New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed off on a bill that explicitly prohibits colleges from partnering with sportsbooks.
S2155 bans any sponsorship deals and also prohibits betting companies from advertising at college sports matches in New Jersey.
One of the sponsors of the bill, Sen. Joe Cryan, cited gambling advertisements on college campuses as contributing to a rise in gambling among students.
Cryan stated, “The proliferation of sports betting by college students is a troubling trend that can have a destructive impact on their lives.”
“Young people are especially vulnerable to compulsive gambling and can have a difficult time breaking the habit once it becomes ingrained. This will help protect them from the negative influences of advertisements that promote the practice. Our college campuses should be places for learning, not underage gambling.”
Problem Gambling On The Rise Among Young Men
A New Jersey Responsible Gaming Task Force Report revealed that young men aged between 18-24 were the most at risk for gambling problems. Around 19% of the group were found to be high risk, despite the legal gambling age being 21 in the state.
Since New Jersey sports betting became legal in 2018, helpline outreach has increased by 277% and parents calling about their children have increased by 800%.
The bill’s other sponsor, Senator John McKeon, stated, “Our college campuses should be sanctuaries for learning and for healthy activities for young people.”
“They should not be inundated with messages that entice them into gambling habits that can put them into debt and have corrosive effects on their psychological and emotional well-being.”
However, evidence suggests problem gambling is particularly prevalent in low-income families that are unlikely to send their children to college.
New Jersey Battles Against Underage Gambling
In addition to banning any advertising on colleges, New Jersey also launched an initiative to educate high school students about responsible gambling. The campaign partnered with Rush Street Interactive (RSI), owner of BetRivers, one of the leading betting platforms in the state.
Another bill introduced by Sen. McKeon plans to run a study to determine the effectiveness of gambling advertisements, as well as banning all ads that target minors.
The bill’s stated aim is to “deter illegal or irresponsible gambling, challenge perceptions of gambling and encourage the use of responsible gambling tools.”
It is still under consideration in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. A companion bill that was introduced in the Assembly was passed favorably in the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee in May.
Another bill that would ban college player prop bets has also made progress in the Senate, passing through the Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee.
This legislation was introduced by Sen. Kristen Corrado, who stated, “Proposition bets have led to a rise in the harassment of student-athletes and have threatened the integrity of college sports,”
“I have heard about many individuals who have been the victim of online harassment because they didn’t perform to the expectation of a bettor who made a side wager. This legislation will ban player-specific prop betting in New Jersey, which will help curb that appalling behavior and make college athletic events safer for all participants.”
Lawmakers hope the combination of bans on college prop bets, gambling ads on college campuses, and stricter rules around gambling ads will limit the negative impact of gambling in the state.
Adam is an experienced writer with years of experience in the gambling industry. He has worked as a content writer and editor for five years on sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph and Gambling Industry News, bringing excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and online gambling. Adam focuses on emerging stories in the ever changing landscape of betting in the US. Read the latest on prediction markets, changing legislation, and sweepstakes.
