When it comes to gaming, especially iGaming, New Jersey has long had a liberal attitude towards the practice. That receptiveness towards iGaming is bearing more fruit than ever. In September 2024, the state’s iGaming market set a new record: casinos and their technical and online partners generated more than $208 million in revenue. That’s the highest figure in September for over a decade.
Now other states are seeing New Jersey and longing to get a slice of the benefits iGaming regulation and legalization has brought them. Below is a look at how New Jersey smashed its record, at how other states are learning from New Jersey’s example, at states that don’t allow iGaming, and the potential future of iGaming in New Jersey.
Smashing records
New Jersey has become a benchmark for regulated iGaming, and several factors have driven the success of iGaming in the state. One is the focus of operators. They’ve concentrated on delivering an enjoyable user experience, offering a suitable variety of games, and leveraging technology. It’s enabled them to solidify their spot at the top of the market.
This has taken place in a competitive environment. The high level of competition has led to continuous improvements by service providers. Players are enjoying better user interfaces and customer service, and more choice when it comes to gaming.
States that are learning from New Jersey
iGaming presents many opportunities, and several states are realizing this.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania not only allows regular forms of gambling, but also online gambling. Operators qualified to offer iGaming services must pay for an Interactive Gaming Certificate, which costs between $4 and 12 million, depending on whether they’re offering poker, table games or slot games. Every five years, the operator must pay $250,000 to renew the certificate.
Delaware
Delaware is another state where citizens are benefiting from a relaxed attitude towards gambling. The state may have long allowed iGaming, but in recent years has also permitted online operators to run sportsbooks in addition to their current iGaming services.
Gaming is so popular in Delaware, in fact, that some casinos are open 24 hours a day. Interestingly, unlike a lot of traditional casinos, casinos in Delaware that offer iGaming are reported to have experienced an increase in face-to-face business at their establishments, rather than cannibalization of business by online casinos.
Wanting a slice of the benefits
Michigan, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and West Virginia have adopted a more flexible attitude towards iGaming, whereas Utah and Hawaii don’t allow gambling of any kind (although Hawaii is looking into the possibility of permitting some forms of iGaming).
The rest of the states are somewhere in between. They’ll permit certain forms of online gaming, such as online sports betting, but not others. Some won’t entertain anything but social casinos. Some only permit in-person betting and/or in-person casino gaming.
New York
New York has seen the benefits New Jersey and other states are enjoying from iGaming and is nodding its head approvingly. So much so that some voices are calling for iGaming legalization and regulation in the state, especially to address some of New York’s economic woes. Past proposals have faced stern opposition from trade unions and failed, but senators will be hoping this fresh push for legalization will be successful.
Canada
In the US’s neighboring country, Canada, iGaming is gently endearing itself to the authorities and some provinces are beginning to consider legalizing it. Ontario became the first province to establish a regulated iGaming market and start reaping the benefits from it. If you wish to play online and are looking for an instant withdrawal casino available in Canada, Ontario is a good starting point.
The future of New Jersey iGaming
iGaming is the future of the wider gambling industry, but in New Jersey, casino operators have commented, or outright complained, about how iGaming has cannibalized their winnings from in-person gaming at casinos.
Given the success of iGaming, operators will continue to optimize their iGaming services, especially when this industry is so competitive, but may also look at their brick-and-mortar businesses and see how these can benefit from iGaming. They may look to see how they can offer the most seamless experience possible across the two.
For sure, operators will be investing in technology to keep their offering as cutting edge as possible. This could include virtual reality and augmented reality for the most immersive gaming experience possible. You can also be sure that operators will be investing in their offering and trying to provide the latest casino games, which they do constantly to keep players engaged.
Thanks to its early adoption of iGaming, New Jersey is reaping significant long-term benefits that have got some other states considering whether to follow the Garden State’s lead. Even neighboring Canada has begun to embrace iGaming. What no state can deny is that iGaming can bring in significant revenue for them, but how badly do they want it?