Online casinos in New Jersey need to partner with a land-based casino in Atlantic City to become licensed.

There are eleven land-based casinos/racetracks in Atlantic City. Each owns a license that allows the rollout of five online casino brands (referred to as online skins).

This is why you will come across some NJ online casino sites that are not a typical Atlantic City casino name, such as Betfair, for example.

The table below provides an updated list of licensed New Jersey online casinos alongside their land-based partners.

How to recognize legal NJ online casinos

While we've listed the licensed New Jersey online casinos above, knowing how to recognize legal NJ online casinos, from those not legal, is also necessary.

How you do this is simple.

1. Find the NJDGE logo that indicates a licensed and regulated NJ casino site
2. Make sure it is displayed at the foot of every page
3. Ensure the logo is clickable
4. Once clicked you'll be taken to a list of all online New Jersey gambling sites approved by the NJDGE.

We rank, compare, and write NJ online casino reviews to demonstrate what separates one online casino from another. Ultimately, though, choosing a New Jersey online casino is always going to rest with you. You know what you like, what you don’t like, what you value most etc.

You likely have a good idea of what to look out for when it comes to choosing which NJ online casino to lay your hat on. But just in case, here are a few factors we suggest you consider.

Game variety

Everyone has their game - what is yours? Blackjack? Roulette? Baccarat? Slots? It’s a given that all top NJ online casinos include the most popular real money games and the all-time classics. But check out the variety on offer overall. The very best online casino in New Jersey - Golden Nugget - has over 650 slot games and over 700 games in total. Now, that’s variety!

The focus of the operator

Talking game variety brings us nicely on to an important point to consider. And that’s whether your pick is primarily an online casino or sportsbook. While there are good examples of operators combining both verticals very well, from our experience, well-known casino operators are more adept at offering the complete online casino package. Golden Nugget is one of Atlantic City’s finest casinos and delivers the best online casino. In contrast, DraftKings has had tremendous success as a sportsbook in New Jersey. But as an online casino, it lacks in a few areas, notably its small library of games. A point that’s worthy of consideration.

Payment methods

How many deposit options are available? The best online casinos in New Jersey cast the net far and wide in terms of meeting the payment needs of all players and providing secure options. While the most common payment methods (VISA/Mastercard, Paypal) can be expected it’s always good practice to check whether your preferred way to pay is available, yourself. You can do this by heading to the ‘Help Center’ or Support section of any casino sites and finding the ‘How to deposit’ section.

Interface

Is the interface design helpful or is it a pain in the proverbial? We appreciate a well-considered layout and so should you if your gambling experience is going to be enjoyable. Admittedly, listing hundreds of casino games can be tricky but you don’t want a clumsy interface that gives you the runaround. You want it to be clean, logical and easy to use. As a lover of a good interface, check out Unibet NJ Casino which is becoming one of the more popular online casinos in NJ. It’s by far our favorite in terms of interface.

Mobile

Does the casino have sufficient software to operate on mobile? Does the app load well and offer smooth gameplay? And if so are your favorite casino games available to play? We say this because many online casino offerings are slimmed down for players on mobile. Above, we mentioned the 650 slots available at Golden Nugget via desktop. But on mobile, there’s a third of this amount. Course, that’s ample but for the NJ online casinos with a smaller library, the choice on mobile may be quite limited. Also bear in mind some games weren’t designed initially for mobile and may not live up to expectation.

Customer support

An aspect often overlooked is the level of customer support on offer (and you’re right we’re doing it no favors either by listing it last here). But it’s a factor just as important as the rest. All top online NJ online casinos offer three primary support channels through Live Chat, telephone, and email. Extra points for a detailed FAQ or Help Center within easy reach! You never know what time of the day or night you need assistance so to know there’s a high level of support is reassuring.

Final word

There’s no perfect template for how to choose an online casino in New Jersey. We haven’t touched on other aspects like odds or bonus offers. But we feel the above are important yardsticks for ranking online casinos in New Jersey.

The sign-up procedure follows the same pattern for all NJ online casinos. Overall, it's a straightforward process that takes less than ten minutes of your time.

Nonetheless, we've broken it down in three easy steps for you below.

1. Provide personal information

Fill in the registration page by providing accurate personal information. This includes the following:

• Name
• Email address
• Cell phone number
• Home address
• Date of Birth
• Social Security number

At this stage, you’ll also be prompted to create a unique and memorable username and password that will enable you to access your new account.

2. Verify identity (Know Your Customer check)

All online gambling sites in the US must comply with the Know Your Customer (KYC) rule.

This ID verification procedure confirms you are who you say you are. That you are old enough. That you are not at risk financially. That you are not a problem gambler. And you are not planning to money launder. Your eligibility to gamble is checked.

Overall, it is a simple process designed to protect both you and the online gambling operator from harm. All you need to do is provide your SSN and the rest is done for you.

3. Deposit funds into your account

Free money no deposit offers are great - who turns free cash, right? But if you’re to make substantial amounts of cash, deposit bonuses are king.

That means you will need to deposit money into your new account. You can do this in many ways, though, it’s important to say that the payment methods will vary between each NJ online casino site.

These are some of the common deposit methods you can expect to find at New Jersey online casinos:

• Credit/Debit Cards: Mastercard/VISA
• Online wallet: Paypal, Skrill, Neteller
• Cash Deposit: PayNearMe, 7-Eleven, Cash Cage
• Bank Transfer: ACH, VIP Preferred

If you’re new to online gambling, the term ‘casino bonus offers’ probably leaves you scratching your head. Understandable, there’s a lot to learn and many different terms to remember. Let's run through each type of bonus.

Types of casino bonus in New Jersey

Casino bonuses promo codes are needed to attract players to websites. Unlike brick-and-mortar NJ casinos where players simply walk through the door, casino sites need a way of enticing new players. They do so by offering a range of casino bonuses, which are offered in a few different ways:

• No deposit bonus
• First deposit bonus
• Risk-free bets/Cash refunds
• Free spins
• Refer a friend

This type of bonus sees NJ online casinos offer free money. In doing so, new players can try out an online casino without having to pay for it themselves. The offer only applies to new players who only become eligible for the specified amount - normally between $10 and $30 - once a new account is created. That’s why you will also hear it referred to as a sign-up bonus. Unsurprisingly, many players gravitate toward a casino with a large no deposit bonus offer. Wagering requirements (more on that later) are likely to apply but once those are met, any winnings made on the back of a free money bonus can be withdrawn as real money.

More free money is up for grabs with this casino bonus. But this time you must first make a deposit, as the name suggests. The amount deposited by a player is matched by the casino up to a certain percentage. For instance, a 100% match bonus up to $1000 is the offer. If you deposit $1000, the casino will match that with $1000 and make that available in your account straight away. So you have $2000 to start playing with.

If you believe in second chances this is a bonus for you! That’s because if you happen to lose your deposit, the casino will pay it straight back into your account. Naturally, the offer will be capped up to a certain amount but it’s a win-win for all players. The best risk-free bet for New Jersey players right now is offered by DraftKings.

Tell your buddy about the NJ online casino you’ve signed up with, send them an exclusive link, get them to deposit and both you and your friend will receive bonus money. Everyone’s a winner! Betfair NJ and Golden Nugget are among the New Jersey casino sites with the best refer a friend bonus right now.

The main purpose of an online casino bonus is to introduce a new player to an online casino website.

The lure of free money/free spins invites players to test the software, the games, and the overall product, most of the time for free. By providing a taste of what’s on offer, operators hope these players deposit and play long term.

With a bit of luck, it is possible to make real money with NJ online casino promotions. That said it’s not in the interests of any operator to give away free money. Hence why online casinos attach specific stipulations to their bonus offers. The most common are explained below.

Wagering requirement

A wagering requirement tells you the amount of money you need to wager before a bonus can be withdrawn as real money. Generally speaking, an online casino bonus with low wagering requirements is better.

The wagering requirement for online casino bonus offers in New Jersey is typically between 20X and 50X.

20X wagering requirement

For a $10 bonus, you will need to wager $200 on eligible games to satisfy the wagering requirement.

50X wagering requirement

For a $10 bonus, you will need to wager $500 on eligible games to satisfy the wagering requirement.

Permitted games

Sometimes, players believe they are fulfilling the required wagering requirements but the game they are playing does not count towards the offer. NJ online casino bonus offers are only eligible for certain games. The terms and conditions of an online casino bonus offer will always specify which games the bonus is eligible for.

Expiration of bonus

Use it or lose it! Online casino bonuses apply for a certain amount of time. If you fail to use the bonus in the time frame specified, the bonus will become inactive. 7 days is the typical length of time given for casinos bonuses to be used. Bonuses can come with a 14-day and 30-day expiry date too.

Casino gambling in New Jersey has been prevalent from the mid-1970s, particularly in Atlantic City. The list of casinos in New Jersey has grown steadily since, which has led to the state becoming one of the go-to gambling destinations in the US.

AC is widely referred to as the 'Vegas of the East coast'

In total, there are nine land-based casinos in Atlantic City located in Midtown, Marina, Uptown, and Downbeach.

Casinos in Atlantic City (year opened)

• Bally’s (1979)
• Borgota (2003)
• Caesars (1979)
• Golden Nugget (1985)
• Hard Rock (1990)
• Harrah’s (1980)
• Ocean (2012)
• Resorts (1978)
• Tropicana (1981)

Since 2013 and the NJ online gambling expansion, more and more players have turned to the online equivalent. But why? Below, we discuss the benefits of NJ online casinos, compared with brick and mortar establishments.

Online reviews

Players no longer need to set foot in a casino to determine its strengths and weaknesses. Neither do they need to wait for a friend’s recommendation. Because the internet is flooded with trusted reviews for New Jersey online gambling sites that help provide an accurate synopsis within minutes of reading.

Ease of promo codes

Before a player commits and deposits money at an NJ online casino, there are heaps of NJ online casino promotions that offer free money and enable players to try out an offering without paying themselves. Players access NJ online casino sign up bonus offers simply by entering a specific promo code and creating a new account online. The same can’t be said of casinos in AC.

Casino in your pocket

While many still enjoy playing casino games online via desktop or laptop, NJ online casino apps enable players to carry a casino in their pockets. Accessing online casino games on the go wherever, whenever, has never been easier and has contributed to a superior online gambling experience.

Competitive market means better products

The list of online casino sites in New Jersey is double that of retail casinos. More choice means players more freedom and due to the competitiveness of the market, a better pool of gambling options to pick from. Not only can a player scour the internet for the best online casino deals in NJ but find the best online casino New Jersey has for his or her specific needs.