No more sports betting partnerships at NJ public colleges? Bill reaches Senate
A legislative proposal aimed at prohibiting sports betting partnerships at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities has advanced to the state Senate’s Higher Education Committee after clearing the Assembly with overwhelming support.
The measure, , seeks to prevent sports wagering operators from entering into advertising or marketing agreements with public institutions of higher education. Lawmakers backing the bill argue that such partnerships could expose students to gambling-related risks, particularly addiction.
Legislative progress and provisions
Initially introduced in April 2024 by Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter (D-Somerset and Union), along with Assemblymen Benjie E. Wimberly (D-Bergen and Passaic) and Reginald W. Atkins (D-Union), AB 4113 has steadily progressed through New Jersey’s legislative process.
The bill defines a sports wagering partnership as any agreement that grants betting operators access to advertise in college stadiums, athletic facilities, digital and broadcast content, or other mediums associated with public universities. Under the bill, public institutions—including their athletic departments and booster clubs—would be strictly prohibited from forming such agreements.
A key amendment introduced in September 2024 clarified that the restriction does not extend to partnerships created for academic purposes or experiential learning opportunities for students. Additionally, institutionally related foundations may enter into agreements with wagering operators, provided they do not directly target students through advertising.
Support and opposition
AB 4113 has garnered strong bipartisan support, passing the Assembly in February 2025 with a decisive 75-0 vote. Assemblywoman Carter, a primary sponsor of the bill, stressed its necessity in safeguarding students.
“Simply put, advertisements for sports betting on a college campus are unnecessary and can create harmful consequences,” Carter said in a statement.
“We must protect our students from the risks of gambling addiction by keeping these types of promotions off of campuses, where young adults are most vulnerable.”
While lawmakers have broadly rallied behind the measure, some within the gambling industry argue that responsible advertising and education could mitigate potential harms rather than an outright prohibition. Others have noted that the bill applies only to public universities, leaving private institutions, such as Seton Hall and Monmouth University, unaffected by the restriction.
Next steps
With the bill now referred to the Senate’s Higher Education Committee, further deliberations are expected before a full Senate vote can take place. Should AB 4113 pass both chambers and receive Governor Phil Murphy’s signature, New Jersey would join a growing list of states implementing restrictions on sports betting advertisements at colleges.
Meanwhile, separate debates continue over potential changes to New Jersey’s gambling laws, including a proposal to increase tax rates on online sports betting and iGaming. The state is also set to host the NCAA’s March Madness Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds later this month at the Prudential Centre in Newark, where wagering on the games will remain off-limits under existing state law.
