A New Jersey bill filed late last week, New Jersey sports bettors to wager on in-state college teams. Currently, the state has a ban on wagers involving New Jersey teams, like Rutgers.
It’s not the first time a New Jersey legislator has pushed to allow sports betting on in-state teams, as a 2021 effort failed at the polls. The 2024 effort, introduced by Rep. Michael Venezia, would also need voter approval in November to take effect.
Proponents of wagering on in-state college teams often cite a potential revenue boost, while also believing the protections of the legal market outweigh any potential integrity risks associated with allowing bets on in-state teams. Detractors of in-state college betting often cite game integrity fears and a potential increase in athlete harassment.
The NCAA has requested states ban college prop bets in part due to harassment issues – that’s another topic New Jersey legislators are considering – but the organization has not gone as far as requesting states ban all wagers on in-state programs.
Virginia, like New Jersey, has experienced recent legislative attempts to bring in-state college betting to the state, only to fall short. New Jersey’s legislative session spans through the end of the year, and if the proposal isn’t discussed, it could carry over to the state’s 2025 session.
A Welcomed Proposal? 4k2x5
Sports betting operators might welcome a changing of the current rules, as it makes compliance easier. Some New Jersey sportsbooks have fallen victim to the state’s unique college sports betting prohibitions over the years. FOX Bet received an $80,000 fine in 2023.
FOX Bet incurred several violations dating back to 2021 and 2022, ultimately receiving the $80,000 fine as a result. The sports betting app has since shut down.
Massachusetts is another state with quirky college wagering rules that often lead to operator violations and fines. Accepting wagers on some college teams, but not all of them, leads to the occasional operator error.
