Given the number of online casinos available in New Jersey, choosing one can be a challenge. One of the things that can help set them apart is each online casino’s app.
The app-based gameplay experience resembles what you’ll find playing on the casino’s website on your computer. There’s the same smooth performance and stability, if not more so. You can use the apps to play games, make deposits and withdrawals, and explore the many customization options.
The following guide will identify the best NJ casino apps and their most essential features.
Best NJ online casino apps
What are casino apps?
Casino apps are proprietary iOS and Android applications that online casinos develop to facilitate access for smartphone users who prefer gambling on the go. If you are 21 or older and located within New Jersey, you can choose an app from one of the online casinos from the list above, download it and start playing within minutes.
With NJ casino apps, you can experience games from a mobile-first approach. This means they are optimized for mobile displays, and more and more of them are rolling out to fit smaller screens.
All functionalities of an online casino’s website will also be available on its app, including the payment methods, customer support and bonus deals. Here are some of the best New Jersey casino apps on the market:
Golden Nugget Casino app
The Golden Nugget Casino app is a near copy of the online casino’s website, just smaller. The same layout, easy navigation and demo versions of games are its marquee features.
There are slightly over 1,200 slots, table games, live dealer titles and video poker options on the app. Among them are exclusive live dealer games that stream directly from Golden Nugget’s studio in Atlantic City. You can also access the sports betting section of the site through the app from anywhere in New Jersey.
The app displays detailed information about the available games, which is helpful in making your selection.
BetMGM Casino app
The BetMGM Casino app was one of the first that New Jersey Android users could download directly from the Google Play Store. Those with iPhones can get their app in the App Store.
The Android version offers slightly more games than its iOS counterpart, but that’s just about the only difference between the two. The game selection includes slots, blackjack, roulette, poker and other titles. Titles loaded quickly and did not lag for us during our testing.
Even if you get switched out for some reason, you can return to the same lobby and continue where you left off once you’re connected again. You can also accumulate comp and tier points for BetMGM’s rewards program by playing on the app.
Caesars Casino app
Caesars Casino app is home to over 600 games, of which over 300 are video slots, including the ones with progressive jackpots you can find in a specially dedicated tab.
The newly updated layout, with crisp golden and white background instead of dark navy blue, improved the overall look of the app and its performance. In the app, the games load faster than on the web browser version of the site.
Borgata Casino app
Borgata Casino app offers 1,800-plus games, organized as featured titles, top live games, latest releases and other sections. Such categorization allows you to find the games you’re looking for, even if you don’t use the search option that’s available on every page.
Every time you place a bet on the app, you accrue comp points for the M life Rewards program, just as you would with the desktop version of the site. Additional points unlock a chance for better prizes.
Hard Rock Casino app
Hard Rock Casino recently updated its app, and with its new design came new perks. First of all, the Hard Rock Casino app does not take up much space, especially on Android devices, where it’s less than 5MB. It’s also available in the Google Play Store, which saves you the trouble of tweaking the security settings to allow your phone to download and install the app directly from the casino site.
The selection of games is top-notch. There are more than 600 titles to choose from, most of which are video slots, but with a selection of table games and other titles, as well. The free spins that you can receive as a new customer are a nice perk, as well.
Which apps have free bonuses?
No deposit casino bonuses let you create an account and test the casino app without risking your own money. Several New Jersey mobile casino apps offer these bonuses, including the following:
| Bally Casino | $30 |
| Hard Rock Casino | 50 free spins plus $25 |
| Unibet Casino | $10 |
Why play on a casino app vs. a computer?
The benefits of casino apps go beyond portability, which, undoubtedly, is one of their biggest perks over desktop computers. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
- Play on the move
- Convenient to use
- App-only casino bonuses
- Improved functionality and faster navigation
- More customization options
Cons:
- Worse uptime compared to websites
- Less diverse game library
Can you win real money on New Jersey casino apps?
Yes. Of course, to be successful, you must first deposit some money into your account and use it to wager on some games. Sure, the demo versions are fine and can help you get the hang of a game, but without betting real money, there can’t be any cash winnings.
The other way in which you can win real money on a casino app is by claiming and clearing a bonus. Each promotion has wagering/playthrough requirements that tell you how many times you need to bet the amount of the bonus or the winnings that come from it to turn it into withdrawable cash.
Either way, once the money is eligible for withdrawal, here is how you can get it:
- Go to the cashier section of your account.
- Hit the withdraw/cash-out option button.
- Choose the method and the amount you wish to withdraw.
- Insert the necessary details and follow the on-screen prompts to verify the transaction.
- The money should arrive within one to five business days, depending on the method.
Note that you need to verify your account before you can request a withdrawal. The process includes providing the casino with personal and banking details.
Who can play on NJ casino apps?
Anyone who is at least 21 and located in the state can download a New Jersey casino app and start betting. You don’t have to be a resident of the state, just of legal age and present within state lines when you bet. You may be able to access demo games or deposit money into your account while elsewhere, but to place a real money bet, you must be present in New Jersey.
How to play on your iPhone
- Select an online casino that’s legal in New Jersey and create an account.
- Head to the casino website on your iPhone’s browser to download the app.
- There may be a download banner at the top of the screen, or you may need to scroll down to select a download link. There also may be an option in the main menu.
- This will take you to the correct download page on the App Store, and you can get the app from there.
- Once you’ve downloaded the app, log in to start playing casino games in NJ.
Note your minimum system requirements when downloading a casino app. The usual prerequisite is iOS 9.0 or later, but it all depends on the casino. The newer the app, the more advanced the system requirements, so don’t be surprised if you need iOS 13 to download, say the Hard Rock Casino app.
How to play on your Android phone
If you are using an Android-powered phone and want to download the best casino apps in New Jersey, you might have to complete a couple of extra steps compared to iOS users. This is because Google was slower to allow gambling apps than Apple was, and some casino apps for real money still aren’t available on the Play Store. Here is how to get the app once you’ve created an account:
- On the casino website, select the Android/Google Play download option.
- If this takes you to the Google Play Store, you can download the app from there.
- Otherwise, it may take you to a page on the casino website where you’ll need to download the app’s .apk file.
- If that’s the case, open the notification bar to change the security settings on your device and allow installations from unknown sources. Then follow any additional prompts.
- Once that’s done, log in to start playing.
The minimum system requirements your Android needs to meet are normally around 4.4 or higher.
Which New Jersey casinos offer apps for iOS and Android?
New Jersey casino apps are not at all hard to find. Both new and established casinos will likely have you covered.
With more and more online casino revenue happening thanks to mobile play, it makes sense that casinos are focusing on their apps to a greater degree. To get a better understanding of the quality of these mobile casinos online, check the New Jersey casino reviews on this site.
Real money games on NJ casino apps
Casino apps are nothing without a solid game library that can suit a variety of tastes. Many players, for instance, are fans of video slots with five or more reels, bonus features and progressive jackpots like the ones in Cleopatra — the famous IGT slot.
Others, however, may prefer classic three-reelers and getting a taste of the Atlantic City one-armed bandits that still reign supreme on casino floors. Players can also check out old-school table games such as blackjack, roulette and craps with improved graphics, more side bets and a better overall feel. Here is a rundown of your main options for games on New Jersey casino apps:
Slots
There are more real money gaming slots at online casinos than all other games put together. The appeal of slots is largely due to the array of available themes, as well as simple gameplay that even beginners can master. To get started, just decide how much you want to bet and hit the spin button.
Slots are visually stunning — your entire screen will be filled with graphics and spinning reels. There are slots with only a few paylines and those with the Megaways structure that offer tens of thousands of ways to make a winning combo, like in Bonanza Megaways or 88 Fortunes Megaways.
Multipliers, free spins and progressive jackpots that increase with every round are additional features that make mobile slots the No. 1 option on all real money casino apps.
Table games
Casino table games such as blackjack, roulette, poker, craps and the card game baccarat are iconic casino favorites. There are multiple versions of these games, from European and American roulette to No Commission Baccarat, Zappit Blackjack and more. These titles offer various betting layouts and side bets that you can access even on smaller screens.
Video poker
Video poker is a go-to option for many casino app users, mostly because of the odds. With an optimum betting strategy, video poker games can offer a 99% return-to-player rate, especially those based on Deuces Wild or Jacks or Better. Such games are generally available in both landscape and portrait mode.
Can I play live dealer games on casino apps in NJ?
Yes, many New Jersey casino apps have special live dealer sections. Live dealer casino games stream in HD quality straight from studios where dealers and croupiers handle the action as they would in any other Atlantic City casino.
Once you enter a live dealer game and take a seat, you’ll be able to place bets on the outcome of an actual roulette wheel spin or play a hand of blackjack. Live dealer titles offer a fun social aspect. You can chat with the dealer and other players via the live chat option and elevate the interaction to a whole new level.
New Jersey casino promotions and bonuses
There probably isn’t an online casino in New Jersey that doesn’t offer a promotion or two.
The best part is that all those deposit deals, reload bonuses, no deposit bonuses, cashback deals and more are also available via casino apps. Moreover, since more casino players are using smartphones and tablets to play, some casinos may offer app-specific online bonus deals.
What are the best games on NJ casino apps?
Legal casino apps will offer hundreds of games from renowned software providers such as IGT, NetEnt, Aristocrat, NextGen and more.
In recent years, casino-exclusive titles have grown in popularity, as well. For example, Golden Nugget Megaways and BetMGM Blackjack Xchange are just a couple of the titles only available in their namesake casinos.
You can use various filtering options to locate your top choices based on their theme, return-to-player percentage, provider, etc.
Roulette
Real money roulette games comes in many shapes and sizes but just two primary flavors — American roulette featuring a double zero and European roulette with a single zero. The former has a significantly higher house edge at 5.26%, compared to 2.7% for the latter. So, if you have a choice, opt for European roulette.
Numerous variations of these basics are available, including Multi-Wheel Roulette, 25c Roulette, 100/1 Roulette and many others. Live dealer versions of these traditional formats are also available, plus options like Lightning Roulette from Evolution Gaming, with multipliers that can increase your wins up to 500x.
Blackjack
You’ll find more than one version of this popular card game at New Jersey online casinos, including single-deck blackjack, multiplayer, multi-deck versions with side bets and live dealer blackjack.
Single-deck versions have a house edge that’s 0.25% lower than multi-deck versions. On the other hand, the late surrender option in Atlantic City Blackjack with eight decks increases player odds by 0.07%.
You’ll also find side bets. For example, in Blackjack Xchange, we see the famous Five-Card Charlie rule where any five-card combination that totals 21 or less is a winning one, regardless of whether the dealer has blackjack.
Live dealer versions are not available for free demo play, unlike the RNG-powered variants mentioned above. However, with Evolution’s First Person Blackjack, which is a mixture of the two, players can get the best of both worlds.
Divine Fortune
NetEnt, Aristocrat, Everi, IGT and other big-name game providers supply an array of titles to New Jersey casinos. With so many slots available, it’s safe to say only truly great games, such as the Divine Fortune slot, can qualify as classics. With a 96.59% RTP, a mega progressive jackpot slots bonus that can pay up to six figures, wilds and free spins, it has been captivating audiences for years now.
When you play the game through your phone or tablet, not only can you get more stability, but also better graphics and audio effects that instant play cannot match.
Caribbean Stud, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, video poker
NJ mobile online casino apps won’t leave poker enthusiasts hanging. There can be dozens of RNG versions of the game to try, including Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Four Card Poker, Three Card Poker and others.
The ruler of all video poker titles, Game King, still hasn’t lost its place on the podium, but Tens or Better and other versions are also worth a look. All of these games are mobile-friendly and optimized for all devices.
Are NJ mobile casino apps legit? Are they safe?
Yes, casino apps that pay real money are legit in NJ. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement monitors all legal online casinos in the state for safety, fairness, and responsible gambling policies. The agency is in charge of licensing casino apps and all land-based casinos in New Jersey. It ensures you will receive any winnings and mandates online security requirements to protect your information.
Only by playing at DGE-licensed casinos can you be 100% confident about fairness, bonuses and overall safety, which is why PlayNJ recommends only these casino sites.