Assembly committee releases bill to prohibit state sale of online lottery tickets

The Assembly State and Local Government Committee on Thursday voted to release A3759, legislation that would prohibit the State Lottery Commission from selling lottery tickets directly over the Internet or mobile apps.

Supporters, including Delaney Redford, director of public affairs for the New Jersey Food Council, told the committee the change is intended to protect brick‑and‑mortar retailers that rely on lottery sales and the ancillary purchases they bring. "A quick stop for a ticket often turns into picking up some groceries, grabbing a cup of coffee, or filling up your gas tank," Redford said, citing a National Association of Convenience Stores estimate that the average lottery customer spends $8.74 per visit.

Representatives of convenience and gasoline store associations also urged passage, arguing that the Lottery Commission’s 2024 rules enabling direct online sales would put the agency in competition with its retail partners and undermine legislative intent that the commission license retailers rather than act as a direct seller.

Rob Porter, chief legal officer of Lottery.com, expressed support for the bill but also warned lawmakers that dramatic changes to gaming policy should be decided by the Legislature rather than by agency rulemaking. "If this is something that New Jersey wants to go down in the future, it should only do so with a detailed review and a thorough policy discussion," Porter said.

After testimony and a call for committee comments, Assembly members moved to release the bill. A roll‑call on the motion recorded affirmatives from Assemblywoman Swift, Assemblyman Simonson, Assemblywoman McCoy, Assemblyman Chenault, Vice Chair Sween and Chair Karabinchak; the bill was released from committee and will proceed to the next legislative step.

The committee did not take up amendments during the hearing; staff noted the bill would proceed according to the Assembly calendar.