Two-Pronged Attack
New Jersey lawmakers are moving decisively on two fronts in the online gambling space. One bill would outlaw sweepstakes-style casino platforms, while another aims to ban sports bettors from wagering on individual college athlete performances. Both proposals have cleared key committee votes and now head to full chamber floors for further action.
Bill to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos Clears Second Committee
Assembly Bill A5447, sponsored by Assemblyperson Clinton Calabrese, is the latest state-level push to ban online sweepstakes casinos. The bill recently passed out of the Appropriations Committee in an 11-0 vote, after receiving a 6-0 green light from the Tourism, Arts, and Gaming Committee last month.
The proposal targets platforms that simulate casino or sports betting and offer digital or physical tokens that can be sold, traded, or redeemed, either directly or indirectly, via third-party marketplaces.
Calabrese’s bill was also tweaked in committee to tighten up the language around games and prizes, making sure it covers not just sweepstakes, but also hybrid setups that try to look like gambling without actually being licensed.
From Regulation to Full Ban: Calabrese’s Pivot
At the start of 2024, Calabrese had introduced a different proposal, one that would have regulated online sweepstakes casinos similarly to licensed iGaming platforms. But by April, he withdrew that bill and pivoted toward a full ban, aligning his stance with the state’s enforcement agencies.
The new approach is supported by both the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and the Sports Betting Alliance, which is a coalition of licensed online betting operators.
The AG’s office has testified that sweepstakes casinos count as unauthorized gambling—and since voters never approved them at the ballot box, they don’t meet the state’s constitutional requirements for legal gambling.
Trend Watch: NJ Joins The Movement
If passed, New Jersey would join Connecticut, Montana, and Nevada, which have already enacted bans on sweepstakes gambling in 2025. The bill’s structure also copies similar legislative language from New York, where a ban has passed both chambers and awaits the governor’s signature.
By aligning with other states’ definitions and enforcement strategies, New Jersey lawmakers appear to be sending a clear signal: the legal loopholes around sweepstakes gambling are closing quickly.
Senate Bill Targets College Player Prop Bets
Meanwhile, over in the Senate, lawmakers are zeroing in on another high-profile gambling issue: college player prop bets. Senator Kristin Corrado’s bill, S3080, would prohibit all wagers on individual college athlete performances. This would include bets on:
- Points scored or rebounds (basketball)
- Passing yards or touchdowns (football)
- Any stat tied to an individual college athlete’s performance
The bill passed the Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee with a unanimous 5-0 vote and is now up for full Senate consideration.
Protecting Student-Athletes
Sen. Corrado has warned that college player props are fueling a wave of harassment against student-athletes, and that could threaten the integrity of college sports itself.
She’s not alone. NCAA President Charlie Baker has been calling for a national ban since last year, and several states, including Ohio, Maryland, Louisiana, and Vermont, have already moved to shut them down through laws or regulatory action.
What Happens Next?
Assembly Bill A5447 and Senate Bill S3080 now await full votes in their respective chambers. If passed, New Jersey would not only be expanding its consumer protection measures but also reshaping the state’s approach to digital gaming, both in terms of unregulated sweepstakes casinos and how collegiate sports are bet.
In a state known for its robust gaming industry, the decisions lawmakers make this summer could set lasting precedents for the broader U.S. market.
Blaise Luis
