Regulated online poker launched late in 2013 and ever since many of the world’s top online casinos have launched their online poker brands to NJ-based users. With NJ online poker now in full flow, this article looks to provide insight into the best NJ poker sites currently available and what kind of bonus offers you can look forward to when joining them.

Top NJ Poker Sites

Home » US Poker Laws » State Laws » New Jersey Poker Laws. Relevant state code: 2C:37-1 et seq.; 5:5-1 et seq. Home to Atlantic City, the Las Vegas of the East Coast, New Jersey has been a haven for gamblers since the state cut the ribbon on the first regulated casino inthe eastern US way back in 1978. Sweepstakes online poker sites in New Jersey While the real-money options are plentiful in New Jersey, players can also play poker on “sweepstakes” sites. The most popular of these is Global Poker, currently available in 49 US states. For New Jersey players, a sweepstakes site does make it possible to compete in a larger pool of players.

The following Poker Sites are considered the best to play online poker in New Jersey thanks to their registration offers, features, and overall feeling.

Online Poker Site
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Contents

All Licensed NJ Poker Sites

NJ Online Poker SitesBonus Details
PartyPokerMatch Bonus On First Deposit Up To $1000
Pokerstars$30 Free Play or 100% First Deposit Bonus Up To $600
888Poker$20 No Deposit Bonus + $1,500 First Deposit Bonus
Pala Poker$10 No Deposit Bonus + $500 First Deposit Bonus
WSOP100% First Deposit Bonus Up To $600
Borgata$20 Sign Up Bonus + 100% First Deposit Bonus Up To $600
BetMGM$25 In Bonuses + 100% First Deposit Bonus Up To $1000.
  • In New Jersey, you will find that the regulated online poker rooms in the state are licensed and regulated by the government of New Jersey, while offshore online poker sites available to players in New Jersey are licensed and regulated by numerous regulatory bodies to ensure safe, fair, and honest gambling occurs each time you log into your poker account.
  • Online Poker In New Jersey - Is it Legal - What Sites Are Available Mark Patrickson. 871 Views. Comments. on 23/3/20 If you’re after a quick gambling fix then any NJ online casino list will give you suggestions for a quick blast.

Is Online Poker Legal In NJ?

After a few failed attempts in the early 2010s, New Jersey lawmakers were able to finally convince then-Governor, Chris Christie, to sign an online gambling bill which included the legalization of online poker in February 2013.

Sites

The bill stipulated that the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement would be required to ensure that all NJ online poker sites were affiliated with land-based Atlantic City casinos.

At the time, New Jersey became the third state in the US to legalize online poker after Delaware and Nevada. Over the next few years the states signed agreements to share players and now in 2019 users from all three states can play together on certain NJ poker sites.

It is required that anyone playing online poker at NJ poker sites must be over the age of 21 and physically located within the state. To ensure users are playing within the state boundaries, location software and settings on both desktops and mobile devices will be required to be activated when playing.

All sites ask users to verify their identities for proof of age but do not require users to actually be residents of NJ.

Where Can I Play Online Poker in New Jersey for Real Money?

Users can play online poker NJ real money at some of the world’s leading online poker rooms. The following is a full list of NJ online poker sites and what kind of Welcome Bonus you can expect from each platform when you join:

Pala Poker NJ

Pala Poker is one of the newcomers to the NJ online poker market, launched in 2017 under Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City’s internet gaming license. The platform uses its own proprietary software and provides users with the chance to play online casino games and bingo as well. A mobile app is currently available for both iOS and Android which can be downloaded by visiting the Pala Poker NJ website.

Cash games, sit n go’s and tournaments are all available at Pala Poker NJ along with a special type of fast-fold poker called FastPala. Game types are mainly limited to Texas Hold Em, however, you can find some Omaha cash games. Stud is expected to be the next game type which will be available on the site.

The Pala Poker Welcome Package comes in two stages. First-time users can enjoy a signup bonus just for registering for a Pala Poker Account. The bonus gives new users a $10 bonus which can be used on poker and $15 which can be used at the casino. The second part of the Welcome Package gives users a first deposit match bonus up to $500. The bonus will be released in increments of $5.

*Terms and conditions may apply

Borgata Poker NJ

As you would expect, Borgata Poker is licensed through the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. The site launched in 2013 along with all the other first entrants with the help of online gaming leader bwin.party, now known as GVC. A mobile app is available for Borgata Poker on both Android and iOS.

The site offers cash games, sit n go’s and tournaments in a number of game type variants including No-Limit and Limit Hold’em, 7 Card Stud, Pot-Limit Omaha & Omaha Hi-Lo. A number of daily freerolls and weekly tournaments are available if you would like to give the site a shot for free.

At the moment the Welcome Package at Borgata Poker offers all new users the chance to get a $20 sign up bonus just for registering at the site and a 100% match bonus on a player’s first deposit worth up to $600. Users will be required to unlock the bonus cash for each bonus by playing real money poker.

$20 Free and up to $600 1st deposit match

Bet in

NJ

Open an account with Borgata Poker to benefit from the welcome bonus. You may register from any state in the U.S., but must be 21+ and located in NJ to wager. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-Gambler.

Poker

BetMGM Poker NJ

BetMGM (formerly PlayMGM) opened up just a couple years ago in 2017 under the MGM-owned Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa’s internet gambling license. The site has been able to do very well for itself within a short period of time, becoming one of the preferred NJ online poker sites. Users can access the BetMGM Poker site by either downloading the desktop software by visiting the BetMGM website or by downloading the app available on both iOS and Android.

Poker variants found at BetMGM include: Texas Hold Em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo and 7 Card Stud. All games can be played across cash games, sit n go’s and tournaments with a heavy amount of each being dedicated to Texas Hold Em and Pot Limit Omaha.

The BetMGM Welcome Offer is two-fold, providing users with a chance to get both a $25 sign up bonus and a 100% match bonus on a user’s first deposit worth up to $1000. The $25 sign up bonus is divided into $10 in online cash and $15 in tournament tickets. Cash for the first deposit bonus is released in increments of 10% on a player’s initial deposit based on the amount of real money points accrued.

BetMGM Poker

Play in

NJ

$25 FREE at Signup

Deposit Match up to $1000

iOS & Android Apps

Open an account with BetMGM to benefit from the welcome bonus. You may register from any state in the U.S., but must be 21+ and located in NJ to wager. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-Gambler.

PartyPoker NJ

PartyPoker NJ launched in 2013 as one of the first entries on the NJ online poker market. PartyPoker has long been one of the leaders in online poker and caters to millions of players from Europe and across the globe. In New Jersey, PartyPoker and Borgata Poker share online poker players as both sites are powered by the same platform.

This means users from Borgata and PartyPoker can play with each other even though they are on separate platforms. PartyPoker NJ is available both as a desktop client and as a mobile app which can be used within New Jersey.

In terms of online poker games, PartyPoker offers its users cash games at several limits for Texas Hold Em, Stud and Omaha. Users will also be able to take part in a range of sit n go’s and tournaments of varying buy-ins.

PartyPoker NJ currently offers new users a 100% match bonus on their first deposit worth up to $1000. The bonus money is paid in 10 equal parts as users play and collect points.

Party Poker Welcome Bonus

100% Deposit Match Up to $1,000

$25 on the House

Tuesday Tournaments

The free $25 will be paid as a combination of: $5 tournament dollars to be used on big money tournaments and Sit&Go, $10 to be used on poker cash games and fast-forward, $10 to be used on casino slots and jackpot slots. The $10 slots bonus is subject to a minimum play-through requirement of one time (x1) the bonus amount; you must therefore wager $10 before you can withdraw the bonus amount.The $10 poker bonus requires that a single raked hand be played (hand played on real money games) in order to withdraw the bonus amount. First Deposit Bonus: you must deposit at least $10 to qualify. 21+, NJ only.

PokerStars NJ

Pokerstars is the world’s leading online poker platform. The site launched in New Jersey in 2016 under the license of the Resorts Atlantic City Casino. Since then the site has been able to gain huge traction and now easily has some of the best online poker NJ has to offer. Pokerstars NJ can be accessed both via its award-winning software for desktops and through the Pokerstars NJ Mobile App, available on both Android and iOS devices.

One of the main differentiating factors of Pokerstars compared to other poker sites in NJ is the wide range of tournaments and sit n go’s which are available to users. Cash tables for Texas Hold Em’, Omaha and Stud can also be found on the site at many different stakes.

Currently, Pokerstars NJ is offering a Welcome Bonus to all new users who join the site where users can choose between $30 in free play with a deposit of $20 or more, or a 100% match bonus on a user’s first deposit worth up to $600.

*Terms and conditions may apply.

888poker NJ

888poker NJ launched in late 2013 under the Bally’s Casino internet gaming license. One of the heavyweights in both the online poker and sports betting industry, 888 has been able to secure more than its share of the NJ market and continues to grow each year. Users will, however, not be able to share liquidity with the international 888 market or the 888poker platform which is live in Delaware. A mobile app is available for 888poker NJ which is iOS and Android compatible.

888 is known for its mid-ranged cash tables which give users the chance to play from stakes as low as $0.01/$0.02 to as high as $10/$20 on both Omaha and Texas Hold Em. Sit n Go’s as well as multi-table tournaments are also available on the platform.

The 888 NJ Welcome Offer gives new users $20 in bonus funds just for signing up, no deposit necessary. The offer includes $10 in Free Play, 6 x Tournament Tickets and $4 in bonus cash. Users will also be able to take part in a First Deposit Bonus which gives users the chance to get up to $1500 matched in bonus cash.

WSOP.com NJ

One of the best NJ Poker sites, WSOP.com was launched by Caesars Interactive Entertainment with the help of 888, when online poker was made legal in 2013. WSOP.com is the most trafficked NJ online poker site at the moment and is the highest grossing of all online poker sites in the state. The platform shares players with the 888poker NJ but not the WSOP.com Nevada or WSOP.com international platforms. Users can access the WSOP.com NJ site via a mobile application which is available on both iOS and Android, sharing the same functionality as the downloadable desktop client.

One of the main reasons why WSOP.com has done so well in New Jersey is the high liquidity in cash games which allow users to easily find a table to play at. Users can choose from Texas Hold Em, Omaha and Omaha Hi/LO at WSOP, with tables running all night long in most cases between the stakes of $0.01/$0.02 and $1/$2. Sit n go’s and tournaments are also available at WSOP, which can lead to pretty big prize pools given the number of players.

At the moment the WSOP.com NJ Welcome Offer gives all new users the chance to get up to $600 in bonus cash on their first deposit. The bonus is released to players in $5 increments for every 50 APP points earned. A minimum deposit of $10 is required to activate this bonus.

*Terms and conditions may apply.

Best Online Poker NJ Real Money App – Pokerstars

All of the best NJ poker sites have an online app which makes playing on the go just as simple as playing on your desktop. As mentioned earlier, all the apps require users to turn location settings on in order to ensure they are within the New Jersey State boundaries.

In the battle of best online poker NJ app, Pokerstars seems to just edge out the competition. The world famous mobile app which is composed of award winning software gives users the chance to play seamlessly with little to no hitches. Notifications on the app allow users to get alerts whenever a new promotion is available and when tournaments they have registered in are about to begin.

Other notable online poker mobile apps in NJ include the 888poker App, PartyPoker App and WSOP.com Poker App.

Nj Online Poker Tournaments

Poker tournaments always attract a lot of attention and when you choose any of these operating sites for NJ online poker, you will also find many scheduled events. Poker tournaments can offer huge cash payouts and they can also offer you the chance to win seats at larger paying events. Get ready to enjoy the endless action of tournament play at some of the best NJ online poker sites operating today.

With all of the operating sites, you will find more than $300,000 to be won from weekly guaranteed poker tournaments in the state of New Jersey. With PartyPoker and Borgata combined, there is a great $50,000 guaranteed prize pool that can be enjoyed for a $200 buy-in. The great thing about this event is that once a month, the prize pool doubles to $100,000!

At 888Poker and WSOP.com, there are $200 buy-in events each Sunday and the amount of the prize pool will vary from $25,000 to $50,000 based on how many have entered to play. With so many tournament options, you will find you always have ways to compete with others and enjoy the very best of NJ online poker.

NJ Online Poker Sites FAQ

The following FAQ section attempts to answer any questions you may have about playing online poker in NJ:

Is online poker legal in New Jersey?

Yes, online poker is legal in the State of New Jersey following the 2013 bill passed by then-Governor, Chris Christie.

How many online poker providers are there in New Jersey?

There are currently 7 online poker sites live in New Jersey:
  • PartyPoker
  • Pokerstars
  • 888Poker
  • Pala Poker
  • WSOP.com
  • Borgata
  • BetMGM

Are there requirements for playing NJ online poker?

Users must be over the age of 21 and physically located within the state of New Jersey to enjoy online poker games.

How do I register on a NJ online poker site?

To register at an online poker site in New Jersey you may simply visit the website of the poker platform and either download the desktop software or mobile app. You will then be able to register for an account on the platform.

Can I play for play money in NJ?

Yes, many of the poker sites in New Jersey offer users the chance to play for play money cash games, sit n go’s and tournaments.


With the coronavirus causing public shutdowns around the world, poker tournaments are falling by the wayside day after day. For US-based poker players the answer has always been to travel to Las Vegas or Atlantic City, NJ, to get their live fix.

Unfortunately, Las Vegas has just begun its own shutdown for at least one month. With the card rooms of Atlantic City possibly looking at doing the same where can New Jersey residents play online in 2020.

If you’re after a quick gambling fix then any NJ online casino list will give you suggestions for a quick blast. For newbies anything you might want to know about which games offer the best odds you will find everything explained here.

Online Poker Rooms Overview

After the devastation of online poker in the US on Black Friday - April 15th 2011 - it took two and a half years before New Jersey was able to get the show back on.

On November 21st 2013, it finally happened. Over the next few years more licenses were handed out with even PokerStars gaining enough support after they illegally serviced US players post UIGEA 2006.

Today, there are four networks covering the Garden State, with seven sites to choose from.

WSOP NJ

A solid choice, with the site pooling traffic with the Nevada player pool. Once known for decent player numbers, they took a 25% hit when Pokerstars entered the market.

The tie-up with 888 has enabled them to keep liquidity at acceptable levels, but this does not apply to cash games of 100NL and above.

888Poker NJ

Just like WSOP.com they took a hit when PokerStars came in, and with only 150 players or so playing cash games, pickings are sparse.

Even the once thriving sit & go pool was hit by the arrival of Spin & Go games on Pokerstars NJ.

partypoker NJ

Legal

partypoker was in the market as soon as legislation allowed. Currently there is no other major site doing as much to make online poker what it once was.

Traffic figures are not great, that much is undeniable, but game integrity can always be relied upon.

The great software is really what stands out, though. Bad software is always an enjoyment killer no matter how soft the games are.

Pala Poker NJ

Pala are the new guys on the block. Still growing but customers have been very quiet about what to expect. The traffic is low but maybe you can find a reason to stick around if you give them a try.

Borgata poker review

Using the same software as partypoker NJ you won’t be disappointed. They also share liquidity with their sister site but unfortunately figures are low outside of peak times.

Maybe 80 players during the busiest times and dropping to around 65 the rest of the day.

playMGM poker review

Another sister site joined with partypoker and Borgata. playMGM operates under Borgata NJ’s license and currently has the lowest traffic in the market.

PokerStars NJ review

Nobody ever thought that PokerStars would make a return to the US market. After their major part in the Black Friday scandal everyone was sure that they would be blacklisted permanently.

After the way they have treated their customers in recent years it’s no surprise that they have lost all support from major names in the industry. One by one they have refused to renew their contracts with only support from Twitch streamers remaining, pretty much.

Time will tell if players will eventually have enough of the reduction of bonuses and perks that motivate them to play.