The Division of Gaming Enforcement was established in 1977 under the Casino Control Act, N.J.S.A. 5:12-1 et seq. to ensure the integrity of the casino gaming industry in the State of New Jersey. Its mission is to protect the public interest by maintaining a legitimate and viable industry, free from the influences of organized crime, and assuring the honesty, good character and integrity of casino owners, operators, employees and vendors. The Division performs this mission through enforcement of the Casino Control Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder which mandate a strictly regulated and economically sound industry. Oversight by the Division includes investigations, inspection, audit and criminal and regulatory prosecution.
Our Duties
License Applicant Investigations: Casino licenses are mandatory for corporate and individual owners, managers, employees, and service industries. The Division conducts investigations of all license applicants and reports to the Casino Control Commission (CCC) on its findings. The CCC has the authority to grant or deny a license at a public hearing. Licenses are granted only to individuals or entities that meet the fitness criteria of good character, honesty and integrity.
Regulatory Enforcement: The Regulatory Enforcement and Regulatory Prosecutions Bureaus are responsible for enforcing the laws of the Casino Control Act (the Act) and the CCC Rules and Regulations (Regulations) including: accounting and internal controls, rules of the games, gaming equipment, regulations of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, simulcasting, advertising, on and off site storage facilities, underage gambling and drinking, exclusion list violations, casino employee noncompliance, patron complaints, equal employment opportunity/affirmative action (EEO/AA) complaints, information systems integrity, security and CCTV surveillance and other matters related to the daily operation of the casino. The Bureaus investigate and prosecute violations of the Act and Regulations.
Monitoring Casino Operations: DGE state investigators monitor day-to-day casino operations on site and around the clock to assure regulatory compliance and investigate violations. In addition to addressing regulatory concerns, the unique criminal law enforcement concerns of casinos are handled by New Jersey State Police assigned to the DGE and prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice’s Casino Prosecutions Bureau.
Slot Laboratory – Technical Services Bureau: (TSB) assures the integrity of electronic gaming equipment, including all slot machine operations, within the State of New Jersey. TSB is responsible for the enforcement of all laws and regulations governing electronic gaming equipment according to the Casino Control Act and the Rules and Regulations promulgated thereunder. The responsibilities of TSB include, but are not limited to: testing and evaluating electronic gaming equipment, testing and evaluating manufacturer prototype equipment, analyzing and verifying slot machine jackpot payouts to casino patrons, verifying operational integrity, inspecting casinos, and assuring the security and proper accounting of slot machines and electronic equipment within the jurisdiction of the State of New Jersey. TSB engineers test and approve all electronic games before they can be used in Atlantic City casinos, and TSB statisticians evaluate the odds, payout and fairness of all new games. Gaming Equipment Specialists inspect electronic gaming equipment once it is approved for play and for the entire time it is used or stored in New Jersey.