In November 2013, New Jersey became the first and the only state, where online gambling was legalized, which became an important event for the entire gambling industry of the country. From that time on, residents and guests of the state have been able not only to play in brick and mortar establishments of Atlantic City, stake on races and participate in the lottery, but also legally visit virtual casinos.
Taking into consideration that it is also allowed to play online poker, we can safely say that this state is one of the most attractive places for American fans of each type of gambling. Let's recall the major milestones in the development of the industry in New Jersey and take a closer look at current situation.
History of Gambling in New Jersey
It happened so that the government of New Jersey has been loyal enough to the organizers of gambling for a long period of time. Lotteries were held on the territory of the state in the eighteenth century. The first mention of horse racing betting was registered in the first half of the eighteenth century, when the legendary racetrack called Freehold Raceway was opened. It is the oldest establishment of its kind in the United States. Later, other establishments started their activities offering state residents to gamble in one or the other form.
In 1894, the authorities of New Jersey banned gambling and it remained illegal until the end of the thirties of the twentieth century. However the sly businessmen found ways to open gambling establishments of various types. Bookmakers and slot halls flourished in most towns of the state. Non-governmental organizations arranged lotteries, collecting money for charity (who knows how many times this reason was just a cover). Even priests did not hesitate to open bingo halls whose visitors played for money.
But gradually, year after year the State Legislature legalized other kinds of gambling undoubtedly under pressure from gambling operators. So, bingo halls, racetracks, slot machines, casinos and lotteries appeared again in New Jersey.
It has been allowed for the offline gambling houses in New Jersey to operate only in Atlantic City since 1974. After a few years, the famous Resorts Atlantic City was opened in the city. The governor Brendan Byrne cut the ribbon at the ceremony. It was the first legal casino in the United States that started its activities outside Nevada.
Its opening was the beginning of a new era of gambling in New Jersey. Gradually new casinos started their activities, attracting ordinary people, as well as pop stars, movie and sport celebrities, millionaires and politicians. Already in the eighties Atlantic City was comparable to Las Vegas and forced the leading operators of the capital of gambling business to renovate old establishments and open new ones.
All casinos on the territory of New Jersey have been controlled by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission since 1977. It issues licenses, considers controversial issues and monitors the fairness of the gambling operators.
The important event for Atlantic City was the opening of the luxury Borgata Hotel Casino in 2003. A huge area of the gambling hall with numerous tables and slot machines, great shows, splendid restaurants and many other kinds of entertainment provide this casino with a huge number of visitors.
Nine casinos were operating at the beginning of 2015 in Atlantic City: Resorts, Bally's, Tropicana, Borgata, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Taj Mahal, Wild Wild West and Harrah's. All of them belong to the renowned corporations, which have been present in the gambling industry for a long time.
Online Gambling in New Jersey
In 2011, the governor Raymond Lesniak initiated the legalization of online gambling for locals who are over twenty-one years old. The bill had a lot of mighty enemies, but after about two years, it was approved.
Several online casinos that are available only for users who reside or are physically located on the territory of the state have been operating in New Jersey since 2013. It is impossible to register on one of the gambling sites from the computer, which is located in another country or other U.S. states. Even if you have an account on such website, you will hardly be able to play staying outside the state.
According to the legislation, servers of such sites should be located in Atlantic City, because it is the only city in New Jersey in which casinos may operate. The portal should be associated with one of the brick and mortar establishments, licensed by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
The List of Online Casinos from Atlantic City
According to NJ.gov, which is the official website of the state government, the following operators provide legal services in the field of Internet gambling nowadays. Some of them are owners of several web portals.
- www.resortscasino.com
- www.borgatacasino.com
- www.palacasino.com
- www.nj.partypoker.com
- www.borgatapoker.com
www.tropicanacasino.com
www.virgincasino.com
- www.goldennuggetcasino.com
- www.betfaircasino.com
- nj-casino.goldennuggetcasino.com
Caesars Interactive Entertainment New Jersey is a subsidiary enterprise of Boardwalk Regency
- www.caesarscasino.com
Caesars Interactive Entertainment New Jersey is a subsidiary enterprise of Bally's
- www.harrahscasino.com
- us.888casino.com
- www.wsop.com
- us.888.com
- us.888poker.com
Keep in mind that the other sites, which offer online games in New Jersey, are operating without licenses of the Casino Control Commission. Registering with these portals, you do this at your own risk. Moreover, you are breaking the law. And in case of any problems, you have to solve them yourself.
How to Choose an Online Casino in New Jersey?
The choice of an online casino in Atlantic City should begin with checking the legality of its activities. The most reliable way to do this is to visit the sites NJ.gov and NJCCC.gov. They are official websites of the state government and provide the current and accurate information.
All legal gambling sites in New Jersey are directly associated with reliable and reputable offline establishments. Users can completely trust them. Therefore, you may select from them according to your personal preferences.
You should check out the range of offered games, clarify ranges of bets, familiarize yourself with the bonus promotions and check the tournaments and drawings. Do not forget about the terms and conditions of the loyalty program. If you are interested in different types of gambling, you should prefer the major portals that also offer the opportunity to play poker.
Reviews of online casinos from Atlantic City that are published on our website will help you to make the right choice.