New Jersey lawmakers are moving to curb microbetting, the live sports wager that turns on the next play of a game. One Senate proposal would ban the bets outright, while a separate Assembly bill would block them online and leave room for in-person versions in sports wagering lounges.
PIX11 reported that the Campaign for Fairer Gambling met with several lawmakers on 21 July to discuss a report on the practice and its risks. Brianne Doura-Schawohl, the group’s national director, said research shows 78% of people who engage in microbetting are struggling with problem gambling, and argued that New Jersey has a problem-gambling rate about three times the national average.
She said microbetting and problem gambling are associated with a higher suicide risk, domestic violence, child abuse, financial strain, welfare dependence and homelessness. The campaign’s message was blunt: “The time to act is now.”
State Sen. Paul Moriarty said microbetting is “not really even betting anymore”. He said it affects not only the gambler but about six other people in the family, and estimated that close to 3 million people in New Jersey are touched by problem gambling. He said he is among several lawmakers drafting legislation to ban microbetting.
The Senate bill, No. 4794, would prohibit sports wagering licensees from offering micro bets and establish penalties. It defines a micro bet as a live proposition bet on the outcome of the next play or action during an ongoing sporting event.
The bill says sports wagering has been highly successful since it was legalized in New Jersey in 2018, but that newer wagering methods are more enticing and engaging for bettors and carry additional risks to health, well-being and sports integrity. It says the faster pace of micro bets gives fans less time to research wagers, lets losses accumulate quickly and can lead to problem gambling by offering near-immediate reward.
The measure also cites the National Council on Problem Gambling’s estimate of as many as 8 million people nationwide with problem gambling, and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey’s reported 277% spike in helpline calls since sports wagering was legalized. It adds that some studies estimate 57% of professional athletes may wager on sports, with roughly 8% considered problem gamblers, and says micro bets are easier to fix than many traditional wagers.
Separately, Bill A3258 cleared the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and Arts Committee on Tuesday. It would prohibit licensed operators from offering micro bets online while allowing in-person micro bets at sports wagering lounges, and it would still need to clear the full Assembly and Senate before reaching the governor’s desk.
Assemblyman Dan Hutchison, one of the bill’s sponsors, said sports betting has expanded significantly and that safeguards need to evolve with it. He said microbetting leaves little time for reflection and can encourage impulsive decision-making, while co-sponsor Cody Miller said consumer protections need to keep pace because wagers can be placed with a few taps every few seconds. He called the bill a measured approach to reducing that risk.
PIX11 noted that this was not the first attempt in Trenton to outlaw microbetting, with similar legislation introduced during the last session. Moriarty said lawmakers hope to get it passed in the fall.
