New Jersey Advances a Bill Aiming to Ban Microbets

Backed by Senators Paul Moriarty and Patrick Diegnan, a New Jersey Senate committee has moved forward with Senate Bill 2160 that would prohibit “microbets,” which let gamblers place wagers on the outcome of the very next play or action in a game.

New Jersey Senate Advances Legislation

On March 23, the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 2160. A similar measure was initially proposed last year by Assemblyman Dan Hutchison. The new bill outlines examples of micro bets, such as wagering on whether the next baseball pitch will be a strike or whether the next football play will be a run or a pass.

If passed, the bill would bar New Jersey sportsbooks from offering or accepting these types of bets. Any violations would be classified as a disorderly persons offense, carrying fines between $500 and $1,000 for each infraction.

Sen. Moriarty stated that micro bets are more susceptible to manipulation than wagers on the outcome of an entire game, particularly by insiders who may have advance knowledge of how a micro or prop bet could unfold. This, in turn, could potentially mislead and disadvantage the average bettor. 

Moriarty also noted that these bets can be highly addictive, as they focus on short-term outcomes with rapid payouts. This allows gamblers to place a large number of wagers in a short period of time, potentially fueling a cycle of excessive, impulsive, and financially irresponsible behavior.

Meanwhile, Diegnan added that while betting and gambling are already addictive, enticing players with constant in-game wagering opportunities makes micro bets even more dangerous. He said that these bets encourage people to spend more time and money on gambling, creating a slippery slope that often results in addiction and significant financial losses.

What Do the Voices Against the Bill Say?

Sen. Vincent Polistina said that prohibiting in-person microbets at Atlantic City casinos would put them at a disadvantage compared to competitors in Philadelphia, where such betting is allowed. He added that it is concerning that people would be unable to participate in an activity that is available locally.

Meanwhile, Zachary Kahn, representing the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), testified that banning microbets would remove consumer protections and drive bettors to unregulated platforms where such safeguards do not exist. He warned that eliminating these wagering options could push people toward the illegal market, which lacks responsible gambling and problem-gambling tools.

That being said, considering the bill has already been discussed in 2025, it may take more time to sign it into law or drop it. It seems that New Jersey’s lawmakers are somewhat slow to agree on things when it comes to gambling, as this is not the first time a gambling-related bill has been stuck in discussions. For example, recently, Gov. Sherrill urged lawmakers to agree on legislation regarding smoking in casinos by the end of 2026. Discussions about this have been ongoing for several years now.