses | 100% deposit bonus up to $600 + Play 1 hand, get $50 in free play |
Apps available | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
Main tournament / best poker room | New Jersey Online Championship of Online Poker (NJCOOP) |
Main highlight | Play against Team PokerStars Pro – a group of elite pros |
Live since | 2016 |
Player pool | Exclusive to PokerStars NJ |
What we liked most about PokerStars:
WSOP was one of the first sites that launched when online poker was legalized in the Garden State. The site has great player traffic thanks to the interstate online poker compact – WSOP and 888poker have a shared player pool that also includes Nevada and Delaware participants. The site not only hosts tournaments for cash prizes and World Series bracelets but also hosts daily and weekly events.
WSOP.com Key Facts
Main bonuses | 100% deposit bonus up to $1000 + $50 in free money with first deposit |
Apps available | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
Main tournament / best poker room | WSOP Online Bracelet series |
Main highlight | Players can compete for World Series bracelets |
Live since | 2013 |
Player pool | Shared pool for New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware players of WSOP.com and 888poker |
What we liked most about WSOP:
Owned by MGM Resorts, Borgata Poker shares player pools with PartyPoker’s and BetMGM’s New Jersey players. It is one of the longest-standing legal gambling sites in the US and was one of the first to get a NJ license. The site caters for both newbies and pros while being an excellent and reliable platform.
Key Facts
Main bonuses | 100% deposit bonus up to $1000 + up to $75 worth of MTT tickets |
Apps available | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
Main tournament / best poker room | Epic Sunday $35K tournaments |
Main highlight | Players earn Borgata Online Rewards as they wager on games |
Live since | 2013 |
Player pool | Shared with NJ players of PartyPoker and BetMGM |
What we liked most about Borgata:
Online poker has been regulated in the state since late 2013. Since 2017 the Garden State is part of the interstate online poker compact together with Delaware and Nevada sharing player pools across their network.
By law, sites will have to make sure of the following:
Geolocation technology identifies the location of desktop users by the IP address of their computer. Mobile users’ device location is confirmed by cell phone triangulation reported by local cell phone towers.
Gambling and lottery winnings are taxed both on a federal and state level in NJ. You can read more about New Jersey taxes on our dedicated NewJersey gambling page.
Type of tax | Rate | Comment |
Federal income tax rate | 24% | Tax is only payable if winnings (reduced by the amount of the buy-in are over $5,000) |
NJ tax on poker income | 3% | 3% state tax applies to both residents and non-residents who won money in NJ |
To avoid breaking the law or being scammed, make sure that you are playing at a licensed platform. Regulated gambling platforms take data security seriously and apply a whole range of internet security measures to keep you and other punters safe.
Most sites will have their licensing information clearly displayed at the bottom of their landing page. This should include the name of the licensing body, which in this state’s case is the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, as well as their licensing number.
If you are in doubt, you can confirm whether an internet gaming company is licensed or not on the licensing authority’s website. This information is available to the public and is just a few clicks away.
Deposits and withdrawals at any platform in this state are regulated by the New Jersey interactive gaming law. Within these rules, there are a variety of options available, however, it depends on the site which ones they support. If you have a favored method, make sure the site you are about to play at supports it.
Some of the most common and popular payment methods in NJ are:
Similar to casinos and sports betting sites, NJ poker platforms tend to offer generous bonuses to attract new customers and keep regular ones happy. Claiming bonuses is a good idea so that you can start your gaming with a boosted bankroll.
Most online casinos in New Jersey offer a 100% match deposit bonus up to a certain amount. Always read the terms and conditions to be clear on how to claim the bonus. Some sites will add the bonus to your balance as soon as you make your first deposit, while others will credit the amount little by little as you play the games and earn redemption points. You may or may not need to use a code to claim the bonus.
Casino | Bonus | Notes |
PokerStars | 100% deposit bonus up to $600 + Play 1 hand, get $50 in free play | Opt in within 5 days after registering and play just one hand at any stakes |
WSOP | 100% deposit bonus up to $1000 + $50 in free money | Deposit minimum $10 to avail of the $50 free cash at cash tables or tournaments |
Borgata | 100% deposit bonus up to $1000 + up to $75 worth of MTT tickets | Receive MTT tickets for $25 to $75 with your first deposit (depending on the amount of deposit) |
At times, you may be able to participate in free-roll tournaments. These tournaments offer a prize pool so you can win real money, however, you won’t have to pay a rake or a fee to participate. Free tournament tickets are also often part of the sign-up promotion. Depending on your deposit you may get $5, $10 or $20 worth of tournament tickets for free play.
Certain sites (e.g., Borgata) run reward programs that you can take advantage of. As you deposit and play, you collect points or rewards that you can use as game credits or redeem at land-based casino partners for food and beverage, hotel stays or entertainment.
Atlantic City is the second biggest gambling hub after Las Vegas and there’s an intense casino scene in the city. While the online game is fairly new in the state, poker rooms in AC casinos have been operating for decades. The biggest establishments are:
Casino | Main Event | Prize |
Borgata Casino | The Return | $4,000,000 |
Harrah’s AC Poker Room | No tournaments on schedule | n.a. |
Caesars Atlantic City | Caesars Atlantic City Online Circuit Event | $1,000,000 |
Golden Nugget Casino AC | $10,000 Guarantee event | $10,000 |
Tropicana Casino | No tournaments on schedule | n.a. |
No tournaments on schedule | n.a. | |
Bally’s | No tournaments on schedule | n.a. |
Atlantic City has hosted several major events in the past and at the time of writing (January 2023) there was one event scheduled for 2023. The Return: A Borgata Championship Event – will be hosted at the Borgata Casino in January with a prize pool of $4 million.
Online gambling sites in NJ all must team up with a land-based casino to offer their services. For this reason, it is not difficult to recognize some of the names that you are probably already familiar with – think Borgata, Hard Rock Casino, BetMGM. If in doubt, check the licensing information on the site’s landing page. Alternatively, visit the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement’s website to confirm whether an internet gaming site holds its license or not.
You may gain some ‘liquid courage’ after a couple of drinks but alcohol lowers inhibition which is especially bad when playing games against other people (who are most likely sober). Poker and alcohol don’t mix well and while under the influence you may do things you’ll regret later.
Online, you can start a new game almost 24/7 and it is easy to lose more than what you can afford. Set a daily budget for yourself and once it is gone, call it a day. Gambling can become addictive, so it is best balanced with other activities. Don’t sit in front of the screen for hours on end. Set a time limit and stick to it.
As Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) said in the movie Rounders: “If you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker”. To win in this game, you must be better than at least half of the people at your table. Leave your ego behind when joining the table and if you keep losing, it is time to look for another table which will hopefully have worse players.
At Profitsquad, our aim is to help you choose a poker site that suits your experience, budget, and game preference. New Jersey is one of the best states to play the game online thanks to the number of quality operators and the shared player pool between the three states.
It shouldn’t be hard to pick one of the best platforms in NJ based on our recommendations. So make use of our tips to enjoy the games to the fullest!
Yes, if you are playing at a licensed site.
Typically, you can find the licensing information at the bottom of the site’s landing page. It will state that the website is authorized and regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, and it will list its license number.
You don’t have to be a resident, but you have to be physically in New Jersey in order to play the games.
Yes, you can. You can download the app, register for an account and even deposit from outside of the state, however, you can only play when you are within its borders.
The legal age is 21.
These sites offer many quick and reliable deposit methods including debit and credit cards, e-wallets, and transfers directly from your bank. You can even deposit and withdraw in cash at your site’s partner casino’s cage in Atlantic City.
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