New Jersey is officially the latest U.S. state to ban the operation of sweepstakes gaming.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 5447 on Monday, placing a statewide ban on sweepstakes wagering. The piece of legislation prohibits any form of online gaming with a dual-currency system while providing protections for retail sweepstakes operations.
Under A5447, any sweepstakes offering that utilizes dual-currency systems and mimics or simulates casino-style games or sports wagering is prohibited throughout the Garden State. The rule does not apply to sweepstakes entries made when purchasing “food, non-alcoholic beverages, or other merchandise such as mugs, trinkets, or mementos.”
A5447 also bans the promotion of dual-currency sweepstakes. The new state law is poised to impact affiliates and influencers with ties to the prohibited offerings.
In addition to prohibiting sweepstakes games with dual-currency systems, A5447 requires the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement and Division of Consumer Affairs to enforce penalties for the operation of sweepstakes gaming. Penalties include fines of up to $25,000 for each violation for entities that don’t comply with cease and desist orders.
Entities may also be required to return any impermissible funds to customers.
A5447 also considers swindling and cheating in New Jersey’s gaming market. The measure bans the sharing of insider information used to place wagers. It also bans bearding, preventing bettors from using another person’s gaming account to place wagers.
Murphy signed the measure despite efforts from World Poker Tour President and CEO Adam Pliska to prevent a ban on sweepstakes. Pliska made a case for the regulation of sweepstakes gaming to generate additional revenue for New Jersey but the effort failed.
Murphy signs college partnership ban
A5447 adds to gaming-related measures signed by Murphy in 2025.
Last month, he signed Assembly Bill 4113 into law after it was carried over from last year’s legislative session. A4113, the same measure as Senate Bill 2155, bans public colleges and universities in New Jersey from landing partnerships with sports betting brands.
A4113 extends to digital and broadcast sports content, and it also applies to athletic departments and booster clubs. However, the measure does not prohibit foundations tied to public institutions from securing sports betting deals as long as there is no direct marketing towards college students. The institutions required to adhere to the new law include Rutgers, Kean University, Montclair State and Rowan.
Lawmakers in New Jersey are also considering a ban on college player props. The measure, Senate Bill 3080, was approved by a Senate committee following a 5-0 vote in June.
New Jersey adds to online sweepstakes bans
The Garden State joins Connecticut and Montana as states to ban sweepstakes gaming.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed a sweepstakes ban into law in June after passing in the House by a 146-0 vote following amendments. Montana also implemented its own sweepstakes ban with Gov. Greg Gianforte signing Senate Bill 555 into law.
