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Legislation to ban prop betting on college athletes is moving through the New Jersey Senate.
Last week, the legislation passed the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
State Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-Passaic) introduced S-3080 in April 2024. It aims to protect student-athletes from, influence, harassment, or abuse by disgruntled bettors.
Bill extends protections of college athletes
Senate Bill 3080 specifically “prohibits sports wagering licensees from offering player-specific proposition bets on college sports.” New Jersey sports betting launched seven years ago, with the most significant restriction involving betting on New Jersey collegiate teams.
NJ sportsbooks cannot post odds on collegiate events involving New Jersey teams, no matter where they take place. Additionally, any collegiate event that takes place within the state’s borders is also off-limits to sports betting.
The bill would create another layer of protection for college athletes, extending to all college student-athletes across the country.
NCAA urges states to enact ban
In March 2024, NCAA President Charlie Baker urged state gaming regulators to ban sportsbooks from offering college player props.
“Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country, with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity of competitions and leading to student-athletes and professional athletes getting harassed.
“The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats, and many are responding by banning college prop bets.”
States such as Ohio, Vermont, and Maryland have banned props, which could help propel New Jersey’s bill to passage.
House bill stalled
It remains to be seen whether S-3080 can get passed by the NJ Legislature and sent to the governor’s desk before college football kicks off in late August.
An identical bill, A4905, was introduced in the House last year by Assemblyman Sterley Stanley (D-18). That bill hasn’t moved since last November.
After S-3080 passed the committee last week, Corrado said harassment of student-athletes must end.
“Proposition bets have led to a rise in the harassment of student-athletes and have threatened the integrity of college sports. I have heard about many individuals who have been the victim of online harassment because they didn’t perform to the expectation of a bettor who made a side wager.
“This legislation will ban player-specific prop betting in New Jersey, which will help curb that appalling behavior, and make college athletic events safer for all participants.”
