New Jersey Moves Toward Banning University Partnerships with Sports Betting Companies

Exceptions for Educational Programs

While the legislation seeks to curtail the direct influence of sports betting companies on campus life, it does make allowances for partnerships related to “academic purposes” or “experiential learning opportunities.”

This means universities can still engage in initiatives that benefit students academically or provide hands-on career experiences, as long as they do not involve direct marketing of betting services to students.

Private institutions, such as Princeton and Monmouth, are not affected by the bill.

Jennifer Maloney, executive director of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities, expressed support for this balanced approach:

“Allowing this balance in terms of ensuring that our students remain as safe as possible but at the same time recognizing that this could be a valuable career for them is the proper balance,” she said.

National Efforts to Regulate University-Gambling Relationships

New Jersey is not alone in attempting to regulate partnerships between universities and the gambling industry.

Across the U.S., similar measures are being discussed. The NCAA has advocated for states to ban prop bets involving college athletes, and states like Massachusetts have already implemented restrictions on university partnerships with gambling companies.

Concerns Over Gambling’s Influence on Campuses

Rising concerns over gambling addiction and its impact on student health are at the core of these legislative efforts. West Texas A&M University recently blocked access to online gambling platforms via campus devices and WiFi to protect students from the risks of addiction.

Other universities, including Purdue, have adopted similar measures to limit gambling access on their campuses.