ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5498  

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 20, 2023

      The Assembly Higher Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5498.

      As reported by the committee, this bill requires a public institution of higher education that participates in a sports wagering partnership with a sports wagering operator or intermediary to establish a gambling addiction prevention program.

      This bill defines a “sports wagering partnership” as a partnership or contractual agreement between a company that advertises, promotes, or sponsors sports gambling and an institution of higher education, including an athletic department or a booster club.

      A public institution of higher education which participates in a sports wagering partnership is required to establish a gambling addiction prevention program that provides students with educational materials that promote responsible gambling behavior. The institution is also required to provide students with information on a hotline for individuals with a gambling problem.