New Jersey legislators have introduced four new Senate bills aimed at strengthening consumer protections in the state’s online gambling market, responding to recent industry scandals that have heightened regulatory scrutiny.
Sponsored by Senators Andrew Zwicker and Paul Moriarty, the legislative package targets multiple aspects of operator conduct. Senate Bill 3401 would prohibit casinos and sportsbooks from sending promotional push notifications and text messages, with fines of at least $500 per violation.
Two additional bills focus on sportsbook operations. S3419 mandates that operators establish and communicate clear rules regarding account limitations, including time limits, wager amounts, and deposit restrictions.The Division of Gaming Enforcement must be approve these rules by and make them publicly available.
S3420 takes aim at promotional practices by banning operators from offering “promotional credits, incentives, bonuses, or complimentaries” to customers currently enrolled in responsible gaming programs, including self-exclusion and deposit limit programs.
The most comprehensive measure, S3461, would fundamentally change how operators interact with at-risk players. The bill prohibits credit card deposits for online gambling, establishes strict Know Your Customer requirements, and mandates that operators designate a dedicated responsible gambling lead.
Perhaps most significantly, S3461 creates a phased intervention framework for identifying and assisting problem gamblers. The system progresses from informational outreach through mandatory education, direct personal contact, temporary account suspension, and ultimately account closure with referral to professional help for problematic behavior.
The legislation also requires operators to collect gender-identification data for state reporting on problem gambling trends and establishes protocols for withdrawal cancellations to prevent impulsive gambling behavior.
All four bills have been referred to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee for review.
