{"id":5842,"date":"2023-04-18T15:57:45","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T15:57:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/?page_id=5842"},"modified":"2024-02-15T15:45:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T15:45:48","slug":"laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/top-10-us-poker-sites\/new-jersey\/laws","title":{"rendered":"Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
New Jersey has always been synonymous with gambling<\/b>, even before it was legalized. The Garden State allows most gambling forms and has the least restrictive laws<\/b>. Therefore, its residents can enjoy commercial casino gambling, horse racing, sports betting, charitable gaming, the State Lottery, and online gambling<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Unlike traditional poker, which has been regulated for many years, online poker has only been around for a decade. Still, poker sites have flourished<\/b> in the state, and online gambling has expanded immensely, securing plenty of action for poker enthusiasts.<\/p>\n
In this article, we will discuss the New Jersey gambling laws<\/b> and explore all the poker options available to its residents.<\/p>\n New Jersey\u2019s gambling history began in the 1830s<\/b> with horse racing. However, gambling was unlawful at that time. In 1939, the state first legalized horse race betting. The other gambling forms soon followed suit, so charities were approved in 1953, and the NJ Lottery and commercial casinos in 1970.<\/p>\n Fast forward to the 21st century; the state regulated sports betting in 2013<\/b>. This was also the year when the Garden State passed Assembly Bill 2578 and legalized online gambling<\/b> (horse racing, poker, and casino games). Only two years earlier, Nevada had done the same in the wake of Black Friday.<\/p>\n Before we discuss the legality of online, live, and home poker games, it is important to familiarize yourself with the laws<\/b> governing this sector. We suggest you read the following:<\/p>\n As mentioned, NJ passed Assembly Bill 2578 in 2013, which made online poker legal within its borders. Under this law, operators were required to partner<\/b> with local brick-and-mortar casinos to be able to apply for licenses, and the players had to be physically located in the state.<\/p>\n After many operators applied for licenses, the first sites went live in November 2013.<\/b> Compared to Nevada and Delaware, NJ had a bigger population that attracted the likes of WSOP.com and partypoker right off the bat.<\/p>\n Currently, NY residents have seven online poker sites<\/b> at their disposal, all licensed through state casinos. For instance, 888 US and WSOP.com NJ<\/b> are licensed through Harrah\u2019s network, while partypoker, BetMGM Poker, Pala Poker, and Borgata Poker<\/b> operate through Borgata. PokerStars NJ <\/b>is licensed through the Resorts Casino Hotel network.<\/p>\n Since the Garden State joined the interstate compact in 2017, players on the NJ network could play poker against those playing on 888\/WSOP.com<\/b> in Delaware and Nevada since May 2018.<\/p>\n Although PokerStars enjoyed the largest market share when it was first launched, the WSOP.com\/888 US is currently the most popular network<\/b> traffic-wise. This is because it hosts special events, such as WSOP satellites<\/b>. The PokerStars NJ network is the second, while partypoker NJ is in third place.<\/p><\/div>\n Thanks to the New Jersey Casino Control Act<\/b>, live poker has been legal since 1977, and the first casino opened the following year. More casinos popped up over the next few decades, and currently, 10 are in operation<\/b>. New Jersey has always been known for its gambling halls, almost all located in the Atlantic City\u2019s Boardwalk area<\/b>.<\/p>\n Only five have dedicated poker room<\/b>s \u2014 the Borgata<\/b> poker room, the WSOP poker room<\/b> at Bally\u2019s Casino, the Harrah\u2019s Casino<\/b> poker room, the Tropicana Casino<\/b> poker room, and the Golden Nugget <\/b>poker room. Borgata is the largest, containing 52 tables, while Harrah\u2019s and Tropicana have 10 each.<\/p>\n Games typically found there include Texas Hold\u2019em, 3-Card Poker, 4-Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, High Card Flush,<\/b> and many others. Buy-ins range from $1, $5, and $10 to $1,500. In addition to cash games, some host daily tournaments<\/b>, while others, like Borgata, are venues for the WPT and WSOP competitions.<\/b><\/p><\/div>\n New Jersey law doesn\u2019t specifically address social poker games. However, based on how it is typically interpreted, as long as the house doesn\u2019t charge for the rake and is not seen as an operator or a casino, it is acceptable to play home poker games<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n New Jersey Penal Code, Section 2C:37 \u2013 2 states that you can participate in such games as a player<\/b> and earn money only by playing against each other. If you, in any way, promote the game or play it at a public establishment, you might face prosecution.<\/p><\/div>\n Besides poker, NJ permits other forms of gambling, such as horse racing, licensed casino gaming, charitable gambling, state lottery, and online gambling.<\/b> Let\u2019s discuss each of them individually.<\/p>\n A movement to legalize casino gambling in NJ started in 1974, but voters were against it. However, in 1976, a constitutional referendum finally authorized casino gambling<\/b><\/p>\n but restricted it to the Atlantic City area. Other territories were prohibited from having these types of resorts or hosting games.<\/p>\n The first licensed casino was Resorts International, which opened in 1978<\/b>. This venue is still in operation. Many gambling establishments were built over the next few decades, and there were 12 of them at one point in Atlantic City.<\/p>\n Land-based halls experienced great success in the 2000s, but the market peaked in 2006<\/b>, generating $5.2 billion<\/b>. The same year, the state legislature and then-governor, John Corzine, declared that land-based casinos couldn\u2019t legally operate without being overseen by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.<\/b><\/p>\n This resulted in the temporary closure of all Atlantic City casinos and state racetracks. As a result of the closures, the industry lost $1.3 million in casino revenue<\/b>, which has yet to return to its 2006 peak.<\/p>\n Atlantic City gaming revenues were also affected by the recession and expansion of gambling in neighboring states. Until 2016, five casinos closed their doors <\/b>permanently.<\/p>\n However, America\u2019s Playground is still a premier gambling destination, and currently, there are 10 land-based casinos open for business<\/b>. All of them are commercial since the state never had tribal casinos<\/b>. Bally\u2019s Atlantic City Casino is the largest, with over 5,000 slot machines and 230 gaming tables. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is the second, with 4,1000 slots and 230 table games. Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino and Harrah\u2019s Resort Hotel & Casino follow closely behind.<\/p>\n Casino visitors can choose from various games, including blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, poker, sic bo, slot machines, and arcade-style games<\/b>. Several even have sportsbooks<\/b>. Besides gambling, most casinos have huge resorts, some are open 24\/7 and offer accommodation, dining, and different kinds of entertainment.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that NJ casinos may extend credit to players<\/b>. This rule was adopted in 1988 to attract high-stakes players and help the venues compete with Nevada casinos. The casino industry is now the state\u2019s second-biggest revenue source, right after the State Lottery. Furthermore, Atlantic City casinos must pay 8% of every win<\/b> to the state and a 1.25% tax<\/b> for local city development.<\/p><\/div>\n The Garden State is one of the seven US states that have legalized online gambling. Efforts toward regulating this sector began in 2011 when politician Raymond Lesniak proposed a bill to legalize online gambling<\/b>. The state legislatures passed the bill but specified that all servers must be located at licensed Atlantic City casinos. However, Governor Chris Christie refused to sign it <\/b>because there was a chance commercial businesses would use this opportunity to become gambling hotbeds.<\/p>\n However, the new legislation drafted in 2013 <\/b>addressed Governor Christie\u2019s concerns. Upon approval by the New Jersey Legislature and signing by the Governor that same year, internet gambling (horse racing, poker, and casino games) in the state became officially legal. Therefore, NJ became the third state that legalized online gambling <\/b>after Delaware and Nevada.<\/p>\n According to the law, the websites\u2019 operations are restricted only to Atlantic City<\/b>, and the state takes 15% of every online win<\/b>, plus 2.5% that goes toward the city\u2019s redevelopment fund. Furthermore, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement regulates online casinos and poker sites<\/b>, and only people 21 or older can register.<\/p>\n Things were slow initially but have drastically improved since June 2017, when the online casino tax revenues surpassed $100 million<\/b>. At the same time, 12 online casino brands started offering hundreds of games, attracting a significant player pool. As a bonus, the state signed the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA)<\/b> with Delaware and Nevada, also in 2017. Thus, NJ players could compete with those from the other two states. According to the 2021 data, the legal online casinos\u2019 cumulative revenues reached $1 billion<\/b>.<\/p><\/div>\n New Jersey has a long lottery history<\/b>. Lotteries were first used to help pay for the military during the American Revolution and the French and Indian war until they were banned in 1844<\/b>. It took more than 100 years to be re-established. In 1970, the voters approved it<\/b>, and the State Lottery was created. The first legal lottery game was Pick-It <\/b>(later Pick-3), which allowed players to pick their own numbers<\/b> instead of buying quick picks.<\/p>\n The NJ Lottery today is the state\u2019s largest source of gambling revenue. It generates $3.3 billion<\/b> in revenue annually, and nearly $1 billion goes to the state\u2019s education fund<\/b>. Since 2017, the lottery has also contributed a lot toward the public employee pension system.<\/p>\n Players can purchase tickets at hundreds of retailers<\/b>, provided they are 18 or older. The New Jersey Lottery Commission<\/b> oversees all the games, and you can play Pick-3, Pick-4, 5 Card Cash, and Pick-6 Xtra<\/b>. Multistate games like Powerball and Mega Millions<\/b> are also available, as well as scratchcards, lotto, and keno<\/b>.<\/p><\/div>\n The Garden State allows churches, fraternal and non-profit organizations<\/b> to conduct games of chance for fundraising purposes. This includes bingo, raffles, armchair races, and casino nights<\/b>. New Jersey Legalized Games and Chance Control Commission<\/b> oversees all amusement games and charity gambling in the state. The minimum gambling age for charity gambling is 18.<\/p><\/div>\n The roots of the horse racing industry can be traced back to the 1830s<\/b>; however, it didn\u2019t become a part of the legal framework until 1930<\/b>. The first racetrack that opened in NJ was Freehold Raceway (1854)<\/b>, which still operates today. In 2013, the state passed a law permitting one race per year<\/b>.<\/p>\n NJ today has three racetracks<\/b>, the one we mentioned, Meadowlands Racetrack (1976)<\/b> and Monmouth Park Racetrack (1870)<\/b>. Meadowlands is also the most famous harness track<\/b> in the US. There are also five off-track betting halls<\/b> throughout the state.<\/p><\/div>\n Governor Chris Christie signed legislation that allowed sports betting in 2012<\/b>. This law permitted the state\u2019s 12 land-based casinos and four racetracks to offer gambling on college and professional sports.<\/b> However, the athletic leagues, such as the NBA, NHL, NCAA, MBL, and NFL<\/b>, filed federal lawsuits to prevent the state from offering sports betting based on the PASPA law<\/b>. The court sided with the leagues in 2013.<\/p>\n New Jersey finally became part of the sports betting landscape in 2018<\/b> when Governor Phil Murphy signed AB4111<\/b>. The law legalized sports betting at racetracks and casinos in the state. The first online sports bet was taken the same year, and as of 2022, NJ is home to 27 legal online sportsbooks<\/b>.<\/p><\/div>\n Poker has been around for hundreds of years, but it was played in a conventional setting<\/b> for most of that time. When online poker came into play, it slowly started gaining popularity. Nowadays, most people play it and take advantage of its benefits. Here are some:<\/p>\n The legislative landscape hasn\u2019t changed much over the last several years, with the latest change being the passage of AB4111<\/b>, which legalized sports betting<\/b>. As for NJ poker players, they got more opportunities to play their favorite casino game thanks to entering the interstate compact in 2018<\/b>.<\/p>\n From January 1, 2023, PokerStars <\/b>became the first site to combine NJ and Michigan player pools.<\/b> The operator announced this would bring more games, players, prizes, and tournaments<\/b> to poker enthusiasts. Furthermore, they could enjoy the easy-to-navigate lobby with fast withdrawals and same-day payouts.<\/p>\n When the Garden State regulated online gambling in 2013, the law authorized it for only 10 years<\/b>. Over the last decade, this industry generated $4.9 billion in revenue, and an extension of the law seems logical. <\/p>\n The State Assembly and NJ Senate held committee hearings in September 2022<\/b>, discussing another 10-year extension of the existing online gambling law.<\/p>\n The new law may undergo several amendments<\/b> before the state lawmakers approve it. Once this happens, it will be sent to Governor Phil Murphy to sign. Various industry experts debate that the law should be passed before the end of November 2023 so that online casinos and poker rooms can continue offering their services without interruptions in NJ through 2033.<\/p>\n In contrast to many US states that outlaw online poker and casino gambling, New Jersey chose to control it and has reaped the benefits ever since. The state has a liberal attitude toward gambling and is home to one of the most prominent poker destinations in the world \u2014 Atlantic City. The online poker industry is still in its infancy, but many big names are expected to join its ranks in the near future.<\/p>\n Yes. NJ legalized online gambling in 2013 and became the third state to do so, after Nevada and Delaware.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n The Garden State allows commercial casinos, online gambling, horse racing, off-track betting, charitable gaming, social games, the State Lottery, and sports betting.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n NJ residents can play poker through regulated sites like WSOP.com, partypoker, 888poker, and others. On the other hand, some players prefer to visit international poker rooms because of their lucrative bonuses and more extensive gaming libraries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n The minimum gambling age at interstate poker and casino platforms is 21.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Jersey has always been synonymous with gambling, even before it was legalized. The Garden State allows most gambling forms and has the least restrictive laws. Therefore, its residents can enjoy commercial casino gambling, horse racing, sports betting, charitable gaming, the State Lottery, and online gambling. Unlike traditional poker, which has been regulated for many…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":288,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/i> Is Online Gambling Legal in New Jersey?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Poker Laws<\/h3>\n
\n
Online Poker<\/h3>
Land-Based Poker<\/h3>
Home Poker<\/h3>
<\/i> What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in New Jersey?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Land-Based Gambling<\/h3>
Online Gambling<\/h3>
Lottery<\/h3>
Charitable Gaming<\/h3>
Horse Racing and Off-Track Betting<\/h3>
Sports Betting<\/h3>
Why Should We Play Online Poker?<\/h3>
\n
<\/i> Recent New Jersey Poker Laws Changes<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/i> Future of Poker in New Jersey<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/i> Other Resources<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
<\/i> Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/i> FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n
Is online poker legal in New Jersey?<\/h3><\/div>
What gambling forms are legal in New Jersey?<\/h3><\/div>
Where can I play online poker in NJ?<\/h3><\/div>
What is the legal gambling age for online poker in NJ?<\/h3><\/div>