Due to the recent MLB scandal involving two Cleveland Guardian pitchers, the league has announced it is coordinating a ban on live betting player props with virtually all the nation’s licensed sportsbooks. However, a New Jersey senator is pushing for a ban on micro-betting in all sports in the Garden State.
Establishing Guardrails
Assemblyman Dan Hutchison introduced Assembly Bill 5971 in July with the aim of ending micro-betting in New Jersey. The bill would also establish fines in the amount of $500 and $1000 for each violation.
Hutchinson believed his bill would protect New Jersey bettors from spontaneous betting that could lead to poor habits and financial ruin. Hutchinson said, “The pace of micro-betting is designed to keep people gambling constantly, making one impulsive bet after another with little time to think.
“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.”
Earlier this week, Senator Paul D. Moriarty announced a companion bill in the upper chamber that would also eliminate micro-betting in the state and outline penalties for those sportsbooks that did take them and were thereby breaking the law.
Naturally, the recent baseball scandal and others like it in professional and college sports are putting a spotlight on prop bets where the outcome is determined by the performance of an athlete and not the team. Therefore, manipulating prop bets with nefarious intent is much easier than betting on a team. Thus, a live player prop can be influenced by the athlete and affect not only the integrity of the game but the betting public as well.
Hutchinson Not Against Sports Betting
Assemblyman Dan Hutchison wanted to make it clear he was not against sports betting and believes the industry should continue to grow.
However, he does argue that micro-betting can be harmful to some, and as a bankruptcy attorney, he has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of a gambler without financial discipline.
Hutchison stated, “This legislation isn’t about banning sports betting. It’s about setting boundaries to ensure it’s done responsibly.”
Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill into law over the summer that prohibits universities from partnering with sports betting companies, and Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter said in March that “advertisements for sports betting on a college campus are unnecessary and can create harmful consequences.”
Sen. Kristin Corrado introduced S-3080 earlier this year, which would protect student-athletes from getting harassed or abused via social media. Moreover, eliminating prop betting on college athletes is also still being discussed in New Jersey’s legislative circles.
