🏁 The Starting Line: November 2013 Launches
In November 2013, New Jersey became the first U.S. state outside of Nevada to legalize and regulate online casinos in a fully commercial capacity. This decision transformed Atlantic City’s land-based giants into digital pioneers overnight. On November 25, 2013, six casino license holders launched the first wave of legal online gambling platforms:
- Borgata Online Casino – One of the original launch brands, partnered with bwin.party to debut a sleek interface and a wide selection of slots and table games.
- Caesars Online Casino – Operated alongside 888 Holdings, allowing players access to both Caesars-branded and 888-branded casinos under one license.
- 888 Casino NJ – Known internationally, 888 launched in tandem with Caesars and was the only foreign brand to operate independently at the time.
- Tropicana Online Casino – In partnership with Gamesys, this platform emphasized casual and interactive games, quickly gaining popularity for daily promotions.
- Virgin Casino – Operated under Tropicana’s license, it brought global brand appeal and a stylish, entertainment-driven layout.
- Golden Nugget Online Casino – Though its full public launch came in February 2014, it was part of the initial wave with a soft-launch in late 2013, testing systems and gathering feedback.
These early entrants not only made history but also set the groundwork for future licensing, regulation, and operational standards that are now considered the benchmark across the U.S.
💥 The Rise of New Titans: 2014–2017
As the market matured, new operators began joining the scene, each with its own strategic edge—tribal affiliations, international roots, or innovation-first platforms:
- Golden Nugget Online Casino – Launched officially in February 2014. Within two years, it rose to the top of revenue charts by offering hundreds of third-party titles and a seamless mobile experience.
- Pala Casino – Went live in November 2014, notable as the first Native American-operated online casino in New Jersey. It brought a loyal base and exclusive promotions tailored to its tribal brand.
- Mohegan Sun Casino – Launched in July 2015, leveraging a recognizable brand from Connecticut and offering an experience that combined East Coast luxury with tech simplicity.
- Scores Casino – Quietly launched in 2015 under Borgata’s license, targeting a niche adult audience. Despite limited marketing, it retained a modest following for several years.
- Resorts Casino – Began online operations in February 2015. Partnering with NYX Gaming initially, Resorts soon integrated with PokerStars and DraftKings, leading to rapid growth and expanded sportsbook integration.
This phase marked a transition from regulatory testing to competitive development, with more casinos investing in user-friendly interfaces, loyalty programs, and expanding game libraries.
🚀 The Digital Boom: 2018–2019
By 2018, New Jersey had become a shining example of successful iGaming legislation. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA (legalizing sports betting) brought even more eyes to NJ’s digital platforms, and new casinos seized the opportunity:
- Hard Rock Online Casino – Launched June 2018 alongside the opening of Hard Rock Atlantic City. Its platform focused on live music themes and exclusive games powered by Gaming Innovation Group.
- Ocean Casino – Opened its digital platform in July 2018, offering a clean, fast-loading site with generous promotions and a strong mobile presence.
- BetAmerica – Debuted its online casino in early 2019. Originally a racing-focused brand, BetAmerica expanded with a full suite of slots and table games under the Golden Nugget license.
- Bet365 Casino – Entered New Jersey in late 2019, bringing one of the world’s largest sportsbook and casino platforms into the U.S. It offered deep game variety and strong cross-platform sync.
- Unibet NJ – Launched in September 2019, backed by Kindred Group. It brought European-style casino content and fast-loading features to the NJ market.
- Parx Online Casino – Went live in October 2019, extending the Parx Casino brand from Pennsylvania. It provided a familiar layout for regional players with strong banking features.
These years were defined by sleek mobile platforms, increased game count, and international operators tailoring their products for the U.S. market.
🎯 Sportsbook-Driven Expansion: 2020–2021
With the success of sports betting came a new wave of digital-first operators and sportsbook giants adding standalone casino platforms to their offerings:
- DraftKings Casino – Initially offered via its sportsbook app, DraftKings launched a dedicated casino app in June 2020. It quickly rose to prominence by integrating exclusive games and player-friendly features.
- FanDuel Casino – Released its standalone casino app in July 2021, though casino games were previously accessible via the FanDuel Sportsbook app. It emphasized a curated game selection and gamified user experience.
- BetMGM Casino – While the MGM brand was involved from the start, it fully rebranded and expanded as BetMGM Casino in 2020, offering a vast game library and unique progressive jackpots.
- PartyCasino NJ – Relaunched under the BetMGM umbrella in 2020, this brand pivoted toward a cleaner interface, targeted marketing, and easy integration with MGM’s broader ecosystem.
These operators capitalized on cross-platform engagement, merging sportsbook traffic with casino offerings to drive user retention and daily logins.
🆕 Newest Entrants: 2022–2024
Even after a decade, New Jersey continues to attract new online casino brands, many of which prioritize personalization, modern design, and vertical integration with sportsbooks and media:
- PlayStar Casino – Officially launched in August 2022, focusing on tailored user experience and gamified features like missions and achievements.
- Bally Casino – Went live in 2022, offering a fresh take on classic games and leveraging the Bally brand’s entertainment legacy.
- Tipico Casino – Entered in 2022, brought over from the European market with a sleek mobile-first interface and strong customer service focus.
- SI Casino (Sports Illustrated) – Launched in March 2023, a collaboration between 888 Holdings and the iconic magazine brand, blending sports storytelling with digital gaming.
- Jackpot City NJ – Expanded into the New Jersey market in 2023, offering a familiar international brand with colorful visuals and fast payouts.
- Wheel of Fortune Casino – Debuted in February 2023, the first brand-specific casino based on a game show. It offered themed slots, daily wheel spins, and unique promotions.
- PlayLive! Casino – Tied to the Live! Casino & Hotel brand, launched in 2023, bringing loyalty perks from the physical properties into the digital realm.
- PointsBet Casino – Expanded its casino offerings throughout 2023, offering deep integration with its sportsbook and a highly responsive app.
These entrants reflect a shift toward experience-driven platforms, where branding, personalization, and content exclusivity matter as much as game count.
🔮 What’s Next for New Jersey?
More than a decade after its digital dawn, New Jersey’s online casino industry shows no sign of slowing. With new technologies like live-dealer streaming, VR integration, and AI-powered game personalization on the horizon, the landscape continues to evolve. Established giants continue to innovate, while new entrants compete to differentiate themselves through loyalty perks, exclusive content, and mobile-first convenience.
The timeline of online casino launches in New Jersey isn’t just a historical curiosity—it’s a mirror of the industry’s maturity, adaptability, and explosive potential. From the first six pioneers to dozens of thriving brands today, New Jersey remains the heart of regulated iGaming in America.