Proposed Charge Would Require Gambling Courses At Institutions Partnering By using NJ Sportsbooks

The complex relationship between college athletics and legal sports betting has attracted significant national scrutiny. Last month, it was enough to capture the attention of at least one New Jersey lawmaker.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Mila Jasey, D-Morris/Essex, is proposing that public universities administer a gambling addiction prevention program if they plan to partner with NJ sportsbooks. Bill A5498 would require public high schools with sportsbook partnerships to provide students with “educational sportsbooks that promote responsible gambling behavior.”

The rationale behind the proposal is unclear. The bill currently has no co-sponsors, and Jasey’s office has not yet commented on the bill, which was introduced on May 25.

Recommended NJ wagering law lines up with marketplace goals

Jasey’s NJ bill would go into effect immediately if it were signed into law.

The proposal is concise and straightforward; it’s just a couple of pages long. It states that any NJ university that partners with a sportsbook must provide students with information about a gambling addiction hotline.

Specifically, it states that the “hotline will be posted on the result of the institution and in every sports facility, dormitory, library, and student center, as well as any other facility or location on campus that the institution determines to be appropriate.”

The American Gaming Association, the commercial gambling industry’s Washington DC-based lobbying arm, recently updated its Responsible Marketing Code for operators. The code prohibits targeting underage students with advertising that suggests “free” bets or promotions.

Most NJ sportsbook operators voluntarily removed the use of such language in their marketing efforts prior to the AGA’s updates.

Long likelihood of colleges, NJ-NEW JERSEY sportsbooks joining

A joint venture between a New Jersey school and a sportsbook seems highly unlikely.

Firstly, in the years since NJ legalized sports betting, there have been no known attempts for state high schools and sportsbooks to collaborate. This may be due to how NJ handles sports betting and in-state collegiate athletics.

New Jersey law prohibits legal sportsbooks from accepting bets on games involving state schools or college athletic events within the Garden State’s jurisdiction. Despite a major college basketball event taking place in Atlantic City earlier this spring, neither Tipico nor AC’s nine casinos were able to offer lines for any of the games.

Countrywide microscope in sports betting, school relationship

Nevertheless, the timing of Jasey’s idea is curious.

Currently, there is a white-hot spotlight on the growing gambling market that, just a few short years ago, operated almost entirely in the shadows.

There have been at least two high-profile incidents involving college athletics and sports betting this year alone. Additionally, there is a proposed increase in gambling addiction among college-aged Americans.

As legalized sports betting continues to expand, there are bound to be growing pains.

PointsBet Sportsbook and the University of Colorado ended their controversial partnership in March. According to reports, the university received upfront payments from the sportsbook when new customers signed up to use the PointsBet app.

In the past few days, Caesars Sportsbook and Michigan State University have taken steps to address similar missteps. The two parties agreed to terminate their $9-million, 5-year partnership just 18 months after it commenced. Caesars and Louisiana State University also ended a similar agreement shortly thereafter.