Pros and cons of playing at New Jersey sweepstakes casinos
Playing at sweepstakes casinos that are legal in New Jersey can be fun and rewarding, but there are also downsides. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of playing at these sites
- Generous welcome bonuses
- Freemium casino games
- Seamless sign up process
- Prize redemption
- Not available outside the state
Quick facts about New Jersey sweepstakes law
Sweepstakes casinos are only legal in New Jersey if they comply with local legislation on sweepstakes. Here are some takeaways I’d like you to keep in mind:
- You don’t need initial purchases to participate in sweepstakes promotions in New Jersey
- Players are required to use virtual currencies (mostly Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins)
- You can redeem your Sweepstakes Coins for alternative prizes
- Sweepstakes casinos must not be advertised publicly
- You can only participate in sweepstakes promotions if you’re at least 18 years old
A quick look at sweepstakes casino operations in New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the first US states to legalize online real-money gambling, so it’s only natural for it to be one of those states where you can explore free-to-play casino gaming. That said, the State of New Jersey has strict legislation that must be met before a sweepstakes site can legally operate within its jurisdiction. I’ll peel back some layers of these rules later in this review, but in the meantime, remember that…
“For a sweepstakes brand to be legal in New Jersey, it has to abide by certain
New Jersey sweepstakes rules”.
So what should you expect at sweepstakes sites that legally operate in New Jersey? For starters, you won’t be using real money at these sites. Like all other sweepstakes casinos across the US, you’ll use virtual currencies known as Gold Coins or Sweepstakes Coins (some brands might get creative with the names, but the principle remains the same). Let’s see how these virtual currencies work:
Gold Coins (GC)
These are used just for fun and have zero monetary or redeemable value. Most sweepstakes sites offer you a significant amount of them, but you can’t exchange or swap them. You can get GC from gameplay, bonuses, promotions, and non-mandatory GC package purchases.
Sweepstakes Coins (SC)
Unlike GC, you can redeem your SC for alternative prizes once you meet the site’s prize redemption requirements. Like GC, you can claim SC from bonuses, promotions, gameplay, and mail-in requests. However, you can’t purchase SC, but you can often get some as a free extra with your non-mandatory GC package purchases.
How does the New Jersey sweepstakes law work?
Each US state where sweepstakes casino gaming is legal has specific requirements governing the operation of these sites within that jurisdiction. Regardless of the state, these requirements have one central principle: free entry into the sweepstakes promotions.
Here’s where it gets interesting. New Jersey is looking to take things further with the passing of Bill A5196. Essentially, this new bill requires online sweepstakes casinos to become licensed by the New Jersey Gaming Commission.
Bill A5196 stipulates that online sweepstakes casinos are also required to do an audit using an independent third party and submit the results of this audit to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. The idea is for sweepstakes sites to verify the integrity of their operations and their financial standing before receiving a license. In addition, there would be a biannual audit requirement once a license is awarded.
Although the bill is yet to be passed, here are some of the rules New Jersey sweepstakes sites must adhere to:
- No purchase required
- Sweepstakes games are only open to residents of New Jersey
- Sweepstakes are allowed as long as winners receive rewards based on chance and not skill
- Sweepstakes casinos must practice consumer protection and provide clear, concise information about the rules and eligibility criteria to players.
- Players must be at least 18 years old or above to register with a sweepstakes casino in New Jersey
- Sweepstakes casinos in New Jersey must feature a disclaimer about promotional items to avoid legal issues.
- In New Jersey, sweepstakes brands must not be advertised publicly or privately, especially in places where children may be present.
Given that there might soon be changes in New Jersey's sweepstakes laws, you might want to keep an eye on this page for the latest updates about the state’s local legislation regarding sweepstakes casinos.
How to play at New Jersey Sweepstakes casinos
I had access to multiple sweepstakes casinos that were legal in the Garden State. There are several reasons why you should explore sweepstakes gaming at legal casinos in New Jersey, but I’ll quickly sum them up here:
| Sweepstakes casino offer |
Available for New Jersey gamers |
| Welcome bonuses and promos for existing users |
Yes |
| Immersive games |
Yes |
| Reliable payment methods |
Yes |
| Prize redemption |
Yes |
| Mobile gaming |
Yes |
The best part of it all is that playing at the sites is really easy, thanks to the seamless sign up processes. On average, it took me five minutes to get signed up at my preferred sweepstakes brands. Here are the steps to take:
- Visit the official website of your preferred sweepstakes casino (ensure that it complies with New Jersey sweepstakes law)
- Initiate the signup process and provide your deets as required
- Read the site’s T&Cs and tick the agreement box
- Click “submit” to complete your application. Some platforms might ask you to upload a photo ID to verify your identity before you can complete your application
- Log in to your casino account and claim your welcome bonus
- Explore the casino-style games and select one to start playing
Don’t skip reading the site’s T&Cs and Sweepstakes Rules because that's where you’ll find valuable information that can affect your gaming experience at the site. For instance, important details like sweepstakes casinos' redemption time limits are often couched in the fine print on the T&C page. Without such information, you might make costly mistakes when trying to redeem your SC for alternative prizes.
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My favorite sweepstakes games in New Jersey casino lobbies
One thing that I like about sweepstakes casinos that legally operate in the Garden State is that they all boast an impressive variety of premium games that you can play for free. Here are some of the games that I’ve enjoyed playing whenever I’m on these sites.
Table game enthusiasts will always find a variety of table games to explore at the site. Whether it's Roulette, Baccarat, Poker, or Blackjack, there’s always an abundance of options to explore. Leading providers power the games, so you can count on playing games with great visual and audio effects. I’d recommend the following titles:
- Blackjack Multihand 21+3
- European Football Roulette
- Baccarat Pro
If you’re looking to have a live Vegas-style gaming experience wherever you are, New Jersey sweepstakes sites have got you covered. I’ve always been impressed by how the gaming studios recreate a gaming experience that feels like you’re sitting across from a live dealer in Vegas. Better still, all the live dealers that I’ve met were extremely professional and courteous. Some of the live dealer games you might want to explore include:
- Extreme Texas Hold ’Em
- Speed Baccarat
- Lightning Roulette
I’m one slots enthusiast who’s seen it all, so it takes a lot to impress me. But boy, was I impressed by the variety of slot titles across the New Jersey sweepstakes brands I’ve been on. These slots come in varying themes, features, and options, including progressive jackpots, hold and win slots, bonus buy slots, and megaways, to mention a few. Besides the impressive variety of slots available, I also found some of the
highest RTP casino slot machines
at these sites. Based on my experience, you should check out these slots:
- Sweet Bonanza
- Gates of Olympus
- Big Bass Splash
- Money Train 2
- Sugar Rush
Here’s a quick tip. Start your gameplay with your GC (they are more numerous and have no redeemable value after all), then when you’ve gotten the hang of the games, you can switch to using your SC.
Other US states where you can explore sweepstakes casino gaming
Sweepstakes gaming is legal in 40+ states in the US, but I’ve only played in two states besides New Jersey. The first US state where I tried my hands at sweepstakes gaming was New York. Here’s how sweepstakes brands operate in New York:
- Sponsors award winners based on chance and not skill
- At the end of the sweepstakes contest, all sponsors must file a winner’s list with the state
- Sweepstakes rules must be featured in all advertisements
- All New York sweepstakes casinos whose aggregate prize exceeds $5000 must register and link the promotion with the New York Department of State.
You can check our full guide to sweepstakes laws in NY and sweepstakes casinos in New York for more info.
Pennsylvania is the second state where I’ve played at an online sweepstakes brand. Although contests and sweepstakes promotions in the state are subject to general promotion law, there are still lots of great options to explore there. You can find in-depth info about how sweepstakes gaming works in Pennsylvania in our full guide to sweepstakes laws in PA and sweepstakes casinos in Pennsylvania.
Conclusion – Have fun at New Jersey sweepstakes casinos
New Jersey’s sweepstakes laws are binding on all sweepstakes casinos within the jurisdiction. As such, sweepstakes sites must meet provisions such as age limit, zero purchases, and the no advertisement rule to be legal in the state.
I played at several sites that legally operate in New Jersey. Besides the generous welcome offers, I had access to exciting games, intuitive interfaces, and great customer support. If you haven’t played at a sweepstakes site that is legal in the Garden State, now is the time. However, you’d need to confirm that any of the sites you play at complies with local legislation before you sign up to the site.
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New Jersey sweepstakes law FAQs
To play at sweepstakes gaming sites in New Jersey, you must be of legal age in that jurisdiction. The aim of the KYC checks you undergo at gaming sites is to verify that you are of legal age.
🆔 Do I need to verify my identity to play in a New Jersey sweepstakes casino?
It depends on the casino's specific requirements. Some sites may require a means of identification like a photo ID to confirm that you're a resident of New Jersey who meets the legal age limit.
⚖️ Are sweepstakes casinos legal in New Jersey?
Only sweepstakes casinos that adhere to the New Jersey sweepstakes rules can legally operate in the state. Before playing at any sweepstakes gaming site, ensure that you verify its legal status within the state.
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