New Jersey Moves Forward with Bill Against Micro Betting

(AsiaGameHub) –   New Jersey is edging closer to prohibiting micro bets, one of the speediest types of in-game wagering. On March 23, a Senate committee approved SB 2160, sending the bill to the Senate floor for a second reading.

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Good to Know

• SB 2160 would prohibit wagers on the next play, pitch, or immediate in-game action.
• Senators Paul Moriarty and Patrick Diegnan are the bill’s sponsors.
• Penalties would be $500 to $1,000 per violation.

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New Jersey Pushes Back Against Micro Betting

The bill would prevent sportsbooks from offering or taking wagers on outcomes like whether the next baseball pitch will be a strike or if the next football play will be a run or pass. Unlike regular live betting, micro bets are settled in seconds and let users place another wager right away.

Supporters cite two key risks. Moriarty noted that the format is more easily manipulated, as an insider with info on the next play could gain an advantage. He also stated that the product’s speed can lead to excessive, impulsive gambling. Diegnan added that the nonstop betting opportunities make micro bets riskier than traditional wagering.

Violations would be classified as a disorderly persons offense.

New Jersey doesn’t release separate data on micro bets, but Rutgers University research for state regulators found in-game betting makes up a significant portion of activity. The most recent study showed that two-thirds of state bettors place in-game wagers, and high-intensity bettors make up over 50% of in-game volume. The research also found that in-game betting increases the likelihood of overspending.

Operators have already demonstrated the importance of live betting. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins stated during a first-quarter 2025 earnings call that live betting accounted for over half of the company’s handle. In established European markets, in-game betting makes up more than 60% of wagers.

New Jersey isn’t the only one. New York has proposed similar legislation, and Major League Baseball struck agreements last November to limit pitch-level bets to $200 and exclude them from parlays, citing integrity issues.