New Jersey Advances Legislation to Ban Micro Betting in Sports Wagering

New Jersey lawmakers have taken a significant step toward restricting high-frequency wagering by advancing a bill aimed at prohibiting so-called “micro bets,” which allow bettors to wager on the outcome of the very next play or action during a sporting event.

The proposal, Senate Bill 2160 (SB 2160), was advanced by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee on March 23. The bill, sponsored by Senators Paul Moriarty and Patrick Diegnan, seeks to ban sportsbooks in the state from offering or accepting micro bets, citing concerns about both integrity and gambling addiction.

SB 2160, carried over from the 2025 legislative session, identifies micro bets as wagers placed on the immediate outcome of specific in-game actions, such as whether the next pitch in a baseball game will be a strike or whether the next football play will be a run or a pass. If passed, the bill would make it illegal for New Jersey sportsbooks to offer such bets.

Violations would be treated as a disorderly persons offense and could result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 for each violation.

Sponsors of the legislation argue that the speed and structure of micro betting pose unique risks that go beyond those associated with traditional wagering. Senator Moriarty emphasized the dangers, stating:

“For one, micro bets can more easily be rigged than betting on the outcome of an entire game, especially by insiders who may know ahead of time how a micro bet or prop bet could play out, in turn misleading and disenfranchising the average player. They can also be incredibly addictive, as they are made based on short-term outcomes with quick payoffs.

This enables bettors to place a higher volume of wagers in a shorter amount of time, leading to a vicious cycle of excessive, impulsive, and financially irresponsible gambling.”

Senator Diegnan echoed these concerns, warning of the heightened risks associated with micro betting. He said:

“Betting and gambling are already addictive, but goading players with the possibility of endless opportunities to bet during games makes micro bets significantly more dangerous.”

He further added:

“Through micro bets, bettors have the opportunity to spend more money and more time on gambling, an incredibly slippery slope that frequently leads to addiction and major financial losses.”

While New Jersey does not currently publish data specific to micro betting, this type of wagering falls under the broader category of in-game betting, which has become a key driver of sportsbook activity. Although there are no recent reports dedicated solely to micro betting, studies conducted for New Jersey regulators by Rutgers University in 2020, 2021, and 2023 have consistently shown that in-game betting accounts for a significant share of overall wagering activity.

The most recent Rutgers report indicates that approximately two-thirds of bettors participate in in-game wagering. It also found that high-intensity bettors are responsible for more than half of all in-game bets and that in-game wagering increases the likelihood of overspending.

The growing importance of in-game wagering is also evident at the operator level. During its first-quarter 2025 earnings call, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins noted that live betting represented more than half of the company’s total betting handle. Additionally, industry reports indicate that in-game bets account for more than 60 percent of all wagers in mature European markets.

New Jersey is not alone in targeting high-risk wagering products. Alongside neighboring New York, the state is among the few jurisdictions actively considering restrictions on micro or live betting. This initiative aligns with a broader nationwide focus on limiting high-risk bet types, particularly proposition bets.

Across the United States, lawmakers and regulators have increased scrutiny of proposition bets, especially those involving individual college athletes, due to concerns about game integrity and problem gambling. Several states have already moved to restrict or prohibit certain college prop bets, while others are considering similar measures or additional limitations.

Professional sports leagues have also begun addressing concerns related to high-risk wagering. In November, Major League Baseball (MLB) reached agreements with betting partners to impose nationwide restrictions on pitch-level wagers. Under the new rules, bet sizes on such wagers are capped at $200, and they cannot be included in parlay bets. MLB stated that micro bets present “heightened” integrity risks because a single player can potentially manipulate outcomes.

MLB further noted that the new restrictions cover approximately 98 percent of the betting market.

With SB 2160 now advancing to the Senate floor for a second reading, lawmakers will have the option to pass the bill as written, approve it with amendments, or refer it back to committee for further review. If ultimately enacted, New Jersey would become one of the first states in the nation to directly restrict micro betting, potentially setting a precedent as regulators continue to examine the risks associated with high-frequency wagering products.

By fLEXI tEAM