Hutchison Introduces Legislation to Ban Micro Betting in New Jersey

Hutchison Introduces Legislation to Ban Micro Betting in New Jersey

Bill aims to curb excessive and irresponsible gambling by restricting rapid-fire sports wagers

(TRENTON) - In an effort to address growing concerns around excessive and impulsive gambling, Assemblyman Dan Hutchison has introduced Bill A5971. The legislation would prohibit sports wagering licensees in New Jersey from offering or accepting micro bets, an increasingly common form of live wagering on individual plays during a sporting event.

Micro betting allows gamblers to place rapid, real-time wagers on outcomes like whether the next football play will be a run or a pass, or if the next pitch in a baseball game will be a strike. Unlike traditional wagers, which typically focus on the final score or broader outcomes, micro bets concern the next immediate action in a live event. This encourages a high volume of fast-paced gambling with little time for deliberation.

“The pace of micro betting is designed to keep people gambling constantly, making one impulsive bet after another with little time to think,” said Assemblyman Hutchison (D-Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester). “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.”

The bill defines a micro bet as a proposition bet placed live during a sporting event that relates to the outcome of the next play or action. It explicitly prohibits any licensed sportsbook operator from offering or accepting these types of wagers.

Assemblyman Hutchison noted that micro bets, which concern the outcome of one particular play or action, are easier to fix than many more traditional forms of wagering. There have already been several reported cases of athletes being investigated for altering their performance to meet the terms of large wagers on a micro bet. This bill aims to safeguard the integrity of sports and preserve the health and well-being of our citizens by prohibiting sportsbooks from offering micro bets in New Jersey.

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that as many as eight million people nationwide suffer from problem gambling, and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) has reported a 277% spike in calls to their problem gambling helpline since the legalization of sports wagering.

“The evidence underscores that micro betting 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,” said Luis Del Orbe, Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ). “By eliminating micro betting, this legislation would take an essential step toward protecting citizens from the harmful effects of reckless gambling practices.”

Violators of the proposed ban would face a disorderly person’s offense and a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000 per violation, consistent with penalties for other unauthorized gambling practices under New Jersey law.



“This legislation isn’t about banning sports betting. It’s about setting boundaries to ensure it’s done responsibly,” Hutchison added. “By banning micro bets, we would be taking a clear stand against predatory practices that push people toward irresponsible gambling habits.”