Best Online Poker Sites in New Jersey

Online poker is fully legal and regulated in New Jersey. Poker players in NJ can choose between world-class sites including PokerStars, BetMGM Poker, and WSOP Online.

Each offers safe and secure real money online poker and com with great welcome bonuses, rewards programs and spread cash games and tournaments around the clock. With so many top-rated operators to choose from in the NJ online poker market, it can be tough to decide where to play. That’s where we come in.

In this guide, we’ll provide our expert opinions on the the best online poker sites in New Jersey, compare every NJ online poker welcome bonus, review all the major tournament series running, and a whole lot more.

If you’re not sure how to get started playing NJ online poker, this guide is all your need.

Can I Play Online Poker in New Jersey?

Yes you can! You have access to some of the best poker sites in the US when you are in New Jersey! They are all legal to play on as long as you are within state lines. PokerStars NJ, WSOP Online and BetMGM Poker NJ all have strong online poker offerings. All have great welcome bonus offers and have poker games running around the clock!

The Best Online Poker Sites in New Jersey

New Jersey offers plenty of options for poker players, regardless of their bankrolls, preferred game formats, or software. The only real “problem” is choosing the site, as the selection is really versatile, and there are plenty of NJ online poker bonus codes to take advantage of.

Below, you’ll find in-depth reviews of every site, and we’ll make recommendations of which site is best for you. But if you want to jump straight in, here are our top picks, and why.

1. PokerStars NJ Our top recommended site for most NJ online poker players. It has the best tournaments, the biggest spread of cash games, has world-class apps, and offers an excellent welcome bonus to new players.
2. BetMGM Poker NJ Offers the largest signup bonus up to $1000, so if you have the bankroll and you play a lot, this should be your first choice. It has also combined player pools with Michigan.
3. WSOP NJ As the online poker arm of the world-renowned World Series of Poker, if tournament action is important to you, you should consider WSOP. It’s the only site in NJ with official satellites to the live WSOP series, plus offers the chance to win official bracelets online. It also shares player pools with Michigan and Nevada.

PokerStars NJ: Our Number #1 Pick for Poker Players in New Jersey

PokerStars New Jersey is our top choice for most New Jersey online poker players. It offers the widest variety of games, an excellent selection of tournaments, and great action at cash game tables. Its welcome bonus is solid, and its mobile app is world class. For almost all player types, PokerStars should be your first choice.

There are two great welcome offers from PokerStars for new players looking to sign up. Players can choose between a deposit match bonus or $150 in free play tickets.

Although PokerStars doesn’t have the biggest welcome bonus in the state, its 100% deposit match up to $600 is still a lot of free bonus money, and the clearance terms are reasonable. Bonus code STARS600 must be used in order to claim the deposit match.

For casual players, its alternative “play one cash hand, get $150” bonus is an excellent choice — and gives you a mix of tickets to experience both the poker and casino games without spending any of your own money. Players must opt in via the challenges window to claim the free play bonus.

PokerStars NJ also features some of the best and most valuable tournament series with its USCOOP events, where you will get to enjoy several weeks of top quality action every year, with huge guarantees and buy-ins adjusted to fit every bankroll.

PokerStars offers the most extensive selection of game variations. Alongside standard options like Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud, you can also get involved in a nice game of Razz or good, old Five Card Draw. While these niche variants don’t always run, because of strong player traffic you should find tables running during peak times.

Overall, PokerStars is the best choice in NJ for most players. Its dual welcome bonus means there’s a great offer for both new and experienced players. IT has the best cash games, the strongest tournament series, and offers the best mobile and desktop app experience in the state.

Play at PokerStars NJ or learn more in our all-encompassing PokerStars NJ Review.

BetMGM Poker NJ: Best Welcome Bonus

BetMGM Poker NJ offers a very generous welcome bonus for new players, matching their initial deposit in full up to the maximum of $1000, alongside $75 in MTT tickets using deposit code POKERFUSE. The welcome bonus clears the fastest in the market. BetMGM Poker has a great spread of tournaments and solid action at cash tables across all stakes.

It is worth noting that BetMGM Poker is powered by one of the largest gaming companies in the US, which adds a lot of credibility and provides players with reassurance that the operator has the resources and know-how to offer an excellent online poker experience across the board. It also offers players a unified wallet giving easy access across sports, poker and the casino product.

The operator often hosts satellites for live events taking place at Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, its land-based partner in the state, and there are frequently step tournaments starting as low as $5.

BetMGM has now combined its New Jersey network with that in Michigan to create a much more lucrative place to play.

Check out our BetMGM Poker NJ Review or jump right into the action and start playing!

WSOP NJ: Top Pick for Players Looking for WSOP Prestige, and Great Welcome Bonus

As the online poker site for the iconic World Series of Poker, WSOP NJ has a lot to offer. Its cash games are excellent, its bonus is big and it offers exciting poker variants.

Uniquely, WSOP NJ shares its player pool with Nevada and Michigan which is definitely a plus for people looking for more people to play against. It current has about the same cash game traffic as PokerStars, and you should find cash games with a variety of buy-ins and game-types running around the clock.

The WSOP NJ welcome bonus is big — a $100 free-play bonus plus a 100% deposit match up to $1000, which matches BetMGM for the largest in the state. However, it will take a while to clear the bonus, so this is only really suitable for high volume or high-stakes players. No deposit code is needed.

The WSOP software has had a refresh and players in NJ can now experience and sleek and streamlined experience.

As the official site, WSOP NJ offers many opportunities to compete for one: You can play online bracelet events during the summer, take part if the separate WSOP Online that runs in the fall, play in online satellites to qualify for the live series, and enter into promotions and freerolls to win a ticket.

This alone means that for players who want to play live, WSOP should be your first choice. The bonus is great, the action is strong, and if you’re happy with a few warts in the software, you’ll have a great online poker experience.

Learn more about this world-class poker site in our comprehensive and unbiased WSOP NJ Review or sign up and start chasing that bling!

Borgata Poker NJ: Bigger Player Pool, Now Merged with Michigan

Borgata Poker NJ is one of the longest-standing regulated poker sites in the States. Operating on the BetMGM US network and owned by MGM Resorts, the platform represents a reliable option for all poker fans, from casual players to serious grinders.

Borgata shares a player pool with the other two New Jersey poker sites on the network — partypoker and BetMGM — which helps with liquidity problems and ensures there is always enough action to satisfy players, especially when major tournament series are running. This is helped even more by BetMGM having just merged player pools in NJ and MI meaning that Borgata players will also benefit from more people to play against.

Offering a strong deposit match bonus of up to $1000 and up to $75 in free MTT tickets, Borgata Poker caters to players from both sides of the spectrum. If you are starting your poker journey or want to get familiar with what the room has to offer prior to putting too much of your own money on the line, you can get $25 worth of tickets by depositing just $10 (and still get a 100% boost).

Learn more in our Borgata Poker NJ Review or head to its site and sign up

PartyPoker NJ: For Players Wanting to Play on BetMGM/Borgata Network

There is also PartyPoker NJ, a popular option for players looking for a safe and regulated tradition with a brand they can trust. PartyPoker has been present in the NJ market for a long time and has established itself as one of the top choices in the state. It shares a player pool with BetMGM and Borgata.

The solid software, good variety of cash game options, and a full schedule of weekly MTTs ensure that everyone can find something to their own taste here.

Create your PartyPoker account and take advantage of the partypoker NJ deposit bonus

Best Online Poker Welcome Bonuses in New Jersey

All New Jersey poker sites offer something special for new players. The question is, which one of these is the best, and how do you choose? There’s no a straightforward answer about which poker bonus is the absolute best — a lot of different factors come into play. However, based on your preferences, bankroll, and the kind of volume you put in, we’ll help you figure out which one suits you best.

We recommend the PokerStars NJ bet $1, get $150 for any player new to online poker. It’s a massive bonus with very little of your own money at play, giving you almost a week of action to explore various tournaments and the casino as well, all with someone else’s money. Any winnings you get to keep to play more games.

Every site also offers a great deposit bonus too. You make a deposit, and the site will match it with a bonus 100% up to a certain amount.

Here we recommend the BetMGM Poker NJ (use code POKERFUSE) bonus to players looking to make a big first deposit. It will match it up to $1000, and the bonus clears the fastest — it amounts to 42% rakeback as you clear the bonus, and you have 120 to complete it.

PokerStars’ deposit match bonus (use code STARS600) is almost as good — 100% up to $600, and it clears fast as well. However, note that you can only do this or the $150 freeplay, you can’t do both.

The WSOP NJ deposit match bonus is actually the most valuable in the market: It matches 100% up to $1000 but also gives a free-play bonus up to $100 as well and seven spins on a winner spinner wheel for some extra tournament tickets. The downside is it clears a lot slower, and you only have 90 days to do so, so this is best suited to high volume and high stakes players.

Best NJ Poker Bonuses Side by Side

If you are still not certain what is the best offer to go for, check out this side-by-side comparison of the best online poker bonuses available in New Jersey.

The Best NJ Online Poker Tournament Series

Players in the Garden State have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of tournaments throughout the year across all regulated sites. Tournament series are highly appealing to players due to the value they offer. These events typically feature multiple games over a short time span and inflated guarantees, resulting in larger player fields and more opportunities for participants to win big compared to regular daily or weekly games.

PokerStars NJ Online Tournaments

PokerStars New Jersey is known for hosting some of the best tournament series in the New Jersey online poker market. The operator has built its brand on the ability to host massive events with large prize pools, and it has continued down the same path upon entering regulated markets in the US.

In New Jersey, the operator hosts several of its marquee COOP events every year, including the always popular Spring Championship of Online Poker.

In 2023, PokerStars NJ expanded its player pool to include Michigan, creating the first new multi-state poker network since WSOP’s 2017 link-up between NJ and NV.

Best Tournaments at WSOP New Jersey

WSOP needs no introduction as it is perhaps the biggest and best-known poker tournament brand in all of poker. Transferring its highly successful live model into the virtual realm, the WSOP NJ platform offers NJ poker players a wealth of tournament options throughout the year. it also combines its player pools with those from Michigan and Nevada.

While the operator features attractive monetary guarantees, the biggest draw of WSOP NJ tournaments comes from many offering gold rings and bracelets for the winners. Players no longer have to travel all the way to Las Vegas to claim these highly coveted trinkets.

Every year, WSOP NJ hosts several online bracelet events, usually running concurrently with the live iteration of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and multiple circuit events that award WSOP rings.

New Jersey Online Poker Tournaments at BetMGM

When it comes to online poker tournaments in New Jersey, BetMGM Poker NJ may not be in the same league as PokerStars and WSOP, but the operator still has plenty to offer.

The site has a more flexible yearly schedule, so it is hard to say what you can expect month-to-month. Over the years, BetMGM Poker NJ has hosted numerous online series, with some featuring guarantees as high as $1,000,000.

On average, though, BetMGM’s tournament series feature solid six-figure guarantees and smaller, more manageable fields, which definitely suits some players’ styles.

New Jersey Online Poker Tournament Schedule

Cash Games at NJ Poker Sites

Those players who prefer to grind it out in the ring games instead of tournaments will find plenty of options at New Jersey poker sites. The cash game action is available across the board, with stakes ranging from NL2 and PLO2 up to NL20,000 and PLO20,000.

All sites offer No-Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha games. For less popular variations, there is PokerStars NJ, offering the likes of Badugi, Razz, 2-7 Triple and Single Draw, and 8-game mix. WSOP NJ used to offer Seven Card Stud on its old platform, but this variant is no longer available on the new WSOP Online platform.

The action is best at low and mid-stakes, but there are usually some higher games running during weekends and in conjunction with major tournament series.

When it comes to cash game traffic, PokerStars and WSOP consistently compete for the top spot. Both have shared liquidity networks: PokerStars US connects the New Jersey and Michigan player pools, while WSOP’s network spans New Jersey, Nevada, and Michigan.

Currently, the WSOP network holds the market edge due to its larger player pool, while PokerStars US follows closely behind. But that is all set to change with BetMGM Poker combining networks in New Jersey and Michigan giving their player pool a much needed injection of new players.

New Jersey Traffic History

It is important to note that, as of January 1, 2023, PokerStars NJ combined its player pool with the Michigan platform, which is the reason for a sharp increase in player traffic after December 2022.

How to Play Online Poker in NJ

The process of signing up for online poker sites in New Jersey is straightforward and can be completed within minutes, even for those new to the world of online poker. To begin, it is crucial to ensure that the poker operator is licensed and regulated by the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). Once confirmed, follow these steps:

1. Choose an operator from our list of the top online poker sites in NJ.
2. Visit the website of the licensed and regulated poker operator on your phone or home computer.
3. Locate the 'Join’ or 'Sign Up’ button on the page and click on it.
4. In the registration form that appears, provide the required personal information, including your name, surname, and address.
5. Verify your email and/or phone number using the link sent to you in the verification email or text message.
6. Once your email and/or phone number have been verified, log in using your newly created username and password.
7. If available, claim your no deposit bonus or navigate to the cashier to make a deposit and claim any first deposit bonus on offer.
8. If you plan to play on the go, download the mobile app.
9. When using the mobile app, you can log in with the same account information, eliminating the need to create a new account.

It’s important to note that in order to participate in real money online poker games in New Jersey, you must be physically located within the state’s borders and be of legal age to gamble. You must ensure location sharing is turned on so that the app or website can verify you are physically in NJ before letting you play real money poker games.

Also, you must comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding online gambling in your jurisdiction. By creating an account on an online poker site in New Jersey, you confirm that you are aware of and will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

History of Online Poker in New Jersey

Online poker in New Jersey has a relatively short but fascinating history. The state legalized online gambling in 2013, and in November of that year, New Jersey became the third state to launch legal online poker sites.

The first online poker sites to launch in New Jersey were partypoker NJ, Borgata Poker, and WSOP. These sites quickly gained popularity as they offered players the opportunity to play poker for real money from the comfort of their own homes.

However, the early days of online poker in New Jersey were not without challenges. The state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) had to work closely with the online poker operators to ensure that they were compliant with the state’s strict regulations, and players had to go through a rigorous identity verification process before they could start playing.

Despite these challenges, online poker continued to grow in popularity in New Jersey. In 2014, the state’s online poker sites generated nearly $30 million in revenue, making it one of the most successful online poker markets in the United States.

In the years that followed, the New Jersey online poker market continued to evolve. New operators entered the market, and some sites merged or closed down. However, online poker remained a popular pastime for many New Jersey residents.

In 2018, New Jersey entered into an interstate online poker compact with Nevada and Delaware, allowing players from those states to play against each other on New Jersey’s online poker sites. This increased player liquidity and helped to grow the market even further.

Today, online poker is legal and regulated in several US states, including New Jersey. While the online poker landscape continues to evolve, New Jersey remains one of the most important markets for the game in the United States.

Multi-State Liquidity and Future of Online Poker in New Jersey

As mentioned earlier, New Jersey joined the interstate poker compact with Nevada and Delaware in 2017. They were pioneers in terms of sharing player pools across state lines. In 2022, Michigan joined the MSIGA as well, becoming the fourth state in the compact. However, since 2024 Delaware has stopped offering online poker to players in the state.

PokerStars operates in MI and PA along with NJ. PokerStars became the first operator to combine player pools from New Jersey and Michigan, allowing players to play in real money cash games and tournaments across state borders. The launch was a huge success, immediately propelling PokerStars to the top of the NJ online poker market.

WSOP operates in four states — NV, NJ, MI and PA. As of late May 2024, the WSOP combined the Michigan player pool with the rest of the WSOP US network — which includes Nevada and New Jersey. It now means players in NV and NJ have received a much needed software update, bringing it inline with software used in Michigan and the stand alone Pennsylvania market.

All sites on the BetMGM US network (BetMGM, Borgata, and partypoker) already share liquidity within the state of NJ and now with BetMGM Poker in Michigan!

BetRivers Poker NJ (Coming Soon)

In the near future, New Jersey could get another licensed site in BetRivers Poker. BetRivers Poker is currently live in PA only.

There are several reasons in favor of the BetRivers Poker NJ launch. The biggest one is the fact that NJ is a MSIGA member, which means the new operator could easily combine its player pools with other states within the compact (MI, NV).

The new site would likely operate under a license from Golden Nugget Casino and would bring fresh air to the market. Of course, it would also have to face some heavy competition from the likes of BetMGM Poker NJ, WSOP NJ, and PokerStars NJ, so it will be interesting to follow the developments in the next few months.

New Jersey Online Poker Laws and Regulations

New Jersey was one of the first US states to pass legislation regulating different forms of online gambling, including online poker. The first NJ poker sites started rolling out in November of 2013, but things did not go entirely smoothly.

There were many issues with geolocation, in particular, as players could not access sites despite being in New Jersey. The geolocation software often malfunctioned and showed their location as being in a different state. Similarly, credit and debit card transactions were frequently blocked by the banks.

With online gambling still in its infancy in the States, these problems, although not welcome, were expected. Over the years, things have changed, and these wrinkles have been ironed out. The experience across all online poker sites is rock solid, and all regulated operators are very trustworthy. They are all 100% legal and fully regulated.

All legal aspects of online poker in New Jersey are covered by bill A2578, which amended the Casino Control Act and was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie in October of 2013.

New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) is the body in charge of considering license applications, issuing licenses for the operators in the state, and overseeing their work to make sure they act in accordance with current statutes.

As far as players are concerned, there are several key details you need to know about playing online poker in NJ:

• All players must be at least 21 years of age
• You do not have to be inside the state of New Jersey to open an account
• You do not have to be a New Jersey resident to play

Safety and Fairness Considerations

All legal poker sites in the state of New Jersey are licensed and regulated by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). This body oversees all gambling-related business in the state and ensures all operators adhere to the rules they signed up for when receiving the license.

Prior to regulated poker, players found themselves between a rock and a hard place. They could either not play at all, or place their trust and their money with one of the illegal unregulated offshore sites that still catered (and continue to cater) to US players.

Although not all of these sites are necessarily “bad,” they certainly are not regulated by any relevant authority in the US. Furthermore, to do what they do, these rooms have to go around certain laws to be able to accept deposits and process withdrawals.

If anything goes wrong, be it a withdrawal problem or any other type of dispute, players really have no recourse when playing on these unregulated sites. So, it opens them to many potential risks.

On the other hand, all licensed operators in New Jersey have to adhere to stringent and transparent rules. Their business practices are constantly monitored, and their software is subject to regular checks to ensure the play is fair, random, and not rigged.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to file a complaint against an online poker operator, you can do it by calling the NJDGE or by sending them an email. Make sure to include all the relevant information and any communication between you and the room, as this will help clarify the case.

Once your complaint is received, you will be advised as to what steps to take next if anything else is required on your part.

New Jersey Online Poker Apps

You can download the software for any online poker site in NJ without issue. Visit the operator’s site, find the download link, and get the file. The download should not take more than a couple of minutes to complete, after which you can install the software on your computer and start playing.

The good news is that you do not have to be in NJ to download the software or open an account. So, if you are planning a trip, you can prepare everything ahead of time and be ready to kick things off once you enter the state.

Similar rules apply to mobile apps. You can download and install them on your phone without any restrictions.

For iPhone and Android, users can download the app directly from the operator’s website (linked above in the operators section) and install third-party apps. This is just an extra step in the process, but nothing to worry about.

NJ Online Poker Banking Options

Like in other regulated states, players have a variety of options available to them when playing on licensed NJ poker sites. Of course, not all operators accept every method, so if you prefer a particular payment option, make sure the room you want to play at supports it.

In general, you will find some or all of the following options are available for online poker in New Jersey:

• MasterCard
• Visa
• Discover
• American Express
• ACH
• Bank Transfers
• Skrill
• PayNearMe
• PayPal
• Check by Mail (for withdrawals)
• Cash at a land-based casino location

Most poker operators in the state will not charge you any fees for deposits or withdrawals. However, you should still pay attention to any transactions to poker sites, as it is possible for your bank or the payment processor to charge you. These fees can vary significantly between methods, so it is something to keep in mind.

When it comes to withdrawals, each method has its own turnaround time, with some of the fastest being bank transfer, PayPal, and cashing out in-person at a land-based casino and Check by Mail being the slowest, taking days or weeks to process.

New Jersey Online Poker FAQ

Is online poker legal in New Jersey?

Yes, online poker is legal and regulated in New Jersey. The online gambling bill was passed back in 2013, and it has been legal to play real money poker online in the state ever since. However, it is only legal to play on the sites that are licensed and regulated by the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).

Do I have to be physically present in New Jersey to play online poker?

Yes, the gaming law requires all players to be physically present in the state when actively playing. However, you can download the software, create your account, and even deposit and withdraw funds from other locations.

I’m traveling to New Jersey from out of state. Can I play online poker while I’m in New Jersey?

Yes, absolutely. If you’re a US resident of legal gambling age, you can create an account and play online poker while visiting. After you leave New Jersey, you may still be able to access your account and withdraw any winnings (depending upon the operator). However, you won’t be able to play any real money online poker until you are back within the state lines.

What is the best New Jersey online poker sites?

Currently, PokerStars NJ, sharing a player pool with PokerStars MI, is the number one poker site in New Jersey. It has the best welcome offer for new players, strong cash game traffic and great game spread.

Does New Jersey share player pools with other regulated states?

Yes. New Jersey is one of the four states to have entered a multi-state online poker agreement back in 2017, the others being Nevada and Delaware, and then in 2022, Michigan. PokerStars connects its New Jersey players with Michigan, and WSOP connects NJ players with Nevada and Michigan.

Are NJ online poker rooms safe?

Yes. All legally-operating poker rooms in New Jersey are safe to play at. These operators are licensed and regulated by the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) and are subject to strict rules and regulations to ensure the integrity and fairness of the games. They also use advanced security measures to protect player information and funds, including the use of encryption technology and secure servers.

Can I download any mobile poker apps in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey online poker apps for iOS and Android devices are available from all the state’s top poker rooms. You only need to head to the operator’s website to download and install the relevant app on your device.

Can I win WSOP bracelets by playing online poker in NJ?

Yes, you can win WSOP gold bracelets online in New Jersey. Players can compete in the online WSOP events from the comfort of their own homes and have the chance to win the same prestigious WSOP bracelets as those awarded in the live events in Vegas.

Are New Jersey online poker rooms rigged?

No, online poker sites offered by legal and regulated operators in New Jersey are not rigged. These operators are subject to strict regulations and regular audits to ensure that the games are fair and operate correctly. Additionally, these operators use advanced security measures to protect player information and funds.

What NJ online poker deposit bonuses are available?

As a new player in New Jersey, you are truly spoiled for choice. There are quite a few nice NJ online poker deposit bonuses up for grabs, so it boils down to your expectations and preferences. Our top recommendations are PokerStars’ $150 welcome package for new players BetMGM’s $1000 deposit match bonus.

How do I cash out at New Jersey online poker sites?

Because online poker is a completely legal and regulated activity in New Jersey, there are many cheap, reliable, and quick ways to move money on and off online poker sites. You can transfer directly from your bank, use e-wallets and credit cards, and even deposit and receive cash directly at casino cages in Atlantic City.