Gaming is one of the most popular hobbies to enjoy in the US. This is true especially in the modern age, where the gaming sector provides a diverse number of ways to get involved. Online casino play is a classic example and provides a new way to have fun that many gamers are starting to discover.
Although not all states have legalized iGaming, there is a growing list of who has. New Jersey was a real pioneer in this area and paved the way for others to follow. This has allowed its own iGaming market to grow throughout the years and become one of the most vibrant.
But what is the background of online casino gaming in the Garden State, and how has it grown over time?
Online Casino Play In New Jersey
iGaming was legalized by state officials in early 2013, and the market was launched by the end of that year. This means playing casino games online in NJ is perfectly legal for anyone who’s at least 21 years of age.
The 2013 launch date means that online casino gaming has been legal in NJ for more than 10 years. Over this time, the market has expanded greatly and shown real progression. But how has this happened?
Growth In The Number Of NJ Casinos Online
When New Jersey launched its iGaming market back in 2013, there were 13 licensed online casinos with which to sign up. By 2025, this number will have grown to around 30! This kind of expansion clearly shows how much iGaming in NJ has grown over time. For the full list, head over to World Sports Network to investigate the ideal online casinos in New Jersey.
This is especially good news for players in the state because it gives them a diverse range of safe casinos to play at online. WSN reviews some of the most popular, including many that have thousands of games to try and attractive rewards programs. Caesars is one casino that has a big following and combines its own loyalty scheme with exclusive games.
iGaming Revenues On The Rise In NJ
Along with the growth in the number of casinos available to play online, the iGaming sector in this state has seen revenues rise throughout the years. This is easy to see when you look at the revenues generated in the early years of NJ iGaming, compared to more recent industry figures.
In 2014, the total annual online casino revenue in NJ was recorded as $122.9m. This went up to around $1.92bn in 2023 and an estimated $2.39bn by the end of 2024! These kinds of stats show just how rapidly the iGaming segment has grown over the years.
It’s not just revenue figures that show how much New Jersey’s online casino market has flourished over time. The amount of money made by the state in iGaming taxation also shows a positive progression and points to an industry that has grown steadily. In 2016, annual taxes raised from NJ online casinos sat at around $29.5m, but this amount shot up to around $250m by 2022.
Rise In iGamers Around NJ
One of the ways iGaming has grown in this state over time is the rise in the number of people who now play casino games online. This is backed up by the rising revenue and taxation figures discussed above. Figures like this clearly show that more of the state’s residents have started to play casino games online over the years, leading to a rise in casino revenues and state tax returns.
This influx of new players over time has helped the sector really take off and expand to where it is now. But why have more people in the state decided to explore online casinos lately? The increased number of safe sites to play at is a major factor, as is the convenience and range of games they deliver. The widespread coverage of iGaming in the latest gaming news and the broader acceptance of playing casino games online in society have also led to more people in NJ trying it out.
Greater Focus On Responsible Gaming
Responsible gaming is now a hot topic in all states and has grown over time to become more central to the iGaming experience. This has certainly been true for New Jersey over time, where both casinos and the state itself have paid even more attention to it.
In 2024, a Responsible Gambling Taskforce was set up in New Jersey to tackle problem gambling issues in the state. The first report from this task force was due in March 2025, and it will be interesting to see what insights are drawn from it.
In recent years, online casinos that are licensed to operate in NJ have rolled out a range of safer gambling tools. This is a major shift from the early years of iGaming in the state, where safer gambling tools and dedicated task forces were not commonly seen.
The Online Casino Industry’s Growth In New Jersey
As the above shows, there are several reasons why the online casino sector in New Jersey has grown over time. This rise shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and it’s reasonable to think that iGaming in the Garden State is set for even more success.
