Live dealer casinos have been available in New Jersey since 2016. Such live casinos offer something that fully electronic, RNG-based games lack — an authentic casino vibe, thus bridging the gap between traditional and online gambling. Before live dealer games launched in the state, this type of sensation was exclusive to retail casinos in Atlantic City.
NJ’s online live casino sector has grown since its inception. Most online casinos in the state now feature live blackjack and live roulette games, often in several variations. Some sites also offer live versions of craps, baccarat or poker.
This guide is a resource for those interested in online live dealer casino games in New Jersey, with information on the top live casino sites and games, as well as other information.
Best NJ live dealer casinos
What are live dealer games?
Live dealer games give off the same thrilling and authentic aura as an in-person casino, and therein lies their biggest appeal. It’s the closest thing you can get to immersing yourself in a brick-and-mortar Atlantic City casino without leaving your home.
In many ways, this is an upgrade from standard types of online casino games, which lack the social component. In such RNG-based games, you instead compete against the software in a virtual setting. The action in live dealer casinos takes place in specialized studios or rooms in real casinos, hence the greater immersion.
Actual dealers host the games, and sensors and cameras capture every motion — like the spinning of the roulette wheel, shuffling of cards and rolling of dice. The footage then streams to your phone, computer or tablet.
Top NJ online casinos with live dealer table games
Whether you want to play live dealer blackjack or live dealer roulette, you’ll have multiple choices in New Jersey. Still, not all NJ live dealer casino sites are equal. The following are our picks for the best live dealer casinos in NJ based on game selection, software providers, online casino bonuses and more:
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget NJ was the first online casino to offer live dealer games in New Jersey. Golden Nugget also features one of the most diverse live dealer portfolios in the state, with at least 16 games available. The selection includes nine live blackjack games along with live versions of casino poker, roulette and baccarat. Most tables are open 24 hours. Betting options, return-to-player rates and max payouts vary from game to game. Live dealer titles are from Ezugi.
Caesars
Caesars NJ is one of the top-performing online casinos in the state, not only because of its loyalty program (Caesars Rewards) and welcome bonus but also for its versatile Ezugi-powered live dealer room. More than 10 tables are available, including American roulette, live Casino Hold’em, live baccarat and several live blackjack variations, including Unlimited Blackjack, which can host an infinite number of players.
BetMGM
BetMGM Casino is one of the few online casinos in New Jersey with games from two providers, Evolution Gaming and Ezugi. With roughly 14 live dealer games in total, there are standard choices like blackjack and distinct titles like Dream Catcher and Lightning Roulette.
Unibet
Unibet NJ Casino offers around 16 live games. Within the varied selection, players can find some fun options, like Slingshot Roulette, Lightning Roulette and Eagles Blackjack, an NFL-themed live blackjack variation from Evolution Gaming.
Can I play live dealer games on casino apps?
Initially you could not, but that soon changed. Top-tier live dealer software providers like Evolution, Ezugi and NetEnt use HTML5 for game development. Thanks to this and the enhanced performance of casino apps in NJ, you can easily access live dealer tables from iOS or Android devices as long as the casino can verify that you’re in New Jersey via geolocation.
How to play real money live dealer games
Live dealer casino games combine the thrill of the real casino floor and the ease of use and accessibility of online gambling. You can interact with live dealers online the same way as you would in an actual casino and chat with other players at the table.
From the moment you find a suitable casino with live dealer games, you’ll need but a few minutes to register for an account, make an online deposit, and start playing. With a smartphone or tablet and an internet connection, you can set everything up from virtually anywhere in New Jersey.
You can play live dealer casino games for real money only, as the games aren’t available in demo mode. That’s why it’s a good idea to get to know the game rules, RTPs, betting limits and payouts beforehand. This is especially true for live game shows and some distinct titles you may not have encountered before.
Live dealer games vs. real table games in a casino
Both live dealer online casinos and traditional, in-person venues have their pros and cons, which we list below:
| Live Dealer Games | Retail Casino Games | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantages | Play from anywhere in the state. Save money on travel costs. Able to play under the radar for those who want to stay anonymous. Available on smartphones and tablets. |
Looser game rules than in live dealer casinos. Slower pace (gives you more time to weigh your betting decisions). More side bets are available. Bigger table maximums and winning caps. |
| Disadvantages | Can experience performance issues with streams (though it's rare). Less diverse game selection. Higher minimum bets due to maintenance costs. Withdrawals can take longer. Live dealer craps not available on many sites. |
Aren't always available 24/7. Significantly smaller bonuses available. |
Most popular live dealer games in NJ online casinos
Online casino sites typically feature multiple live blackjack variations and fewer if any for baccarat or craps games. Sometimes the games aren’t running around the clock because their host studios work limited hours. Live dealer games occasionally employ specific game rules, so be sure to check these before you dive in. Here’s a rundown of the main types of games:
Live dealer blackjack
Available variations of live blackjack online in New Jersey include Unlimited Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, High Limit Blackjack, and Seven Seat Blackjack. Land-based and online casino games follow similar rules. Minimum wagers typically start at $25, depending on the table and casino. There are generally two side bets available: pair bets and 21+3.
Live dealer roulette
Roulette is easily the most popular game of chance, and it’s available in live dealer format at all NJ online casinos that offer such games. Available real money roulette options generally include American and European, plus a few spinoffs such as Evolution Gaming’s Lightning Roulette. Minimum bets are $1 for most tables, making this a solid choice for casual and recreational players.
Live dealer baccarat
With a house edge of 1% on the banker bet, live dealer baccarat is often a popular option where it’s available. It plays essentially the same as in retail casinos, apart from some minor tweaks. Ezugi offers a variation with a dragon bonus side bet. The commission is at a standard 5%.
Can I play live dealer games without my money?
Not quite, but while live dealer games aren’t available in demo mode, RNG-based table games and slots are. This gives you a chance to take the game for a test drive and see what it’s all about before risking your money.
While demo mode is a good way to try online table games, the catch is that you can’t win any real money when playing in that mode. If you find an online casino in New Jersey that offers live casino bonuses or a no deposit bonus, though, you can do both. For instance, Golden Nugget offers $10 in bonus bets when you create an account. You could use this to get the feel of some live dealer games and maybe try out some strategies.
Is there cheating in live dealer casino games?
No, legal casinos in New Jersey must receive approval from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. The agency routinely audits legal online casinos to ensure fair play and proper operations. It is also possible to zoom in on the camera so you can see the live dealer action up close.
Essentially, there’s no room for any kind of tampering. Not that casinos need to resort to such measures to make money. The games’ house edges inherently skew them in favor of the house, so it would make no sense for a legitimate casino to tarnish its reputation in this way.