New Jersey Voters Strongly Support Limiting Betting Ads
A recent Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) poll, released last Friday, reveals that 76% of New Jersey voters back restrictions on gambling advertisements. Conducted from February 23 to 28, 2025, the survey of 1,476 registered voters, reached via telephone, carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 points.
A Clear Call for Change
The poll’s figure 76% cuts across party lines, showing broad agreement on curbing gambling ads. New Jersey’s sports betting market, legal since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, has seen nearly $58 billion wagered, mostly online or through mobile apps.
That success, however, comes with a flip side. Experts link the flood of betting promotions to rising addiction risks, a worry echoed by voters tired of constant ads. The FDU data suggests residents want a breather from the marketing blitz tied to this $58 billion juggernaut.
This sentiment dovetails with other state moves. Governor Phil Murphy’s push for a statewide classroom cellphone ban, backed by 49% of respondents, with 45% opposed, nods to similar health concerns, like mental well-being and distraction.
Gambling’s Double Edge
New Jersey’s betting landscape is a tale of triumph and trouble. The $58 billion handle underscores its status as a wagering powerhouse, but a 2023 Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies report pegs the state’s high-risk problem gambling rate at 6%, triple the national average. Young men, in particular, feel the strain.
A prior FDU poll from September 2024 found 10% of men aged 18–30 reporting gambling issues, far outpacing the 3% adult average. Experts point to online betting’s ease and ad saturation as key culprits.
Legislative tweaks are also in play. Proposed laws aim to decriminalize underage gambling, swapping jail risks for civil fines funneled into prevention, treatment, and education programs.
Why the Pushback?
The ad-limiting support isn’t hard to unpack. Relentless betting promos, on TV, apps, even billboards, hit hard in a state where gambling’s woven into the fabric. Voters see a link between this barrage and addiction spikes, especially for a generation glued to screens.
The Rutgers data backs this up, 6% at high risk is a red flag, and the 10% youth stat doubles down on the urgency. For many, less ad noise could mean fewer traps for the vulnerable.
Recommended