Enjoy the action of online poker from the comfort of your own home with our comprehensive guide to New Jersey’s regulated market. Our reviews reveal everything you need to know about the state’s operators including where to find the best NJ online poker games, bonuses, software and more.
Our recommended online poker sites in New Jersey are completely legal and licensed. Continue reading to discover how we rate each site and what you should consider before signing up. You can also jump straight into the action by choosing a site from the list below.
The Best Legal Poker Sites in NJ 2023
18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply
7 seas slotsHow Do We Rate and Review NJ Online Poker Rooms?
New players may be keen to jump right into the poker room but we advise a spot of due diligence first. After all, there are lots of factors that could impact your experience and determine whether one site might suit you more than another. To help you out, we have devised a series of tests that enable us to objectively rate and review the top NJ poker websites.
Licensing and safety is always our primary concern. We only review sites that hold a license from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). This means the operator has passed stringent security checks and its random number generator has been certified as fair.
We carry out further security tests to check the quality of encryption used to protect your personal and financial data. Reputable SSL certificates include Norton Secured Seal or McAfee Secure. Poker sites in NG use this type of advanced technology to ensure your payments and personal information are safely encrypted at all times. We also look for responsible gambling resources such as deposit limits, time outs and self-exclusion tools.
Next on the agenda are bonuses and rewards. We compare welcome offers to reveal the best value deals and check the wagering requirements, expiry dates and eligible games. Ongoing promotions and loyalty schemes are also evaluated so you can work out the best way to boost your bankroll.
Game variety and volume is a key factor when it comes to choosing an online poker room. We count the number of active players and tables, plus the range of cash games, Sit & Go’s, Spin & Go’s and MTT tournaments. If you plan to use a mobile device to play poker, we reveal the scope of portable games too.
Soft competition is the goal for most novice players, so we assess the standards of your opponents by calculating average prizes and tracking winning players to see where they play. You should also think about which variant you want to play - Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Seven Card Stud, Five Card Draw, etc. It’s also worth considering if you want to enter low stakes games or larger prize pool tournaments.
Casinos Real On-line EvaluationThe quality of software plays a big role in your overall gaming experience. We explore the features and functions available and test the intuitiveness of the lobby. Fast fold options, multi-tabling capabilities and customizable avatas and hotkeys are popular features. We also measure downloadable and instant play software in terms of speed, graphics and ease of use.
Lastly, payment methods complete our review process. We compare welcome bonuses awarded when you use certain payment types such as credit cards, ewallets and prepaid cards. We also count the transaction times and fees applied to each method. Ensure your chosen poker operator provides convenient deposits and fast withdrawals.
Current State of Online Poker in New Jersey
Online poker is fully legal and regulated in the Garden State and has been since November 2013 when NJ became the first US state to fully regulate online gambling after years of legislative battles between the Department of Justice and individual states. Governor Chris Christie initially vetoed the bill, claiming it stepped on the federal government’s toes but he changed his mind when the DOJ relaxed its interpretation of the Wire Act in 2011, paving the way for individual states to regulate online betting products.
Fortunes Slot Review - RTP, Best Casinos & Free PlayThe industry officially launched in November 2013 with Betfair and the Borgata unveiling Share Poker, a network that ultimately failed because Betfair pulled out of the US market. However, the network kept WSOP player traffic alive and the gaming company later sold its assets to 888poker in 2017. Today, the site hosts official World Series of Poker (WSOP) online tournaments during the summer, creating a buzz among local players and rewarding them with prizes and tickets for live WSOP events in Las Vegas.
PartyPoker re-entered the US market in 2014 and struck up a deal with Borgata to share its valuable poker liquidity under one license. The move breathed new life into the local market and attracted more operators into the region. PokerStars was banned from the market despite being the biggest online poker brand in the world, due to its involvement in processing full refunds for customers who were unhappy with the outcomes of games.
Despite Partypoker’s efforts to invigorate the market, it still lacked natural rivalry and peaked player numbers in the evenings to compete with Europe and North America’s busiest sites. But hope was on the horizon. Following a tough legal battle, PokerStars was finally granted a license in November 2016 and launched its website in March 2017. This generated huge interest amongst experienced players and novices alike and instantly made New Jersey the third largest real money online poker market behind Germany and France.
Today, New Jersey is the premier online poker state and the only one offering viable liquidity and exciting tournament series. It remains to be seen if other states will follow suit but Pennsylvania and Delaware have already moved in a similar direction. If these two states ever decide to merge their player pools, it could create a mini New Jersey style market. Meanwhile, Michigan is tipped to go live in 2021 and could become the next destination for online poker fans.
Ways to Get Free Casino Bet - Don't Play With Zero!Why Else Can You Trust Our NJ Poker Room Reviews?
Our mission is to provide accurate and reliable information to help you make informed decisions. We cannot possibly play online poker on every site within a couple of hours in order to write a detailed review. However, we do have a team of experts who divide up the tasks.
Each member of our team has over a decade’s experience playing online poker for real money. They know all the tricks of the trade and have successfully claimed hundreds of bonuses. Their expertise allows them to quickly analyze the key strengths and weaknesses of each online poker room in New Jersey.
We also value community spirit and encourage you to get in touch and share your experiences. If you have played on a particular NJ poker website featured on this page, please leave a review and rating to help others. Likewise, if you have spots that deserve a special mention, drop us a line and we’ll add it to our list of testing sites.
Available Games and Traffic in NJ Compared to Other States
As mentioned above, New Jersey is currently the leading real money online poker state in the US and it is not even close. On an average day, there are around 500 players active online, which is four times more than second placed Delaware and 10 times more than Pennsylvania. If Michigan goes live imminently, it could become a serious rival as the fifth biggest gaming state in the US. However, it is unlikely New England will ever match New Jersey’s momentum.
Peak performance is typically in the evening to early hours when the action shifts to Western Europe and South America. At these times, there are often more than 700 active players and around 190 real money ring game tables open. Cash games tend to run from $0.01 / $0.02 up to $0.05 / $0.10 blinds. There are also higher limit games available, but there will likely be fewer players at the table.
Poker tournaments are where you can grab the biggest prizes. Sunday schedule of tournaments alone offers $00s of prizes and the online WSOP satellites give away thousands of dollars’ worth of packages every summer. Free rolls also run regularly and give you the chance to win real money without risking any of your own cash.
Huge Online Gambling Wins That Will Blow Your Mind - #8 is CrazyIf you fancy a shot at a Guinness World Record, you can also take part in the largest online MTT in the world. The Big Win for Veterans Common Ground $100k guaranteed tournament usually attracts several thousand players and counts towards the overall prize pool.
Texas Hold’em is King in NJ
Texas Hold’em is by far the most popular variant of online poker in New Jersey. All sites offer No Limit, Pot Limit and Fixed Limit Hold’em games and you can often find varying bet sizes throughout the day. Popular sites like PokerStars also host Esport Hold’em which is essentially Limit Hold’em but with a Pot Limit betting structure.
Other popular variants include Pot Limit Omaha (also known as just Omaha), which requires you to start your hand with four hole cards rather than two. It is a faster and more aggressive game than Hold’em but follows the same basic rules.
If you prefer something a little different, you may be able to find some Cash Games, Tournaments and Sit & Go’s in Fast Fold Poker games, such as PokerStars’ Spin & Go’s, where you can play variants like Badugi, Eight or Better (stud game), Hi/Lo, Drawmaha and Turbo Pokers.
Mobile Poker App Availability in NG
Mobile apps allow you to enjoy online poker games while you’re out and about. Most poker rooms in New Jersey have a mobile app, although you should check the range of games available on smartphone and tablet devices.
Typically, you will find a selection of Texas Hold’em cash games, Sit & Go’s and MTT tournaments. Filters will also allow you to search for specific stake levels and game formats. You can also access your account preferences, make deposits and withdrawals, claim bonuses and communicate with the lobby and table using chat functions.
If you want to play poker on the go, the following sites offer dedicated Android and iOS mobile apps:
August 2019 Network Update: As of august 2019, partyspoon hote lima ohio is now available in new jersey. It operates on the partypoker nj network, which means you can enjoy the same great games and bonuses as before.
Casinos That Offer a Free Welcome Bonus With No Deposit RequiredThe following sites previously offered a mobile app, but are no longer available in New Jersey:
Palpable improvements have transformed the US online poker scene since PokerStars returned in 2016. Despite initial dominance from Share Poker, the industry has benefitted massively from healthy competition and new sites have been forced to innovate in order to survive.
For example, all leading sites now accept PayPal poker deposits in New Jersey. This popular payment option was shunned by the online gaming industry following the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act of 2006, but PayPal relaunched its service in 2015 and many states have since benefited from its convenience.
You can also make fast and secure transactions using , as well as pre-paid cards and cash vouchers. Some sites also accept Bitcoin and altcoin payments, giving you a wide range of options to suit different budgets and preferences.
Safe and secure payment options are essential for managing your bankroll and claiming bonuses, so always check the terms and conditions of any offer to see which payment types are eligible. You should also consider the size of the bonus, any free bonuses available, and whether the wagering requirement are achievable.
You could potentially claim tons of extra funds each time you signed up to a new site, but the sheer amount of work involved makes it impractical. Instead, focus on the best value offers, such as those that waive the deposit requirement and provide a high percentage match bonus. You can find out more about the latest deals in our dedicated section:
Summary of Top 3 Online Poker Rooms in New Jersey
If you cannot decide which online poker site to try first, why not sample all three of our recommendations. Each poker room has its own unique qualities and player databases, so you can experience a broad range of games and potentially win some extra prizes along the way.
However, if you want to cut to the chase and join the most vibrant poker community, PokerStars Get JES ($50) No Deposit Bonus is the best site in New Jersey. It has revitalized the local market and provides the most active games and lucrative prize pools. Simply click the ‘Play Here’ button on this page and register an account to receive the bonus within 48 hours.
Ways to Make Money Online Playing Poker - PokerListingsIf you prefer a secondary poker option, is a strong choice. Its large network delivers plenty of activity and there are some nice touches and promotions that keep the games interesting. Just remember to check your eligibility before you join and always gamble responsibly.
Terms & Conditions apply