New Jersey Lawmaker Pushes to Ban Microbetting in Sports Gambling
Proposal to Prohibit Microbetting
Assemblyman Dan Hutchison, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 4th District, has introduced legislation aimed at banning microbetting. He believes this type of wagering promotes impulsive gambling behavior and can lead to serious financial troubles for individuals.
What is Microbetting?
Microbetting involves placing bets on specific events or statistics during a game, rather than the game’s overall result. Examples include wagering on a player’s points in a match, the outcome of a coin toss, or the speed of a pitch. Hutchison, who is also a bankruptcy attorney in South Jersey, has seen the destructive potential of such betting firsthand.
Impact on Individuals
Hutchison recounted a case where a client repeatedly placed numerous bets on FanDuel despite promises to stop. This client eventually fell behind on important financial obligations like mortgage and bankruptcy payments, risking losing their home. Hutchison described this outcome as deeply troubling and stated his goal is to curb excessive and impulsive gambling by protecting citizens from the addictive nature of microbetting and its dopamine-driven appeal.
Legislative Actions and Penalties
The assemblyman has been actively working to restrict microbetting, having introduced Bill A5971 during the summer session to regulate this growing segment of the sports betting market. If passed, sportsbooks continuing to offer microbets could be fined between $500 and $1,000 per violation.
Calls for Greater Regulation
Dr. Harry Levant, a certified gambling counselor and director of gambling policy at the Public Health Advocacy Institute, has criticized microbetting as dangerously designed and out of control. He warns that because bets can be placed on nearly every moment during play at a rapid pace facilitated by artificial intelligence, the human brain struggles to resist addiction.
Concerns from Industry Veterans
Steve Maltepes, a seasoned expert in the sports betting industry known as “The Philly Godfather,” cautions that banning microbetting might push players toward unregulated offshore platforms. He highlights the importance of keeping betting revenue within state boundaries to support tax funding for public services such as roads and schools.
Balancing Regulation and Legal Sports Betting
Both Hutchison and Levant agree they support legal sports betting overall but stress the urgency for stricter oversight when it comes to microbetting to protect consumers from potential harms.
