This bill amends New Jersey law to include electronic sports events in the scope of sports wagering, permitting authorized betting on these events at designated locations such as sports wagering lounges and through online platforms. It defines "electronic sports event" as competitions involving video games and clarifies that these events will not be classified as authorized games under existing gambling definitions. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Casino Control Commission and the Division of Gaming Enforcement in regulating sports wagering, including the issuance of licenses and the establishment of sports wagering lounges. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity in sports wagering by prohibiting certain individuals, such as athletes and officials, from placing bets on events governed by their respective bodies.

Furthermore, the bill allows casinos and racetracks to operate online sports pools under specific conditions, including the creation of up to three individually branded websites for traditional and electronic sports wagering, with provisions for two additional websites dedicated solely to electronic sports events. It grants the Division of Gaming Enforcement the authority to regulate and approve wagers on electronic sports events, ensuring compliance with integrity standards. The legislation aims to expand sports wagering in New Jersey while ensuring regulatory oversight and responsible gambling practices, including the requirement for third-party certification of integrity for the events.

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