New Jersey Anti-Sweeps Bill Passes, Awaiting Governor's Signature

With the deadline looming, New Jersey lawmakers passed a bill, A5447, which will ban sweepstakes casinos in New Jersey. 

The deadline was July 1, but on Monday, the bill went through both the Assembly and Senate. 

The Assembly voted in favor of it, 69-10-1, and the Senate voted on it just minutes later. 

The final tally was 34-5. 

Now, all that needs to be done is for Governor Phil Murphy to sign it, and it'll become law. 

With this bill passing, New Jersey became the sixth state to pass legislation banning them. 

More About the Bill

The bill, A5447, puts online gambling platforms with the "dual-currency model" at the forefront of the conversation. 

However, the bill does state that outlets like restaurants can still run sweepstakes contests. 

The new law, if signed, will be enforced by the Department of Consumer Protection and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. 

There's no delay on the ban. If signed, it'll be law immediately. 

The bill also includes language relating to anyone involved in rigging a sporting event. 

If a person violates this portion of the law and makes a profit of $75,000 or more, it'll be a felony. 

The Sixth State

As mentioned, the Garden State is the sixth state to pass this kind of legislation. 

Before New Jersey, the following states passed legislation banning them: Montana (with SB555), Connecticut, Nevada, New York, and Louisiana. 

However, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry vetoed the bill. Instead, the Louisiana Gaming Commission is coming down hard and fast on those outlets, sending out dozens of cease-and-desist letters. 

Of those, sites like WOW Vegas are exiting the state. 

Key Association Reacts to A5447

The Social and Promotional Games Association released a statement following the passage of A5447. 

“Governor Murphy has an opportunity to do what the Legislature would not – listen to facts, not fear,” a spokesperson for the SPGA said in a statement.

“This bill doesn’t just mischaracterize an entire industry, it ignores data, undermines innovation, and puts New Jersey’s reputation as a forward-thinking leader in tech and entertainment at risk.”

The Association also mentioned a bill that Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese filed in January. They said this new one was a “a direct contradiction to the sensible regulatory framework” in the one Calabrese brought to the table. However, later, Calabrese sponsored A5447. 

“Even more concerning,” the SPGA added, “this bill was driven by powerful casino lobbyists with a financial stake in eliminating lawful alternatives. That’s not consumer protection, that’s protectionism.”