New Jersey is the best state to play online poker in the US. The state became regulated in 2013 and hit a peak in 2016 when PokerStarsNJ was first released into the marketplace. The fifth anniversary of regulated online poker in New Jersey is nearing and the player pool continues to swell with major series, like the currently running NJSCOOP, in play on a more frequent basis.
Online poker in the United States will always be a sensitive subject until there is federal regulation put into place. For those who are considering a trip to New Jersey to play but have questions on their mind regarding the many factors that go into playing there, we have you covered.
What makes online poker legal in New Jersey?
Due to regulation passed within New Jersey legislature and signed by Governor Chris Christie, interstate online gaming is officially legal within the state. On November 21, 2013, New Jersey became the third state after Nevada and Delaware to pass online gaming as legal and regulated within state borders. Casinos licensed in New Jersey but require the obtaining of an official permit from the state allowing them to do business.
Can I play outside of NJ?
As a result of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and the laws passed down stemming from Black Friday, online gaming is regulated on purely an interstate level. This means that even if you have a New Jersey address and bank account, you may not play unless you are strictly within state borders. You are, however, allowed to play in New Jersey without a physical address that occupies the state. If you are planning to make your way to New Jersey to play for the weekend or just happen to be driving through the state, the tracking software on all of New Jersey’s sites will recognize your online presence and allow you to play.
Who am I playing against?
With regulation comes the peace of mind knowing that you are playing exclusively against actual players in the state of New Jersey. All websites are equipped to recognize bots and eliminate them from the software. Every opponent you encounter in New Jersey is a literal human that is logged on from somewhere within the state’s borders. While some players may wish their online identity to remain anonymous, others will log their accounts and real name in databases such as PocketFives.com.
What are legal sites in NJ?
There are three legal sites that operate within the state of New Jersey. The largest provider is PokerStarsNJ, owned by the Amaya Group. PokerStarsNJ offers the same software and gaming experience as its parent company, PokerStars, but is only available to players who are in the state of New Jersey. Similarly, PokerStarsNJ players are unable to access the full PokerStars client while gaming in New Jersey.
The next largest site in New Jersey is Borgata/partypokerNJ. Branded as BorgataPoker.com and offered on partypoker’s software, this website is a branch of the Borgata gaming network. Like PokerStars and PokerStarsNJ, the full partypoker client is unable to be accessed for players who are in New Jersey.
Finally, the third option in the Garden State belongs to 888/WSOP.com. WSOP.com is available in Nevada along with New Jersey and uses the 888poker client as a home for its software. As it is a WSOP product, there are offers available for the World Series of Poker and World Series of Poker Circuit, but players in New Jersey are unable to compete against players in Nevada due to interstate gaming laws.
How can I deposit and withdraw money?
All three of New Jersey’s website offer a familiar regimen of options. The sites offer deposits via Visa or Mastercard along with e-checks, allowing a player to link their bank account to the respective gaming provider where they are attempting to deposit. In addition to those immediate options, e-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal are welcome. In person transactions at the casino cage are available in Atlantic City as follows: Borgata/partypokerNJ (Borgata), 888/WSOP.com (Bally’s), PokerStarsNJ (Resorts). Players should check with each specific site to see which options are available and work best for them.
Why is online gaming good for the state of New Jersey?
The tax revenue cannot be ignored. The state has raked in tens of millions of dollaers since opening its door to online gaming in 2013. That money is being funneled back into the state’s foundation to improve crucial items like schools and roads. As poker is a skill game, regulated online gaming allows for a competitive experience and the chance to win great prizes on New Jersey’s three legal online poker websites.
