Nj Casino License
In the beginning, the idea that only Atlantic City casinos would be granted iGaming licenses made it sound like the number of online gaming sites would be limited to just a handful. That’s all out the window now.
Please note that the above are only true with legal casinos in New Jersey. History of Online Gambling in New Jersey Gambling in casinos was legalized in 1976, with the first casino hotel, Resorts, opening 2 years later. Online gambling took off worldwide in the mid-1990's, but there was resistance toward legalizing it in the U.S. Companies seeking to do business with a New Jersey casino need either a license or vendor registration, depending on the relationship and type of services they plan to provide. The definition of “doing business” can be broad.
NJ is an established market offering more than a dozen online casinos, but there are still new casinos that pop up every now and then, like Unibet. These new NJ casinos give you the opportunity to try out new games, bonus offers, and rewards programs.
So, what are the newest casinos to hit the market in 2021? Read on to find out or bookmark this page and check in often.
New Online Casinos in New Jersey – Updated February 2021
Bet365 Casino
Part of the larger Bet365 NJ sportsbook launch, Bet365 online casino comes with all of the company’s experience in the European online gambling market. The site features some familiar slot and table game titles as well as a unique game menu with categories such as “Bonus Slots” and “Arcade.”
Unibet online casino
Nj Casino Key Employee License
Unibet Casino is owned by Kindred Group. Its launch in New Jersey marks the first US online gambling entry for the company. Unibet, partnered with Hard Rock Atlantic City, also has an online sportsbook.
BetAmerica online casino
The BetAmerica NJ online casino comes from Churchill Downs Inc. via a partnership with Golden Nugget Atlantic City. Powered by SBTech, the site features both a robust slate of casino games as well as a shared wallet with an online sportsbook.
DraftKings Casino
Featuring a shared wallet with DraftKings Sportsbook, DraftKings Casino is part of the Resorts Digital array of online gambling platforms in NJ. DraftKings includes live dealer games, video poker, as well as slot favorites such as Wheel Of Fortune.
Ocean Online Casino
Nj Casino Key License
Ocean online casino launched a couple of weeks after the former TEN/Revel casino reopened as Ocean Resort Casino, now called Ocean Casino Resort, in Atlantic City. Powered by GAN, the newest online casino in New Jersey features many familiar games but also exclusive slots and the biggest no deposit bonus in the industry.
Hard Rock online casino
Hard Rock Online Casino officially launched the same day as the new casino Hard Rock Atlantic City opened its doors on June 28, 2018. The platform is powered by Gaming Innovation Group (GiG). This is the company’s first foray into the NJ online casino market.
BetMGM online casino and poker site
The MGM brand made its long-awaited debut in the New Jersey market in August of 2017. MGM is the owner of the Borgata and launched under that license in New Jersey. A BetMGM online poker site, BetMGM sportsbook and BetMGM online casino all share a wallet. The software is the same platform that powers the Borgata online casino, and many of the same games that you’ll find at Borgata are available at BetMGM.
Scores online casino
In partnership with the Borgata and Pala Casino, Scores joined the New Jersey market when they launched in July of 2017. The site utilizes the Pala Casino software and offers the same welcome bonus. If you already have an account at Pala, you cannot make an account at Scores. Scores does not offer an online poker site. Read more about the Scores online casino promo code here.
PlaySugarHouse online casino
The PlaySugarHouse New Jersey Online Casino launched in September 2016 with more than 200 games and a number of unique features through a partnership with SugarHouse Philadelphia casino operators Rush Street Interactive and New Jersey online gambling licensee Golden Nugget.
PlaySugarHouse offers leaderboards, free bingo games for bonuses, and real-time player-to-player chat. The SugarHouse NJ online casino also offers a number of easy-to-clear bonuses and promotions. The addition of SugarHouse helped Golden Nugget become the gross revenue leader in New Jersey’s iGaming market.
PokerStars online casino and poker room
The world’s most popular online poker site relaunched as an online poker and casino site in the New Jersey market in March 2016. PokerStars NJ began by offering New Jersey players local versions of the brand’s most popular games, formats, and products. It also includes special New Jersey online promotions, bonuses, and local live events.
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The site launched under the Resorts Casino Hotel’s online gambling license. PokerStars originally applied for an online gaming license in 2013. But the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement did not approve the application until September 2015.
Golden Nugget online casino
The Golden Nugget online casino was scheduled to launch with the other online casinos in New Jersey in November 2013. However, technical issues during the beta testing period forced operators to wait. The Golden Nugget New Jersey online casino site eventually launched in December 2013. That delay did not prevent it from gaining ground, however, as the casino is one of the top brands in the Garden State with bonuses, promotions, leaderboards, and 700+ games.
Virgin NJ online casino and Tropicana Online
Tropicana launched TropicanaCasino.com in partnership with Gamesys alongside New Jersey’s other original seven online casinos in November 2013. Just a few months later, in January 2014, the two got together to launch sister site VirginCasino.com, bringing the worldwide entertainment, travel, and gaming brand to the burgeoning New Jersey online casino market.
Betfair online casino
The closure of the Trump Plaza hotel and casino in September 2014 forced Betfair online casino to find a new home for its New Jersey online casino and poker sites.
But the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement allowed Betfair to continue operating temporarily under Caesars online gaming license until it eventually found a permanent home at the Golden Nugget. Betfair quickly closed its online poker site after landing at Golden Nugget. It shares a wallet with the FanDuel Sportsbook in NJ.
888 NJ online casino
The 888 family of online gambling brands joined the NJ market via a partnership with Caesars Entertainment. It was one of the original sites to launch in 2013. The 888 Casino shares a wallet with both an 888 Sportsbook and an 888 online poker site.
Caesars online casino
Also part of a robust online sportsbook, Caesars online casino was one of the original sites to launch in 2013. Caesars online casino features an array of games, bonuses and promotions. Caesars Entertainment’s iGaming license also includes a Harrah’s online casino, but it is not affiliated with the Caesars app.
Mohegan Sun and Resorts online casinos
Resorts was the first casino to open in Atlantic City in 1978. It is now one of the top dogs in the online gambling market. A Mohegan Sun property, Resorts AC includes a Resorts online casino and sportsbook. Mohegan Sun online casino also operates under the Resorts license.
Ultimate Poker and Ultimate Casino walk away
When the Trump Taj Mahal filed for bankruptcy in September 2014, Ultimate Casino, and eventually Ultimate Poker, both closed up shop, claiming issues with payments from the online gaming license holder.
Background on the NJ online casino market
Online gaming in New Jersey officially launched on November 21, 2013. Six Atlantic City land-based casinos debuted seven online casinos and six online poker sites.
The seven New Jersey online casinos available at launch included:
- BorgataCasino.com (Borgata)
- CaesarsCasino.com (Caesars)
- HarrahsCasino.com (Caesars)
- us.888Casino.com (Caesars)
- TropicanaCasino.com (Tropicana)
- BetfairCasino.com (Trump Plaza)
- UltimateCasino.com (Trump Taj Mahal)
The original six New Jersey online poker sites included:
- BorgataPoker.com (Borgata)
- NJ.partypoker.com (Borgata)
- WSOP.com (Caesars)
- us.888Poker.com (Caesars)
- UltimatePoker.com (Trump Taj Mahal)
- BetfairPoker.com (Trump Plaza)
New Jersey’s iGaming future
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement’s continued willingness to grant approval for out-of-state operators to partner with existing New Jersey iGaming licensees to run online casino and poker sites makes one thing clear: The ceiling for New Jersey’s iGaming market is a lot higher than originally anticipated.
It’s difficult to predict:
- How many other brands want in
- How many more partnerships existing New Jersey iGaming licensees want to get involved with, or
- When the market will reach saturation.
However, it’s easy to see the New Jersey online casino market is still a growing one. The number of new sites is likely to increase alongside it.
Now that states have the right to decide whether to allow sports betting within their borders, the floodgates have opened: numerous states are passing bills so that this form of entertainment can start generating revenue within their borders. Because many consumers will want to engage in this kind of online gaming on their mobile devices, some forward-thinking jurisdictions have specifically included mobile sports betting in their new laws.
Experts agree that New Jersey’s legislation is an optimum model to follow for other states seeking to permit and regulate mobile sports betting. Any business seeking to do business with a New Jersey casino by providing services directly related to the operation of a casino’s gaming activity or services ancillary to gaming activity is required to apply for a license.
Here is a general guide to how to obtain a legal mobile sports betting license in New Jersey – with additional notes on how the process may differ in other jurisdictions.
New Jersey Online Sports Betting License: A Multi-Pronged Approach
New Jersey requires that operators interested in becoming licensed as an online sports book pursue two parallel tracks.
1. Enter a Commercial Agreement with a Land Based Casino
New Jersey regulations demand that in order to offer online sports betting, a company must have a commercial agreement with an existing land based casino. The policy is premised on the assumption that existing casinos already have been through the rigorous licensing requirements ensuring that their principals and enterprise have been thoroughly vetted and that their business processes are transparent and compliant. Although the license applicant must also go through similar review, a legal contract with an existing casino is seen as an extra layer of protection for the consumer.
All states allow entities which hold a license to offer slots to form partnerships with other entities or brands, known as skins. However, the rules governing partnerships aimed at other forms of betting like mobile sports betting are still being formulated. In New Jersey, the regulations specify that each brand may have up to three skins. (In Pennsylvania, only one skin per brand is permitted, thus dramatically limiting the options for newer, less well known brands to enter the market). Requiring an association with an existing organization gives the casinos and horse tracks strong leverage here: rumor has it that New Jersey casinos are looking for partners who will pay around $1 million up front in addition to guaranteeing up to $1 million per year in revenues.
New Jersey allows businesses which are applying for a sports betting license to proceed with their applications while simultaneously negotiating with land based casinos; the state regulatory body will even accept provisional applications without a closed deal on an agreement.
Because of the disproportionate power of casinos in negotiating deals with online sports books, license applicants are more likely to be successful when they engage a qualified attorney to help them navigate the contractual challenges of these commercial agreements. An experienced gaming attorney can also assist in due diligence, assessing the market conditions to determine whether the costs and time frame of an application will ultimately generate the desired level of profit.
For states like New York with tribal casinos, the ability to negotiate a viable agreement is further complicated by the extensive advantages given to operations on tribal lands: tribes may offer multiple skins, and they do not pay taxes on their revenue.
2. Get an Online Gaming License
To be considered for a sports betting license in New Jersey, you must first have a domestic entity. Even if your business is based outside of New Jersey, it must have a subsidiary, intermediary, or holding company inside the state. This entity must then be qualified through three separate phases of vetting.
Business Entry Disclosures
New Jersey requires that a business applying for an online gaming license conduct a lengthy process of disclosure detailing every aspect of their business enterprise. It must disclose all holdings, audits, debts and evidence of their company’s financial heath and legal status; it must further provide all such information as it pertains to any subsidiaries or holding companies relating to the business you are proposing to launch. This process is painstaking, especially for larger companies and conglomerates; one of our clients claimed it was unlike anything they had ever seen.
Personnel Listing Disclosures
New Jersey also requires that every officer and director of the company disclose all of their financial and other details including everywhere they have lived or worked, whether they have a criminal record, what Boards they serve on, and all assets and liabilities including child support. Additionally, these details must also be disclosed for their spouses, children and parents. Although this information is kept confidential by the Division of Gaming Enforcement, it can certainly seem like a lengthy and possibly invasive process. However, the government’s goal is to make sure that no operator of gaming activities has any vulnerability which could be exploited to the detriment of the consumer and the integrity of the game.
Game Testing
In addition to these exhaustive disclosures of personal and financial information, an online gaming license applicant must also provide the games it intends to offer. The state will then conduct testing on the games through a private lab. Again, this process is intended to protect the consumer by ensuring the integrity of the game.
Finally, in order to be considered for an initial online gaming license, businesses must pay a deposit of $100,000. If a business is approved for an online gaming license, that license will be good for five years.
A Thorough Process to Obtain a License Protects Consumers
This online gaming license application process is still new, and may seem onerous to businesses expecting a faster way to market. However, most stakeholders in New Jersey agree that the process there seems to be working.
By making fees high and procedures exhaustive, the state has prevented manipulation of the market and succeeded in protecting consumers from the pitfalls of less stringently regulated gaming. Advocates claim that online sports betting and online betting in general is actually safer for consumers and in general because of the electronic records of all transactions and the rigorous restrictions made regarding age and amount limits.
Research has demonstrated that in New Jersey – which features some of the strictest gaming regulation protocols in the world – online gaming has been a success from a revenue and a regulatory perspective. While New Jersey’s rigorous standards have created some business challenges at times, they have successfully addressed the valid concerns voiced by opponents and proven that legal intrastate gaming can be successfully operated and safely regulated.
With similar regulation of mobile sports betting in particular, New Jersey and other states may expect to experience comparable economic benefits while preserving basic protections for consumers and business operators.
For companies seeking to enter this market, our clients have found that the intensive regulatory environment and this extensive reporting requirement can present challenges to opening a sports betting operation in New Jersey. For businesses seeking licensure, experienced counsel can facilitate the process in three main areas: (1) establishing a partnership with the relevant land-based casino; (2) navigating the state gaming licensing process; and (3) negotiating revenue share agreement with the land-based partner.