All public post-secondary institutions in New Jersey are now mandated to provide on-campus education about gambling risks and how to access problem gambling supports.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bill that requires every Garden State public college and university to invite the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) onto campus at least once per semester to provide in-person resources, effective immediately.
“Today’s signing demonstrates our continued commitment to promoting responsible gaming and supporting the well-being of students across New Jersey,” said Murphy in a public release. “By connecting campus communities with expert resources, we’re taking proactive steps to address gambling-related harm before it takes root.”
New Jersey bill aims to educate vulnerable demographic
The aim of the legislation, which passed both chambers of the New Jersey legislature by unanimous votes and was sent to Murphy in December, is to educate students on gambling risks and provide them with access to compulsive gambling counseling services and information on self-exclusion programs and other supports that are available to them.
New Jersey is one of the most mature online gambling markets in the U.S., offering both digital sports betting and online casino gaming. Young people, particularly young men, are frequently cited by reports and studies as the most vulnerable generation of customer. Acting New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Angela Bethea said the newly enacted law ensures New Jersey’s educational institutions support students by teaching them how to responsibly partake in sports betting and other gaming.
“Research shows that young people are especially vulnerable to compulsive gambling and can have a difficult time breaking the habit once it becomes ingrained,” added Sen. Joseph Cryan, the chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and a primary sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. “Our state schools have a responsibility to act to protect them from the negative influences that promote the practice.”
The bill does not provide too many specifics on what the non-profit CCGNJ, the owner and operator of the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline, must provide on campus, but it obligates institutions to invite them onto campus for in-person engagement.
Gov. Murphy looks to strengthen safeguards
The New Jersey government’s release added that Murphy signed the bill as part of his broader push to bolster responsible gaming practices in the state. Murphy commissioned a Responsible Gaming Task Force report that was released in April 2025 and outlined a strategy for the state to follow to address problem gambling.
Meanwhile, other legislation in New Jersey recently implemented further restrictions. The Garden State already bans wagering on in-state colleges or university teams or on NCAA games held in the state. Last year, state legislators introduced a bill to ban sports betting advertisements, while another proposal aimed to prohibit gambling ads in or close to educational institutions as well as in any media that “predominantly” targets people aged under 21.
New Jersey, which outlawed dual-currency sweepstakes gaming in August, also has a bill in play to ban in-game “micro betting,” making it one of the first states to respond to last year’s major-league sporting integrity crises with legislation aimed at banning certain betting markets.
