NJ Lawmakers Advance Online Micro-Betting Bill

In May, it was announced that the New Jersey Assembly was considering a bill that would restrict online Micro-Betting. That bill (Assembly Bill A3258) has now successfully cleared the Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee and will now advance to the assembly floor for a debate and perhaps passage in the near future.

The bill was sponsored by Assembly members Dan Hutchison, Cody Miller, and Dave Bailey Jr. It would prohibit online sportsbooks & mobile operators from accepting micro-wagers. However, such activities would continue to be allowed by retail sportsbooks and self-service kiosks that are located inside licensed gaming venues.

Micro-betting can best be defined as sports wagering opportunities within a game or match. That would include proposition bets on players and in-game wagering on action that is occurring while a game is in progress. Prop bets are discouraged due to the risk of player or team manipulation. In-game wagering opportunities are suspect because wagers can be made and resolved within seconds. Lawmakers fear that could prompt an increase in problem gambling issues.

There is evidence that increased wagering opportunities are leading to an increase in sports betting addiction. According to data collected by the Council on Compulsive Gambling, New Jersey’s helpline showed an increase in activity of 277% between 2018 and May of this year, when the bill was first drafted.

In a post by PlayNJ (New Jersey's official online gambling guide), Hutchinson said:

“Micro-betting operates at a pace that gives bettors little time to reflect and can push them toward impulsive decisions.”

New Jersey’s Booming Sports Betting Industry Prompts Responsible Gambling Concerns

Since the United States Supreme Court lifted the nation's sports betting ban, New Jersey has been an industry leader. In 2025, the state raked in an astounding $6.98 billion in gross gambling revenue. That's putting a significant amount of tax revenue in the state's coffers. With this level of sports betting activity, lawmakers want to make sure that gambling issues are minimized. In that spirit, the state Senate recently passed three bills that support responsible gambling inititives.

One bill would require all sportsbooks to disclose account-limitation policies. They are also required to notify customers when restrictions have been placed on their wagering accounts.

Another bill asks the Division of Gaming Enforcement to closely examine language that is being used in online gambling advertising. They want to make sure that bookmakers are not using ads to target vulnerable persons like children and problem gamblers.

Finally, Senate Bill 4280, would force online bookmakers and casino operators to provide customers with monthly win-loss statements via email notifications. The hope is that this kind of information will help online gamblers be aware of their activities. The particular measure is currently in committee before the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation.

Should any or all of these bills get through the assembly, they would have to go to the governor's desk for signature. All indications are would have the support of Governor Mikie Sherrill.