This bill amends New Jersey law to include "electronic sports events" as a new category eligible for sports wagering, defining these events as competitions involving video games, whether conducted in physical locations or online. It clarifies that electronic sports events will not be classified as authorized games under existing gambling definitions. The legislation outlines the conditions under which casinos and racetracks can operate sports pools, including the establishment of sports wagering lounges and the ability to conduct online wagering through licensed operators. It also introduces regulations for the operation of sports pools, such as age restrictions for bettors, prohibitions on certain individuals from placing wagers, and the requirement for third-party certification of integrity for electronic sports events.

Furthermore, the bill allows operators to accept wagers on electronic sports events occurring exclusively online and mandates the preparation of annual reports on the impact of sports wagering on gambling addiction. It grants the Division of Gaming Enforcement the authority to regulate and approve wagers on electronic sports, ensuring compliance with integrity standards. The legislation also permits the establishment of websites and mobile applications for wagering on both traditional and electronic sports events, while maintaining oversight of sports wagering agreements, particularly those involving racetracks, to ensure alignment with regulatory standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5:12A-10, 5:12A-11