Many of the live betting options available in the New Jersey sports betting market right now could disappear if one Assemblyman has his way.
Assemblyman Dan Hutchison is the sponsor of A 5971, though not every detail is known as no bill text has been filed. Hutchison did detail the bill for the NJ Assembly Democrats, though, noting the bill is about slowing down the sports betting cycle.
“The pace of micro betting is designed to keep people gambling constantly, making one impulsive bet after another with little time to think,” Hutchison said. “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 prop bet placed during a live sporting event on the outcome of the next action, such as whether a pitch will be a strike or a tennis serve will be an ace. New Jersey sportsbooks would be fined $500 to $1,000 for offering or accepting micro bets should the bill pass.
NJ sports betting involved in probe
The appeal of banning micro bets is twofold for Hutchison: not only would it lead to fewer bets but it would also cut down on the ability to fix bets.
Hutchison’s bill comes a few weeks after an ESPN report confirmed Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz is on leave while under investigation for violating the league’s sports betting rules.
Specifically, the investigation concerns two specific pitches that started off an inning on June 15 and June 27. Integrity monitor IC360 flagged bets on those pitches in New Jersey, as well as New York and Ohio.
Do micro bets lead to gambling problems?
The Council of Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey is behind the legislation, suggesting a ban on micro betting could lower the number of individuals that become addicted to sports betting.
“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,” CCGNJ Executive Director Luis Del Orbe said. “By eliminating micro betting, this legislation would take an essential step toward protecting citizens from the harmful effects of reckless gambling practices.”
Calls to the CCGNJ’s problem helpline have jumped 277% since sports betting began in June 2018.
