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Atlantic City has been the benchmark for regulated casino gaming in the eastern United States for over four decades. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has built one of the most respected regulatory frameworks in the world, and its online licensing model has become a reference point for other jurisdictions.
Across the Atlantic, the UK Gambling Commission operates what many analysts consider the most advanced consumer-protection framework for online gaming globally. Yet the two markets are diverging in ways that reveal a great deal about where player preferences are heading.
This comparison breaks down the key differences between the Atlantic City model and the UK online gaming market, including the emerging segment of crypto-powered platforms that is reshaping player expectations.
Atlantic City: The Regulated Benchmark
New Jersey legalised online gaming in 2013, making it one of the first US states to do so. The Division of Gaming Enforcement requires all online operators to hold a licence tied to a physical Atlantic City casino, creating a tightly controlled ecosystem with strong consumer protections.
Players must verify their identity and location before playing. Withdrawal times typically run between one and five business days depending on payment method. The framework is rigorous, but it prioritises accountability over speed or privacy.
New Jersey’s online gaming market generated over $2.4 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2024, according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement annual report. Sports betting accounted for roughly 40% of that figure, with casino games making up the remainder.
The UK Online Gaming Market in 2025
The UK Gambling Commission licenses all operators legally serving UK players, and the market is one of the most heavily regulated in the world. The 2023 Gambling White Paper introduced significant reforms, including a stake cap of £5 per spin on online slots from February 2025 and mandatory financial risk checks for higher-spending players from August 2024.
The UK’s online gaming gross gambling yield reached £6.9 billion in the 12 months to March 2024, according to UKGC published statistics. That figure represents consistent growth despite tightening regulation.
Unlike New Jersey, the UK market is not geographically anchored. There is no physical casino requirement for online operators, which has allowed a wider range of platform types to emerge, including fully crypto-native options.
The Crypto Segment and Player Privacy
One of the most significant divergences from the Atlantic City model is the growth of crypto-based gaming platforms serving UK players. UKGC-licensed operators that accept crypto still require full KYC verification, matching the New Jersey standard.
However, a separate segment operates outside UKGC licensing under offshore jurisdictions. Players seeking what is often described as a no kyc casino UK option use these platforms to transact using only a crypto wallet address, without submitting identity documents to a third-party platform. This is functionally impossible within the New Jersey or UKGC licensed frameworks, making it a distinctly different product.
According to the Gemini 2025 Global Crypto Report, 24% of UK adults own cryptocurrency, creating a substantial audience for platforms that accept digital asset deposits. Privacy and withdrawal speed are the two most cited reasons for choosing crypto over card payments in player surveys.
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Market Comparison: Atlantic City vs UK Online Gaming
The table below compares four distinct market types across five key dimensions relevant to players and operators.
Expert Perspective
David Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, has observed that the divergence between US and UK online gaming regulation reflects different philosophical starting points.
The US model, including New Jersey, prioritised physical accountability and tax revenue capture before expanding online. The UK model prioritised consumer access and operator competition, then layered on consumer protections as the market matured.
Schwartz notes that neither model has fully resolved the tension between player privacy and regulatory oversight, a gap that crypto platforms are now filling, particularly in markets like the UK where digital asset ownership is mainstream.
For more Atlantic City gaming news and analysis, read Breaking AC’s gaming coverage or explore the latest Atlantic City business and entertainment news.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does New Jersey’s online gaming regulation compare to the UK Gambling Commission?
Both are rigorous but structured differently. New Jersey ties online licences to physical casino properties and applies US federal anti-money laundering standards. The UKGC operates independently, licences operators directly, and since 2023 has introduced stricter affordability checks than anything currently in the New Jersey framework.
Can UK players legally use crypto casinos without KYC?
Platforms operating under UKGC licences require KYC regardless of payment method. Players using offshore platforms that accept crypto without identity verification are not breaking UK law by doing so, but those platforms operate outside UKGC consumer protection rules. Players on such platforms have no UKGC recourse for disputes.
What did the UK’s 2023 Gambling White Paper change?
The White Paper introduced several major reforms: a £5 per spin maximum stake on online slots (active from February 2025), mandatory financial risk checks for players spending above defined thresholds (active from August 2024), a statutory gambling levy to fund research and treatment (active from April 2025), and the creation of an independent gambling ombudsman for player disputes.
Why is withdrawal speed a major factor for UK online players?
Card and bank transfer withdrawals on licensed UK platforms typically take one to three working days. Crypto platforms settle withdrawals in minutes. For players who treat gaming as an entertainment budget item rather than a savings vehicle, fast access to winnings is a meaningful part of the experience rather than a minor convenience.
Is Atlantic City’s online gaming market growing or declining?
Growing. New Jersey online gaming revenue exceeded $2.4 billion in 2024, up from under $2 billion in 2022. The physical Atlantic City casino market has faced headwinds from regional competition, but the online market has consistently outpaced those losses. The digital segment is now materially larger than the contribution of several physical properties combined.