New Jersey was amongst the trailblazers when it came to legalizing online gambling within its state boundaries. While not the first, in 2013, it was among the first states to do so. They saw a valuable opportunity to allow their residents to enjoy gambling wherever they see fit and a lucrative business opportunity. Now, over a decade has passed since they legalized online gambling, and the internet has only grown in importance in the average person's day. With the addition of mobile apps that make online gambling more accessible than ever before, there would be the expectation that people would naturally gravitate toward the more convenient option.
Below, we will explore New Jersey residents' gambling habits as it stands today and if the online gambling industry still has room to grow in this market.
Current gambling habits of residents in New Jersey
With online gambling being legal in New Jersey, its population has unfettered access to online gambling sites. This access means the average person who wants to play online poker no longer has to go to a traditional casino to play a few games. However, just because something is available does not mean people will instantly gravitate toward it.
In 2024, 36% of the New Jersey population gambled online. While this is a healthy number, more people are using scratch-offs or buying lottery tickets. Traditional casinos also continue to hold massive sway over the market.
That means that while online gambling has grown from a niche industry, it still has not yet come to dominate the state.
Is there room to grow?
As the previous section pointed out, despite New Jersey residents having open access to online gambling as opposed to other states where it remains illegal, it is not the dominant form of gambling. More people would be willing to go to a local convenience store and purchase a scratch-off than to use their phone to play online poker.
One of the few things keeping the industry from dominating the market is that while a phone may be a convenient place to gamble online, it is also a convenient place to do many other things. People have many apps and websites they can use to entertain themselves, and most do not require them to risk losing money.
Another factor is growing awareness in the general population of the issues that arise from staring at a screen, be it on their phone or a desktop. Now, people are seeking in-person activities, meaning more people are willing to put down their phones and apps and go to a traditional casino to gamble and socialize.
Then, finally, there is the ever-present taboo surrounding online gambling brought on by the lack of legal recognition by many states.
Currently, only a few states allow money poker sites to legally operate, and this has allowed the social stigma around gambling, in general, to stick even in states where it is legal. The belief that anyone who online gambles is bound to get addicted is a big thing keeping people away from the industry. There is also the belief that there is no chance of winning with online gambling and that all platforms are scams that will, in the end, steal all of your money.
So, if the online gambling industry wants to bring in more users, they will have to figure out a way to convince people that using their platform is simple, safe and could lead to higher rewards, which the industry is doing. They go through strict verification processes so people can feel more confident using their professional site. They are increasing their advertisement and offering simplified games to make them more appealing to people who do not like to stay on their phones for an extended period.
Conclusion
Even though online gambling has been legal in New Jersey for over a decade now, the current trend shows that it is not the primary way people gamble in the state. However, those same trends suggest that even though it is going slow, people are increasingly gravitating to these apps and websites. Throughout 2024, online gambling as an industry broke several records throughout the year. This consistent increase in revenue shows the general public's interest in the industry. The industry must take advantage of this apparent trend, and they can do so by increasing their marketing and utilizing technological advancements to attract more users. While 36% may not be a high number, it shows that New Jersey is a market with much room to grow.
