Earlier this month, a New York lawmaker submitted a bill that would outlaw all in-play sports betting in the state. This broad proposal goes even farther than two bills that target microbets and were introduced in neighboring New Jersey.
The goal of Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Democrat who represents portions of Manhattan, is to make it illegal for casinos and mobile sportsbooks to take live bets from New Yorkers.
The state’s legal definition of sports wagering would no longer include “in-play bets,” according to Bill A9343, which was submitted on December 10 and forwarded to the Committee on Racing and Wagering. After it was passed, the legislation would go into effect right away.
The plan would outlaw any wagers made after a sporting event has started, not only microbets, which are bets on specific times inside an event, such as what would happen on the next pitch of a baseball game.
The bill coincides with the region’s increasing legislative movement to curb fast-paced sports betting. Two different proposals specifically prohibiting microbets have been introduced in New Jersey.
Across the river
Over the summer, Democratic Assemblyman Dan Hutchison, who represents a portion of Atlantic County, introduced his measure. Paul D. Moriarty and Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. are the sponsors of a companion bill in the state Senate that contains comprehensive legislative findings presenting the argument against microbetting.
According to the Senate bill, “the speed at which sporting events are played, and consequently the speed at which micro bets can be placed, limits the ability of bettors to research and consider their wagers before placing them and enables bettors to place a higher volume of wagers in a shorter amount of time, contributing to excessive and irresponsible gambling.”
Because microbets “are easier to fix than many more traditional forms of wagering” and can be “especially enticing to athletes who are already struggling with problem gambling,” the New Jersey legislation also raises questions about sports integrity.
The National Council on Problem Gambling, which has reported a 277% rise in calls to its problem gambling helpline since the introduction of sports betting, supports both New Jersey measures. The initiative has also received support from the New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling.
The council’s executive director, Luis Del Orbe, stated in a statement endorsing the Hutchison bill that “by eliminating microbetting, this legislation would take an essential step toward protecting citizens from the harmful effects of reckless gambling practices.”
A disorderly persons penalty and fines of $500 to $1,000 per infraction would be imposed on anyone who violate the proposed New Jersey prohibition.
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