A lawmaker from the state of New Jersey is seeking to prohibit in-play proposition bets, otherwise known as micro bets. Representative Dan Hutchison has proposed a bill that amends the sports betting laws in the state and would ban regulated sportsbooks from providing micro bets, or any proposition wager on that is taken during live sports events on a single play or action.

A New Jersey legislator has introduced legislation that would prohibit “micro bets” - a growing segment of in-play proposition betting - in an effort to protect gamblers from impulsive behaviors and preserve the integrity of sports.

Assemblyman Dan Hutchison proposed Bill A5971, which unveiled this week, seeks to amend the state's sports wagering laws to ban all proposition bets placed live during sporting events that concern a single action or play, such as the next pitch in a baseball game or the outcome of the next football snap.

According to the bill's language, a 'micro bet' is any in-game prop wager placed on the outcome of an individual action during a sports event, not the event's final result. The bill classifies any violation - either by sportsbooks or bettors - as a disorderly persons offense, punishable by fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per incident.

Hutchison: 'A commonsense step' to limit gambling harm

Hutchison argues that micro bets, while marketed as engaging and entertaining, are designed to encourage continuous, impulsive wagering. In a statement, he described the bill as "a commonsense step to slow that cycle down and protect individuals from the financial and emotional harms that can come with excessive betting."

He added in an interview, "People are constantly making bets, play after play after play, and there's no let-up. This kind of gambling is different - it's relentless."

The legislation cites concerns that micro bets can lead to problem gambling due to the speed at which they are placed and the short turnaround time for potential wins or losses. "The pace of micro betting is designed to keep people gambling constantly, making one impulsive bet after another with little time to think," said Hutchison.

Problem gambling on the rise in New Jersey

The proposed bill references data from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, which reports an almost 300% increase in helpline calls since sports betting was legalized in 2018. The Council supports Hutchison's bill, warning that the micro bet format is among the most troubling developments in the digital gambling landscape.

"Microbetting is one of the most troubling forms of betting in the evolving gambling landscape in that these rapid-fire wagers can be an accelerant to problem gambling," said Daniel Meara, Prevention and Communications Specialist for the CCGNJ. "We consider this legislation a top priority for protecting vulnerable bettors."

Athlete gambling and match integrity also under scrutiny

Aside from the general public, the bill raises alarms about the influence of micro betting on athletes themselves. It references studies suggesting over half of professional athletes may wager on sports, with approximately 8% experiencing gambling issues.

"This is not only concerning for the mental health of athletes, but also for the integrity of sports more broadly," the bill warns. It argues that bets placed on specific actions - like a single pitch or pass - are more susceptible to manipulation and therefore particularly enticing to athletes struggling with gambling addictions.

The legislation follows news that Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are being investigated over allegedly suspicious betting activity. An unnamed sportsbook and monitoring service reportedly flagged unusual wagers placed on specific Ortiz pitches during multiple games in June.

MLB Commissioner: 'Do we really need that last kind of bet?'

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has also weighed in on the matter. Without directly referencing Hutchison's bill, Manfred expressed skepticism about the utility of micro bets, especially those that focus on one-off events within a game.

"There are certain types of bets that strike me as unnecessary and particularly vulnerable," Manfred said. "Things where it's one single act don't affect the outcome necessarily, we should continue to think about that. Do we really need that last kind of bet?"

New Jersey, the first state to legalize online sports betting after PASPA was struck down in 2018, has become one of the largest sports wagering markets in the US. However, as new wagering formats emerge, Hutchison's bill signals a shift toward reassessing the risks involved.