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New Jersey is looking to raise the bar on responsible gaming oversight, with the Division of Gaming Enforcement proposing a new set of rules that would standardize how online casinos and sportsbooks handle players at risk of problem gambling.
Filed under Proposal Number PRN 2025-130 and published in the New Jersey Register, the plan introduces mandatory guidelines for detecting and intervening with patrons showing signs of harmful play and in need of responsible gambling tools.
This is part of the responsible gambling task force Gov. Phil Murphy assigned in June 2024. Earlier this year, the task force submitted a 109-page report proposing several initiatives.
Key provisions in proposal
At the heart of the new rule, labeled N.J.A.C. 13:69O-1.2A, is the requirement that every operator appoint at least one Responsible Gaming Lead (RG Lead). This designated employee will oversee the identification of “at-risk patrons,” maintain lists of such players, and ensure those individuals receive proper support and protections.
Operators would also be obligated to carry out due diligence reviews when players trigger certain red-flag behaviors. The rule outlines 12 “responsible gaming triggers,” including:
- Deposits exceeding $10,000 in 24 hours or $100,000 in 90 days.
- Visiting the self-exclusion page three or more times in 30 days without completing the process.
- Requesting multiple “cool-off” periods in a short timeframe.
- Increasing deposit or loss limits three times in seven days.
- Cancelling withdrawal requests repeatedly.
Any patron hitting these thresholds would be flagged for review, and if deemed at risk, added to the operator’s intervention list.
Three phases of intervention
The DGE proposal lays out a three-tiered system for addressing risky play:
- Phase 1: Operators must contact the player with responsible gaming information, highlighting tools such as deposit limits, time restrictions, and self-exclusion.
- Phase 2: Wagering is blocked until the player views a state-approved video tutorial explaining responsible gaming tools and addiction resources.
- Phase 3: A direct outreach from the RG Lead, who will offer access to a licensed responsible gaming professional, paid for by the operator. If a player cannot be reached, accounts may be suspended until contact is made.
Additional safeguards
The proposed rule would also ban operators from soliciting players to reverse withdrawal requests for at least three days after they’re made.
In addition, operators must begin collecting gender identification data from verified patrons to help the state build more accurate annual reports on gambling’s social impact.
Social and economic impact
According to the DGE, the move is designed to standardize best practices that have so far been optional for operators.
Officials noted that since the launch of online casinos in 2013 and mobile sports betting in 2018, problem gambling risks have grown, making stronger intervention tools necessary, Murphy said in April 2024.
“New Jersey has long been a leader in the gaming industry, and with that leadership comes the responsibility to ensure the well-being of our residents.”
Economically, the state expects operators to incur some costs, including producing tutorial videos and hiring responsible gaming professionals.
However, the proposal argues that such investments will reduce the wider financial and social costs of gambling addiction, while potentially preserving jobs for individuals whose gambling habits could otherwise spiral out of control.
What comes next
The proposal is open for public comment until Nov. 14. If adopted, the new rules would formalize a statewide framework for detecting problem gambling and intervening before it causes significant personal or financial harm.
For players, the changes would mean more consistent safeguards across all platforms. For operators, it would mark a new era of accountability in one of the country’s largest online gambling markets.
