Nj Casino Control Act
Introduction to New Jersey Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
In addition, they must also file the New Jersey Supplement Fillable pdf 193kB to that form. On June 15, 2011, the Casino Control Commission approved a set of guidelines and applications for two “boutique” casinos that can have fewer than 500 rooms. See Pilot Program for Small Scale and Staged Casino Licenses pdf 479kB. 5:12A-2 Casino, racetrack may operate sports pool. In addition to casino games permitted pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.), a casino may operate a sports pool upon the approval of the division and in accordance with the provisions of this act and applicable regulations promulgated pursuant to this act.
- CASINO CONTROL ACT ARTICLE 1. INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL PROVISIONS 5:12-1 Short title; declaration of policy and legislative findings 5:12-1.1 Applicability of Casino Simulcasting Act.
- In November 1976, New Jersey voters approved a referendum that legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City, and when the Casino Control Act of New Jersey was signed by the governor on June 2, 1977, Atlantic City became the first place in the U.S., outside of Nevada, with legalized casino gambling.
- The Casino Control Commission is a New Jersey state governmental agency that was founded in 1977 as the state's Gaming Control Board, responsible under the Casino Control Act for licensing casinos in Atlantic City.
New Jersey slot machine casino gambling consists of nine casinos in Atlantic City. None of the three racetracks or off-track betting (OTB) facilities offer physical slot machines. However, New Jersey has legalized online slots for real-money gambling.
The New Jersey gaming commission has established a minimum payout limit for slots machines in Atlantic City. Monthly return statistics are publicly available.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in New Jersey*
The minimum legal gambling age in New Jersey depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Historically, New Jersey’s Atlantic City established legalized gaming on the eastern side of the United States from Nevada. Voters legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City in 1976. The New Jersey Casino Control Act became state law in 1977. The first casino in New Jersey, the Resorts International Casino, opened in Atlantic City in 1978.
During their peak in 2006, when they were the only commercial casinos in the eastern U.S., Atlantic City casinos were an economic boon. Afterward, the many casinos and racinos throughout the eastern states, along with the Great Recession, hugely reduced the profitability of Atlantic City casinos. Since the reopening of two casinos in mid-2018, Atlantic City casinos have seen a significant upturn in profitability.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in New Jersey
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in New Jersey if manufactured before 1941.
Gaming Control Board in New Jersey
The State of New Jersey Casino Control Commission regulates online and Atlantic City casino gambling alongside the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement. The Commission is an independent agency while the Division is an arm of the New Jersey’s Attorney General’s Office.
New Jersey’s gaming regulations promoting a safe and robust gaming industry are publicly available from the Casino Control Commission. However, the Division of Gaming Enforcement announces Atlantic City jackpots of $50,000 or more won each year in Atlantic City, including sharing such useful jackpot information as:
- Date
- Casino
- Jackpot amount
- Slot machine denomination, manufacturer, and game theme
Casinos in New Jersey
There are nine commercial casinos in New Jersey.
The largest casino in New Jersey is Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa with 3,000 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Resorts Casino Hotel with 2,500 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in New Jersey
New Jersey has nine casinos in Atlantic City including:
The Wild Wild West Casino is officially a portion of Bally’s Atlantic City, often considered by the public to be a separate casino.
Tribal Casinos in New Jersey
New Jersey has no federally-recognized American Indian Tribes. Therefore, the state does not have any tribal casinos.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying New Jersey slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering New Jersey is:
- North: New York Slots
- East and South: Atlantic Ocean
- South and West: Delaware Bat
- West: Pennsylvania Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to New Jersey.
Online slots for real-money gambling is a real alternative for New Jersey, but only if you are physically located within the state. The state offers a verified list with links of state-approved Internet Gaming Sites.
If an online gaming site is not on this list, it’s not approved to offer internet gaming in the State of New Jersey.
Our New Jersey Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in New Jersey? If so, join our new New Jersey slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in New Jersey. Join us!
Payout Returns in New Jersey
New Jersey gaming regulations require all slot machines have a minimum theoretical payout of at least 83%.
The Division of Gaming Enforcement makes New Jersey gaming Financial and Statistical Information publicly available with monthly and quarterly gross revenue reports. The monthly gross revenue reports are most useful with regards to return statistics.
Further, the Division offers Monthly Gross Gaming Revenues with casino win statistics. These monthly statistics provide a Win% which, in New Jersey, is the amount won by the casino instead of the more usual amount won by the player. Player Win% is 100% minus the Casino Win% provided in these monthly reports.
For March 2020, the number of slot machines and overall player win percentage at each of the nine casinos in Atlantic City was:
- Bally’s (1,775 slot machines): 100% minus 8.2% equals 91.8%
- Borgata (2,864 slot machines): 92.0%
- Caesars (1,888 slot machines): 91.4%
- Golden Nugget (1,417 slot machines): 91.2%
- Hard Rock (2,167 slot machines): 90.4%
- Harrah’s (2,036 slot machines): 91.7%
- Ocean (1,758 slot machines): 90.0%
- Resorts (1,436 slot machines): 90.4%
- Tropicana (2,357 slot machines): 90.5%
For March 2020, the highest return for players went to the Borgata at 92.0% followed closely by Bally’s at 91.8% and Harrah’s at 91.7%.
The lowest return went to Ocean at 90.0% closely followed by Hard Rock and Resorts at 90.4%.
Summary of New Jersey Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
New Jersey slot machine casino gambling consists of nine casinos in Atlantic City as well as internet gaming choices for individuals physically located within the borders of New Jersey.
The theoretical payout minimum limit for slot machines is 83%. Monthly return statistics are publicly available for each casino.
Annual Progress in New Jersey Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Over the last year, there has been little change to the slots gaming industry in New Jersey outside of the significant issues related to the global pandemic.
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: New Hampshire Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
Licensing Information and Reports
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission is responsible for the licensing of Atlantic City casinos and all of their key employees.
People who work in casinos, Internet gaming or sports pools may require a license or registration depending on the kind of job they perform.
Non-management jobs that have nothing to do with gaming activity, even if the employee is required to go into the casino, typically do not require a license.
Choose from the topics below to access the information you are seeking:
Employees must obtain a Casino Key Employee License from the Commission if they are involved in the operation of a casino in a supervisory capacity or empowered to make discretionary decisions on casino operations. This includes pit bosses, shift bosses, credit executives, casino cashier supervisors, casino or simulcasting facility managers, managers and supervisors of information technology employees, junket supervisors, marketing directors, and managers or supervisors of casino security employees. Other employees must obtain a Casino Key Employee License if they are empowered to make discretionary decisions on the management of an approved hotel, including hotel managers, entertainment directors, and food and beverage directors. A detailed list of casino positions that have been deemed to require a casino key employee license can be found in the Commission's regulations, N.J.A.C. 19:41A-5.1. Certain employees of an Internet gaming affiliate or intermediary company involved in Internet or mobile gaming, and certain employees of a sports pool, online sports pool or sports pool lounge, must file an application for a Casino Key Employee License. The Commission may designate other employees who must obtain a Casino Key Employee License for reasons consistent with the policies of the Casino Control Act. N.J.S.A. 5:12-9.
Each applicant for a Casino Key Employee License must produce information, documentation and assurances concerning their qualification to hold the license. An applicant must establish their financial stability and responsibility as well as their good character, honesty and integrity. A general description of all requirements can be found in the Casino Control Act, N.J.S.A. 5:12-89a through d and a detailed description of all requirements can be found in the Commission's regulations, N.J.A.C. 19:41A-7.3. A casino employee who holds a Casino Key Employee License must be a resident of New Jersey, unless the casino receives a waiver from the Commission because the employee is required to be employed outside of New Jersey. An employee of a holding or intermediary company of a casino is not required to establish New Jersey residency. N.J.S.A. 5:12-89b(4).
A casino or a holding or intermediary company of a casino cannot employ a person in a position that requires a Casino Key Employee License unless the person holds a Casino Key Employee License or a Temporary Casino Key Employee License. To request a temporary license, a casino must file a petition with the Commission certifying that a vacancy exists or will exist within 60 days, the issuance of a temporary key employee license is necessary to fill the vacancy on an emergency basis to continue the efficient operation of the casino, and that the circumstances are extraordinary and not designed to circumvent normal licensing procedures. The Commission may issue a temporary license provided a complete application for a Casino Key Employee License is filed and the Division of Gaming Enforcement concurs. A temporary license is valid for nine (9) months unless otherwise terminated, and is valid only for the position requested in the petition and at the casino(s) specified on the license credential. N.J.S.A. 5:12-89e and N.J.A.C. 19:41A-5.3.
A casino key employee may perform compatible functions for two or more affiliated casinos provided the Division of Gaming Enforcement does not object and the Commission grants a multi-casino employee (MCE) endorsement. To request an MCE endorsement, the affiliated casinos must file a joint petition certifying that no incompatible functions will exist. If a temporary casino key employee license with an MCE endorsement is sought, the affiliated casinos may submit an electronic petition form. An MCE endorsement is valid only for the position requested in the petition and at the casinos specified on the license credential. N.J.S.A. 5:12-91.1 and N.J.A.C. 19:41A-5.4.
No later than five years after obtaining a Casino Key Employee License, and every five years thereafter, the licensee shall submit information and documentation to the Commission to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission that the licensee continues to meet the qualification requirements. N.J.S.A. 5:12-94h(1) and N.J.A.C. 19:41A-6. The informational filing due date appears on the license credential. At that time, the licensee must file a Casino Key Employee License Review Application and the required application fee if they are still working in a position that requires a casino key employee license or if they otherwise wish to maintain the license. The original form and one copy are required. You must also submit two copies of all Federal and New Jersey tax returns filed since your last application. The licensee will be re-photographed if the prior photograph is more than 10 years old.
A licensee who is no longer working in a position that requires a license may, instead of filing a resubmission, request to be placed on an inactive list of casino key employee licensees for up to five years or apply to the Division of Gaming Enforcement to downgrade the license. Persons on the inactive list must file a resubmission with the Commission before they can be employed in a position that requires a Casino Key Employee License. N.J.A.C. 19:41A-6.1(e). Persons inactive over one year should call the Licensing & Financial Evaluation Unit at (609) 441-3441 for guidance before filing any forms.
The fee for the issuance of a Casino Key Employee License includes an application fee of $750, plus payment for the efforts of the Commission and the Division on matters directly related to the applicant and expenses. The total issuance fee shall not exceed $4,000. A fee of $750 is also required for the five year resubmission of information and documentation. N.J.A.C. 19:41A-8.1.
Licensing forms are available on the Forms page of this website. If you wish to apply for a Casino Key Employee License (non-qualifier), you must complete and file either the Personal History Disclosure Form 1B, or the Multi-Jurisdictional Personal History Disclosure Form [PDF] AND the New Jersey Supplement [PDF]. Forms for Qualifiers/Key Qualifiers are available on the DGE website. The original form(s) and one copy are required. You must also submit two copies of the most recent five years of your Federal and New Jersey tax returns. You will be photographed when you file your application. All forms must be accompanied by the required application fee.
All applicants must be fingerprinted by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement unless digital fingerprints were previously taken by the Division. An appointment is required. To be fingerprinted, call the Division directly at 609-441-3050. The address for Fingerprinting appointments is:
Arcade Building - Entrance B
Tennessee Ave. and Boardwalk
Atlantic City, N.J. 08401
Your application can be filed at the above address from Monday to Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., except on State holidays. Other hours are available by appointment only. You may schedule an appointment if you wish by calling the Licensing & Financial Evaluation Unit at 609-441-3441 from Monday to Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding the Casino Key Employee License forms or the licensing process, please email or call the Licensing & Financial Evaluation Unit at 609-441-3441 from Monday to Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For information on employee registration requirements for positions other than those requiring a Casino Key Employee License, please go to the Division of Gaming Enforcement web site.
Casino Key Employee Licenses
The Key Employee Public Information List identifies all individuals with a status of Applicant, Inactive, Licensed, and Temporary. It is divided into three parts:
The first part lists all current Casino Key Employee licensees, temporary licensees, and applicants. It includes the following fields: Name, First Name, Middle Name, License Number, Status, Issue Date, and Valid Through Date.
The second part lists all approved inactive Casino Key Employee licenses. It includes the following fields: Name, First Name, Middle Name, License Number, Status, Approval Code, and Approval Date. Persons on the Approved Inactive List may reactivate their licenses by filing a resubmission with the Commission prior to employment in a position that requires a Casino Key Employee license. N.J.A.C. 19:41A-6.1(e). Persons inactive over one year should call the Licensing & Financial Evaluation Unit at (609) 441-3441 for guidance before filing any forms.
The third part lists all inactive Casino Key Employee licenses. It includes the following fields: Name, First Name, Middle Name, License Number, Status, Issue Date, and Valid Through Date. Persons who held a Casino Key Employee license but did not seek placement on the Approved Inactive List, or persons who were on the inactive list for more than five years, need to complete a new license application before they can be employed in a position that requires a Casino Key Employee license.
The following key employee lists are accurate as of January 2021:
- Key Employee Public Information List [pdf]
- Key Employee Public Information List [xls]
This information is updated Quarterly in January, April, July and October. If the information you are seeking is not posted, please call the Licensing & Financial Evaluation Unit at (609) 441-3441.
Other Reports
The following reports pertaining to licenses and registrations are available on the Division of Gaming Enforcement's website:
- Active Vendors Report
Gaming-related employees, including dealers, security guards, cage cashiers and others, must register with the Division of Gaming Enforcement. For more information and an application form, go to the Division of Gaming Enforcement website or call 609-441-3011 with any questions.
For Vendor Regisitration and Enterprise Licensing Information, visit the Division of Gaming Enforcement website.
Nj Casino Control Act Violations
Nj Casino Control Act 2013
Casino LicensingIf your company wants to apply for a license to own or operate a casino, the company must file a Business Entity Disclosure Form.
In addition, officers and directors - and anyone else that the Division of Gaming Enforcement deems appropriate - must file a Multi-Jurisdictional Personal History Disclosure Form [PDF will open on the DGE website], which will also satisfy the requirement for a casino key employee license. (This form can also be obtained from the web site of the International Association of Gaming Regulators.) In addition, they must also file the New Jersey Supplement [PDF will open on the DGE website] to that form.
Before you start to complete any forms, it is strongly recommended that you review the licensing requirements and the application process detailed in The Act and Regulations on the Commission's website.
If you have any questions, please contact the Licensing & Financial Evaluation Unit by email or call 609-441-3441.