Newly Proposed Legislation in New Jersey Seeks to Ban Ads on Sports Betting
A bill proposed for legislative approval in New Jersey seeks to ban advertisements on sports betting platforms. New Jersey Assemblyman Brian Bergen has initiated Bill A5207, which has the goal of banning the distribution, posting, disseminating, and broadcasting of any online advertisement on sports betting.
A strategic move to curb the influence of sports betting advertising in New Jersey is underway as Assemblyman Brian Bergen introduces Bill A5207, which seeks to ban online sports betting advertisements. The proposed legislation targets the "posting, distributing, broadcasting, or disseminating" of any sports betting ads online, including those shared through mobile web-based platforms.
The details of the proposed bill
Assemblyman Bergen expressed his concerns about the overwhelming volume of sports betting advertisements, calling for immediate action. "I just think it's become totally ridiculous," said Bergen to New Jersey 101.5 early last week. He continued, "The advertising has been like a runaway train and it needs to be reeled in."
If enacted, the bill would place responsibility for enforcing the ban on the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. The legislation reflects growing worries about the potential societal impacts of pervasive gambling advertisements, particularly on younger viewers. "Our children don't need to see these things in a glorified way that entices them to become lifelong gambling addicts," Bergen emphasized, demonstrating the need to protect impressionable demographics from the potentially harmful allure of gambling marketing.
A rising concern amid booming marketing budgets
Bill A5207 comes as the gambling industry's marketing efforts continue to surge. According to a recent report by AppsFlyer, global user acquisition and spending for ads in 2024 has reached a staggering $65 billion, much of which is funneled toward promoting online casino platforms and sports betting.
The Assemblyman's proposal aims to disrupt the normalization of sports betting culture, which critics say is exacerbated by the ubiquitous nature of advertisements across digital platforms. Bergen is also preparing to introduce a related measure that would extend the advertising ban to television, further intensifying the regulatory scrutiny on gambling promotions.
The bill has been referred to the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee for further deliberation. If passed, New Jersey would join a growing list of jurisdictions around the world that are taking action to limit or ban gambling advertisements to address public health concerns.
Sweeping regulatory measures for sweepstakes casinos
In a parallel development, Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese has introduced Bill A5196, which seeks to impose stricter regulations on sweepstakes gaming sites and casinos. The measure would classify these platforms as regulated gaming entities, requiring them to obtain a casino service industry enterprise license.
Under the proposed legislation, sweepstakes platforms would also be mandated to conduct third-party audits to verify their financial stability and submit reports to the DGE twice a year. These measures aim to enhance transparency and ensure that such platforms adhere to the same regulatory standards as traditional gambling entities. Similar to Bergen's proposal, Bill A5196 has also been referred to the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee.
Growing push for gambling regulation
The introduction of these bills emphasizes the increasing scrutiny of the gambling industry in New Jersey, a state that has been at the forefront of legalized sports betting since the US Supreme Court lifted the federal ban in 2018. While the legalization of sports betting has brought significant economic benefits, it has also raised concerns about the societal and personal costs associated with problem gambling.
Proponents of stricter regulations argue that gambling advertisements glamorize betting and can lead to addiction, particularly among younger audiences who are more susceptible to advertising's influence. Critics of the proposed measures, however, may contend that advertising bans could stifle the industry's growth and lead to unintended economic consequences.
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