When New Jersey lawmakers approved sports betting in 2018, the bill prohibited placing bets on New Jersey college teams. There was enough opposition to college wagering that the legislation did not include it in the final draft.
But three years later, lawmakers feel the time is right to correct the oversight.
“A lot of people had a problem with that being included, so we didn’t put it in the original bill,” Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling said. “But sports betting in New Jersey has been very successful since then, and it’s time.”
A state Senate committee in November approved an amendment to the state Constitution to allow customers to place bets on teams based in New Jersey. On May 5, an Assembly panel approved the same amendment, according to the Associated Press. The amendment would ask voters if they approved of betting on athletic competitions involving New Jersey-based collegiate teams.
The bill still needs votes in the full Senate and Assembly before being sent to Governor Phil Murphy.
“A lot of money is being left on the table for college betting, a lot of money,” Senator Paul Sarlo said of New Jersey college wagering. “Sports betting has become pretty mainstream now. I’m confident we’ll have this on the ballot in 2021.”
