New Jersey Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese introduced a bill that would ban sweeps casinos from the Garden State. Back in January, Calabrese created legislation that would allow sweeps casinos to operate under the New Jersey gaming law.
The bill, AB 5447, Calabrese introduced has no co-sponsors, yet, and doesn’t have official text, either. It only has a summary, which states on the New Jersey Legislature website:
“Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties.”
Calabrese’s new bill contradicts the previous one he brought to the legislature less than two months ago. He had a framework to allow sweepstakes casinos to be on the same playing field as regulated online casinos and sports betting operators.
PlayNJ reached out by phone to Calabrese for a comment on the change of heart. His office has not immediately responded.
Calabrese had called for sweeps licenses
A bill is always allowed to change and go through amendments throughout the legislation process. However, Calabrese appears to have introduced another bill entirely.
His previous bill, AB 5196, had an entire structure in place for sweeps casinos to operate in the Garden State. It even had protections in place for those under 21. The bill read:
“Under the bill, online sweepstakes casino operators that become licensed, partner with a casino licensee, and receive an internet gaming permit will be subject to the same legal requirements and standards of all other internet gaming operators.
“This includes the conduct of background checks for employees, the prohibition on accepting wagers from persons under the age of 21 and the required use of age verification tools, the payment of licensing and permitting fees, and the payment of taxes on all gross internet gaming revenues.”
The bill would have authorized the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to collaborate with law enforcement on all levels to to investigate unlawful online sweepstakes casinos.
It appeared that Calabrese had every intention of making sweeps part of New Jersey online gambling. He told Gaming Today in January:
“Sweepstakes casinos have operated in a regulatory gray area, which has led to significant challenges, including consumer protection concerns, underage gambling, and economic losses for the state. Recognizing these issues, I have introduced this legislation to address the lack of oversight for these platforms.”
After reversing course, Calabrese wants to ban prohibit all sweeps casinos in the Garden State.
