Proposed New Jersey Law Prohibits Wagering on Sports at the Micro Level
In the vibrant city of Denver, a dedicated journalist named Michael Savio is making waves in the sports betting industry. As a writer for Casino.com, Savio has been delving into the intricacies of this dynamic sector for over four years.
Recently, Savio's attention has been drawn to a significant development in New Jersey. Assemblyman Dan Hutchison has introduced Bill A5971, which seeks to prohibit sportsbooks from offering or accepting microbets, a form of rapid, in-game betting that encourages continuous, impulsive gambling.
The bill aims to address growing concerns about excessive and irresponsible gambling, citing a 277% increase in calls to New Jersey's problem gambling helpline since sports betting legalization. Hutchison emphasizes that the bill is not a ban on sports betting overall but a measure to set responsible boundaries and curb predatory practices that could exacerbate gambling addiction.
Under the proposed legislation, violations would be treated as disorderly persons offenses, with fines between $500 and $1,000 per incident. The bill targets the microbetting format specifically to reduce impulsive gambling and increase the integrity of sports betting, partially motivated by concerns about recent scandals involving possible manipulation tied to micro-scale in-game wagers.
Micro-betting enables bettors to wager on minor aspects of a game, such as the next pitch in baseball or the next play in football. Hutchison highlighted that microbets are more susceptible to corruption and manipulation, referencing several reported cases of athletes allegedly influencing microbet outcomes by adjusting their play.
For instance, Major League Baseball has investigated Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz over suspicious pitches potentially linked to microbetting. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed concerns that some types of microbets are unnecessary and vulnerable to manipulation.
In the year 2025, three investigations into betting scandals involving micro-betting have been initiated, further fuelling the need for stricter regulations.
When he's not covering the industry, Michael Savio is a sports enthusiast who enjoys placing his own bets. As the debate around micro-betting continues, Savio will undoubtedly keep his readers informed of the latest developments.
Michael Savio, a sports betting industry analyst and sports enthusiast, is following the debate surrounding Assemblyman Dan Hutchison's Bill A5971 in New Jersey, which aims to ban sportsbooks from offering or accepting microbets. The bill is a response to growing concerns about excessive gambling and potential manipulation of microbetting, with violations being treated as disorderly persons offenses.
