Global Poker does let you choose, whereas many online poker sites have hidden that data to prevent sharp players from picking and choosing their action. With so much action at 6-seated tables, that flop percentage is inherently going to be higher, but it’s quite a bit higher at Global Poker. Europeans typically have more options to choose from, as most of the online poker rooms accept Euro players. The three best choices for Euro online poker sites are PokerStars, Party Poker, and 888.
GGPoker has quickly rocketed to the top tier of online poker operators in record time, and the most recent move by the operator is a new license. The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission has recently approved a new license for GGPoker, which they plan to use for much of the global player pool.
Previously, the operator used a license through Curaçao for most of its global players including the EU, as well as separate platforms in Poland and Germany.
While European players (except UK players, which are licensed separately through the UK Gambling Commission) remain licensed through Curaçao, players from countries like New Zealand and Canada, as well as Asian and South American regions are now playing under the newly acquired Isle of Man license.
Website | Countries | Licensed in |
---|---|---|
GGpoker.EU | 13 European nations | Curaçao |
pl.GGPoker.EU | Poland | Curaçao |
GGPoker.DE | Germany | Curaçao |
GGPoker.co.uk | UK | UK Gambling Commission |
GGPoker.com | Rest of world, including CA, NZ, S America, Asia | Isle of Man |
The main advantage to securing an Isle of Man license is more legitimacy. The regulator is widely seen as best-in-class for online gaming licenses, with very effective player protection mechanisms leading to one of the best reputations in the business.
Curaçao, on the other hand, is more well known for a hands-off approach to licensed entities that provides a lot of freedom for operators, but does not force as much protection for the player pool.
The industry-leading PokerStars was a large factor in the growth of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. The global juggernaut is headquartered on the island, and historically used their gaming license from the jurisdiction to run much of its global network. More recently, PokerStars moved over to a license from Malta to serve its European market. A lot of other companies and partners are licensed in Malta, so if you want to work with them, you need to have the same license.
While the Isle of Man is an excellent solution for the larger global player pool, it still leaves European players out in the cold. One issue with both Isle of Man and Curaçao is that neither is a member of the European Union. That presents concerns for European players, as many EU jurisdictions tax the winnings of players on sites licensed by an entity outside the EU.
That is where Malta comes in. In June 2020, GGPoker secured a license from the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA) for business-to-business gaming activities.
The current Malta license does not allow the operator to offer gambling directly to consumers, but instead is geared towards partnerships and joint-ventures with other gaming companies also licensed out of Malta.
That may change, however. The MGA license may well be the first step towards a license that covers European players within a European regulatory framework.
The groundwork for that path has already been laid by competitor PokerStars. They have moved their European customers over to an MGA license, which courts have looked favorably on in tax cases, as seen recently in a multi-year dispute between Dutch players and their national tax authority.
That case looks to be ending with a settlement where the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration has offered to repay players for unnecessary tax bills over the last decade from PokerStars.EU winnings.
The moves to secure licensing from Isle of Man and Malta coincide with GGPoker’s larger effort to pull out from grey-market jurisdictions, as reported by our sister site PRO.
In late 2019 they exited from several markets including Colombia, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland. Now, it appears they are making more moves out of grey market areas by ceasing to accept new players from India, and other countries may fall in this new round of clean ups.
These moves seem to signal a desire by GGPoker to move into a more strictly-regulated business model. In addition to the moves that look to improve the situation for European players, parent company NSUS was recently approved for a manufacturer license in Pennsylvania for its first push into the US market.
While it is unclear how they will use this new US exposure, it’s a clear sign that the operator is looking to move into markets that had previously been closed to them.
In the beginning, the idea that only Atlantic City casinos would be granted iGaming licenses made it sound like the number of online gaming sites would be limited to just a handful. That’s all out the window now.
NJ is an established market offering more than a dozen online casinos, but there are still new casinos that pop up every now and then, like Unibet. These new NJ casinos give you the opportunity to try out new games, bonus offers, and rewards programs.
So, what are the newest casinos to hit the market in 2021? Read on to find out or bookmark this page and check in often.
Part of the larger Bet365 NJ sportsbook launch, Bet365 online casino comes with all of the company’s experience in the European online gambling market. The site features some familiar slot and table game titles as well as a unique game menu with categories such as “Bonus Slots” and “Arcade.”
Unibet Casino is owned by Kindred Group. Its launch in New Jersey marks the first US online gambling entry for the company. Unibet, partnered with Hard Rock Atlantic City, also has an online sportsbook.
The BetAmerica NJ online casino comes from Churchill Downs Inc. via a partnership with Golden Nugget Atlantic City. Powered by SBTech, the site features both a robust slate of casino games as well as a shared wallet with an online sportsbook.
Featuring a shared wallet with DraftKings Sportsbook, DraftKings Casino is part of the Resorts Digital array of online gambling platforms in NJ. DraftKings includes live dealer games, video poker, as well as slot favorites such as Wheel Of Fortune.
Ocean Online Casino launched a couple of weeks after the former TEN/Revel casino reopened as Ocean Resort Casino, now called Ocean Casino Resort, in Atlantic City. Powered by GAN, the newest online casino in New Jersey features many familiar games but also exclusive slots and the biggest no deposit bonus in the industry.
Hard Rock Online Casino officially launched the same day as the new casino Hard Rock Atlantic City opened its doors on June 28, 2018. The platform is powered by Gaming Innovation Group (GiG). This is the company’s first foray into the NJ online casino market.
The MGM brand made its long-awaited debut in the New Jersey market in August of 2017. MGM is the owner of the Borgata and launched under that license in New Jersey. A BetMGM online poker site, BetMGM sportsbook and BetMGM online casino all share a wallet. The software is the same platform that powers the Borgata online casino, and many of the same games that you’ll find at Borgata are available at BetMGM.
In partnership with the Borgata and Pala Casino, Scores joined the New Jersey market when they launched in July of 2017. The site utilizes the Pala Casino software and offers the same welcome bonus. If you already have an account at Pala, you cannot make an account at Scores. Scores does not offer an online poker site. Read more about the Scores online casino promo code here.
The PlaySugarHouse New Jersey Online Casino launched in September 2016 with more than 200 games and a number of unique features through a partnership with SugarHouse Philadelphia casino operators Rush Street Interactive and New Jersey online gambling licensee Golden Nugget.
PlaySugarHouse offers leaderboards, free bingo games for bonuses, and real-time player-to-player chat. The SugarHouse NJ online casino also offers a number of easy-to-clear bonuses and promotions. The addition of SugarHouse helped Golden Nugget become the gross revenue leader in New Jersey’s iGaming market.
The world’s most popular online poker site relaunched as an online poker and casino site in the New Jersey market in March 2016. PokerStars NJ began by offering New Jersey players local versions of the brand’s most popular games, formats, and products. It also includes special New Jersey online promotions, bonuses, and local live events.
The site launched under the Resorts Casino Hotel’s online gambling license. PokerStars originally applied for an online gaming license in 2013. But the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement did not approve the application until September 2015.
The Golden Nugget online casino was scheduled to launch with the other online casinos in New Jersey in November 2013. However, technical issues during the beta testing period forced operators to wait. The Golden Nugget New Jersey online casino site eventually launched in December 2013. That delay did not prevent it from gaining ground, however, as the casino is one of the top brands in the Garden State with bonuses, promotions, leaderboards, and 700+ games.
Tropicana launched TropicanaCasino.com in partnership with Gamesys alongside New Jersey’s other original seven online casinos in November 2013. Just a few months later, in January 2014, the two got together to launch sister site VirginCasino.com, bringing the worldwide entertainment, travel, and gaming brand to the burgeoning New Jersey online casino market.
The closure of the Trump Plaza hotel and casino in September 2014 forced Betfair online casino to find a new home for its New Jersey online casino and poker sites.
But the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement allowed Betfair to continue operating temporarily under Caesars online gaming license until it eventually found a permanent home at the Golden Nugget. Betfair quickly closed its online poker site after landing at Golden Nugget. It shares a wallet with the FanDuel Sportsbook in NJ.
The 888 family of online gambling brands joined the NJ market via a partnership with Caesars Entertainment. It was one of the original sites to launch in 2013. The 888 Casino shares a wallet with both an 888 Sportsbook and an 888 online poker site.
Also part of a robust online sportsbook, Caesars online casino was one of the original sites to launch in 2013. Caesars online casino features an array of games, bonuses and promotions. Caesars Entertainment’s iGaming license also includes a Harrah’s online casino, but it is not affiliated with the Caesars app.
Resorts was the first casino to open in Atlantic City in 1978. It is now one of the top dogs in the online gambling market. A Mohegan Sun property, Resorts AC includes a Resorts online casino and sportsbook. Mohegan Sun online casino also operates under the Resorts license.
When the Trump Taj Mahal filed for bankruptcy in September 2014, Ultimate Casino, and eventually Ultimate Poker, both closed up shop, claiming issues with payments from the online gaming license holder.
Online gaming in New Jersey officially launched on November 21, 2013. Six Atlantic City land-based casinos debuted seven online casinos and six online poker sites.
The seven New Jersey online casinos available at launch included:
The original six New Jersey online poker sites included:
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement’s continued willingness to grant approval for out-of-state operators to partner with existing New Jersey iGaming licensees to run online casino and poker sites makes one thing clear: The ceiling for New Jersey’s iGaming market is a lot higher than originally anticipated.
It’s difficult to predict:
However, it’s easy to see the New Jersey online casino market is still a growing one. The number of new sites is likely to increase alongside it.