A New Jersey legislator introduced a bill Friday that would ban microbetting in the state.
Assemblyman Dan Hutchison, a Democrat who represents part of Atlantic County (but not Atlantic City), is seeking to put an end to the rapid-fire bets being offered by the state’s online sportsbooks.
“The pace of microbetting is designed to keep people gambling constantly, making one impulsive bet after another with little time to think,” Hutchison said in a press release. “This bill is a commonsense step to slow that cycle down and protect individuals from the financial and emotional harms that can come with excessive betting.”
Microbets are wagers on individual moments within a sporting event, like what might happen on the next pitch of a baseball game or if the next play in a football game will be a run or pass. The ongoing investigation into flagged wagers on individual pitches thrown by the Cleveland Guardians’ Luis Ortiz has shined a particularly bright spotlight on microbetting this summer.
Hutchinson’s Bill A5971 — which has not yet been released in full — has the backing of the National Council on Problem Gambling, which cited a 277% increase in calls to its problem gambling helpline since the legalization of sports wagering.
“The evidence underscores that microbetting can accelerate the path to problem gambling, especially among vulnerable populations such as youths and individuals with a history of compulsive gambling. We praise the sponsors for their insight and initiative in addressing this critical public health issue,” Luis Del Orbe, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), said in the release. “By eliminating microbetting, this legislation would take an essential step toward protecting citizens from the harmful effects of reckless gambling practices.”
Fines and offense
Violators of the proposed ban would face a disorderly person’s offense and a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000 per violation.
“This legislation isn’t about banning sports betting. It’s about setting boundaries to ensure it’s done responsibly,” Hutchison said. “By banning microbets, we would be taking a clear stand against predatory practices that push people toward irresponsible gambling habits.”
There are no other laws in the country banning microbetting, though France has outlawed this type of bet.
Of course, it was New Jersey that led the charge to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), culminating in its 2018 United States Supreme Court victory that allowed jurisdictions outside Nevada to legalize sports betting.
