New Jersey Bill To Outlaw College Player Props Advances

New Jersey Sen. Kristin M. Corrado's bill, S3080, which was introduced in April 2024, has moved forward after the New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee voted unanimously in favor of it.

Should this bill pass, player props on college sports games would be prohibited.

The bill is now gaining steam after being introduced over a year ago.

Learning More About the Bill

The committee voted unanimously with a 5-0 vote. If passed, the new betting law requires the following: “A sports wagering licensee shall not offer or accept any wager on a player-specific proposition bet on any collegiate sport or athletic event.”

Corrado said on social media that the bill would increase player safety and help avoid harassment from sports bettors.

“Proposition bets have led to a rise in the harassment of student-athletes and have threatened the integrity of college sports,” said Corrado. “I have heard about many individuals who have been the victim of online harassment because they didn’t perform to the expectations of a bettor who made a side wager. This legislation will ban player-specific prop betting in New Jersey, which will help curb that appalling behavior, and make college athletic events safer for all participants.”

In early 2024, NCAA President Charlie Baker requested that states outlaw college player prop bets, and many states have obliged. Baker also mentioned the harassment some players can and do face as a result of these bets being available.

Of course, with player props, you're wagering on a specific player, making the harassment far more targeted if a player falls short on their passing yardage total or points scored.

Now, the bill is moving to the Senate floor.

Current New Jersey law doesn't allow for wagers to be made on in-state college schools or college events/games taking place in the state.

Possible Ramifications of Banning College Player Props

During the hearing for the bill, Bill Pascrell III, Esq.,  a partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, spoke up on behalf of the sports betting operators in New Jersey.

He said that, if the bill passed, it would have "many unintended consequences."

“As an alternative, and to be succinct, we should be increasing penalties for those who harass student athletes. Period. Full stop,” he said.

He continued to say that there's no evidence to show that prop bets lead to match fixing, and instead, they will lead bettors to look to the black market and offshore sportsbooks.

He also mentioned that college player props are a small portion of a sportsbook's handle, at no more than 3%.

“I applaud the intent of the bill. I think we need to be careful, as I know this bill has moved in the Assembly. This will drive the black market, which is double the regulated market,” he said.

New Jersey Statement

The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee released a statement regarding this bill, saying the following:

"The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3080. This bill prohibits sports wagering licensees in this State from offering or accepting wagers on player-specific proposition bets on collegiate sports or athletic events. The President of the National Collegiate Athletics Association has recently called on all states to adopt measures to address the rise in the harassment of student-athletes that compete in these games and events, and to maintain the integrity of college sports. Under the bill, a proposition bet is defined as a side wager on a part of a sport or athletic event that does not concern the final outcome of the sport or athletic event. Player-specific proposition bets may include the particular statistical performance lines of certain players and which player will score first."