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Committee releases bill to authorize regulated esports wagering at casinos and racetracks
Summary
Assembly Bill A2172, which would classify electronic sports events within online gaming definitions and authorize regulated esports wagering at certain locations, was released by the committee after sponsor remarks and submission of written testimony.
The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and Arts Committee released Assembly Bill A2172, which expands the definition of Internet gaming to include bets on electronic sports competitions and authorizes regulated esports wagering at casinos and racetracks and certain locations.
The committee record includes sponsor remarks emphasizing that esports is an emerging global industry and that the bill aims to provide a stable regulatory footing and potential workforce-training opportunities. An OLS-read letter from Louis Anthony Gaud, co-CEO of Gaud Hammer Gaming Group, urged support, calling the measure “a strategic initiative to enhance New Jersey's role in the rapidly evolving gaming industry” and noting global market figures.
The written testimony read into the record described key provisions as simplifying regulation for electronic sports wagering, permitting casinos and racetracks to operate up to three individually branded websites and mobile applications for online sports pools plus two additional platforms specifically for esports, and imposing customer-identification, anti–money-laundering and responsible-gaming safeguards. The letter asserted that unregulated esports wagering currently operates without oversight and that the bill would address tax and compliance gaps.
The sponsor also referenced age restrictions: the bill would keep existing gambling-age limits and would not permit betting on competitions where most competitors are under 18 or on high-school competitions.
On the motion to release A2172, the roll-call vote recorded: Assemblyman McClellan — yes; Assemblyman Guardian — yes; Assemblywoman McCance D'Amato — yes; Assemblywoman Hall — yes; Vice Chair Calabrese — yes; Chairman Maumen — yes. The bill was recorded as "released." Patrick Stewart of Caesars was listed in the record as opposed but did not testify.
Committee members invited further stakeholder conversations and indicated willingness to refine the bill language as it proceeds through the legislative process.
