New Attempt to Allow Betting on In-State College Teams in New Jersey

Background and Previous Efforts

This amendment aims to permit sports wagers on all college sports or athletic events through casinos and current or former horse racetracks in New Jersey. Currently, residents must go out of state or turn to illegal offshore markets to place bets on local college teams like Rutgers University and Seton Hall University.

The push to include in-state college teams in New Jersey’s sports betting menu is not new. In November 2021, New Jersey voters rejected a similar constitutional amendment, with 57% voting against the measure.

The rejection was anticipated, as polls predicted a negative outcome. Lobbyist Bill Pascrell III, who advocated for the amendment, expressed his disappointment, noting that the lack of a strong campaign to inform and persuade voters contributed to the failure. According to Pascrell, many voters were unaware of the ballot question or did not understand it, leading to a missed opportunity for the sports betting industry.

Challenges and Prospects

The defeat of the previous amendment highlighted significant challenges in gaining voter support for in-state college sports betting. One major hurdle was the lack of awareness and understanding among the electorate regarding the ballot measure. Pascrell pointed out that without a well-funded campaign to educate voters, the initiative faced an uphill battle.

The industry could not revisit the issue for three years following the 2021 vote, but with the introduction of ACR140, there is a renewed effort to bring the proposal back to the table.