Online Poker in NJ
With fair play laws and player safety being placed as the number one priority, the best online poker sites first opened their doors to customers in November 2013. Many of these legal poker sites in New Jersey have expanded since then and continue to thrive online. With several real money poker options available plus numerous bonuses, I have written this useful guide to the best online poker sites in New Jersey, to help you make the most informed choice.
New Jersey's 5 Best Online Poker Sites
We can all agree that real money poker is one of the most popular games to play at online casinos in New Jersey, or nationwide, via brands like WSOP, 888 Poker and PokerStars, who all specialize in poker online. For those in New Jersey who are seeking a legal and easy way to play at the best online poker sites, there are several viable options. New Jersey has become one of four states to officially legalize online poker. This is due to a bill that was passed by former Governor Chris Christie in February 2013.
New Jersey currently has the most poker online options available in the US. The Garden State has always been one of the most important states for the US online poker industry. Especially, since signing the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement in 2017, which allows player and funds to be shared between NJ, NV, and DE.
A Background on NJ Real Money Poker Sites
Currently, 888 and WSOP share their player pools under the Caesars Interactive Entertainment license. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa online gaming license hosts another player pool with tournament schedules via:
- Borgata Poker
- PartyPoker
- Pala Poker
- BetMGM Poker
The brands under the Borgata license gives this group the most options in terms of online poker competition. Additionally, players from Nevada (home of World Series of Poker aka WSOP) are slowly making their way into the New Jersey market through MGM online poker satellite tournaments. PokerStars NJ, which operates under the Resorts Casino license, brings its incredible international reputation to the table.
Welcome Bonuses For Online Poker in New Jersey
Playing poker online gives you the chance to grab promotions, that can vary from provider to provider. Most will have seasonal promotions, and all will offer a registration or sign up no deposit bonus. Seasonal promotions occur around holidays, brand anniversaries, and even just specific weeks within the month. They include bonuses for reloading your account, opportunities for extra reward VIP points, or low-cost qualifying events.
The sign up welcome bonus will always be the largest bonus to capitalize on, and they can only be used once upon successfully registering with the poker site. In addition to a primary sign up bonus, you can also gain extra bonus cash through other deposit bonus offers. Typically, the best online poker sites will include both the registration bonus as well as a first deposit bonus within a bundled welcome package. The first deposit bonus will match your initial deposit amount up to a certain amount.
Top 3 Real Money Poker Welcome Bonuses in New Jersey 😁
WSOP NJ
$20 Free No DepositWelcome Bonus
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Available in NJ, NV & DE
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Participate in WSOP Main Event
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PayPal Accepted
21+ | GambleAware
BetMGM NJ
Internationally AcclaimedWelcome Bonus
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$25 No Deposit Bonus
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Network Sunday $35,000 Tournament
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PayPal Accepted
21+ | GambleAware
Borgata Poker NJ
$20 Free No DepositWelcome Bonus
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Powered by GVC
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Shared with Party Poker and BetMGM
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PayPal Accepted
21+ | GambleAware
Play WSOP Free Online Poker – WSOP Codes, Bonuses & Promos
WSOP.com is considered a premier regulated online poker website in the US. They offer their services to both New Jersey and Nevada, with WSOP.com being operated by Caesars Interactive Entertainment. Caesars continues to expand the WSOP.com brand in states that allow online casino gambling. Besides the World Series of Poker having the best brand recognition amongst its competitors, it also offers hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes every week from its numerous amounts of bonuses & promos. They also have one of the largest cash game spread in New Jersey and various real money tournaments with respective WSOP codes being listed in the T&Cs. Simply head over to the WSOP Online Poker tab and down to Promotions, to see for yourself.
How to Find the Best NJ Poker Sites – Play Texas Hold’em Online
With plenty of online poker operators in New Jersey, sorting out which site is best for you should always be based on your poker preferences. For instance, I recommend players who are just getting started to stick to the platforms with the smallest blind cash game tables available, which tends to be best for beginners.
Another big help is when there is solid customer support for any questions or issues that may arise while beginning to learn and play. As for the veteran highroller poker players or for those with more experience and are ready to make the online switch, New Jersey poker sites with the most tournament options and higher buy in or blind ring games should be the center of focus.
To both sets of online poker players, high quality software that proves to keep the game quick and smooth is always important. In addition, welcome bonuses are available on all of the best online poker sites and provide your bankroll with extra cash for bets on varieties like Texas Hold’em Online. Aside from poker, yet fulfilling all of the above criteria, I recommend taking a look at the best online casinos in NJ too.
Is PokerStars NJ Safe?
PokerStars NJ is one of the most acclaimed poker brands worldwide. It is a trusted and reputable brand, internationally loved from poker players worldwide. The only online poker platform operating through the Resorts Casino iGaming license. However, the site has made a name for itself in New Jersey by having the largest selection of online poker game types. PokerStars NJ currently hosts the largest number of tournaments as well as the highest number of active players online in NJ.
NJ Online Poker Apps & Mobile Compatibility
Every online poker platform hosts a mobile version for New Jersey players to get in on the action while on the go. The highlight of mobile versions of NJ Online Poker is the Fast Poker option that varies by name from site to site. This form of quick online poker play allows you to randomly join a fresh hand as soon as you fold, which saves time between hands and games. The mobile versions for all the competitors seem to have around the same functionality as each other and are like desktop versions except for possibly less tournaments or ring game tables available. However, BetMGM has made additions for players to access the same number of tournament events found on the desktop versions.
Most Recommended Payment Methods at NJ's Best Online Poker Sites
Banking at any of the best online poker sites in NJ is quite simple, with each site hosting a multitude of banking options. I recommend the following payment methods:
- PayPal
- VISA & MasterCard
- Skrill & Neteller eWallets
- PayNearMe
All financial information on authorized Online Poker sites in NJ is always kept fully secure. Through the same 128-bit encryption level seen with the top banks around the world, players can always rest easy knowing their money and personal details are safe. The various methods that are available vary from site to site. However, all sites allow the use of credit cards, and most allow for eChecks, ACH deposit prepaid cards and PayPal. Some NJ online poker rooms also allow you to go to the casino cage to physically deposit money. PayPal casinos in NJ are becoming increasingly popular due to its trustworthy and reputable image. Time frames for all the deposit options are close to instant and only have delays if there are issues with verifying information.
The various methods that are available vary from site to site. However, all poker sites allow the use of credit cards, and most allow for eChecks, ACH, prepaid cards and PayPal. Some NJ online poker rooms also allow you to go to the casino cage to physically deposit money.
Enjoy a Full Range of Payment Options at 888 Poker
888 Poker NJ is the only poker platform that operates within New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. 888 Poker NJ partners with Caesars Atlantic City to share its player pool with WSOP.com. Combined, 888 Poker and WSOP have the second largest regulated poker pool and offer hundreds of cash games every day. You can try 888’s exclusive online poker game type, Poker Blast Sit & Go, which is a turbo version of a Texas Hold’em Sit N Go tournament. 888 Poker is one of the best when it comes to loyalty, with players earning as high as 35 percent in rake back through their rewards program. Payment methods include eWallets like PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, ACH, prepaid cards and more.
All 888 Casino and betting brands are an advocate for responsible gambling in New Jersey. They openly support and encourage to contact 1-800-GAMBLER as well as the National Council of Problem Gambling. Both of which are based in New Jersey.
NJ Poker Sites Licensed by Borgata Casino & Powered by GVC
1. Borgata Poker
When New Jersey legalized online poker, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was amongst the first to gain an operator’s license. The company partnered with Bwin.Party to offer New Jersey residents online poker. On top of this, Borgata combined their player pool with PartyPoker NJ, BetMGM and Pala Poker to give them one of the largest groupings of players in NJ. Due to having high traffic in the New Jersey Online Poker Industry, the Borgata Network hosts some of the largest tournaments and has one of the highest numbers of ring games playing at any given time.
2. PartyPoker NJ
PartyPoker NJ currently hosts over 100 online poker tables at any given time, with the main favorite being No Limit Texas Hold’em. Although PartyPoker NJ covers a spread of different ring games, the site also hosts the largest Tuesday tournament in New Jersey. The Mega Tuesday starts at 8pm and offers $15,000 guaranteed. You can join in and skip the bulk of the buy in by winning a $5 qualifier throughout the previous week.
3. BetMGM Poker
The online poker selection on the BetMGM Poker platform is great for being relatively new to the industry. Unlike the competition, BetMGM Poker hosts the entirety of its online poker selection on the mobile version of its platform. In addition, BetMGM Poker also nearly leads New Jersey in the amount matched for the first deposit bonus.
4. Pala Poker
The newest online poker site in New Jersey and is surging among new players. Pala Poker currently offers an incredible welcome bonus package to bring more NJ poker players to its new site. Texas Hold’em games are incredibly popular and hold the most available ring game tables on Pala. The site is going to grow over time in the number of overall players as well tournament events and is worth trying out.
Is There Good Online Poker Traffic in New Jersey?
With 888 Poker and WSOP now sharing their with players in Delaware and Nevada, traffic has boomed. The following NJ poker sites are ranked in order of most traffic:
- WSOP NJ/888 Poker has over 1000 real money players
- Pokerstars NJ has approximately 500 players
- BetMGM, Borgat, Pala Poker and PartyPoker all have 150 combined, but it's growing fast
Loyalty Programs for Online Poker VIP Highrollers in New Jersey
Loyalty programs at NJ's best online poker sites are mostly based on tiered levels where players earn points to move up levels. For example, BetMGM iRewards Loyalty Program is made up of five point tiers, with the final being invite only for VIP's. Prizes range from hotels and entertainment, accessories, electronics and other online store items.
At present rakeback ranges are as follows:
- PokerStars NJ: 9% – 28%
- WSOP NJ: 0% – 35%
- 888 Poker NJ: 5% – 35%
- Party Poker: 6.7% – 30.7%
- Borgata Poker: 1% – 15%
- BetMGM: 2% – 11.4%
Is Online Poker in New Jersey Legal? 👌
All regulated and authorized NJ online poker sites are 100% legal and fully secure. Online gambling was taken out of the state in 2006 through the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) due to lack of regulations and player safety. Since April 15, 2011, aka Black Friday (a long and complicated story on the prohibition of US online poker sites). However, in 2013, New Jersey created the rightly needed regulations and security protocols through the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement abbreviated as the NJDGE. The NJDGE remains the most stringent gaming regulation in the world, with its focus to let players have a fair and safe iGaming experience.
If you are a New Jersey resident, then it is critical that you avoid playing on any website that is not endorsed by the New Jersey government. If you do play on an overseas or underground site, then be aware that your money is at risk and you may be aiding these websites in breaking New Jersey laws and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
How to Find the Right New Jersey Online Poker Site?
There are so many top online poker sites that are vying for your attention. It may be difficult to choose one that will fit your poker desires best. Every New Jersey poker site focuses and excels on differing things, which is why this guide will help you find the website with the best poker games for your preferences. If you are just starting out in the world of online poker, the most important aspects you should look for is websites with excellent software and great bonuses, as well as sites that have solid customer support.
For those poker players that have more experience under their belt, New Jersey poker websites with the most traffic and the highest quality games should be looked at, as well as those with top-of-the-line software.
My Final Thoughts on the Best Online Poker Sites in NJ?
Online Poker is certainly one of the most popular and exhilarating iGaming options legally available in New Jersey. With several sites to choose from, and all bringing something different to the table, New Jersey players can match their online poker preferences with any of the current choices. The welcome bonuses are a great advantage toward trying out multiple sites if you simply cannot decide. Whether you enjoy big money VIP tournaments or fast paced ring games, your spoiled for choice in New Jersey, with all of the best online poker sites available at your fingertips.
Best Online Poker Sites in NJ FAQs
What are the best online poker sites in NJ?
We recommend playing at online poker sites in New Jersey that are legal and regulated by the NJDGE. The top poker sites in NJ are PokerStars, WSOP, 888 Poker, Borgata Poker, Pala Poker, BetMGM and PartyPoker.
When was online poker made legal in NJ?
New Jersey officially regulated and legalized online poker, due to a bill that passed, in February of 2013. The first sanctioned poker sites opened their doors to customers in November of 2013.
When to play poker in New Jersey (NJ)?
There is a spike in poker playing when certain websites are holding major tournaments or promotions. However, it is best to look at the rolling averages of poker rooms to find the ones that stay consistently busy. Some online poker websites are more active than others.
Who can play online poker in New Jersey?
As with a land-based casino, New Jersey residents must be at least 21 years old to play at an online poker site. You must confirm your age and geolocation within New Jersey. You do not need to be a New Jersey resident, but must be within the state’s borders to play.
Are New Jersey poker sites secure?
New Jersey regulators require that all poker sites show that they provide a secure environment and that players’ personal information will remain safe. If you are playing on a regulated New Jersey poker site, you can rest assured that your money and personal information is safe.
Is it safe to play foreign online poker sites?
NJ residents must avoid playing on any website that is not endorsed by the New Jersey government. If you do play on an overseas or underground site, then be aware that your money is at risk and you may be aiding these websites in breaking New Jersey laws.