A New Jersey Senate panel has advanced a trio of gambling advertisements bills aimed at strengthening consumer protections and addressing problem gambling in state online betting markets. The legislation targets sportsbook account restrictions, self-exclusion rules, and advertising in order to reduce gambling-related harms in one of the largest regulated wagering markets in the nation. Approved by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee, the legislative package represents a significant push by lawmakers to regulate the rapidly growing industry.
One of the central measures, Senate Bill 2356, focuses directly on how gambling advertisements reach the public. The bill mandates that the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement conduct a twelve month study to evaluate the effectiveness of the language used in promotional materials. The study will analyze whether specific words or phrases successfully encourage responsible behavior, how font size and placement impact consumer visibility, and whether repeated messaging loses its impact over time.
Furthermore, the research will examine how the wording of gambling ads affects vulnerable populations, including problem gamblers, underage individuals, and people who have chosen to place themselves on self-exclusion lists. Following the completion of the study, regulators will establish between three and ten mandatory words or phrases to be included in future casino and sports betting promotions. This new language will supplement current requirements, such as the standard help hotline notice. The bill also seeks to ban gambling advertisements near schools and college campuses, as well as on media platforms that primarily attract minors or self-excluded individuals.
In addition to advertising restrictions, the panel advanced Senate Bill 3419, which requires sportsbooks to publish clear rules regarding customer wagering limits. Under the proposal, operators must provide written explanations to players when restrictions are placed on their accounts. Sponsors of the bill noted that some platforms currently limit successful players simply to avoid financial losses rather than to prevent harm, making regulatory oversight necessary.
The third measure, Senate Bill 2362, requires individuals on self-exclusion lists to view educational videos on gambling risks and coping mechanisms before they can be reinstated. It also creates a mechanism for third parties to request gambling exclusions under specific circumstances. The three bills, including the one targeting gambling advertisements, must now pass the full Senate and Assembly before moving to Governor Mikie Sherrill for final consideration.
