NJ Poker sites

100% Deposit Match up to
$1,000
Plus $25 on the House
4.8 rating
4.8
100% Deposit Match up to
$500
Plus $25 on the House
4.3 rating
4.3
100% Deposit Match up to
$600
Plus $20 on the House
4.5 rating
4.5

New Jersey Best Online Poker Sites

If you believe you have got what it takes to beat the whales, the sharks, and the small fish of the online poker universe, then you’ve come to the right place. The best NJ online poker sites are sure to greet you with loads of goodies, including tantalizing tournaments, freerolls, and lucrative bonuses.Being one of the only 4 states to have legalized online poker in the US (Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Nevada are the others), New Jersey is at the forefront of it all. Those located inside the physical borders of New Jersey can battle it out for the juicy pot either by computer or with other players at NJ poker sites. They are duly registered, 100% regulated, and fully licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) to offer real money online poker.The premier poker sites in NJ cater to players of all styles and experience, as long as they are eligible to play in the jurisdiction. When you’re ready to take your seat at the table, a wide range of safe payment methods are at your disposal, so you can deposit and cash out your winnings in no time without any hassle.The NJ online poker sites featured on this page boast a vast and varied selection of poker games, from classics like Texas Hold ‘em to high variance options like Caribbean Stud Poker and evergreen games like 5-Card Draw. With a choice between live dealer and virtual poker rooms, you are in for a special treat!Although the market is still in its infancy, we have compiled the top-rated NJ online poker sites based on bonuses/freerolls, trustworthiness, poker game selection, range of tournaments, poker apps, and payout speed. We’ll also cover some basics of online poker, including what it is, types available in New Jersey, how online versions differ from poker at a land-based casino, and much more.

Best Poker Sites in New Jersey

With a player pool of roughly 8 million-strong, the NJ online poker market is fairly small compared to overseas markets. That, however, doesn’t mean their offerings are limited – quite the contrary! Here are the best poker sites in New Jersey. One point to note is that two of the sites were part of the initial wave in 2013 that pioneered regulated online gambling in New Jersey.

(1) PartyPoker

First impressions are everything in the world of online poker, and you will be utterly impressed with PartyPoker from the moment you land on the platform. You’ll instantly see bonuses and freerolls waiting for you when you register and make your first deposit. The site will match your initial deposit up to a whopping $1,000, so you can start your NJ online poker play with a blast.Plus, PartyPoker offers free downloadable software that is jam-packed with diverse poker cash games and exciting tournaments running back-to-back, around the clock. These include daily tournaments, daily $10K, Sit-and-Go tournaments, and special mega tournaments -- there’s always something exciting and rewarding happening at the site.PartyPoker (also stylized as Party Poker) was among the first gambling platforms to offer online poker back in the early 1990s. In the intervening time, they have definitely learned a thing or two when it comes to pleasing online poker players. After a rough spot, they made a major comeback in 2013, offering legal online poker in NJ in conjunction with a land-based partner, Borgata Atlantic City.PartyPoker’s tournaments and poker cash games are powered by both Borgata’s software and its own proprietary software. This two-tier software system means players have access to larger prize pools, a wider player base, and more poker game options. If you have played poker at a physical gaming hall, then you’ll find the retro design and aesthetics to be instantly recognizable. However, there’s nothing to write home about the graphics, animations, and usability of the software.The upside is that a PartyPoker account gives you access to PartyCasino and its vibrant casino lobby teeming with fantastic slots, video poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, and live dealer games.

(2) Borgata Poker

Borgata Atlantic City is best-known for its eclectic card-room boasting 5 major poker tournament series and over 85 bustling cash-game tables operating year-round. Borgata Poker was established to bring these exciting poker offerings online. The moment you arrive at the site, you’ll feel welcome with a relatively lucrative 100% match bonus of up to $600 on your first deposit plus $20 on the house.Borgata collaborated with iGaming giant Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, which supplied a robust GVC gaming software that powers both its online casino and poker platform. The lineup of poker games housed by the Bwin.Party software is pretty impressive, including a dazzling array of cash games, sit-and-go tournaments, daily tournaments with guaranteed prizes, and much more.We appreciate Borgata Poker’s decision to open its player pools to other NJ online poker sister sites, notably PartyPoker and BetMGM Poker. This allows the site to fill its platform to the brim with loads of cash poker games and super-charge their tournament prizes. If you're a seasoned player who loves to play multiple tables, you will feel right at home here. The site allows you to set up Hot Hand Alerts and tailor your wagering amounts, making it easy for you to make rapid-fire poker betting decisions.If you’re a newbie, don’t worry; Borgata has got you covered with shark-proof waiting lists. This is a unique type of waiting list that secures you the first seat available at any table at any stake of your choosing. It might seem restrictive at first, but this step is meant to dissuade whales and sharks from stalking rookie or weak poker players. Also worth mentioning, at 5.56%, the site has one of the highest rake rates per pot in the NJ online poker market.

(3) BetMGM Poker

BetMGM Poker is a sister NJ online poker site to PartyPoker and Borgata Poker. They all run on the same poker software but offer different freerolls, bonuses, and VIP reward programs. In that respect, BetMGM Poker has the best welcome offer of the three poker sites, rewarding new customers with a generous 100% first deposit bonus up to $1,000 with an on-the-house topping of $25. As you can see, this site gives you more bang for your buck than other NJ online poker options.As part of the PartyPoker network, BetMGM Poker has gained a reputation for offering superb daily, weekly, and special tournaments, plus endless cash poker action. It’s generally a great site for poker players who want fantastic multi-table tournaments (MMTs), sit-and-gos (SnGs), and low-stakes play.  If you’re after high-stakes cash poker games, you might be better off looking elsewhere.Talking about cash poker games, plenty of options await you at BetMGM Poker virtual cardroom. They run several poker rooms 24/7, 365 days a year, offering multiple variants of Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud, 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo, Omaha Poker, and Texas Hold'em. The vast majority of cash poker games running at any specific time are usually No-Limit Texas Hold’em.With deposit options that include Visa, Instant eChecks, MasterCard, Play+, Skrill, Cash at the Cage of the Borgata Atlantic City, PayNearMe by 7/11, Amex, and online bank transfer, you won’t be hard-pressed to find a convenient method. Similarly, there are several hassle-free ways you can withdraw your winnings, including via Skrill, ACH, Play+, and Cash at the Borgata Atlantic City Cage.

Poker Apps New Jersey

All three NJ online poker sites — BetMGM Poker, PartyPoker, and Borgata Poker — are powered by the same gaming software developed by GVC Holdings. The gaming platform is integrated with their respective online casinos and across the poker network of the three sites. That means poker enthusiasts at any of the sites can tap into a large player pool, more lucrative prizes, and a wider range of daily and weekly tournaments.GVC software is a vibrant hunting ground for poker players looking for low-stakes play and multi-table tournaments. The Sit-and-Go tournament selection on the platform isn’t too shabby, either. If you want a challenge or high-stakes cash poker games, this may not be an ideal play for you, though.GVC is responsible for the software skin, which has a retro style and appeal that makes it instantly familiar to regular brick-and-mortar poker players. Each of the three sites has tweaked branding and specific bonuses to personalize their poker playing experience.The poker apps software is available in three primary formats:
  • Downloadable desktop client, which provides players with all GVC cash games, tournaments, SnGs, and other features.
  • Mobile app: The three sites offer a downloadable mobile app design for both Android and iOS devices, including iPads and tablets. Not all desktop games, tournaments, and features make it into the mobile app.
  • Browser-based client: Previously powered by Flash and Java, the browser-based platform is now 100% HTML5-compatible. It works best on IE, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox browsers.
The GVC software rates poorly on some aspects, including design aesthetics, animation, and graphics, especially when compared to what powers other leading NJ online poker sites like 888Poker and PokerStars. Some players report that it can be prone to a little bit of lagging, crashing, and chopping.

Key Differences between Playing Poker Online Versus At a Live Casino

Whether you’re playing online or at a land-based gaming hall, poker’s overarching principle is the same: beat your opponents to the pot. Along the way, you must know when to fold, hit, or call your opponent’s bluff. More importantly, it helps to have a rock-solid poker face, so you can out-play and out-bluff them all, and scoop the ultimate prize!Here are some reasons why playing at an online poker site is far better than visiting a brick-and-mortar casino.

- Say adieu to long commutes to a land-based casino

Even if you live in a state like New Jersey with a plethora of poker gambling halls, making that long trip to an actual casino can be a huge hassle for most people. The last thing you want is to get stuck in traffic for hours on end, only to find all poker tables at your favorite card-room are taken and there’s a tensome ahead of you on the waiting list. Trust me; there’s nothing quite as frustrating as having to go home without trying your luck at the poker tables.With online poker, that’s a thing of the past. No travel is needed; you just need a decent laptop, computer, tablet, or mobile device with a reliable internet connection. Perhaps the only commute you’ll have to make it to the kitchen for snacks and restroom on your much-needed breaks.

- Multi-tabling play at its best

If lady luck favors you or you play really well, it's possible to walk away with a life-changing fortune at NJ online poker sites. But the real beauty of playing online poker lies in multi-tabling. As the name suggests, this means that you can play multiple tables at the same time.Not only that but the best NJ online poker sites also allow you to play multiple hands at the same time. By allowing you to play more poker tournaments and cash poker games simultaneously, multi-tabling not only improves the variance/volatility of the said games but also improves your odds of winning over the long haul.For instance, if you are playing cash games, having your entire bankroll at play in one table can be very risky. Should you bust, you will lose everything at once. Instead of putting all of your eggs in one proverbial basket, multi-tabling allows you to spread your risk across several cash-game tables and tournaments.

- Get comfy

As you may already know, many live poker card-rooms have strict dress codes, which can cramp your style. Online poker has no dress code; heck, you can play in your undies or pajamas if that's what you fancy.Another point is that live poker rooms force players to sit as if they are in a formal office. Sometimes the lighting can be too intense, leaving you drenched in your own sweat while your hard-earned dollars are on the line.With online poker, you can get as comfortable as you want. Some players have won many tournaments from the comfort of their own beds. Others scooped millions while sipping a cup of coffee at a local Starbucks.

- Play poker anytime you want

Part of the charm of online poker is that games and tournaments often run 24/7, 365 days a year. This way, you can choose to play your favorite games any time you like, whether that’s 3 pm in the afternoon or 3 am in the morning. Besides, online poker makes it possible to play with players in NJ and around the globe.Let’s not forget that you won’t have to make a long 4-hour drive after that long session ending at 5 am. Just find your way to your bedroom and dream about what you’ll do with your winnings.

- Enjoy a wider variety of poker games and tournaments

Perhaps Omaha Hi/Lo isn’t your cup of tea, and you prefer to get your feet wet on other poker games, instead. That’s going to be a bit tricky unless you are in Atlantic City or Las Vegas.You can count on top-rated NJ online poker sites to deliver a massive variety of different games. If you’d rather know your fate sooner, you can try Sit-and-Go tournaments. Those who fancy high-stakes games are also covered. Thanks to multi-tabling, you can fire up several eight-cash-game tables, so you can get in on the action at once.

- No need for a poker face!

Let’s face it; only a few ordinary folks can put on a serious poker face quite like the ranks of Patrik Antonius, Daniel Negreanu, or Phil Ivey. If you get too nervous and edgy when people stare at you during a hand, you are not alone. Perhaps you get winded when under pressure, or your palms sweat like crazy when you have a great hand.Who says a killer poker face is synonymous with winning? When you play online poker, you don’t have to worry about this, as no one can actually see you. So, when the dealer hands you a sure thing on the river or you hit a straight flush, it’s okay to jump or dance with joy when you are playing online poker.

Types of Online Poker Bonuses for New Jersey Residents

What’s a Poker Bonus?Many online poker sites in New Jersey usher new players with a vast array of bonuses and promotions, some of which allow you to kick off your play without having to make a deposit. A poker bonus is a free offer that a gambling site awards a player for signing up, making a deposit, being a loyal customer, etc.It can take the form of a no-deposit cash bonus, free credits, freerolls, reload bonus, or a deposit match bonus in credits/cash. Nearly all poker bonuses are tied to a set of terms and conditions you must fulfill before using them or cashing out your winnings.Let’s take a closer look at the major types of online poker bonuses available to NJ players.(a) No Deposit Bonuses for NJ PlayersAs the name so obviously hints, no deposit bonuses are poker offers that a player can start using without having to deposit any funds. They are usually credited to the player’s new online account soon after sign-up. You may have to input a bonus code, coupon, or use a special sign-up link during the registration process to claim a no-deposit bonus.In most cases, however, the free credits or cash bonus will reflect in your account as soon as you confirm your email address. Because they are practically free money, most no deposit poker bonuses come with high wagering requirements, with a play-through of around 35-50x the bonus amount received.The majority of no deposit bonuses for NJ players are not withdrawable. That means only the resultant winnings are eligible for cash-outs and withdrawals upon meeting certain wagering requirements. Moreover, the amount of winnings you can cash-out is often also capped at around 1.5-5 times the bonus amount received.No deposit bonuses carry several benefits over other poker bonuses:
  • You get a poker bonus right away, all without risking your own hard-earned money
  • You can cash out your bonus as soon as you have completed the playthrough
  • Online poker sites provide differing set play options for a no deposit bonus, helping you compare them
  • Take any poker game or tournament for a spin before you decide to make a real money deposit. In this way, you can get a real feel of the poker site and its offering before spending your own money.
Note that you might be required to make an initial deposit and conclusively verify your identity before cashing out your bonus winnings.(b) Welcome Bonus for NJ PlayersWelcome bonuses are the most common bonus type offered at online poker sites. This is an introductory offer for new customers; it’s a special way the poker site says “welcome, and here’s a thank-you reward for choosing us.”Welcome bonuses are usually large, lucrative, and come as a multi-package deal. Simply put, the offer can comprise several sub-bonuses that may include a no-deposit bonus, freerolls, and match bonuses on your first three or so deposits.Example: a welcome bonus can consist of a $25 no deposit bonus, $50 in freeroll tournaments, and a 200% match deposit bonus up to $2,500.Let’s interpret what this bonus offers. First of all, you will earn $25 on the house by just opening a new account at the poker site; you don’t need to make a real money deposit to start playing. Secondly, you’ll receive freerolls valued at $50. These are no buy-in tournaments where you can play for free but you stand a chance of winning real cash prizes. The final part is the match bonus.  In this case, the site will double your deposit amount up to $2,500.For most online poker sites, the deposit match portion of the welcome bonus is usually spread across three to four subsequent deposits. The poker site can also impose restrictions on how much you can wager, how long you have to finish the set play, and which games or tournaments you can play using the bonus.(c) Deposit Bonuses for NJ PlayersDeposit bonuses are an extra cash reward players receive when they make a first or subsequent deposit. They are an integral component of welcome bonus packages offered by most NJ online poker sites, usually accompanied by other mouthwatering rewards like freerolls and other forms of free credits.Bonus funds are typically credited to the player account when their deposits are finalized. Like no deposit bonuses, they usually come with a series of wagering terms and conditions you must meet before cashing out your winnings.A deposit poker bonus is often awarded based on the amount you have transferred to your wagering account. You’ll seldom find a site that offers a fixed reward deposit bonus. Instead, you’ll find deposit bonuses structured as a 50% deposit bonus, a 100% deposit bonus, or a 200% deposit bonus.For the latter case, that means you will get an extra $200 as a reward if you make a deposit of $100. Some of the key benefits of a deposit bonus for NJ players include:
  • Comparing online poker sites helps you find easier to fulfill wagering requirements
  • Your deposit amount can be matched up to 200% or higher
  • Kick-start your online poker gaming with a bigger, healthier bankroll
  • Garner a cash reward the moment you sign up and make a deposit
It always pays to claim deposit bonuses that have lenient play-through requirements.(d) Reload Bonus for NJ PlayersA welcome bonus only gets you to sign up;  the deposit bonus entices you to make an initial deposit. However, NJ online poker sites must keep new and existing customers happy so they will keep coming back for more action. That’s where reload bonuses come into play.Reload bonuses are money rewards you get when you continue making fresh deposits. You could say they are a follow-up incentive to a site’s welcome offer. They are designed to keep you satisfied and to continue using their real money poker wagering account.Just like deposit bonuses and welcome offers, reload bonuses allow you to claim a portion of your deposit as a bonus. Unlike welcome offers, they can be claimed as many times as you reload your account, as long as you meet certain conditions.Reload bonuses are usually expressed as a percentage of the deposit amount and may be accompanied by freerolls and other free credits. Although it’s not always the case, you may be required to enter a code to qualify for the bonus. There’s always a maximum cap, as well.For example, PartyPoker offers a 20% reload bonus of up to $50 when you make a minimum deposit of $10.So, if you deposit $100 to your PartyPoker wagering account, you will receive an extra $20 as a bonus. Of course, you must be a New Jersey resident, have made an initial deposit, and be at least 21 years of age to be eligible.(e) VIP Bonus for NJ PlayersAlso known as a high-roller bonus or whale bonus, a VIP bonus is a special bonus type geared towards big poker players who deposit and wager large amounts of money. They are meant to reward high-rollers for continuing to make regular big-sum deposits.When you are a true whale (a high-roller who makes deposits of $10,000 and above), you can join the big league through the VIP program at an online poker site. This is a lucrative program in which you can receive special rewards tailored to your wagering style.The VIP bonus program works just like any loyalty rewards scheme. Basically, the site will pamper high-rollers with freerolls, bonus credits, and cash bonuses depending on their deposit habits and the games/tournaments they love to play the most. Typically, you’ll find tiered VIP levels, ranging from silver to diamond status.Those in the upper echelon, the Diamond VIP status, are regarded as the crème de la crème of poker players. When you have achieved this status, you can expect to redeem reload bonuses at a higher percentage. In some of the best online poker platforms, you may be assigned your own account management concierge or receive priority customer support.

Types of Poker Games New Jersey Players Can Try Online

New Jersey online poker players can choose from several different versions of Texas Hold‘em, Omaha Poker, Five Card Draw, and Three Cards Poker.

Texas Hold‘em

Texas Hold‘em is an online poker staple, which makes it an eye-catching option for most New Jersey players. This popular card game is available online in three wagering formats: no-limit, limit, and pot-limit configurations. No-Limit Texas Hold‘em, often dubbed the ‘Cadillac of Poker’, remains the most loved and played of all variants of this ever-popular poker classic.The idea behind this medium-variance poker game is to make the best hand out of the hole cards (two cards you receive face down from the dealer). Each player at the table receives two hole cards, the dealer also deals 5 cards to the middle of the table. You can river, turn, or flop the cards with the ultimate aim of achieving the strongest hand.Texas Hold'em gameplay and rules are fairly easy to grasp. You can use any combination of your hole cards and the five cards on the table to make the best possible five-card hand. Multiple rounds of play happen at several stages of the game. In the end, the player who has the greatest hand and hasn’t folded will scoop the entire pot prize.In most NJ online poker sites, you have to make an ante, which is the mandatory bet amount you have to wager at the start of each round of Texas Hold‘em.

Omaha Poker

Omaha Poker is currently the second most popular online poker game. If you find a site that offers Texas Hold’em, it will likely also feature several tables of Omaha Poker tables and stakes for players to select. Omaha Hi (aka Pot-Limit Omaha or simply PLO) is the most popular variant of the poker game followed by Omaha Hi-Lo (better known as Omaha 8-or-Better).PLO plays out just like Texas Hold’em except for a minor variance.  The dealer deals out four cards instead of two to each player at the table. The players must still attempt to create the greatest five-card hand using a combination of two of their four hole cards, and only three of the five cards dealt to the middle of the board.With each player receiving more cards at the beginning, it is easier to form the best hand. In fact, your chances of making a good hand in Omaha are 6x higher than in Texas Hold‘em. Not all NJ online poker sites offer Pot-Limit Omaha, but a rising number of them will have it as their second offering to Texas Hold‘em.The only notable downside is that variance can run very high if the equities between different hands on the table are marginally close together. You can solve this issue by turning your attention to Omaha 8-or-Better tables. Another variation is the 5-Card Omaha.

Five Card Draw

This is a popular draw-style poker game in which players attempt to have the top-ranking five-card hand. They can do so by holding and discarding cards, which the player replaces from what’s dealt from the deck. In most high-quality NJ online poker websites, you’ll find 5 Card Draw poker alongside 7 Card Draw, HORSE, and 2-7 Triple Draw, among others.The croupier starts the game by dealing each player their own hand of five face-down cards. This aspect makes for a challenging dynamic because you have no glimpse into what other players might have in their hands. In this manner, you don’t have a clue how your own hand will fare against other hands on the table.The beauty of Five Card Draw poker is that you can hold or discard cards and replace them with those from the deck. Each draw usually happens right before every betting round except for the first one. Royal Flush is the highest-ranked five-card hand you can have, followed by a Straight Flush, Four-of-a-Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair, and One Pair in that respective order.

Three Cards Poker

Three Cards Poker is the baccarat of the online poker world. The hot poker game has gained immense traction among New Jersey plays because it is not only easy to master but also extremely fun and rewarding to play. It plays as a heads-up between the dealer’s hand and the player’s hand.Once all the initial wagers (antes) have been made, the croupier deals 3 cards face down to each player; the last 3 cards of the round go to the dealer. As you may have already envisioned, the goal here is to have the better three-card hand than the dealer’s hand.Note that you are not playing against other players on the table; rather, every player is trying to beat the dealer’s hand. As a player, you can either hit play by placing an additional wager equal to your ante stake or fold.Your hand is over as soon as you fold. If you choose to play, your cards will be turned face up to see if the hand is better than the dealer’s hand. if the dealer’s hand has a Jack-high or worse, your player wager will be given back to you. If the dealer’s hand is made up of Q-high or better, both your play wager and ante wins a payout at 1/1.You will lose both your play and ante bets if the dealer has a superior hand.

Poker Online Tournaments in New Jersey

The NJ online poker scene is replete with contests and tournaments held at various times throughout the day 24/7. What awaits New Jersey poker players includes regular Multi-table Tournaments (MTTs), daily guarantees, and weekly tournaments, to not-so-traditional Sit-and-Go (SnGs) tournaments.Daily guaranteed tournaments usually have a sizable pot of around $10K to $50K and are great for newcomers and veteran players alike. Since they run daily, a lower buy-in price of about $100 will earn you a seat and a stack of chips so you can be in the middle of the action.Daily tournaments are the bread and butter of the online poker NJ market.  Some sites spice things up with Mega Tournaments with $500+ buy-ins. They usually have a guaranteed prize pot and are held weekly.If you hope to strike it rich quickly, then you probably want to snag a spot on the Sit-and-Go tables. SnG contests are rapid-fire Texas Hold'em or Omaha 8 tournaments ideal for players interested in quick-play action and victories. They typically involve between 2 and 200 players playing over 50,000 chips. Each SnG contest kicks off when every participating player has paid their tourney fee (also called buy-in). You will appreciate that the best NJ online poker SnGs have prize multipliers ranging from 2x to 1000x your buy-in price.For those who want to put their poker strategies and skills to the test, the Multi-table Tournaments (MTTs) are probably the best bet. Each MTT contest begins with a high number of players across multiple tables. Along the way, many players are cropped out until only the best of the best square off on the final round on a single table. It's a dream come true for any seasoned player, and it helps that the final pot prize is usually lucrative.

History of Online Poker in New Jersey

New Jersey is undoubtedly the online gambling capital of the United States. Along with the vibrant online casino community, the Garden State has legalized many thriving sports betting platforms, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites, horse racing sites, eSports, and of course, online poker sites. The current state gambling laws allow New Jersey residents to wager on sports markets, bet on horse races, and play online DFS, casino, and poker via multiple websites such as PartyPoker NJ, Borgata Online NJ, Tropicana Online Casino NJ, and BetMGM.The history of online poker in New Jersey dates back to the golden age of internet gambling in the early 1990s. NJ online poker rooms flourished for nearly a decade until the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) came into force on October 13th, 2006. That changed pretty much everything for the market.Thanks to the UIGEA, it became illegal for US businesses, including banks and other financial institutions, to accept or process funds associated with online gambling. Some overseas operators continued to accept US players for a while, but the major players like iPoker, 888Poker, and PartyPoker quit the market hoping that one day the federal government would loosen the noose on online gambling.For the few sites that remained operational, including the Canadian behemoth PokerStars, the final nail on their coffin came on another so-called Black Friday. On April 15th, 2011, federal officers arrested the owners of Absolute Poker, Full Tilt Poker, and PokerStars. They were later indicted for contravening the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.Black Friday marked the shut-down of online poker in New Jersey and the rest of the US. It all came crashing down for the NJ online poker community.Things started looking up for the NJ online poker market in February 2013 when then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed the famous bill A2578/S1565 into law. This essentially authorized the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) to issue online gambling licenses to existing Atlantic City brick-and-mortar casinos.With Caesars Entertainment taking the lead, all 13 Atlantic City casinos applied for online gambling licenses starting July 2013. By November 21st, the concerted partners had readied 6 poker rooms and 7 online casinos for a soft launch.After successful testing, 13 online gambling sites were officially launched in New Jersey, allowing them to accept NJ players and operate 24/7. In the space of 8 months PartyPoker, WSOP.com, Ultimate Poker, Borgata Poker, Betfair Poker, and 888Poker breathed new life into the NJ online poker market!After being plagued by geo-location issues for several months, WSOP, 888Poker, and PartyPoker — the 3 biggest NJ online poker operators — started issuing free Wi-Fi adaptors in January 2014 to their poker players to resolve the problem.The New Jersey Online Championships, the premier NJ online poker tournament series, was first held by WSOP.com from January 19th through February 4th. Even though operators like Betfair Poker have left the market, the NJ online poker community has welcomed newer and more exciting sites over the years. With over 500,000 registered players, there are dozens of live poker rooms from which to choose.

Why Should You Play Poker Online in New Jersey?

There are plenty of reasons why you should play poker in the Garden State:It’s 100% legal — NJ online poker space has many reliable and well-paying sites that are regulated and licensed by the NJDGE. You don’t have to watch you back since online gambling is legal in the state.Large player pool — Although the market is still on the upswing, it boasts a large number of newbies, sharks, and average poker players. Their poker rooms are fairly busy throughout the day, every day of the week.Ties with land-based casinos — If you play frequently at land-based Atlantic City poker rooms, then you will find the transition to online poker smooth and seamless. Besides, you can earn reward points when you play either offline or online.Unique banking options — The NJ online poker market has some of the safest and most secure deposit and withdrawal options. If you value privacy and discretion, you can use cash at the casino cage or 7/11 PayNearMe services.Lots of action — With a variety of cash-game tables and tournaments running around the clock, there is always something for every player.

Q&A New Jersey Online Poker

- Is online poker legal in New Jersey?The online gambling industry in New Jersey is highly-regulated and organized. Almost all forms of online gambling are legal in the state, including online poker, DFS, sports betting, horse racing, eSports, and online casinos. You must be a resident of the Garden State and be a minimum of 21 years of age to be able to legally play NJ online poker.- Who Can Play Poker Online in New Jersey?To play legal online poker in New Jersey, you must be physically present within the boundaries of the state. Most online poker sites in NJ use geo-plugins and other geo-location technologies to detect and confirm that you are indeed in New Jersey.Of course, you must be of legal age to gamble, which in New Jersey means that you must be at least 21 years of age.In addition to the age and location requirements, you must create an account with your favorite NJ online poker site. You may have to verify your identity and move some funds into your wagering account before you can play.- Is It Safe To Play Poker Online in New Jersey?As long as you are playing at a NJ online poker site that is regulated and licensed by the NJDGE, you can rest assured that your funds and sensitive information are safe and intact. They usually use the latest encryption technologies and other security protocols to ensure your safety online.NJDGE conducts regular and routine audits on all poker sites licensed in New Jersey, making sure every aspect of their online businesses is compliant.b>- How do I fund my online poker account in New Jersey?Online poker sites in New Jersey offer players a wide range of deposit methods. The most convenient options are typically e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. You can also use traditional debit and credit cards issued by Amex, MasterCard,Visa, and Discovery Network, even though they offer the lowest acceptance rate of the bunch.Deposit methods unique to the jurisdiction include Cash at the Casino Cage, Play+ Prepaid Cards, and 7/Eleven’s PayNearMe cash payment service. Players can also take advantage of ACH, Instant eCheck, Wire Transfer, and Online Banking Transfer.Whereas it’s rare, you can use paper checks to fund your online poker account in New Jersey.- Can I Withdraw My Poker Winnings in New Jersey?Most deposit methods double as withdrawal options, except for debit cards, credit cards, and PayNearMe.The fastest and safest methods include Play+ Prepaid Cards, Cash at the Casino Cage, and PayPal.ACH, Skrill, and Neteller withdrawals are also popular. If you don't mind waiting weeks to enjoy your winnings, you can also cash out via Check by Mail.- Why Do Online Poker Sites Offer bonuses?The principle behind poker bonuses depends on the bonus type. Most introductory bonuses, such as welcome offers, are a form of appreciation to new customers for signing up. No deposit bonuses, on their end, are meant to attract your sign-up as well as give you a glimpse into what a specific poker site has to offer.The purpose is in the name when it comes to deposit and reload bonuses. They are designed to encourage players to make regular deposits. Overall, poker sites offer bonuses to entice players to spend more time and more money on their platforms.- Can NJ Poker Players Compete Against Players in the Other States?Yes. Since Gov Chris Christie signed an agreement that approved multi-state poker play, players can bet against each other in a shared player pool across Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey. That means the times of limited liquidity in the New Jersey online poker market are long gone.