Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE)

by

Adam Maclean

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is a division of the Attorney General and was originally established in 1977 to oversee the casino gaming industry. The DGE's primary responsibility is to enforce the laws outlined in the Casino Control Act and the regulations set by the Casino Control Commission (CCC).

Integrity is key

The DGE works closely with the Casino Control Commission to license, regulate and monitor all gambling activity in the state of New Jersey, including all online gambling since it was legalized in February 2013. The division is dedicated to cultivating an industry that is legitimate and crime-free while promoting honesty, integrity and good character among casino operators, owners and employees.

License applicants must meet strict criteria, and the DGE thoroughly investigates each applicant's suitability. Additionally, the division is responsible for monitoring and supervising licensees to ensure compliance with all regulations and best practices regarding Know Your Customer (KYC), Advertising, and Responsible Gaming.

Currently, online gambling licenses can only be obtained by licensed Atlantic City casinos or their internet gaming affiliates, and online sportsbook operators must establish a partnership with a licensed casino or racetrack before offering their services. Authorized gambling websites can also only be accessed by players who are located in New Jersey.

How to check a license

Despite the measures taken by the division to ensure that the industry is free of crime, it is always advisable to check the license status of an operator and verify that they are offering their services legally. A list of current Gaming Permit Holders is available on the DGE website, as well as a list of Internet Gaming Authorized Sites, so it is easy to check if a site and its operator are legitimate.

The list of current gaming permit holders

Dispute resolution

All licensees are required to have an effective process in place for receiving and investigating complaints, but if a player has raised a complaint with a licensed operator and not been able to reach a satisfactory conclusion, a dispute can be raised with the DGE. To do so, there is an online form that can be completed.

A copy of the original complaint that was lodged with the license holder must be submitted with this form. The player must have complained to the operator directly and received a response from them before filing a dispute with the division.

Responsible gaming

In accordance with the Casino Control Act article pertaining to internet gaming, licensees must have mechanisms in place to enable players to apply controls to their account, such as deposit limits and a temporary suspension. Furthermore, information about the gambling problem helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER, must be displayed prominently to all who visit the website.

In addition to this, the DGE operates a Gambling Self-Exclusion Program in collaboration with The Council on Compulsive Gambling. Players can register for the program using one of the following methods:

In person or by Video Call - Self-exclusion can be from all Atlantic City Casino and sports betting facilities including online gambling, or from all online gambling facilities only. Players can choose from a minimum period of one year, five years or permanent. For appointments or enquiries, the contact details can be found below.
DGE website - Self-exclusion from all internet gaming and sports betting only. Players can choose from a minimum period of one year or five years and register by visiting the Self-Exclusion Registration page.
Via the player account - Self-exclusion from all internet gaming and sports betting only. Players can choose from a minimum period of one year or five years.

Note:

A free consultation with a professional from the Council on Compulsive Gambling is available to all who sign up for the program by calling the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.