N.J. Assemblyman Hopes Sports Bettors Will Help Foot World Cup Costs

• A newly introduced piece of legislation will impose a surcharge on all World Cup online sports bets
• If approved, a 10% surcharge on World Cup online sports bets will be imposed during the tournament
• The revenues brought in through the surcharge will help New Jersey cover costs of co-hosting the World Cup

A New Jersey Assemblyman is hoping sports bettors will help foot at least a piece of the cost of the Garden State co-hosting the World Cup.

Assemblyman Michael Venezia (D-34) recently introduced bill A4838, which imposes four temporary surcharges on online World Cup sports bets, hotel and motel occupancy, concessions at the Meadowlands, and rideshares to and from the Meadowlands district to help pay for costs of hosting the international soccer tournament.

Venezia’s bill, if approved, will institute a 10% surcharge on all World Cup online sports betting revenues in addition to the state’s 19.75% tax rate.

Four Planned Temporary Surcharges

If approved, Venezia’s bill will impose the four following surcharges during the World Cup tournament. New Jersey is hosting several World Cup matchups in the Meadowlands and MetLife Stadium.

• 10% surcharge on revenues from World Cup online sports betting
• 2.5% of the rent for every occupancy of rooms in a hotel or motel
• 3% sales tax surcharge within the Meadowland’s district on merchandise, food, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages
• $0.50 surcharge to be paid by a transportation network company rider on prearranged rides to and from the Meadowlands

The 10% surcharge on revenues from World Cup online sports betting will include bets made on the matches, or portions of the matches, among the 48 teams qualifying for participation in the 2026 World Cup Tournament. This also includes prop bets based on any participating athletes and any parlay bets made on the tournament.

The sports betting surcharge would immediately go into effect if the bill is legalized.

New Jersey will host World Cup matches from June 12, 2026, through July 20, 2026.

Sharing World Cup Costs

Revenues collected through the temporary surcharges on housing, concessions, and rideshares will be deposited into the state general fund. The revenues from World Cup online sports betting will be paid to the casino revenue fund.

Venezia’s bill specifically earmarks collected revenues to support any costs associated with hosting the World Cup.

“The revenue collected from the temporary surcharges is intended to support the costs of preparations for the hosting of the matches of this special event that will take place in New Jersey. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host eight matches, including the tournament final on July 19, 2026.”