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New Jersey Legislator Seeks to Legalize Gambling on In-State College Teams

Sean Tomlinson

Last Updated: July 6, 2024 5:50 PM EDT • 1 min 19 sec read.

Seton Hall Pirates guard Kadary Richmond celebrates after defeating the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse as we look at New Jersey college sports betting.
Seton Hall Pirates guard Kadary Richmond celebrates after defeating the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Photo by Robert Goddin/USA TODAY Sports.

There's a movement in New Jersey sports betting that could change who bettors in the Garden State can wager on going forward in college sports.

Currently, betting on college sports is broadly allowed for those who use New Jersey sports betting apps. However, any college sport taking place in the state is an exception, as is betting on any New Jersey-based athlete or school.

But one legislator is seeking to change that right now while introducing a new bill that will allow for in-state betting for those who use the best sports betting sites.

What could change in New Jersey

New Jersey Assemblyman Michael Venezia is leading the way while pushing the bill, which is title ACR 140. It was submitted to the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee last week.

If successful, the bill would allow the best sportsbooks to offer odds on all athletic programs and games tied to the state's schools. That will of course include Rutgers and Seton Hall, which field popular football and basketball teams, respectively. There are eight Division I college teams overall in the state.

The alternation would be made to casinos, horse tracks, and the online partners of those venues, many of which offer New Jersey sportsbook promos.

Ultimately, voters will make the decision in November.

A second swing

Venezia is hoping for success after a similar movement stumbled just short of the goal line in 2021, with 57% of voters opting against adopting the bill.

It's difficult to gauge whether there's a better chance this time. NCAA president Charlie Baker continues to push for more regulation of college sports betting, and specifically prop bets. Several states like Ohio, Maryland, Vermont, and Louisiana have banned prop wagers, though others like Montana are staying the course.

But although there was a dip in May to under $1 billion, the sports betting handle in New Jersey had exceeded that mark for eight straight months prior. At total of $3.89 billion, the lifetime handle in New Jersey sits behind only New York throughout the country.

It sure seems like bettors, and voters, will likely have an appetite for wagering on their in-state college teams.

Written By:
Sean Tomlinson
Sean Tomlinson has been in the sports media wilderness since 2009, and he joined Sportsbook Review in 2021. His work has been referenced in The New York Times and Forbes. He's also made appearances on The Fan 590 and TSN 1050. Sean is a regular bettor who places bets daily while using a handful of books. Most frequently, he uses FanDuel and bet365 due to the quality experience on those apps. While he'll often take an analytical approach, Sean enjoys the fun, recreational side of betting too, and embraces alternative markets on events like the Westminster Dog Show or Eurovision, or the many novelty props tied annually to the Super Bowl, for example. Beyond sports, Sean is also interested in the betting markets tied to politics, and especially those connected to American elections. He sees betting as a way to explore and engage in a deeper way, and takes that same view to his work. He plays poker periodically too, and is an avid fantasy sports player. Sean also previously spent time with Bleacher Report and theScore, all after earning his media studies degree from the University of Guelph-Humber.