New Jersey Online Gambling Law Details
By John Mehaffey
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed A2578 into law on February 26, 2026. The new interactive law allows online poker and any casino game that is legal in Atlantic City to be spread over the Internet. Players will be allowed to play slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and any number of table games offered in Atlantic City casinos.
Only Atlantic City casino operators will be allowed to operate online poker rooms and casinos in New Jersey. Most of the brands will be the ones used by casinos or otherwise recognizably related, including the World Series of Poker.
Software companies will be required to partner with existing Atlantic City casinos. They will require licensing through the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, just as any other company that shares in gaming revenue. Companies that provide support services will also require an interactive gaming license. These include database management, security, geolocation providers and marketing affiliate companies.
Key employees would be required to submit to thorough checks that include financial and criminal backgrounds. All employees would be required to undergo the same licensing requirements as their brick and mortar counterparts.
Peripheral companies would not be required to submit to similar licensing standards. This includes banks, payment processors and internet service providers.
Taxes and Licensing Fees
Casino companies that wish to receive a New Jersey interactive gaming license will be required to post a $100,000 fee that goes towards a company background check. If approved, this fee would be applied to the $200,000 initial licensing requirement. Renewals run $150,000 per year. There is also a $150,000 annual fee that goes towards problem gambling and the Department of Human Resources.
The tax rate for online gambling revenue is 15%, The original rate was 10%, but it was a part of Governor Christie's conditional veto.
Update: Most recent New Jersey Online Gaming Revenue
Illegal Operators
Companies that operate without a license in New Jersey are subject to substantial fines. Unlicensed companies that accept New Jersey players may face fines of up to $200,000 plus $1,000 per player per day. This would appear to be aimed at offshore operators that accept action from New Jersey players.
Federal Law Preempts New Jersey Law
If the federal government should adopt online gambling regulations then New Jersey law would accept them. This may include entering a US online poker system.
Player Requirements
All players must be 21 years of age or older. Atlantic City also requires their patrons to be at least 21 years old. Deposits would be accepted by cash, check, money order, credit card, debit card and electronic wallet. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement may include any payment method it deems suitable. Withdrawal options would be similar.
Players would be required to submit their Social Security Number. A full document check would be required as well.
Problem Gambling
Players that are excluded from Atlantic City casinos will also be barred from playing at regulated sites. This includes those that self excluded through problem gambling features and those banned by casino management. Players could also set daily and lifetime loss limits and self exclude for a period of time of they were going to be away or wished to have a cool off period.
Racetracks Cannot Operate Online Casinos
One of the goals of this bill is to protect New Jersey's ailing horseracing industry. While tracks cannot operate online poker rooms or casinos, they still stand to gain $30 million in revenue during the first three years. Tracks will receive $15 million the first year, $10 million the second year and $5 million the third year of online gambling operations.
Want to find out the history of the bill? Check out our in-depth history of New Jersey Online Gambling.