New Jersey Lawmakers Move to Ban Public College Gambling Partnerships

New Jersey would be prohibited from entering into agreements with sports gambling companies under a bill that recently ed the state Assembly.

There are currently no such partnerships in New Jersey, according to state officials, and legal experts doubt there is strong interest from the gambling industry in pursuing them. However, advocates for responsible gambling argue that the measure is a proactive step, given the increasing prevalence of betting among young adults.

Concerns Over Gambling Promotion on College Campuses

“Simply put, ments for sports betting on a college campus are unnecessary and can create harmful consequences,” stated Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter (D-Somerset), a primary sponsor of the legislation. Carter emphasized the need to shield students from gambling addiction risks by preventing such promotions on campuses, where young adults are particularly susceptible.

The bill defines a sports wagering partnership as an arrangement between a public college or university and a gambling company—such as DraftKings —that allows the company to through university sports facilities, broadcasts, and digital content.

The rise of online sports betting has sparked concerns about its impact on young people. A 2024 Fairleigh Dickinson University poll, based on a national survey of ed voters, found that 10% of men aged 18 to 30 exhibit signs of problem gambling—significantly higher than the 3% observed in the general population. Since New Jersey legalized sports betting in 2018, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey has reported a 277% increase in calls to its 800-GAMBLER helpline, with many of these calls coming from young adults.

Gambling Exposure and Student Vulnerability

Daniel Meara, a communications specialist for the council, highlighted the pervasiveness of gambling-related ments, particularly among young people. “We know that everybody is being besieged by ads and exposure to gambling, especially young people,” Meara told NJ Spotlight News. He believes the bill is a necessary step to limit students’ exposure to gambling promotions, adding that the council fully s the measure.

Mental health experts have also pointed to a connection between gambling debt and mental distress. Rob Bumbaco of The Better Institute, a licensed clinical social worker, noted that overwhelming financial losses from gambling could be a risk factor for suicide. “We’re seeing a ton of college students coming in seeking or parents that are ing us for their college students that are running into issues with gambling,” he said.

Limited Exceptions for Specific Partnerships

While the bill prohibits direct advertising partnerships between public colleges and gambling companies, it does allow certain exceptions. College and university foundations—independent entities that fundraise to schools—could still partner with sports betting companies as long as the agreements do not involve direct marketing to students.

Additionally, partnerships between academic institutions and gambling companies that serve educational purposes or offer learning experiences for students would still be permitted. Jane Bokunewicz of Stockton University noted that such arrangements allow colleges to maintain connections with an industry that provides valuable job opportunities. “This enables New Jersey colleges and universities to continue with important partnerships with one of the most prominent industries in the state,” she said.

Bokunewicz, the faculty director of Stockton’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism, highlighted that internships and job placements in the casino and sports betting industry offer students crucial experience that can lead to full-time careers.

Similar Actions in Other States

The New Jersey bill follows similar developments in other states. In March 2023, the University of Colorado Boulder ended its $1.6 million partnership with the gambling company PointsBet. Around the same time, the American Gaming Association (AGA) updated its marketing code to restrict sports betting promotions targeting college students. The revised guidelines explicitly discourage partnerships that promote or gambling on campus.

Following these revisions, several universities—including Louisiana State University, the University of Maryland, and Michigan State University—terminated their agreements with gambling companies.

In addition to the college partnership ban, New Jersey lawmakers have introduced other bills to address problem gambling. One proposed measure would require public high schools to incorporate education on gambling addiction into their curricula. That bill recently received unanimous approval from a Senate committee.

Despite the bill’s progress, some argue that it does not go far enough. B.J. Schecter, executive director of the Center for Sports Media at Seton Hall University, pointed out that the legislation only applies to public institutions, leaving private colleges unaffected.

“I understand that sometimes states have limited scope and have more oversight to state institutions, which get more state funding, but if you’re going to do it, why not do it to all colleges and universities in the state?” Schecter questioned. He argued that student gambling behavior at Rutgers University is likely no different from that at Seton Hall or other private institutions.

The bill ed the Assembly without opposition. A corresponding bill in the Senate (S-2155) has yet to be scheduled for a vote.

Source:

‘’Bill would bar New Jersey public colleges from partnering with sports gambling companies’’, cdcgaming.com, March 04, 2025.