Authority and public resources
Jurisdiction: New Jersey, United States
What the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Does
Who the DGE Answers To
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement sits inside the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Law and Public Safety.
It was established under the Casino Control Act N.J.S.A. 5:12. Its main operations are investigation, inspection, audits, and criminal and regulatory prosecution. It’s one of several US state agencies that we cover on the regulators hub.
What the Casino Control Act Covers
Per the Casino Control Act, the DGE was created to govern Atlantic City’s land-based casinos amidst the casino boom in the 1970s and beyond.
After online gaming was authorized in New Jersey in 2013 under P.L. 2013 c.27, and the market went live in November the same year, the regulator started governing the online side, too.
The Division of Gaming Enforcement in New Jersey wasn’t the first one to do so. Delaware’s market went live on October 31, 2013, predating it by a few weeks. Check out the New Jersey state hub for the market itself.
DGE and the Casino Control Commission
The DGE oversees the day-to-day operations, but it’s not the only body involved in policing the market. The separate New Jersey Casino Control Commission issues casino licenses to Atlantic City operators, and hears appeals of decisions from the DGE Director.
The Division itself is focused on the policing side, handling investigations, law enforcement, and reviewing gaming permit applications.
How to Check That a New Jersey Casino Is Licensed
The Official Register
The safest way to check an NJ online casino’s license is the DGE’s own Internet Gaming Sites register. A licensed gaming platform should be listed there. If you can’t find it there, it’s likely that it’s an unlicensed site.
A tip: the register lists each casino site alongside the Atlantic City casino that holds the permit. What this means is that a brand can appear next to a different casino name. Search for the license holder in addition to the brand. To play at New Jersey online casinos, you must be 21 or older. Check our New Jersey online casinos page for the live market.
What a Permit Actually Covers
Per the legal framework in New Jersey, online casinos can only run under an internet gaming permit tied to Atlantic City casino licensees. This is the reason why BetMGM, PartyCasino, and Borgata share a licensing root.
The register changes all the time as permits update, so we don’t print a count of licensed operators. It’s available on the DGE’s website for tracking updates.
Signs a Site Is Not Licensed
A site that doesn’t appear on the register, under its own name or next to a license holder, is a massive red flag that it’s not a licensed operator. Additionally, players should be wary of sites that skip age and location checks.
How to File a Complaint About a New Jersey Operator
Step One: Complain to the Operator
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- The first step is to file a complaint with the operator. The DGE will not take internet gaming disputes until a complaint has been sent to the license holder and received a response. A dispute form must then be filed with the regulator (DGE), with a copy of the operator’s response attached.
Step Two: File the Internet Gaming Dispute Form
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- The internet gaming dispute form asks for your player ID, contact information, the site’s official web address, the nature of the complaint, as well as the dates of your original complaint and the operator’s response.
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- Save the completed form, attach a copy of your complaint and the operator’s reply, and send everything together to info@njdge.org.
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- Keep sensitive details out of the email. Don’t send your social security number, driver’s license or passport number, and don’t include financial details or your date of birth. Account passwords should be omitted as well.
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- If you have any questions regarding the process, you can call the DGE at (609) 984-0909.
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- After you file, the NJ DGE will review the dispute, and there’s no fixed timeline for this. The DGE will forward a copy of your complaint to the operator, unless you ask to skip this step.
What Counts as a Dispute
Disputes by definition are complaints the operator hasn’t been able to resolve after exhausting all reasonable means, which is why Step One comes first. Complaints about Atlantic City casino facilities use a separate Patron Complaint form.
For the latest New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement news and updates, check the agency’s website.
If you believe that your gambling has turned into a problem, New Jersey’s helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET. The state has a self-exclusion program, too, which runs through the DGE. To learn more about playing responsibly, check our responsible gambling hub.
Casinos and Sportsbooks Licensed in New Jersey
The NJ DGE’s own register is a live source of which casinos and sportsbooks are licensed today. If you want to check if an operator holds a license in the state, check the register first. Our New Jersey online casinos page compares all the legal operators we review.
