Legal Poker For New Jersey Residents
The state of New Jersey allows its residents to play legally at state licensed and approved gambling facilities. Those who take part in illegal games and those who run gambling businesses without a license are violating New Jersey laws and will be penalized. New Jersey recently legalized online gambling and is creating a regulatory framework for the same.
This page presents an idea of the gambling scenario in New Jersey. Besides providing a brief overview of the state’s land-based and online gambling laws, this page tells residents exactly how they can play poker legally online in New Jersey.
New Jersey Poker Laws & Statutes
New Jersey's laws prevent its residents from playing home poker games until and unless they are state-licensed and state-regulated. Section 2A: 40-1 says it is illegal for residents to wager anything of value on the outcomes of games and races, over which the they have no control. Section 2C:37-1(b) gives a definition of gambling, stating that the act of risking anything of value on the outcomes of games or events not controlled by the bettor on the understanding that the bettor will get something valuable in case of certain outcomes is gambling.
To put it very simply, New Jersey laws make it illegal for players to gamble at any facility that is not licensed, authorized, approved, and regulated by the state. Likewise, it is illegal for operators to run gambling businesses without getting the state’s license. While the state has a set of stiff penalties for illegal operators of poker rooms, it tends to let players off lightly for playing illegal games. Those caught running illegal gambling businesses could get a prison term or a fine or both, and the fines could go up to millions of dollars. Players, however, have nothing to worry about as long as they stick to licensed poker facilities.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in New Jersey?
Online poker is finally legal in New Jersey. In February 2013, Governor Chris Christie finally approved an online gambling bill legalizing some forms of online gambling within the state. However, New Jersey poker players will have to wait for some time before they can start playing online poker because their state is in the process of creating a set of regulations for online gambling.
In the meantime, residents can play as much real money poker as they like at offshore online poker rooms. The state has no laws specifically prohibiting residents from playing poker for real money online although it warns residents against doing so. However, it is safe and legal for residents to sign up at offshore online poker rooms, such as the ones we have recommended, and play their favorite poker variants for real money.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker New Jersey?
New Jersey residents will soon be able to play online poker at poker sites licensed and regulated by their state. But right now, the state is in the process of finalizing a regulatory draft for online gambling. Meanwhile, players can continue playing poker for real money at New Jersey friendly offshore online poker rooms. It is quite safe and legal for players to do so because New Jersey has absolutely no laws stating that it is illegal for residents to play real money poker online.
The only people who have to worry about getting penalized by the New Jersey government are operators of illegal gambling outfits. In the absence of a regulatory framework, New Jersey cannot license operators at present and the state does not tolerate illegal and unlicensed gambling outfits in its jurisdiction. But individual players have nothing to worry about as long as they stick to the offshore online casinos we recommend for them.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept New Jersey Players
Even though New Jersey boasts one of the US’s great gambling towns in Atlantic City, sometimes you just want to kick back and play some poker from the comfort of your own home. Who is there for you then? Well, we are. Enjoy our list below of top-notch legal poker sites to enjoy from anywhere.
SportsBetting Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For New Jersey
One of the nation’s fastest growing online poker rooms is the one found in SportsBetting. Through a fast, free download, you’ll be at the virtual poker table within minutes of making your first deposit and, if you play your cards right, winning big soon thereafter. Join the millions of US citizens who play poker with SportsBetting every day and you’ll soon figure out exactly why: when you play in the legal online poker room at SportsBetting, the player is king.
To prove just how rabid the devotion from this incredible legal poker site open to New Jersey residents to their customers really is, consider just their bonus for making your first deposit. When you open your SportsBetting poker account and make your initial deposit, you’ll see that not only is your money in the account, but that you’re instantly eligible to receive 200% of your bonus back just from playing poker. It’s what you made the account to do – so why not take advantage of this fantastic deal and earn bonuses, win or lose?
BetOnline Poker - All New Jersey Players 18+ Welcome Here
We don’t blame New Jersey residents for demanding a high level of quality from their legal poker sites, we just wonder why they don’t stop complaining and open an account with BetOnline. As one of the most reputable names in the online gambling industry, BetOnline carries itself with a certain level of swagger not present in most other poker sites. Perhaps it’s because they know they boast the lowest fees for depositing in or withdrawing from your poker account, so that their players need only worry about the cards on the table without needing to calculate fee percentages in their heads.
When it comes to tournament play, there is simply no second best to BetOnline. In their poker room you can find tournaments that cater to the most casual poker player for buy-ins as low as $2, the highest rollers who demand only the stiffest competition at the fastest paces, and everyone in between. New Jersey poker players of all skill levels will surely find something to love at BetOnline poker.
| Legal New Jersey Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does New Jersey Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
Playing poker in New Jersey is quite legal provided players do it at licensed and regulated gambling facilities. New Jersey has a number of licensed card rooms and commercial casinos and residents are free to play real money poker in a licensed and regulated environment at these facilities. Running charity poker tournaments and taking part in them is also permitted by law. Poker-loving residents can also organize and take part in home poker games, provided nobody makes a profit out of these home games.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For New Jersey Players
There is no dearth of land casinos in New Jersey, where residents can play poker for real money in a secure, licensed, and regulated environment. A list of top casinos in New Jersey include Bally’s Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, Borgata Hotel Casino, Harrah’s Atlantic City, Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Tropicana Atlantic City, Showboat Atlantic City, Trump Taj Mahal, and Revel.
Besides live poker options, New Jersey residents have plenty of online poker options too. Several reputed, licensed, and regulated offshore online poker rooms are eager to accept poker players from New Jersey, and residents can rest assured that they are not violating state laws by registering at any of these online poker sites.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in New Jersey
Online gambling is finally legalized in New Jersey, but residents will have to wait for licensed and regulated online gambling sites to be launched because the state is still working out the regulations. In other words, New Jersey has a long way to go before residents can start enjoying online gaming products.
The bill that Governor Chris Christie recently passed does not make any special mention of poker. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) is now burdened with the task of creating proper online poker regulations. There is also the danger of online casino games such as slots, video pokers, and table games getting more importance over online poker.
