In 2013, Governor Chris Christie let the state’s online gaming law become enacted without signing it or vetoing it. That opened the door for regulated NJ online poker sites. And, since November 2013, many have entered the Garden State. The following reviews cover all active operators in this market. So, if you want to know how we rate each one, here are the factors we consider important: software and performance, traffic and player base, device compatibility, payment options, security and safety.
Casinos That Pay Out Real Money Right Away (2023)Online poker in New Jersey is going strong with seven open for new customers. The latest to join the network were BetMGM Poker and Borgata Poker, which both launched in September 2020. Pala Poker also made its entry into the NJ online poker market back in 2017 and has been offering low-stakes cash games and tournaments ever since. 888poker has been leading the pack when it comes to online tournament traffic and overall players counting 600 at peak hours.And there are even some exciting live events like the NJCOOP and Online Series. So, playing online poker in New Jersey has never been better.
Legal NJ Online Poker Sites (Updated Sept. 2023)
18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply
Current Bonuses and Promotions (Updated: Sept. 2023)
All legal NJ online poker rooms offer a welcome bonus for new sign ups. Here's an overview of the current promotions available right now. Please note that any bonus money earned on top of your deposit will be released in increments as you earn rewards (for example: from playing real-money hands or from rake paid). We listed the most relevant details about the offers below. For a full description of each promo, just click 'Claim Now' on our site to go to the source.
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(£30) No Deposit Bonus + up to $500 Welcome Bonus = £30/$40 no-risk free, followed by up to $500 of Free Play over your first week
- No Deposit Bonus: Use promo code : PALAXW : £30/$40 FREE Play with no strings attached. Doesn’t require a deposit or playing through the funds before withdrawing.
- Deposit Bonuses: Up to $500 in Free Play on your first week
- (USA only) Use Promo Code : PALAMP - Get $25 for every friend who deposits at least $20 and earns five reward points
- NJ only: You get $10 for every friend who deposits at least $20 and earns five reward points (USA only: Promo Code : PALAMP )
- VIP Award: Get a Gold Card worth $2,000 in rewards during your first seven days
- Weekly Bonuses: Earn bonuses each week based on your level of play
- Loyalty Rewards: Redeem Palaucci for cash, bonuses or gifts
- Tournament Entry Fees: Redeem Palaucci for partial reimbursement on select tournaments
- Limited Time Offers: Check the lobby for special promotions
- Restrictions: Players may only have one account per household and IP address. Palm Casino Users: One account per user; bonus funds cannot be transferred to another end user. See full terms & conditions related to "Friend Referral Program", "Refer a Friend" and “Gold Card” Awards.
- Deposit $20, Get $30 = Free $10 on registration + further $20 after deposit & earn 2x rewards points within 30 days
- Up to $500 = 100% match on first deposit
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$500 Deposit Bonus = 100% Match on First Deposit
- Release: Release £10 (or equivalent) every time you earn 45 reward points
- Expiration: Bonus expires 90 days from date of issuance
- Other Restrictions: Maximum 20 awards issued per customer
- Additional Eligibility Restrictions: "New Customer" who resides in, and is accessing the website from, New Jersey or Pennsylvania or Ontario, Canada
- Additional Terms: Only one First Deposit Bonus accepted per customer and per household even if the customer has more than one account or opens a new account
- Pala Interactive Ltd., which operates this website, is licensed in certain territories by Nicastro, Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Gambling House License No. 16 - 2018
- To check the status of a customer's application, login to their account and visit the Palace Casino rewards page
- Customers must provide documentation to support their application, which may take up to fifteen business days to review
- Customers will receive an email notifying them of acceptance or rejection
- Until acceptance is confirmed, none of a customer's deposit will be used to redeem Palaceaccis towards the award and such accrual will not count toward satisfying the minimum rewards point requirement
- 100% up to $600
- 100% up to $1,000
Some more details about the various bonuses offered by NJ online poker sites: All new customers can take advantage of no deposit bonuses just for joining and making an account. These don’t require any kind of deposit — just some basic information and a few clicks. Then, there are deposit bonuses. Most sites offer a 100% match on deposits up to $500 or $600. This means that for every dollar you put in, you get another $1 to play with - up to $500/$600 for first deposits. However, note that you have to unlock the bonus money slowly by playing real money games. For every $30 in rake collected or tournament fees paid, $10 is released and available for withdrawal. More info in our .
new poker sitesThe best part is that you can register for more than one. Each operator offers something unique so you can try multiple to keep track of the additional cash games and tournament options they provide. It’s also good to note that these bonuses aren’t limited to poker - some come coupled with online casino and / or sportsbook promotions too. However, you can only create one account per household across all licensed NJ poker sites. Any attempts to claim bonuses fraudulently will result in disqualification.
Legality of PokerSites in NJ - Why it’s Legal for You to Play
PokerRoom.com
It might seem surprising, but yes - state laws make it safe for you to play online poker in NJ. On the one hand, federal gambling laws like the Wire Act don’t allow for US citizens to set up an online poker room. Therefore, all legit online poker sites in New Jersey are licensed and legally operated offshore. On the other hand, state gambling laws make it illegal for local authorities to regulate or profit off such services. However, in 2013, Governor Chris Christie let a bill to legalize online poker in New Jersey pass without signature / veto. Thus, offshore providers could operate locally under strict regulations from within the state itself.
In summary, you can play legal online poker in New Jersey, thanks to the state government creating a regulatory framework. Furthermore, national laws don’t prohibit players from accessing licensed card rooms outside the United States either. To recap, the following aspects make PokerRoom.com’s services legal in New Jersey:
- No one from New Jersey can be profited from by providing online poker services.
- PokerRoom.com is based and licensed in Kahnawake, Canada which allows us to offer our games legally anywhere in the USA.
- We don’t accept players from states where online gambling is outlawed.
- You are of course free to access and play at our website.
The Legality of Playing from Other States
Playing from other states is generally possible as there are no nationwide laws against online poker that would prohibit you from playing at offshore poker sites. However, we recommend checking the Policies around Third Party Websites section in the sites' T&C. Some licenses for the US market restrict the geographic range in which the provider can actively advertise its services. If your state falls under this restriction, you should not sign up via one of our links or banners. However, you can still access and register as a customer directly on palapoker.com, betsi.com or wsplay.com. After all, nationwide law doesn't prohibit you from playing.
Comparison of the Best New Jersey Poker Rooms
Legal NJ online poker sites differ in crucial areas such as poker software, game variety, player pools and bonus offers. The following comparison table gives an overview of key factors for each active card room in the state. Detailed reviews with more information are linked in the right column.
Security and Fairness at NJ Online Poker Rooms
When choosing an online poker room, safety should always be a high priority. Luckily, New Jersey card rooms are among the safest in the world. First of all, you can rest assured that you won’t fall victim to scams or theft because our licensee Compass Lexicon Holdings is a reputable company with years of experience in the industry. Additionally, all financial transactions are handled by trusted partners such as , a global leader in online payments processing.
casinos near memphis tennesseeFurthermore, official gambling licenses ensure fairness of games and integrity of results. All card rooms use Random Number Generators (RNG) tested and certified by independent companies like iTech Labs to provide fair and random game outcomes. Regular audits guarantee compliance with these standards and protect players from manipulation or cheating. Finally, advanced encryption technology (SSL) prevents unauthorized parties from intercepting or reading sensitive data like passwords and credit card details. Overall, top NJ poker sites offer a very secure gaming environment and are considered very save to play at.
Online Poker Games in NJ
Available poker games vary significantly between NJ online poker rooms. At last, players have a real choice. While cash games and multi-table tournaments are available on all sites, variations and format options differ vastly. 888poker offers the biggest tournament schedules including the NJCOOP Championship Events with combined guarantees of up to $30,000. Also, Scoop, Milly and Majorera events add up to two weeks of action packed tourney series several times per year. Cash games feature all popular variants including Stud, Draw and Mixed Games.
Meanwhile, partypoker focuses on fast-fold (Zoom) cash games and 4-handed and 6-max tables. Though, with the relaunch in 2017, partypoker introduced new mixed games to their offerings. Pala Poker offers daily guaranteed tournaments and weekly series like Summer Jam. BetMGM Poker and Borgata Poker joined forces and launched in September 2020. They focus on multi-table tournaments and promise bigger prize pools than any previous NJ online schedule. Pala Poker mainly concentrates on low stakes cash games and tournaments although there are higher buy-in options available as well.
Best Casinos in Fort Lauderdale, FL - One is Surprisingly NearbyTexas Hold’em
*, the king of poker, is obviously the main focus of any card room. All New Jersey poker sites offer a wide range of Hold’em variants and formats. Cash games are available with blinds starting at £0.01/0.02p up to £5/£10 depending on the provider. Meanwhile, tournament buy-ins range from freerolls to the aforementioned $.33 888incredible event with a $33,000 guarantee.
Freerolls and step tournaments are great opportunities for new players to build bankrolls and maybe even work their way up to bigger events. Additionally, all varieties of Short Deck Hold’em (also known as 6+ Hold’em) have gained popularity during the past years and can regularly be found in the lobby.
Omaha
Pot Limit Omaha is almost as popular as Hold’em with cash games running regularly at all poker rooms. Pot limits start at £0.02/0.04p and maximum buy-ins for tournaments reach up to $533 in the MTT schedule. Also, you can find Hi/Lo and other variants of PLO occasionally. Limits for blinds and buy-ins are comparable to Hold’em.
Stud, Draw, Mixed Games and More
Other variants like Seven Card Stud, Razz, Rumble, Draw Games and Mixed Games are less common but still available in small amounts. 888poker and Pala Poker offer some of the best variety in this regard.
Casinos Near Fort Lauderdale You Can Visit TodayFast Fold Poker
Fast Folder poker is available at every single New Jersey online poker room. Pala Poker does currently not offer this option. Basically, this variant randomly moves you to a different table whenever you fold a hand. That way, you always sit at a fresh table with players who haven’t had a chance to figure out your playing style yet. Meaning, you get put in much more hands with the potential to see a showdown. Of course, you need proper to make a profit in the long run. But if done right, this form of poker can be very lucrative and entertaining.
Sit & Gos
work similar to tournaments in a way that participants buy in and compete until one player holds all the chips. The main difference is that Sit & Gos start as soon as the required number of players has registered instead of at a scheduled time like tournaments. Additionally, they are available with nine or six handed tables. Providers in New Jersey offer varying jackpot amounts for SnGs to fit different bankrolls.
Traffic and Player Volume
To evaluate the current poker boom in Newjersey, you have to look at population figures. With roughly 9 million people living in the state, the available player pool is larger than in Pennsylvania but smaller than in New York and Massachusetts. Nevertheless, traffic numbers have surpassed expectations and consistently shown steady growth since the beginning of regulation. 888poker leads the way regarding average traffic and peak concurrent players with over 600 users at a time.
Peak hours usually coincide with daytime hours on the West Coast of the United States and prime evening hours in Europe. Due to timezone differences, European operators often benefit from increased traffic between 9 pm and 2 am local time. During the summer months when many students have free time, traffic increases again. Overall, the future looks bright for the New Jersey online poker scene. Local universities already started and hundreds of new players enter the ecosystem every month. Additionally, live events like the NJCOOP and WSOP Online bring in large participant fields and potentially new regulars.
Best NJ Online Casinos of 2023 - Top New Jersey Casino SitesDevice Compatibility & Mobile Poker Apps
Mobile devices have revolutionized the online poker industry in recent years. Almost all providers developed downloadable apps for smartphones and tablets, including iOS and Android. All games and features available on desktop clients are usually accessible from mobile phones as well. Real-time graphics may suffer slightly due to technical limitations but gameplay remains mostly unchanged.
However, please note that players have to be physically located within state borders to access New Jersey online poker sites. Proof in form of IP addresses and location services of mobile phone towers make geolocation checks comparatively easy. Anyone trying to use a VPN to circumvent this requirement will be kicked out automatically. Additionally, all local poker apps feature:
- Multi Tabling
- Various Stakes and Formats
- Tournaments, SNGs, Cash Games, Sit & Go’s
- Bonus Offers, Vouchers & Freerolls
- High-Hand & Refer-a-Friend Bonuses
- Poker School & Helpful Tools
- Heads-Up Displays (HUD) permitted
- Live Chat Support
Payment Options, Deposits and Withdrawals
Funding your online poker account is simple as local card rooms cooperate with major payment providers. All of the following methods are widely available at all poker sites in New Jersey:
* Only available for deposits
*\ Only available for withdrawals
Please note that credit cards are only usable for deposits while withdrawals have to be processed using one of the other methods. Moreover, PayPal stopped supporting poker withdrawals in October 2017. Neteller and Skrill are still viable options for cashing out. Although, transfers to virtual wallets typically take longer than other methods. Cryptocurrencies are available at 888poker and BetMGM / Borgata Poker. Pala Poker does not charge any fees for deposits or withdrawals. Whereas, all other poker sites charge no transaction costs except for PayNearMe, where a fee of 2.95% (+ $0.30) applies per transaction.
Live Poker Events in New Jersey
World Series of Poker Circuit at Borgata Winter Open (Source: Worldpokertour.com)
Even though live poker events are currently limited due to the pandemic, there have been quite a few tournaments in Atlantic City in recent years. In fact, the WSOP Circuits used to stop at Borgata Winter Open in AC frequently.
Also, the WSOP held most of its online bracelet events on NJ poker sites in 2020. And, the aforementioned WSOP Online series broke all records with over 50k registrations and more than $10 million in prize money. Let’s hope the situation normalizes soon and big live poker tournaments return to New Jersey.
Regulation of NJ Online Poker Rooms
The history of online poker in New Jersey goes back to early 2013 when Governor Chris Christie ordered state authorities not to enforce parts of gambling laws that conflicted with federal legislation. A bill to formally legalize and regulate online gambling left by the Senate and the General Assembly in the meantime was then signed into law on February 26, 2013. ._
Fun Poker Games You Can Play Online Right NowThis led to the launch of RESORTS WORLD CASINO NEW YORK CITY’s online poker room in 2014 and ULTRA HIGH STAKS POKER NY in 2015. However, both went defunct shortly after and New York didn’t pursue online poker again. In the meanwhile, neighboring New Jersey took over the initiative and became the second state after Nevada to fully legalize and regulate online poker and casino games. All serious still operating in the US acquired a license to serve local players.
Licensing Process & Legal Requirements
Obviously, obtaining a license to offer legal online poker in New Jersey is not an easy task. The process involves multiple background checks and inspections concerning:
MGM Casino Failures – When Innovation Failed and Bankruptcy Followed- License Fee: Compass Lexicon Holdings LLC, the company owning all NJ poker sites, paid $400,000 for an interactive gaming license.
- Personnel Background Checks: The lengthy process includes background checks for all directors, officers and applicants that own 5% or more of a licensees company stock.
- Secure Networks: Server networks and communication paths must be secured adequately to prevent unauthorized access. Encryption is mandatory to protect players‘ personal data.
- Random Number Generators: All games of chance rely on proven RNGsoftware to ensure fair and random results.
- Protection of Minors: Licenses must include measures to prevent minors from gambling and funding by persons under 21 years of age.
- Prevention of Money Laundering: Poker sites need procedures in place to identify and report any suspicious transactions that could be related to money laundering.
- Integrity of Results: Mechanisms must be in place to detect and prevent manipulations of game outcomes and unfair advantages.
- Transparency: Clear policies and terms have to be published on websites. Any changes to games, rules and payouts must be communicated accordingly.
Overall, the efforts to establish a safe and reliable gambling environment pay off. New Jersey poker sites prove to be trustworthy and serious in their dealings with customers. As mentioned earlier, the pokerboom in NJ hasn’t been driven primarily by local players but rather people from neighboring states who trust in the stability and security of licensed card rooms.
Legal Gambling Age
To play legal online poker in NJ, several requirements must be met. Apart from being physically located within the state’s borders, you also need to be at least 21 years old. The gambling age might be lower in other states or other forms of gambling, but local poker sites will kick you out of their rooms if you can’t confirm being of legal age. Additionally, you have to be of sound mind which means poker providers reserve the right to close accounts of players who are impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Responsible Gambling
Local poker sites take the issue of responsible gambling seriously and provide various tools to limit deposits, wagering and play. You can set session time outs, cool off periods and complete self-exclusions from the cashier tab in your account settings. Additionally, there are hotlines and resources provided by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to seek help:
- Gambling Division of the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs: 1-800-GAMBLER
- ICON, A Ministry of the Salvation Army: 1-877-8HINK twice
- Gambler's Anonymous: 212-244-5592
Outlook & Future of Online Poker in New Jersey
To sum up, the outlook for the future of NJ online poker is positive. Despite some initial struggles, the market has grown steadily and shows no signs of decline. In fact, with live poker largely absent in 2020, online games became even more important than ever. The inclusion of the World Series of Poker online bracelet events was a huge success and benefitted from a large pool of local players.
Another encouraging sign is the increasing number of active poker providers. After the initial licensing period, RESORTS WORLD CASINO NEW YORK CITY and ULTRA HIGH STAKES POKER NY abandoned their efforts due to low volume. Since then, 888poker and partypoker US became the main competitors in the state and showed interest in growing the market by investing marketing budgets. Now, BetMGM Poker and Borgata Poker joined forces and brought renewed momentum to the poker scene in August 2020. Pala Poker is a nice addition for low stakes grinders and Fish. Additionally, WSOP Online picks up more steam every year during their championship series.
Currently, New Jersey poker sites are not linked with sites in other states where they are also active. This way, players can’t take their balances and move them across boundaries. For example, Pala Poker is owned by the Kerkorian’s family’s company and operated by the Choctaw Indians’ gambling enterprise in Mississippi. Meanwhile, Pala Interactive manages the Pala Casino Spa Resort and handles the online venture in the Nutley region. Partypoker is owned by GVC Holdings.
Overall, the future of online poker in New Jersey looks bright. The local poker community thrives, and the upcoming years should deliver more action than ever. If more states follow suit and connect player pools, the entire US poker market could grow to impressive sizes.
Editor & Author
- 🧡 accepts players from NJ
