Golden Nugget Online Casino

 Review

Golden Nugget Hands-on Review

Golden Nugget Online Casino was among the first to launch in New Jersey in 2014. From its launch, it established itself as one of the leaders in the Garden State for many years. In 2020, the site’s owner, Landry Inc., split it from the retail Golden Nugget casinos and started operating as a separate business.

The online casino expanded to Michigan in 2021, West Virginia in 2022, and Pennsylvania in 2023. In between these launches, Landry sold Golden Nugget Online Casino and Sportsbook to DraftKings in 2022. Since then, Golden Nugget online casino has slowly integrated into DraftKings’ network.

The Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia sites now use the parent’s software, game portfolio, and rewards system. Meanwhile, the New Jersey site is expected to convert to the DraftKings platform in the near future.

Both site versions offer players over 1,000 games in most states, with many jackpot slots, live dealer games, and exclusive titles. I will do a hands-on review of both versions of the site and apps and compare the two experiences.

If you’re in New Jersey (and Michigan, until recently), you must download a different app than the other three states. However, that said, the app offers a top-notch experience.

If you’re in Michigan, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia, the Golden Nugget app is very similar to the DraftKings app as it uses the same technology. You can access all the games and functions that you can on the desktop version, including jackpot slots connected to the DraftKings network. The progressive jackpot at the time of writing was $1.2 million.

The New Jersey app is slightly different but works exceptionally well. One feature of this app that I like is the overview and description of games before you play. You can see RTP, volatility, minimum and maximum bets, and more.

Both versions allow you to play games in demo mode, which is a bonus. That will enable you to check out the game before you play and decide if you like the gameplay and features before you use real money.

In my experience, both versions worked extremely well. However, while the reviews for the MI, PA, and WV apps are positive, multiple users have reported issues with welcome bonuses needing to load correctly in the NJ app.

Thus, we would recommend you sign up through the "Claim Offer" link on this page and sign up through your desktop or mobile browser before using the app.

What Is Golden Nugget Casino & How Does It Work?

Golden Nugget is a real-money online casino where you can win real money. When playing online, you will find many of the games available at a retail casino, like slots, video poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and more. Additionally, you can play live dealer table games where you join a live table with a real dealer.

Like retail casinos, Golden Nugget Online Casino games use random number generator (RNG) software to ensure random and fair results.

You can deposit and withdraw using common banking methods, and you can stay assured your information is safe as the site is licensed and regulated by the same state agencies that oversee retail casinos.

Is Golden Nugget Casino Legit?

Golden Nugget Online Casino is a legitimate site licensed and regulated in each state in which it operates.

Can You Win Real Money Playing at Golden Nugget Casino?

Yes, you can win real money at Golden Nugget, as it’s a legitimate real-money online casino.

Where Can You Play at Golden Nugget Casino

Golden Nugget Online Casino is available in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Already signed up for Golden Nugget? Check out more WV online casino no-deposit bonuses.

Golden Nugget Welcome Offer

New players can take advantage of the no-deposit offer at Golden Nugget Casino, which includes a 100% deposit match. See below for details.

No-Deposit Bonus

Currently, Golden Nugget does not offer a no-deposit casino bonus. You can check our list of top casinos with no deposit bonuses if that’s an offer you’re looking for.

First Deposit Bonus

Golden Nugget offers you a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000 as a new player. If you’re in New Jersey, you can also get 200 Free Spins on the 88 Fortunes Megaways slot with your first deposit of $30 or more.

You must use your welcome bonus offer within 30 days, or it will expire. Also, deposit match bonus funds carry a 10x wagering requirement. Winnings from bonus spins have a 1x wagering requirement.

Customer Support

If you need help, you have several options, which you will find under the “Help” page at the top of your home screen. You will find a comprehensive page with answers to many common questions there.

If you need to get in touch with someone, you have a few options:

• Email: [email protected] for NJ players, while MI, PA & WV players can email [email protected] or fill out the form in the help section.

• Phone: (855) 582-5117 (for NJ only). MI, PA, and WV players can request a callback.

• Live Chat: Available only in NJ.

Whichever method you prefer, customer support is available 24/7.

Self-Exclusion & Player Safety

Golden Nugget Casino takes responsible gaming seriously and has various educational and support information under the “Responsible Gaming” page, which you can find at the bottom of your screen.

You also have several options if you think you might have a problem. Those include:

• Set limits on deposits and wagering

• Set limits on losses within a time period

• Set a limit on the time you play in a session

• Self-exclude from gambling on the Golden Nugget site or a link to your state’s self-exclusion form for all other casinos

• Additional tools vary by state. An example in New Jersey is that you will be blocked and must acknowledge when you’ve reached $2,500 in wagers

If you or someone you know has gambling problems, call 1-800-GAMBLER

What Makes Golden Nugget Different From Other Casinos?

Golden Nugget Casino offers one of the most user-friendly sites to players. The old version (NJ and MI until recently) has annoying pop-ups, but we can look beyond that because of the other features.

One of the best features is the available game information before you play. You will find all the game features like RTP, reel grid, max win, and volatility. Additionally, some games have screenshots and suggestions for similar games.

Also, the home screen has sections (with the number of games for each) for almost every category like:

• Jackpots

• Blackjack

• Video Poker

• Megaways, Steppers, Scratch offs

• Featured Studios

If you’re in Michigan, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia, you can also access the wide range of Golden Nugget exclusive games.

Should You Play at Golden Nugget Casino?

Golden Nugget Casino is one of the oldest online casinos in the US, and the experience shows. The website offers one of the best user experiences and the highest number of games.

In addition to the 100% deposit match welcome offer, players can discover many ongoing promotions for a chance to win additional bonus funds.

Golden Nugget has its shortcomings as well. First, the site has two separate versions based on the state you play. That also includes the app. In addition, while the New Jersey site offers one of the best user experiences, constant pop-ups could turn off some players.

That said, I rank Golden Nugget highly and believe you should try the site to decide if it’s for you.

How To Join Golden Nugget Casino

Joining Golden Nugget is easy by following these step-by-step directions:

1. Press or click the “Claim Offer” button on this page to be directed to the Golden Nuggetregistration page
2. Click “Sign Up”
3. Fill out the required information, which includes social security number, address, and phone number. You will need to create a security question as well
4. Agree to the terms and press “Create Account”
5. Go to “My Bonuses” and claim the welcome bonus
6. Make a deposit to unlock the welcome offer
7. Start playing

Keep in mind that you must be physically located within your selected state’s borders to play.

The Golden Nugget is one of the most famous casino brands in the U.S., so it's to be expected that the online casino would offer a dazzling array of games. Aside from this, The Golden Nugget also provides solid customer support for its players.

Promos for Existing Users

One of the areas where Golden Nugget falls behind other sites is the promotions section for existing players. Other sites have better online casino promotions for existing players.

Refer a Friend

Each time you refer a friend, you can get cash. In New Jersey and Michigan, you get $50 after your friend registers and makes a $50 deposit. In Pennsylvania and West Virginia, you can get up to $100 depending on how much your friend deposits after registration. See your promotions page for more details.

Limited Time Promotions (NJ)

If you play in New Jersey, you will find limited-time promotions, including discounted wagers on some games, tournaments, and leaderboards.

Check the promotions page for current offers as they change daily or weekly.

DK Shop (MI, PA & WV)

Golden Nugget players can use their Crowns or cash to purchase unique and customized DraftKings gear, including NBA partnership clothing.

Reward System

Depending on which state you play, two reward programs exist: Golden Nugget’s Golden Rewards (NJ) or DraftKings Dynasty (MI, PA, WV). In the future, all players will likely be integrated into the Dynasty program.

Golden Rewards

You will be automatically enrolled in the Golden Rewards program in New Jersey. Each time you play, you earn points. Every 100 points can be redeemed for $1. You can earn points in the following ways:

• Every $100 wagered on slots awards you five points

• Every $100 wagered on other games awards you one point

• A daily deposit of $50 - $99 gives you 20 points

• A daily deposit of $100 or more gives you 100 points

Note that points expire after 90 days of inactivity.

There are also three tiers of the Golden Rewards: Golden Rewards (0 - 4,999 points), VIP Rewards (5,000 points), and VIP Elite Club (by invite only.) Benefits of the tiers include birthday and other bonus offers, expedited withdrawals, perks at Golden Nugget properties, and more.

Dynasty

In Michigan, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia, you are automatically enrolled in the DraftKings Dynasty program connected to Golden Nugget and DraftKings.

Each time you play, you earn Crowns. The rate you earn varies based on the game you play:

• 1 Crown for every $1 wagered on keno, progressive slots, and scratch-offs

• 1 Crown for every $2 wagered on remaining slots

• 1 Crown for every $5 wagered on video poker and table games

You can redeem Crowns at a rate of 550 Crowns for $1. They also help you climb one of five tiers. Benefits of the tiers include entry to promotions and leaderboards, tier welcome bonuses, VIP customer support, and more.

Banking Methods Breakdown

Golden Nugget offers a wide range of options for deposits and withdrawals. Deposits are usually processed immediately, and funds should appear in your account shortly. There are no instant withdrawal options, but some take as little as one day. To withdraw, you must have verified your account.

Golden Nugget processes withdrawals from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday. Any requests received after 2:00 pm will be processed the following day.

What Games Are Offered?

Depending on your state, the number of games reaches over 1,500. Additionally, being part of DraftKings allows Golden Nugget players to access DraftKings exclusive and jackpot games, which are not limited to slots. They include all types, including video poker and live dealer. In some states, you can access over 400 progressive jackpot games.

The NJ online casino has over 1,500 games but only 49 jackpot games, which are not connected to the DraftKings network.

Slots

With over 1,000 options for slots at Golden Nugget Casino in most states, it could be challenging to choose a slot. You will find slots by popular studios like NetEnt, Everi, NextGen, Big Time Gaming, High5, White Hat, and more. Favorite slots include:

• Almighty Buffalo

• Cleopatra

• 88 Fortunes

• Divine Fortune

• Siberian Storm

• China Shores

Luckily, if you’re unsure what to play, most offer demo play where you can try the slot before you play.

Table Games

Golden Nugget Casino offers over 40 table games, many connected to the progressive jackpot network. You can find many variations of blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, baccarat and more.

Being connected to DraftKings, you can play a wide range of themed games, including NBA, NFL, WWE, and Monopoly.

Video Poker

If you’re in New Jersey, you can play 18 video poker games. Meanwhile, players in other states don’t have many options. In MI, PA, and WV, Golden Nugget offers only seven games, but that includes a few variations of Ultimate X and Draw Poker.

Live Dealer

Golden Nugget offers over 20 live dealer games regardless of the state you’re in. Most MI, PA, and WV games are also connected to the progressive jackpot network. Furthermore, if you’re a high-roller, you can play blackjack variations in the three states, with minimum bets as high as $500.

Meanwhile, in NJ, you can access additional unique games like Coin Flip, Dream Catcher, and Crazy Time.

Golden Nugget Casino Odds

To improve your chances of winning, choose games with higher odds. One of the ways to find out the odds is the RTP (return to player.) The RTP is the percentage the game pays back the player over time. The house always takes a cut, so the RTP will always be under 100%. That said, the number is a guide and not guaranteed, which means it could be lower or higher for you.

If you play slots, another thing to look for is the volatility. That tells you the frequency and size of payouts. Low volatility means frequent but small payouts, while high volatility is the opposite. Most slots with jackpots or high max prizes are usually highly volatile. If you’re new to slots or like to play cautiously, opt for low-volatility slots. Starburst is one of the best examples.

Slot Odds

Most slots have an RTP between 93% and 96%. However, a small percentage of slots have an RTP as high as 98%. Some examples at Golden Nugget include:

• Bloodsuckers: 98%

• Starmania: 97.87%

• White Rabbit: 97.72%

• Medusa: 97.63%

• Secrets of Atlantis: 97.07%

• Jack Hammer: 97%

Blackjack Odds

Blackjack odds are among the highest at online casinos. Most variations have RTP between 98% and 99.6%. High RTP blackjack games at Golden Nugget include:

• Blackjack Multihand Poker and Pairs: 99.6%

• Blackjack Classic IGT: 99.6%

• Blackjack Classic 21+3: 99.59%

Roulette Odds

Roulette games vary in RTP between 92% and 98%. The most common type, American Roulette, which has a 0 and 00, usually has the lowest RTP. Some high RTP roulette games at Golden Nugget include:

• Double Bonus Spin Roulette: 98.06%

• Roulette 6: 97.3%

• European Roulette: 97.29%

Video Poker Odds

Video poker is among the most played games at retail casinos, and the odds are part of the reason. Like blackjack, video poker often has odds over 99%. Some rare versions even go over 100% RTP. However, these games are mostly found at retail casinos. High RTP video poker games at Golden Nugget include:

• Jacks or Better: 99.56%

• Multi-Rise Video Poker Jacks or Better: 99.18%

• Regal Poker: 99.17%

Does Golden Nugget Casino Have A Sportsbook or Poker Site?

Golden Nugget also has a sportsbook that can be accessed from the online casino page (except for Pennsylvania). The Golden Nugget Sportsbook is available in New Jersey, Arizona, Michigan, and West Virginia.

While there’s no dedicated platform for peer-to-peer poker, you can play house-banked poker in the Golden Nugget Online Casino table game and live dealer sections.