SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2160

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 23, 2026

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2160.

Micro betting has become an increasingly popular practice whereby bettors can wager on each play in a sporting event.  Examples of micro bets include whether the next pitch in a baseball game will be a strike or whether the next play in a football game will be a pass or run.  The pace at which sporting events are played, and therefore the pace at which micro bets can be placed, limits the ability of bettors to research and consider their wagers before placing them and enables bettors to place a higher volume of wagers in a shorter amount of time, contributing to excessive and irresponsible gambling.

     This bill would prohibit sports wagering licensees from offering or accepting any wager on a micro bet.

     The bill defines “micro bet” to mean a proposition bet which is wagered live, while a sport or athletic event is ongoing, and concerns the outcome of the next play or action occurring in the sport or athletic event.  A proposition bet is a side wager on a part of a sport or athletic event that does not concern the final outcome of the sport or athletic event.  Common proposition bets include how many points a basketball player might score, or whether a football player will score a touchdown or not.

     The bill provides that any sports wagering licensee or person who offers or accepts a micro bet contrary to the provisions of the bill has committed a disorderly persons offense and will be subject to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 per offense.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.