New Jersey Gambling Commission – NJ DGE Explained
In 1977, casinos were legalized once again in the state of New Jersey. That led to the need for a New Jersey gambling commission. Today, the law enforcement agency that monitors casino activities is the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement. The NJ Casino Control Commission is responsible for the licensing of operators. Join us and find the most important details in our guide.
Here, you will find more information about the legal systems that are in place in New Jersey. We will begin by telling you more about the law enforcement agency and its main duties. Then, we have summarized the gambling laws, plus some NJ DGE regulations that concern players. Finally, you will find an overview of the gambling industry in the state, followed by an FAQ section on the topic.
NJ DGE – New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJ DGE) was founded in 1977 under the Casino Control Act as a protective measure to keep the integrity of the casino gaming industry in the state. The law enforcement agency’s mission is to protect the public interest. The NJDGE does this by enforcing the Casino Control Act and local regulations.
Furthermore, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is the investigative arm of the casino regulatory system in place. Its workforce includes accountants, attorneys, and investigators. Plus, the agency is supported by the New Jersey State Troopers and DCJ prosecutors. The NJ DGE investigates and audits casino operators such as slots machines, casino floor systems, and internet gaming platforms as part of its duties.
| 📆 Established in: | 1997 |
| 🚩 Offices: | Atlantic City Office, 1300 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 Fingerprint Unit directions, Tennessee Ave & Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 Trenton Office directions, 140 East Front Street P.O. Box 047, Trenton, NJ 08625 |
| 💎 Director: | David L. Rebuck |
| 💻 Official Website: | https://www.njoag.gov/about/ |
| 📞 Phone: | 609-984-0909 |
| ✉️ Email: | info@njdge.org |
One thing that doesn’t fall under the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement jurisdiction is issuing licenses. Only the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (CCC) can grant gaming licenses in the state. This organization is an independent licensing authority that oversees appeals from decisions and penalties imposed by the NJDGE.
Allow us to elaborate; as a law enforcement body, the NJ DGE focuses on investigating and monitoring the gaming industry in the state. On the other side, the CCC’s main activity is to grant licenses and oversee the results from NJDGE’s investigations. Both are part of the legal systems in place, so if the first is like a detective, the latter would be the judge.
Main Duties of the NJ DGE
Now, let’s look at the main duties of the NJ Gambling Commission, better known as the NJ DGE. Under the Casino Control Act, it has agency to carry out four main tasks to protect the public interest as well as the integrity of the gaming industry in the State of New Jersey, which are the following:
- License Applicant Investigations
- Regulatory Enforcement
- Monitoring Casino Operations
- Slot Laboratory – Technical Services Bureau (TSB)
The DGE is part of the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety which is in the office of the NJ Attorney General. Moreover, there is a director in charge of the law enforcement agency, who the governor selects with advice and consent of the New Jersey Senate. You know how there are some weird gambling laws in Las Vegas? Well, you don’t have to worry about those in New Jersey.
Gambling Laws in NJ
Gambling activities have been legal in the state for a very long time now. As early as the 1800s, lotteries were a popular form of gambling in New Jersey. Between 1894 and 1939, gambling was banned in the state. Later on, in 1976, New Jersey legalized gambling venues and online casinos in 2013.
The New Jersey gambling commission controls all gambling-related activities such as casino gambling, sports betting, and lottery. As you might imagine, gambling in Atlantic City and online casinos also fall under its jurisdiction. Thanks to its gambling laws, New Jersey attracts a lot of visitors to its casino hotels.
Most of New Jersey’s land-based casinos are located in Atlantic City, making it the most popular city in the state. Aside from casinos, you can legally take part in sports betting and lottery, which is possible thanks to legislation that was passed in 2012.
Gambling in New Jersey
Most forms of gambling are legal in the state. Locals and visitors can enjoy casino games such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and poker. On top of that, sports betting, lotteries, and online gambling are also legal in New Jersey. We encourage you to play at venues that hold a license by the NJ gambling commission such as the best casino sites in NJ.
Brick-And-Mortar Casinos in NJ
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement supervises the casino activities in the state to keep the industry’s integrity. In addition, all casinos must hold a license from the gambling commission in New Jersey – the CCC. All of this is in place so that players can enjoy a safe and secure casino experience in the state. Hence, we strongly encourage you to play only at licensed operators. Luckily, you can find some of the top USA land-based casinos in Atlantic City, NJ.
Visitors and locals can find some of the finest casino venues in Atlantic City, New Jersey. There, you could enjoy a wide range of casino games and sports betting. Many casino hotels also offer additional amenities such as SPA, shopping centers, and restaurants. Keep in mind you must be 21 or older to play in NJ, which happens to be the the legal gambling age in most of the USA.
Online Casinos in New Jersey
If you are not a fan of brick-and-mortar casinos, you will be happy to learn that online gambling is legal in New Jersey. There are many top-rated casino sites in NJ that you can enjoy. On top of that, online operators offer a greater variety of gambling products than most land-based casinos. For example, you can take advantage of high-quality games and sports betting on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
In other words, you can take the excitement of playing at a casino anywhere with you in the state. It can be on the road, in your hotel room, or in the comfort of your New Jersey home. Furthermore, online casinos fall under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey DGE and the CCC. Thus, top-rated US online casinos hold active licenses and comply with the latest NJ DGE regulations.
Popular Questions About the NJ Gambling Commission
Hopefully, our guide to the New Jersey gambling commission and regulations has addressed all your concerns. We tried our best to be as thorough as possible, but we may have missed something out. Hence, we prepared answers to the most popular questions on the topic, so check them out below.
