Is Gambling Legal in New Jersey? A Comprehensive Guide (2024 Update)

By Jorge Costa Updated on August 8, 2024

Is Online Gambling Legal in NJ?

Online gambling is legal in NJ, as the Garden State has some of the least restrictive online gambling laws in the United States.

Gambling at online betting sites has been permissible in NJ since 2013, with numerous sportsbooks and digital casinos now operating successfully.

This is in addition to the traditional gambling opportunities that made AC famous, the New Jersey Lottery, and other options like charitable gambling, race-track betting, and amusement games.

History of Gambling Laws in New Jersey

Gambling in NJ can be traced back to the early 1800s when lotteries were common at a time they were banned in most of the United States.

Sports gambling has a long and rich history, with bets taken at the Freehold Raceway since the 1830s. Although gambling was technically outlawed in New Jersey between 1894 and 1939, it persisted, with bookmaking, lotteries, and slot machines all active during prohibition.

The New Jersey Lottery was created via a referendum in 1969, following the legalization of amusement games in 1959. By the mid-1970s, another referendum was passed to legalize gambling in NJ, but with strict conditions limiting it to the confines of AC.

Resorts Atlantic City was the first legal physical casino to open there before numerous others followed suit.

In 2012, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie effectively legalized sports betting in the state following another voter referendum in 2011. However, it wasn’t until the passing of Assembly Bill 4111 in 2018 that sports betting took off. Today, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement regulates 14 legal online sportsbooks.

As for iGaming, a January 2011 Bill passed by the New Jersey Legislature legalized Internet gambling for all residents over 21. The bill specified that the online gambling operators must be tied to authorized casinos in AC. Today, 31 digital casinos operate in the Garden State.

Current Legal Status of Gambling in New Jersey

Today, gambling in NJ is legal for all people over 21, though anyone aged 18 or over can play the lottery.Gambling is permitted at the nine physical casinos in AC and any 31 online casinos available.

Other forms of gambling, namely horse racing, off-track betting, charity gambling, and amusement games, are also legal in NJ The New Jersey Casino Control Commission and the Division of Gaming Enforcement regulate and license all gambling activity under the Casino Control Act.

You can learn more about the New Jersey Casino Control Act and the regulations that govern gambling in the state.

Types of Legal Gambling in New Jersey

There are numerous forms of gambling permitted in New Jersey:

Casino gambling

Casino gambling in NJ has been legal since the 1970s when AC was gazetted as the home of legal gambling in the state. Resorts AC was the first land-based casino to open; there are nine casino resorts today.

Online casino wagering has been legal in NJ since 2011, though all Internet casinos must be tied to one of the land-based casinos in AC. At the time of writing, there are 31 virtual casinos, including BetMGM, Caesars, Golden Nugget, and Borgata.

Sports betting

Chris Christie signed a 2012 bill legalizing sports betting in NJ. As a result, any of the state’s casinos and racetracks are legally permitted to offer professional and college sports gambling opportunities. However, betting on college events in the Garden State and out-of-state fixtures involving NJ college teams is prohibited.

In the subsequent years, the NCAA and the major professional sports leagues in the US engaged in a major court battle to challenge Christie’s bill. In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was unconstitutional, effectively allowing The Garden State and other states to legalize sports wagering.

Lottery and charitable gambling

The New Jersey Lottery is available to all people 18 or older. There are eight games, while the Mega Millions and Powerball games are available in numerous states. Scratch card games are also legal in NJ.

Some of the proceeds from the sale of lottery tickets contribute to public services like education, fire, police, and teaching staff.

Registered non-profits are allowed to run raffles, bingo, and casino nights under the auspice of charity gambling. Social gambling is also permitted in NJ under specific conditions.

Horse racing and off-track betting

The Garden State has three horse racing tracks and five off-track betting (OTB) halls regulated by the New Jersey Racing Commission. Races at Freehold Raceway, Meadowlands Racetrack, and Monmouth Park Racetrack run throughout the year, while the New Jersey Racing Commission permits one horse race to run on the beach every year.

Age and Residency Requirements

The legal age for casino gaming and sports betting in NJ is 21. Other forms of licensed gambling, such as horse racing and lottery, are legal for people 18 or over. Underage gambling in NJ is a misdemeanor punished by a fine.

You don’t need to be a NJ resident to gamble in AC or at online betting sites, but you do need to be within state limits to place wagers legally.

How New Jersey Compares with Other States

New Jersey’s gambling regulations are similar to those in Nevada, the home of Las Vegas. For this reason, AC and Las Vegas are known as the main hubs for land-based gambling in the United States.

However, as for online gaming, NJ has similar laws to Pennsylvania and Michigan, where online casino wagering and sports betting are also legal.

In the neighboring Empire State, the New York Constitution historically prohibited all forms of gambling, but things are changing. For instance, sports betting is now legal in New York, while online casino gaming might be permitted in the near future.

It’s fair to say that New Jersey’s gambling regulation are in stark contrast to those in states like Texas, where most forms of gambling remain illegal.

Tips for Starting an iGaming Business in New Jersey

There’s no doubt that the Garden State is one of the best locations in the United States to launch an iGaming business, thanks to unrestrictive internet betting laws and excellent regulation.

Here are some tips to bear in mind if you’re keen to launch an online gambling business in NJ:

Understanding legal requirements

Before starting your online casino, you must familiarize yourself with the state laws in NJ. As mentioned, all forms of gambling in the state are licensed and regulated by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and the Division of Gaming Enforcement under the Casino Control Act.

The Jersey Casino Control Act outlines the cost of obtaining a casino license in NJ, which is at least $200,000, along with an annual license fee for all operational slots within the state.

The cost of obtaining a casino license in NJ is at least $200,000, and an annual license fee is issued for all operational slots within the state.

Before starting the license application process in NJ, obtain legal advice so you know what to expect and which documentation you must provide to support your application.

Marketing and promotion

After completing the application process and securing the requisite license, you must market your brand in a competitive industry. Newly established virtual casinos must attract players away from long-established brands, often by providing access to extensive game libraries and attractive welcome bonuses.

Digital marketing and PR link-building are also crucial. By partnering with Fortis Media, you can rely on our iGaming SEO services to build an online presence by reaching your target audience with bespoke, highly engaging content that converts.

Our SEO teams provide a full suite of services, from link building to comprehensive blog posts that explain the fundamental details of your iGaming business.

Given the number of online casinos operating in the Garden State and the level of competition in the market, effective marketing and promotion are crucial, and we’d be delighted to help you with them.

Building a Responsible Gambling Strategy

As a gambling business, you must take proactive steps to combat and prevent unauthozied gambling. Central to this is a responsible gambling strategy, which you should implement across your online gambling business.

A responsible gambling strategy ensures you only provide legalized games to players aged 21 or older and helps people maintain control of their expenditures. You can implement a strategy that lets bettors set deposit and time limits, preventing them from overspending or playing games for long periods without taking a break.

Educating bettors about adjusting their wager limits to preserve their bankroll for as long as possible is also key to preventing problem gambling. Empowering people to gamble responsibly and bet within their means will enable your iGaming business to operate within state gaming regulations laws and develop a positive reputation within the industry.

Key Takeaways

Online gaming and wagering at land-based Atlantic City casinos is legal for all people 21 years or older in NJ. People can also bet on horse racing, play online poker, and enjoy a raft of legalized games, thanks to the passing of state laws over the past decade.

In fact, NJ is perhaps the best US state for online gambling, with 31 regulated casinos and 14 sports gambling sites currently operating under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

Today, the state’s gambling laws have made it easy for businesses to launch casinos and sports wagering businesses to allow residents to gamble responsibly. If you’re considering launching an online gambling business, contact Fortis Media today for support and advice to help launch your venture in the Garden State.