New Jersey Bill to Ban College Player Prop Bets Moves Forward

• A bill banning college player prop bets has moved forward
• Sen. Kristin M. Corrado (R-40) introduced the bill in April 2024
• The New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee unanimously moved the bill forward

New Jersey legislators are examining a bill to prohibit college player prop bets in the Garden State.

The New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee unanimously moved Sen. Kristin M. Corrado’s (R-40) bill, S3080, forward this week. The bill calls for a complete prohibition of bets on player-specific props in the state.

Corrado introduced the bill in April 2024.

Latest State to Ban College Player Prop Bets?

The senate committee unanimously moved the bill forward by a 5-0 vote. According to the legislation, the new law will require the following:

“A sports wagering licensee shall not offer or accept any wager on a player-specific proposition bet on any collegiate sport or athletic event.”

After introducing the bill last year, Corrado took to social media and said the bill will increase player safety and reduce harassment stemming from sports bets.

“Prop bet have led to a rise in the harassment of student-athletes and have threatened the integrity of college sports. This bill will ban player-specific prop betting in New Jersey, which will help make college athletic events safer for all participants,” she said on “X.”

Several states have prohibited these types of bets over the last year after a request from NCAA President Charlie Baker. Baker and the NCAA requested a national ban on collegiate player prop bets in early 2024 to reduce harassment against student-athletes.

The legislation will now move to the senate floor for consideration. As it currently stands, New Jersey sports betting customers cannot place bets on in-state colleges or collegiate events taking place in the Garden State.

Will Ban Stem Harassment?

During the bill’s committee hearing,  Bill Pascrell III, Esq., partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, spoke on behalf of the state’s sports betting operators. The bill will produce “many unintended consequences” if signed into law.

“As an alternative, and to be succinct, we should be increasing penalties for those who harass student athletes. Period. Full stop,” he said.

There is no proof, no study to show that prop bets encourages match fixing, he said. Banning collegiate player prop bets will drive existing sports bettors and future sports bettors to the black market.

Collegiate player prop bets comprise a miniscule portion of an operator’s handle, he noted, typically just 2% to 3%.

“I applaud the intent of the bill. I think we need to be careful, as I know this bill has moved in the Assembly. This will drive the black market, which is double the regulated market,” he said.