The casino industry has been an important part of New Jersey’s economy for many decades at this point, and it attracts visitors to the state as well as serves a large community of local gamblers as well.
If you are thinking about taking a trip to one of NJ’s land-based casinos, there are a few things you should know before you hit the road.
New Jersey Runs Lots of Online Casinos
In recent years, online gambling in NJ has risen to prominence as a hugely popular alternative to bricks-and-mortar casino play.
The reason for this is that the convenience of being able to place bets and enjoy the latest casino games from the comfort of your own home on a modern smartphone is appealing to all sorts of people. And because licensing laws mean that only casinos with a physical presence within the state can offer online gambling services, it also serves to stimulate the economy further.
So, if you don’t fancy trying your luck at an NJ casino in person, you can always get your kicks at one of the many online equivalents. The only caveat is that you’ll need to be within the borders of the state to play online, which is another quirk of the way gambling regulations are handled.
Atlantic City Is the Only Place Where Casinos Can Operate
Atlantic City is often seen as New Jersey’s equivalent to Las Vegas, and for a good reason. It is home to some world-renowned casinos and has been a hotspot for legal gambling since the 1970s as part of a scheme to bring money in via tourism and fuelling regeneration.
Where NJ differs from Nevada is in not allowing any casinos to be established outside of Atlantic City. So, this really is the only place to be if you want to place wagers in person, as casinos cannot legally operate in any other part of the state.
There’s A Minimum Age Requirement
Gambling is an age-restricted activity in New Jersey, whether you want to visit a casino online or use a bricks-and-mortar venue to spin the reels, play poker, or anything else besides.
The minimum age you’ll need to be is 21, and it’s not worth trying to get around this if you are younger because fines of up to $1,000 apply, and you’ll also have your driver’s license suspended for six months if you are convicted.
Dress Codes Can Apply
Casinos in New Jersey tend to be accepting, liberal places to be, and from day to day, you need not worry too much about what you are wearing when visiting one. Casual clothing is more than acceptable throughout the majority of venues, although there are exceptions.
For example, it’s worth checking to see whether a casino imposes a dress code after a certain point in the day, as there may be tighter rules during the evenings and at weekends.
In short, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and casinos will make clear any dress code policies to customers that ask.
Dealers Are There to Help
It’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive about visiting a casino in New Jersey if you are not familiar with how face-to-face gambling experiences operate. And while it’s definitely sensible to look into the rules of any game you want to play before you arrive, you can also rely on the dealers to explain things and help you out if you need advice.
Obviously, it’s better to stick to the games with lower buy-ins and minimum bets if you are a newbie because these will be geared towards beginners.
Gambling Isn’t the Only Thing to Do
Last, of all, don’t forget that the casinos of Atlantic City are not only venues that cater to gamblers but also resorts that offer so much more in terms of entertainment and accommodation besides.
From classy eateries and stylish bars to concert halls and beyond, your visit to an NJ casino can encompass all sorts of activities.
So now that you know about gambling in New Jersey casinos and how to go about it why not either arrange a trip or try out online gambling services yourself?
