Las Vegas steals the headlines as the gambling hub of the USA and the dream destination of gamblers worldwide, but it isn’t the only one. Atlantic City could give the Entertainment Capital of the World a run for its money – and it’s a great alternative for anyone planning a casino holiday.
New Jersey has been the epicenter of gambling in the USA for some time. It’s the big daddy that inspires other states to follow in its footsteps. Want to know more about its history? Read on and find out.
Early Days and Horse Racing
New Jersey gambling dates back to the 1800s, but back then, not much was documented. We’re talking people hitching their horses outside dusty saloons and then playing card games in the dingy atmosphere. There were other activities too, many of which wouldn’t be allowed today. For instance, five finger fillet was a popular option for bettors in those more uncivilized times.
Things rapidly became gentrified in New Jersey, and the official gambling industry began in the 1930s. The state moved to legalize horse racing betting and was one of the first places to do so in the USA. Racetracks in the state became iconic because of it. NJ is home to two of the oldest racetracks in the country, Monmouth Park and Freehold Raceway. Over the past century, these sites and the activity of betting on horses have become engrained in the culture of the Garden State.
The Atlantic City Boom
The rise of casinos in New Jersey came much later. In fact, it didn’t get underway until the 1970s. You probably find this surprising, as gambling had been prevalent in Las Vegas for decades. It also feels like gambling has always been a part of Atlantic City – at least that’s the vibe you get when you visit.
1977 was the monumental year in which the bill was finally passed to allow casinos, and NJ became the second state in the USA to do so. At the time, the economy was on its knees and needed a desperate boost to get back on its feet – casinos saved the day and injected a vast amount of capital back into the city.
Resorts International Casino was the first of its kind in the region, and it sparked the rush to build more sites in Atlantic City. The coastal town quickly became a tourist hub, it was the Las Vegas of the East and a great option for people who wanted a different atmosphere. Other well-known casinos such as the Taj Mahal, Caesars, and Borgata opened locations in Atlantic City to capitalize on the boom and the rest, as they say, is history.
Like a gambler’s run on a roulette wheel, Atlantic City has had its ups and downs over the years. Simply from a land based casino perspective, it hasn’t been able to boast the same constant success as Vegas. However, it has established itself as one of the world’s top gambling destinations, and it continues to attract global visitors because of that.
The Online Gambling Revolution
New Jersey may have followed Nevada’s lead when it came to real world casinos, but it has been the major frontrunner in the USA in the online gambling industry. In fact, it became one of the first states to legitimize the iGaming industry when it passed a bill in 2013 to allow online casinos to operate in the state.
Since doing so, the online casino sector has helped to boost physical casinos in the region, and the state has seen a massive influx of revenue coming in. Many Atlantic City casinos have partnered with online platforms as well, with operators like BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel developing a strong presence around these parts. The collaboration between online and real world sites means there’s a thriving ecosystem for the industry here, allowing it to grow and flourish.
There are also plenty of new online casinos like PlayStar, which aim to incorporate innovative technology to provide players with the best experience possible. We’ve integrated innovations such as live streaming to give you the feeling that you’re playing at a real world casino from your own home. You’ll find loads of diverse live streaming titles to choose from, with something to appeal to everyone’s tastes.
The New Jersey online gambling industry keeps setting new records, with consistent earnings of more than $200 million per month. Other states have looked on enviously, and they are now trying to put their own legislation in place to legalize online casinos. There’s a domino effect occurring around the USA now, and there could soon be a point at which most states allow online casinos. This all began with New Jersey, and it will go down in history as the state that sparked this iGaming boom in the North American country.
Leading the Way With Sports Betting
It may seem hard to believe, but sports betting was only recently legalized in some states across the US. New Jersey was, once again, an early pioneer of this, and it capitalized on the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. This allowed states to choose whether they wanted to allow sports betting or not, and the Garden State quickly seized the chance to introduce it.
In the years since then New Jersey betting sites have made the activity available to the masses through live betting and mobile apps. With the state being a hub for various sports, the sector has blown up massively with people wanting to stake on the matches.
There’s no doubt that gambling has come a long way in New Jersey already, and it has so much potential to grow further over the next few decades. If you want to get involved in the New Jersey gambling scene, PlayStar is one of the best places to do so.
FAQs
When did casino gaming first start in New Jersey?
It all began over 45 years ago when the Casino Control Act was passed in 1977.
Is New Jersey the number one gambling state?
No, Nevada still holds that crown. However, NJ is a close second.
How many casinos are there in New Jersey?
There are currently 12 casinos in New Jersey, most of which you can find in Atlantic City.
