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New Jersey’s sports betting sites could soon be prohibited from advertising on the internet.
The volume of sports betting ads has been produced considerable controversy over the years, usually in relation to television ads. However, Assemblyman Brian Bergen has turned his attention to internet advertising, proposing a ban on New Jersey sportsbooks advertising themselves through online channels in legislation he introduced last week.
Bill A5207 is short, sweet and to the point. It says:
“This bill prohibits sports wagering licensees, and their employees, agents, and contracted operators, from posting, distributing, broadcasting, disseminating, or otherwise making viewable to the public any sports pool related advertising via the Internet or any other web-based platform, including mobile applications, and from sponsoring or financing any such advertisements in this State.
“The bill also directs the Division of Gaming Enforcement to establish such rules and undertake such legal actions as may be necessary to enforce this prohibition.”
Sports betting ads are still prominent across television and online mediums. Perhaps, though, it is not as rampant as it used to be.
Nevertheless, Bergan believes it’s too much. He told New Jersey 101.5 that the object of the bill is to protect the youth:
“Our children don’t need to see these things in a glorified way that entices them to become lifelong gambling addicts.”
There are listed co-sponsors on Bergen’s bill as of yet.
Limiting sports betting advertisements is not a new effort
Sen. Joe Cryan, D-Union, sponsored legislation in June 2023 that would tone down advertisements involving sports betting. The synopsis of the bill read:
“Condemns overproliferation of pro-gambling advertisements in NJ.”
Cryan’s bill acted as a Senate companion to a House bill that was introduced previously.
Neither bill passed during the 2022-23 session. Bergen hoping for a different outcome in 2025.
