Las Vegas is a city is known around the world for one reason and one reason only, its gambling industry. In the mid-to-late 20th century, Las Vegas, despite previously struggling economically, experienced unprecedented growth because of the legalisation of gambling and the construction of dozens of land-based casinos.

However, with the legalisation of online gambling in many states across the US, could Las Vegas’ title as the Gambling Capital of the US come under threat? Arguably, the state of New Jersey and its city, Atlantic City, in particular, has already overtaken Las Vegas. But how has this been possible?

In short, the legalisation of online gambling in New Jersey has allowed the state to flourish, while it already had a strong history of gambling. New Jersey is not the online state to allow online gambling, of course, as a few others have too, but it has enjoyed more success than others. That is why you will find many New Jersey platforms listed as the best online casinos in the USA at mejorescasinosonline.net.

A State Full Gambling History

New Jersey is not a state that is new to gambling, far from it in fact, as this state has always had a long-standing affection for many types of gambling. Even as far back as 200 years ago, New Jersey opened the country’s horse racing track. The state also has a rich history of lotteries.

From the mid-90s onwards, New Jersey saw many changes to laws that legalised a variety of different types of gambling. The biggest of these was in 1979 when gambling in land-based casinos was made legal – but only in Atlantic City. It did not take long for numerous casinos to scatter the city and it’s these foundations that have given Atlantic City the potential of overtaking (if it hasn’t already) Las Vegas as the Gambling Capital of the US.

Other states and cities have tried to emulate what Las Vegas and Atlantic City have achieved, but with mixed success. In New York, state regulators have followed the Las Vegas model by opening four casinos similar to what we find in the current Gambling Capital of the US.

2013 Changed it All

While the history and earlier introduction of land-based casinos in Atlantic City provided the foundations, it is clear to see that legalising online gambling in New Jersey is the biggest reason the state and Las Vegas can be said in the same breath with regards to competing for the title of the Gambling Capital of the US.

The financial crisis in 2008 was a wake-up call for New Jersey. It led to the closure of several brick and mortar casinos, the laying off of thousands of workers, and the halting halfway through the construction of several others. Just three years later, New Jersey passed laws that allowed people in all states, and not just Atlantic City, to partake in casino gambling. Then, two years further down the line, there was the even bigger news of the state legalising online gambling.

The increased revenue from online gambling has since transformed the state. New Jersey now makes far more from online gambling than it does from its many land-based casinos.

Sports Betting Has Also Played a Part

Wanting to go the whole hog, New Jersey also wanted to legalise sports betting, something that did not go down too well with some of the sporting leagues in the US. Although the state passed the law in 2021, it did not come into effect until years later. This is because of lawsuits brought against the state by those sporting leagues. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of New Jersey in 2018.

When you consider that the following year the state recorded over $4 billion in online sports bets, it is clear that it has played a big part in New Jersey and Atlantic City having a claim as the Gambling Capital of the US.

Wrapping Up

So, when you combine the gambling history New Jersey, and in particular, Atlantic City has, the nous to legalise gambling, and then all kinds of online gambling, it is clear that this is as big a gambling region you’re likely to get. Las Vegas has romance and fame and will continue to attract tourists from all over the world that want to party, gamble, and have fun. However, for the serious gambler looking to hit hard and make it big, New Jersey is by far the best state to visit.

Just as an aside, neither can really lay claim as the world’s gambling capital. That title falls to Macau. A special administrative region of China (much like Hong Kong), Macau is the only region in mainland China where gambling of any kind is legal.