A bill that would ban player-specific prop betting in college sports in New Jersey has passed its latest stage. It’s the latest proposed legislation aimed at college sports in the state.
The bill was discussed by the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee towards the end of last month. Bill A4905 was introduced by Assemblyman Sterley Stanley and has the goal of protecting student-athletes from both online and in-person harassment. It’s believed that the banning of props on online sportsbooks in the state of New Jersey would assist the well-being of the college athletes.
It was during the 2023 NCAA tournament that a statement was made by President Charlie Baker. He expressed the opinion that a ban on college props should be put in place. This view has now led to the introduction of this bill in New Jersey. If passed, it would “prohibit sports wagering licensees from offering or accepting wagers on player-specific proposition bets on collegiate sports or athletic events.”
Assembly Sterley Stanley commented after the bill made it through its latest stage. He spoke about how the state had been one of the first in the US to legalize sports gambling. That took place six years ago soon after a ruling made by a US Supreme Court Judge. Mr Stanley said he believes it is the responsibility of the state to “ensure that we set the best example we possibly can for all others who wish to follow our lead.”
The Assemblyman made it clear that he is a “staunch supporter of the sports betting industry.” However, he believes it is “incumbent” on the state to “recognize the incredible pressures that college athletes face between their academic and athletic responsibilities.”
His bill will ensure that the student-athletes will not have those pressures added to by “problem gamblers” who have been known to harass them when betting on college sports and placing losing bets.
His hope is that the bill can become law before the end of the current college basketball season. That is due to end in the first weekend of April 2025. Before that happens, there’s the traditional March Madness when the number of bets placed on the NCAA tournament reaches extremely high levels.
At present, sportsbooks in New Jersey do allow betting on player props for college athletes. There are some restrictions though for school events. Gamblers are not permitted to place bets on any New Jersey school sporting events or any game played in the state regardless of where the school team has its base. If this bill was to become law, then gamblers would be unable to place any bets on a state team while they are in New Jersey.
There are currently 12 US states who have already banned college prop betting. These include New York and Pennsylvania. The subject of betting on college sports has regularly been a controversial subject when states have been setting down the rules when introducing sports betting in their state.
Also making progress in New Jersey is bill A4113 which was introduced in April. It has now progressed through the Assembly Higher Education Committee. This bill has the aim of banning sportsbooks in New Jersey from forming partnerships with college sports programs in order to provide direct marketing.
If becoming law, it would see students on campuses and at team facilities and arenas protected from seeing marketing that is of a gambling-related nature.
As is often the case, there were some amendments made during this committee stage. Some partnerships will be allowed if they are for “academic purposes” or they provide learning opportunities to the students.
Bill A4113 addresses state universities such as Rutgers but not private institutions including Monmouth and Seton Hall.
One of those who addressed the committee was Jennifer Maloney from the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities. The committee was told that the bill would see students “remain as safe as possible” but also be “recognising that this could be a valuable career for them is the proper balance.”
For example in Massachusetts while approving licenses, the regulator asked that there not be partnerships between universities and gambling companies. At the time, PointsBet North America had a partnership with the University of Colorado.
The university was given $30 by PointsBet North America (who have since been purchased by Fanatics Sportsbook) for each referral. That partnership ended in January of last year. There have also been partnerships between Caesars Sportsbook and Louisiana State and Michigan State but both of these have now been terminated.
