Can You Play Poker In New Jersey?

With so many options in-person and online, it’s easy to figure out how to play poker in New Jersey. You can play poker in NJ at the three Atlantic City poker rooms or online at one of the five state-regulated New Jersey online poker sites. The Borgata and Harrah’s host 2025 World Poker Tour (WPT) and World Series of Poker (WSOP) events, making Atlantic City one of the best places to play poker in the US.

New Jersey has the most state-regulated online poker rooms in the United States, including top titles like WSOP, PokerStars, BetMGM Poker, Borgata Online, and PartyPoker. Home games are illegal in New Jersey and there aren’t any tribal casinos, but in-person poker players can play at Atlantic City or participate in charitable poker tournaments for nonprofit fundraising.

New Jersey Online Poker Rooms

Rank
Poker Room
Age Req
Welcome Bonus
Visit
1
21+
100% up to $600 OR up to $150 in bonus play
2
21+
100% up to $1,000 + $100 in free play + 7 free spins
3
21+
100% up to $1,000 + $85 in tournament tickets
4
21+
100% up to $1,000 + $85 in tournament tickets
5
21+
100% up to $600 + $30 in tournament tickets

Is Poker Legal In New Jersey?

Poker is legal in New Jersey under definitions provided in New Jersey Statutes Annotated Title 2C, Chapter 37 and Title 5, Chapter 12 of the Casino Control Act. These poker laws are overseen by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) and the Casino Control Commission (CCC).

A definition of gambling provided in N.J. Stat. Ann. 2C:37-1b considers poker as gambling, but N.J. Stat. Ann. 5:12-2c authorizes licensed casinos to offer poker as a “table game”. Online poker is authorized under N.J. Stat. Ann. 5:12-95:17 and was introduced in 2013.

There’s also the matter of charitable poker, which is deemed legal under N.J. Stat. Ann. 5:8-51 and N.J.A.C. 13:47-13. Permits are required and there aren’t any permanent rooms in New Jersey like there are in other states with poker, but these charitable poker rooms offer No Limit Hold’em tournaments with a max prize capped at $1,000.

What Is Legal Poker Age In New Jersey?

The legal poker age in New Jersey is 21+ for live poker in casinos and online poker. Charitable poker tournaments allow players to participate starting at 18 years old according to charitable gaming laws in N.J.A.C. 13:47-6.4 for non-profit organizations.

The three in-person poker rooms in Atlantic City and online poker rooms require players to be 21+ to sit at a table. Casino entry at Harrah’s, Borgata, and the Tropicana are heavily regulated with ID checks at the door, but anyone 21 years or older can play cash games and poker tournaments in New Jersey.

Live Poker Rooms In New Jersey

Atlantic City is home to all three live poker rooms in New Jersey. The three casinos are home to roughly 110 tables between the three of them, but the Borgata is the biggest poker room in New Jersey with 50 poker tables.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

  • Address: 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
  • General Phone Number: (609) 317-1000
  • Poker Room Phone Number: (609) 317-7596
  • URL: www.borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/casino/poker.html

The Borgata is the best poker room in New Jersey with No Limit Hold’em, Fixed-Limit Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Pot Limit Omaha, and more poker variations available 24/7. This infamous Atlantic City poker room hosts some of the biggest live poker tournaments in the US with WSOP circuit events and the annual Borgata Poker Open, which offers $2 million in guaranteed prizes.

A normal day at the Borgata includes daily poker tournaments ranging from $150 to $1,500 buy-ins, high-hand jackpots (up to $500 every hour) and bad-beat bonuses rarely found at in-person poker rooms. The Borgata poker scene offers some of the best cash games and tournament series available in the state for all different types of poker.

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City – WSOP Poker Room

  • Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
  • General Phone Number: (609) 441-5000
  • Poker Room Phone Number: (609) 441-5402
  • URL: www.caesars.com/harrahs-atlantic-city/casino/poker

Harrah’s Resort is the second-biggest live poker room in New Jersey with 40 poker tables, available 24/7. This is a WSOP-branded poker room and the host for many WSOP circuit events, which often see a buy-in ranging from $400 to $1,700 with $1 million in guaranteed winnings.

Harrah’s is a poker room that’s more focused on tournaments, but their cash games are available all the time. Daily tournaments at Harrah’s offer buy-ins from $150-$1,500, available from 11 AM – 7 PM.

Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City

  • Address: 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
  • Phone Number: (609) 340-4000
  • URL: www.tropicana.net/casino/poker

The Tropicana Casino & Resort is the best destination for poker players looking to play cash games. They offer 20 tables and are known for being a more casual poker vibe compared to the Borgata and Harrah’s.

The Tropicana has No Limit Hold’em cash games starting at $1/$3 and reaching $100/$300 buy-ins. They also offer Fixed-Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha cash games, but poker tournaments at the Tropicana are limited to the weekends at 7 PM.

Closest Live Poker Rooms

With all of New Jersey’s live poker rooms located in Atlantic City, there are plenty of residents with closer options out of state. For example, the closest live poker rooms to northern New Jersey residents are in Pennsylvania or New York.

Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, New York is roughly 90 miles from northern Jersey and has 18 tables of Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud. For a shorter 60-mile trip, New Jersey poker players can visit Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania with 30 tables.

Parx was voted as the best poker room and best poker tournaments by Casino Player’s Best of Gaming Pennsylvania awards in 2024. They offer No Limit and Fixed Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and mix games with plenty of daily tournaments to choose from.

Can You Play Poker At Home For Money

Although enforcement is rare unless the game is heavily publicized, home games are deemed illegal under N.J. Stat. Ann. 2c:37-2. New Jersey law against home games is stricter than other states with poker, as even rake-free games could face misdemeanor charges and there aren’t any social gambling exceptions listed in the law.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can You Play On PokerStars In New Jersey?

Yes, New Jersey players can play on PokerStars if they’re at least 21 years old. PokerStars is one of five state-regulated New Jersey online poker sites and is a part of the largest US online poker pool with Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Is WSOP Available In New Jersey?

World Series of Poker (WSOP) accepts New Jersey players for real money poker. They offer online poker in New Jersey with their website and a mobile poker app, plus their in-person poker room at the Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

Does BetMGM Poker Accept New Jersey Players?

New Jersey is one of the three states with poker from BetMGM. Their New Jersey poker welcome bonus comes with a 100% first deposit match up to $1,000 and $85 in tournament tickets.

Can I Play Borgata Online Poker In New Jersey?

Borgata has the biggest poker room in New Jersey with 50 tables, but residents can also enjoy Borgata Online’s poker tournaments from home. Borgata has an easily downloadable New Jersey online poker room and a real money poker app for NJ players.

Is PartyPoker Legal In New Jersey?

PartyPoker is licensed and regulated in New Jersey to offer legal online poker. Anyone that’s 21+ in New Jersey can legally play real money poker for cash prizes at PartyPoker.

Is Ignition Poker Legal In New Jersey?

While there are no state laws saying it’s illegal, Ignition Poker doesn’t accept players from New Jersey. Ignition offers their online poker room to 45 states, but New Jersey is one of the five states that are restricted from signing up.

Is Bovada Legal In New Jersey?

Similarly to Ignition, Bovada doesn’t accept players from New Jersey. This internationally-licensed and regulated poker site takes players from 30+ states, but does not have any poker rooms in New Jersey. If this changes in the future, our review of poker at Bovada breaks down what makes it a popular and trusted online casino.

Is It Legal To Play Poker In New Jersey At BetOnline?

BetOnline offers real money online poker to every state with the exception of New Jersey. The BetOnline poker room is available in neighboring states like Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, and more.

Does DraftKings Have A Poker Room In New Jersey?

While DraftKings has a sportsbook and online casino in New Jersey, they don’t have a poker room. New Jersey players that use the DraftKings Casino app will only be able to play video poker like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild.

Does FanDuel Have Poker In New Jersey?

Similar to DraftKings, the FanDuel Casino in New Jersey doesn’t have a poker room with tournaments or cash games. FanDuel only offers video poker games from their casino app in New Jersey.

What Are The Best NJ Online Poker Deposit Methods?

Part of knowing how to play poker in New Jersey is understanding how to fund an online account. While there are a variety of poker deposit methods, some stand out more than others. The best NJ online poker sites accept cryptocurrencies, which allow players to make instant deposits with no fees attached. Other payment methods, such as debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, and even PayPal/ Venmo, are accepted by most sites.