After faltering in the 2021 ballot, legislators in New Jersey are taking another stab at introducing in-state collegiate sports wagering with a new bill. Join us as we dissect the new measure and what changes it may bring to the Garden State.
New Jersey state legislators filed the ACR 140 bill in late June, a law that is to enable sports bettors within The Garden State to place bets on local college teams. This news has been received with open arms, considering the state currently bans betting on its college teams.
Such breakthroughs don’t come easy. New Jersey has tried before to allow betting on local college teams, but a similar effort in 2021 did not triumph in the polls. The efforts are promising this time as the bill by Rep. Michael Venezia awaits approval later in November.
Supporters of betting on local college teams in New Jersey argue that it could increase revenue and that the legal market’s safeguards would reduce integrity risks related to in-state team betting. On the other hand, opponents worry about the possibility of game manipulation and the vast potential for athlete harassment.
That said, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has asked states to ban specific college prop bets due to concerns about harassment. This debate is a huge consideration for New Jersey lawmakers. However, the Association has reached the extent of requesting a complete ban on any form of betting activity involving local college teams.
Virginia has also recently tried to pass laws to allow betting on local college teams, but just like New Jersey’s, it did not succeed. The latter’s legislative session runs until the end of the year, and if the legislators don’t discuss the proposal, it might be considered again in the 2025 session.
The 2024 Attempt Is a Second Bite at the Apple
In 2021, former Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo led an effort to allow betting on local college sports with a bill dubbed ACR 200. The proposal passed overwhelmingly in both chambers but was ultimately rejected by voters on the ballot. It attained a 36-1 vote in the Senate and a 70-4 vote in the general assembly. There was strong support from elected officials, but 57% of voters did not support the bill.
The new attempt to allow betting on local college teams goes against the stance of NCAA President Charlie Baker. Charlie has been discussing the issue of college prop bets with state regulators since the start of the year.
Proposition bets are a particular kind of betting, and they aren’t Baker’s main worry. But he’s most concerned about the rise in harassment student-athletes might face and the risk of these talent activities lacking integrity. Baker feels these problems could worsen in New Jersey if betting on local schools becomes legal. Local schools covered in this proposal include but aren’t limited to:
Supporters of collegiate sports wagering argue that the increase in tax money is the main reason to go ahead with it. The state has collected $457 million in taxes from this sector since it started in May 2018. It’s clear that there’s a big demand for betting opportunities, and the government can channel the financial gains to another vital course.
All Eyes on the Ballot, Again
New Jersey’s lawmakers meet all year round. If they agree to the bill, Venezia’s plan will go to a vote in the general election. A Yes vote supports allowing sports betting within the state. The proposal reads:
Quote“This concurrent resolution proposes to amend the State Constitution to permit wagering through casinos and current or former horse racetracks on all collegiate sporting events, including collegiate sporting events that take place in the State or in which a team from a college located in New Jersey participates.”
The State Constitution currently restricts sports betting involving a team from a New Jersey college or any learning institution sporting event held in New Jersey. Bettors are exclusively allowed to play in casinos and former or current racetracks.
Existing Problems for NJ Regulators
This much-anticipated law will broaden the range of choices at New Jersey sportsbooks. It would draw more customers and simplify operations for all licensed sportsbooks, as many operators have faced issues by not including local colleges and universities in their betting options.
For instance, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement penalized BetMGM with a $25,000 fine in 2022 for permitting bets on local colleges. FOX Bet also received an $80,000 penalty in 2023 for repeated violations related to the same issue. This situation has happened in New Jersey and other gambling-legal jurisdictions across the US.
New Jersey officials also plan to include betting on individual college player performances. Thus, sports wagering on these games will consist of placing bets on individual performances during college events rather than just the result at the end of the game.
On the other hand, R-District 40 Senator Kristin Corrado tabled SB 3080 earlier this year to prohibit these types of bets. Additionally, D-District 20 Senator Joseph Cryan, a co-sponsor, supported the bill in a display of bipartisan agreement. The good Senator created this legislation following a phone call with Baker, the NCAA president. The latter kept his commitment to urge state regulators to eliminate these specific types of wagers.
Will Voters Back The New Bill?
New Jersey has eight Division 1 college teams that residents would support and bet on. This is a considerable addition to the local sports wagering scene, but there’s a genuine worry among locals and lawmakers about jeopardizing the game’s fairness. And by the way, the outcome of the previous attempt didn’t come as a surprise to many.
The lobbyists put much effort into getting this issue on the ballot in the previous attempt. However, their initial efforts couldn’t persuade the industry to support the campaign. Most of them weren’t surprised that it didn’t succeed. A fraction of these activists admitted that it failed because only a handful of voters knew it was on the ballot. In addition, some of those who knew didn’t understand the question either.
Supporters of the proposal must improve their efforts to convince the public about the advantages of permitting betting on in-state colleges. They’re hoping to get the measure on the November ballot. Lobby groups have until the November elections to persuade the public to support ACR 140.
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