A recent survey conducted among New Jersey residents has revealed that a good number of New Jerseyans are increasingly fed up with online gaming advertisements. These gambling advertisements are everywhere in New Jersey, from billboards along highways to social media, and people are continuously exposed to them.

New Jersey's thriving gaming market is facing mounting public scrutiny over the proliferation of gambling advertisements. From billboards along major highways to relentless commercials on television and social media, residents of the Garden State are increasingly voicing their frustration over what they perceive as excessive and intrusive marketing from gaming operators.

A new poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University reveals that a strong majority of New Jersey voters support imposing restrictions on gambling ads. The survey, which questioned nearly 1,500 voters, found that over three-quarters of respondents favor limiting when and where these advertisements can be displayed. In contrast, only 17% of those polled opposed such restrictions, highlighting overwhelming public support for reform.

Bipartisan agreement on gambling ad limits

One of the most striking aspects of the poll from the FDU is the broad, bipartisan backing for regulating gambling advertisements. Support for restrictions transcends political affiliations, race, age, and gender, illustrating the widespread concern among New Jerseyans.

According to the poll results, 81% of Democratic voters and 74% of Republican voters back restrictions on gaming ads. Similarly, 69% of independent voters favor such measures. The consensus extends across demographic lines, with 73% of males and 79% of females supporting limits. Racial demographics also show strong agreement, with 77% of white respondents, 68% of Black respondents, and a total of 71% of Hispanic respondents advocating for restrictions.

Support is consistent across age groups as well, with 70% of voters under 30, 73% of those aged 31 to 44, 78% of those between 45 to 64, and 79% of voters 65 and older in favor of limiting gambling ads. However, the survey question included language referencing advertisements being seen by children, which may have influenced responses in favor of restrictions.

Dan Cassino, professor of politics and government at FDU and the poll's executive director, emphasized the universal frustration with gambling ads. "If either party is looking for a slam dunk issue in New Jersey, this is it. Even the groups most likely to take part in gambling, like young men, seem to be fed up with all of the ads," Cassino stated.

New Jersey's dominant gaming market

New Jersey boasts the second-largest commercial gaming market in the United States, trailing Nevada. And just last year, sportsbooks in the state collected nearly $1.1 billion in revenue from bettors who wagered a staggering $12.7 billion on professional and collegiate sports. Notably, 96% of those bets - approximately $12.2 billion - were placed online.

The state is also one of only seven jurisdictions in the US where iGaming is legal. Online casinos, offering slot games, table games, and more, generated an impressive $2.4 billion in gross gaming revenue last year. Currently, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement licenses 29 internet gaming sites, allowing for continuous 24-hour online gaming operations.

While the gambling industry continues to thrive, the latest polling suggests that New Jerseyans are growing increasingly weary of the aggressive marketing tactics employed by gaming operators.

Lawmakers and federal action

New Jersey residents' concerns about gambling advertisements are not new. In 2022, longtime Assemblyman Ralph Caputo voiced strong opposition to the state's airwaves being flooded with gambling and sports betting commercials. Caputo labeled the industry's marketing approach as 'obscene' and 'obnoxious,' though he admitted that lawmakers in Trenton have limited jurisdiction over the matter due to many of the region's television stations being based in Pennsylvania and New York.

Regulating gambling advertisements also presents legal challenges. The First Amendment protects most forms of commercial advertising, making it difficult for state governments to impose strict limitations. However, precedents exist - such as the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act of 1965, which prohibits cigarette advertising on radio and television.

At the federal level, lawmakers are taking action. US Representative Paul Tonko and Senator Richard Blumenthal are expected to reintroduce the SAFE Bet Act this week. If passed, the bill would restrict sports betting advertisements during live sports broadcasts and ban such ads from airing between 8 am and 10 pm. This legislative push could mark a significant step toward addressing the concerns raised by New Jersey residents and others across the country who feel overwhelmed by gambling marketing.