Share 
The NBA and WNBA are warning fans against using sports betting or prediction markets as a way to earn money. Their new responsible gaming campaign will focus especially on young adults, encouraging them to treat wagering as entertainment.
The National Council on Problem Gambling is helping develop the campaign, which the leagues announced Oct. 13. No exact launch date was provided, though the leagues said the campaign would start during the 2026-27 NBA season.
Campaign addresses spending limits and signs of harm
The leagues caution that a detailed understanding of sports does not remove the possibility of losing money. Participants will be urged to decide how much time and money to commit and avoid putting essential funds at risk.
The warning also covers effects on relationships and mental health. People who struggle to keep their betting or trading under control will be directed to education and support resources.
The leagues and their partners will distribute the advertisement on television and social media.
New Jersey continues its challenge to Kalshi’s sports contracts
Prediction markets are already the subject of a court fight involving New Jersey’s gambling regulators. The state is seeking Supreme Court review of a ruling that protects Kalshi’s sports contracts from enforcement under its gambling laws.
The Third Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction on April 6, finding Kalshi had a reasonable chance of showing federal law overrides the state restrictions. That decision left temporary protection in place while the underlying lawsuit continued.
New Jersey filed its Supreme Court petition on Sept. 2, asking whether federal commodities law prevents states from regulating sports wagers offered on federally registered exchanges. The justices have not agreed to hear the case.
The distinction matters to players because an exchange account and a state-licensed sportsbook account can operate under different rules. Federal registration does not itself give a prediction platform a New Jersey gambling license.
NJ players have options to limit or stop gambling
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) requires internet gaming systems to offer deposit, spending, and time limits. Deposit and spending limits are available for daily, weekly, and monthly periods, while time limits apply daily.
Players can reduce those limits, with the change taking effect no later than their next login. Increasing a limit takes longer, requiring the existing period to expire and the player to reaffirm the request.
The DGE also maintains state exclusion lists for people who choose to stop gambling. Enrollment can cover internet wagering alone or include casino and sports wagering facilities.
The DGE’s online registration instructions let applicants choose a minimum exclusion of one or five years. Lifetime exclusion requires an in-person or video conference.
After serving the chosen minimum term, a participant can ask the DGE to remove their name. The exclusion stays active until that request is processed.
A casino company’s policy may also restrict access to its hotels and entertainment venues worldwide. The DGE warns that these restrictions can go beyond the gambling activities selected for state exclusion.
Gambling support extends to family members and friends
New Jersey’s 1-800-GAMBLER helpline accepts calls and texts at any hour. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey operates the free, confidential service for people affected by gambling problems and their loved ones.
People seeking help can use responsible gambling resources to learn about warning signs, counseling and treatment options in NJ. They do not need to enroll in self-exclusion to contact the helpline.
