New Jersey voters will be asked to decide the fate of two gambling-related proposals in Tuesdays election one about removing restrictions on college sports betting, the other about helping more non-profits benefit from hosting games of chance.
In addition to races for governor, state Legislature, and local offices, voters will be asked a pair of public questions on the ballot, determining whether the state constitution should be amended to:
Neither referendum has gotten much attention in this otherwise big voting year. There havent been major billboards or television ads supporting or opposing either one. And polls show the sports betting question isnt a sure thing.
So heres a closer look at each question as you prepare to head to the polls.
New Jersey legalized sports betting here in 2018 after winning a highly publicized court fight. And so far, its been profitable. The state has surpassed Nevada in sports wagering and last month became the first state to take in more than a $1 billion in sports bets in a single month.
But under current state law, you cant place bets in New Jersey on college sports teams located here or college sports events that take place here. That means no betting on Rutgers football or Seton Hall basketball. You have to drive to Delaware, Pennsylvania, or some other state to do so.
In fact, New Jersey is the only state with legal sports wagering that doesnt allow bets on in-state college sports.
If this referendum passes, that would change. It would allow legislators to change the law to permit New Jerseys casinos and racetracks to allow betting on all college sports.
Lawmakers said the original law excluded in-stage college teams and events to help prevent game-fixing. The fear was collegiate sports would be more susceptible because athletes arent paid.
But sponsors of the referendum say theyre confident in the states oversight.
They also say this will help bring in more money to help a casino industry that has struggled during the coronavirus pandemic.
We just thought it was time, said state Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, D-Monmouth, a sponsor of the plan. It creates a broader range of people being able to bet on sports.
Still, its unclear whether the referendum has enough support to pass. A Stockton University poll released Thursday found 51% of likely voters in New Jersey oppose the amendment, compared to 37% in favor. A Fairleigh Dickinson University survey released Friday showed 41% are against it, while 39% back it.
There hasnt been much publicity around this ballot question, and a lot of people are going to miss it, or skip it, said Dan Cassino, the polls executive director and a government and politics professor at FDU. Its much closer than it was before, and there are many voters who arent going to make a decision about it until they get into the ballot box.
The full question on the ballot Tuesday is:
Do you approve amending the Constitution to permit wagering through casinos and current or former horse racetracks on all college sport or athletic events?
Currently, wagering is prohibited on college sport or athletic events that take place in New Jersey. Wagering is also prohibited on an event in which a team from a New Jersey college participates.
The other question on the ballot Tuesday isnt as glitzy. But it could affect local gatherings and events across New Jersey.
Currently, the state constitution allows only certain nonprofits, such as military veteran and senior citizen groups, to use the net proceeds from games of chance such as Bingo and raffles to fund their operations. If approved, this question would allow any nonprofit in New Jersey to do so.
Sponsors of the measure say it will help nonprofits that have face financial issues because of COVID-19.
State Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen, a sponsor, said this would help the more than 30,000 people employed at nonprofits in the Garden State.
These hard-working employees perform incredibly important jobs and the pandemic has dramatically impacted these programs ability to function, Johnson said. The net proceeds from game nights will provide much needed support for these organizations.
The full question on the ballot Tuesday is:
Do you approve amending the Constitution to permit all groups that are allowed to conduct bingo or raffles to use the net proceeds from those games to support their groups?
Currently, only veterans and senior citizen groups may use the net proceeds from those games to support their groups. All other groups that are permitted to conduct bingo or raffles may only use the proceeds from those games for certain purposes. They are not permitted to use those proceeds to support their groups. The amendment would allow the other groups that conduct bingo or raffles to use the proceeds to support their groups as well.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @johnsb01.
Read this article:
N.J. asking voters to decide an expansion of sports betting, but its not a sure thing - NJ.com
- 38 states rake in millions in sports betting while Oklahoma still waits for legalization - KOKI FOX 23 TULSA - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Scandals Are Piling Up. What It Means for Gambling Stocks. - Barron's - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting: How gambling can impact the integrity of the game - WRAL News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A new coalition wants to address the risks of youth sports betting in Massachusetts - Boston Herald - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A Better East Texas: Professional sports betting scandals - KLTV - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - goskagit.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting bill will help MN veterans, charities - ECM Publishers - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - Bowling Green Daily News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- NCAA set to push states with legalized sports betting to ban prop bets for all college sporting events - Yahoo Sports - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting addiction on the rise - Toledo - WTVG - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Pritzker eyes bigger piece of Illinois sports betting action after 4 booming years - WVIK - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- All Eyes on Georgia Sports Betting During Final Legislative Day - Sports Betting Dime - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Best North Carolina sports betting promos for UNC vs. Alabama in Sweet 16: Claim thousands in NC sportsbook ... - Sporting News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- South Carolina Sports Betting 2024: Best SC Sportsbooks - The Hudson Reporter - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A Better East Texas: Professional sports betting scandals - KTRE - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting hits ground running | wltx.com - WLTX.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- North Carolina reports nearly $200m in handle in first week of legalized sports gambling - EGR Global - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- I got over 100 messages telling me I suck: UNC basketball star concerned with hate messages after sports betting takes off - WGHP FOX8 Greensboro - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Fanatics replaces PointsBet in Kansas - Sports betting - iGB - iGaming Business - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting addiction on the rise - Wichita - KWCH - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- 'March Madness' Sports Betting Is Big Business - Investopedia - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Get $250 in bonus bets for UNC vs. Alabama with this NC sports betting bonus before tonight's 9:39 p.m. ET tip-off - syracuse.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- IGA executive director confident of California sports betting with tribal help - iGaming Business - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Georgia Sports Betting Legislation Fails Once Again - Winners and Whiners - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - The Caledonian-Record - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Scandals: Ohtani Fallout and NCAA Prop Betting Ban - SportsGrid - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports gambling has gotten out of control - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Best Sports Betting Apps in the US in March 2024 - Gaming Today - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Survey finds majority of Canadians want immediate nationwide sports betting ad ban - EGR Global - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Authorizing sports betting in Georgia may lack needed votes from lawmakers - goskagit.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting is coming to NC in one month - WWAY NewsChannel 3 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- $3.5 million wagered across Maine in first Super Bowl since launch of online sports betting - Maine Public - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Bill Clears Another Missouri House Committee - Covers - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- I-TEAM: Sports Betting/Online Gambling Addictions growing on CT college campuses - Eyewitness News 3 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Ohio gamblers place more than $7.6B in bets in first year - Dayton Daily News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports betting in Minnesota: What are the odds it becomes legal? - KARE11.com - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- North Carolina Issues First Batch of Sports Betting Licenses to Suppliers - Covers - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Kentucky cover the spread vs. Ole Miss? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- NFL Playoffs Fuel Record-Breaking Contributions From Maryland's Sports Betting - Bay Net - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Louisville cover the spread vs. Boston College? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- BetMGM and X Sign Exclusive Sports Betting Partnership - PR Newswire - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Gambling disorders on the rise nationwide after legalization of sports betting - Q2 News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Why US sports betting could become a $45 billion business - Goldman Sachs - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Colorado State cover the spread vs. San Diego State? Betting Trends, Record ATS - Wyoming News Now - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Michigan cover the spread vs. Illinois? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WLUC - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Are the Suns favored vs. the Kings on February 13? Game odds, spread, over/under - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- With three months in the books, Maine sports betting readies for Super Bowl - Press Herald - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports betting is coming to X as Musk's site partners with BetMGM - Washington Times - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Hard Rock Bet Promo Code: Sign Up And Claim $100 In Bonuses - RotoWire - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will North Carolina cover the spread vs. Syracuse? Betting Trends, Record ATS - KNOP - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- State Rep. Blackshear: 'Nave' to think sports betting isn't already taking place in Alabama - Yellowhammer News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Creighton cover the spread vs. Georgetown? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Did You Bet on the Super Bowl? Don't Forget About Taxes - Kiplinger's Personal Finance - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Super Bowl sports betting expected to exceed a whopping $23 billion but there's a catch - TheStreet - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Buffalo cover the spread vs. Northern Illinois? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WWNY - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Opinion | The ultimate Vegas wedding: The Super Bowl and sports betting - The Washington Post - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Dayton cover the spread vs. Duquesne? Betting Trends, Record ATS - FOX19 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Are the Thunder favored vs. the Magic on February 13? Game odds, spread, over/under - KOLN - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Ohio State cover the spread vs. Wisconsin? Betting Trends, Record ATS - FOX19 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports betting and Swifties converge on the Super Bowl - Axios - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- The Lawyer Who Took on Big Tobacco Is Now Fighting an Online Sports Betting Giant - VICE - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- First two months of sports betting in Kentucky generates millions in tax revenue - WKYT - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Maryland sports betting hits a record high, bringing in over $3M in November - Fox Baltimore - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Gov. Beshear: Over $656 million wagered since launch of sports betting - LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Monday Night Football, NFL Betting Picks & Props: New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers, Week 14 - RotoWire - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Seminoles expand casino, sports-betting options as litigation continues - Florida Phoenix - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- ESPN BET Massachusetts Promo Code TELEGRAM $250 In Bonus Bets With Any Wager on MNF, Pats! - Worcester Telegram - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- New York Sports Betting Handle Tops $2.1bn In November - SBC Americas - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Maryland Sets State Sports Betting Record in November - Sports Betting Dime - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Get ESPN App To Bet Monday Night Football With $250 Sign-Up Bonus - Sports Betting Dime - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Vermont is Getting Close to Launching Sports Betting - Covers - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- FanDuel Promo Code offers $150 if your team wins on 'MNF' or any game - New York Post - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Kentucky Governor confirms early sports betting tax revenue exceeding expectations - EGR Global - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- How ESPN Bet is taking on sports betting giants with launch campaign - Campaign US - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Saints-Panthers, NFC South race a tossup: Watch Bayou Bets | Sports Betting - NOLA.com - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- NFL Betting: Coach of the Year Update - NBC Sports - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Heres what to know as the Seminole Tribe launches sports betting, table games in Tampa - FOX 13 Tampa - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Maryland Sets New State Record with $550M Handle in November - Covers - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Will Seton Hall cover the spread vs. Monmouth? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WAFB - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]
- Hard Rock Casino launches new table games, sports betting in Florida - Bay News 9 - December 12th, 2023 [December 12th, 2023]