Lawmakers Look to Eliminate New Jersey Microbetting

It’s rare to see efforts to curb legal gambling in New Jersey. Microbetting, however, appears to have found that narrow spot where lawmakers want to put a stop to it.

In a July policy briefing of the New Jersey legislature, the Campaign for Fairer Gambling outlined New Jersey microbetting as a problem the state must address. Lawmakers already have two bills in committee dedicated to doing exactly that.

Senate Bill 2160, sponsored by Sen. Paul Moriarty (D-Turnersville) and Sen. Patrick Diengan (D-South Plainfield) and Assembly Bill 3258, sponsored by Assemblyman Dan Hutchinson (D-Laurel Springs) and Assemblyman Cody Miller (D-Turnersville) would both eliminate microbetting from New Jersey. If either passes, this would be the first time microbetting were banned while leaving other forms of sports betting intact.

The bills specifically define microbetting as bets on the next play of the game. These can include things such as the next pitch, the next play call or the next basket.

According to a new report, the Campaign for Fairer Gambling suggests that 78% of those who engage in New Jersey microbetting would meet the definition of problem gamblers. That’s one of the main reasons that lawmakers want to put a stop to the practice.

They’ve said that the pace of microbetting is far too quick. If a person makes a bet on a prop play, they’ve got to wait the entire game to see if their bet pays. Microbetting lets players bet instantly, making it easy for losses to pile up.

What Major Concerns Exist for New Jersey Microbetting?

The biggest concerns relate to integrity and pace. Microbetting carries severe risk for both sportsbooks and customers because of the possibility for fixed outcomes.

Microbetting offers a major problem for fixed outcomes because a player could fix a play without costing their team the game. In many cases, these would be almost impossible to detect. For example, an NFL quarterback could agree to call a passing play no matter what on his team’s 15th offensive snap of the game.

That wouldn’t affect the game’s outcome, but it would mean plenty of ill-gotten gains for those who knew in advance.

Pace is also a concern because of how easy it is for losses to add up. Problem gamblers tend to chase losses, and calling the wrong play on five separate instances can turn a small loss into a devastating one.

What’s the Timeline?

Unlike a lot of states, New Jersey doesn’t adjourn for the year. Instead, the Garden State takes regular breaks and meets throughout the year. In most cases, the state’s legislators meet twice a week, taking breaks for things such as summer holidays.

The legislature currently sits in recess, with a likely return coming in late August or September. Neither bill has made it to the full floor, but the new report says that’s likely to change soon. If it does, a bill might make it through the New Jersey General Assembly before the year’s end.

Is Support Likely?

It’s not clear. Gov. Mikie Sherrill has focused on other priorities as she works on the state’s budget. If she’s on board, New Jersey Democrats could ban New Jersey microbetting without Republican support.

If Sherrill vetoes, Democrats would need Republican help to pass either bill. Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in the Assembly, but are two votes shy in the state Senate.

Most likely, one of the bill’s sponsors will introduce the bill in September or soon after. There is also the possibility they wait until after the election, which could result in a more favorable climate for a ban.