New Jersey Bans Partnerships Between Public Universities and Sports Betting Platforms

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill on Tuesday prohibiting public colleges and universities in the state from partnering with sports betting companies. No longer will sports betting platforms be allowed to advertise or promote their brands on campus or within the school’s stadiums, arenas, or digital platforms.

 Agreements With Universities Taboo in New Jersey

A4113, a bill to prohibit universities in New Jersey from partnering with sports betting companies, was passed by the New Jersey Assembly in February, advanced to the Senate, and approved by that body in June before being signed into law this week by Governor Murphy.

The bill has been in the works for a while, and the need for it was highlighted by one of its sponsors. Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter said in March that “advertisements for sports betting on a college campus are unnecessary and can create harmful consequences.” Her goal was to protect students from being exposed to potential gambling harms.

She also added, “Interestingly, the new law does not totally outlaw partnerships between universities and sportsbook operators. The legislation was amended in September to allow partnerships that are ‘established for academic purposes or provide experiential learning opportunities to students enrolled in the institution.”

“Campuses Aren’t Casinos”

In a bit of legislative mechanics, A4113 is the replacement for an identical bill, Senate Bill 2155, sponsored by Senator Joseph Cryan, which passed the Senate Higher Education Committee with amendments in May before being replaced by A4113.

Athletic departments and booster clubs will be the most profoundly affected, as they are the groups that promulgate such deals. State schools of higher learning, including Rutgers, Kean University, Montclair State, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Rowan, will all be protected by the law.

“Young people are especially vulnerable to compulsive gambling and can have a difficult time breaking the habit once it becomes ingrained,” said Cryan of the ban. “This will help protect them from the negative influences of advertisements that promote the practice. Our college campuses should be places for learning, not underage gambling.”

College Player Prop Ban Coming Too?

Harassment of student-athletes has been on the rise since the advent of sports betting on college players. Known as player props, these bets allow bettors to go over or under a designated total established by the oddsmakers of how many points, assists, rebounds, passing yards, rushing yards, or any other category a student-athlete can generate stats in, depending on the sport.

Should the student-athlete fail to achieve the number, and a gambler lose money because of it, there have been several instances of athletes being harassed by the disgruntled bettor through social media or other means.

A law banning college player props from being offered by sportsbooks operating in the Garden State has been put forth by Senator Kristin Corrado and Senator Cryan, who introduced Senate Bill 3080. Last month, the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee approved the bill by a 5-0 vote and has advanced to the Senate for a full floor vote.

When discussing his earlier bill, Senator Cryan said, “The proliferation of sports betting by college students is a troubling trend that can have a destructive impact on their lives. Our college campuses should be places for learning, not underage gambling.”