Micro betting is now a central topic in sports gambling debates. On 15 December 2025, New Jersey lawmakers met to examine its impact. No vote was taken, but the discussion focused on whether micro betting creates more risks than benefits. As one of the first states to legalise sports betting after federal restrictions ended, New Jersey’s decisions often influence national policy, meaning any move to restrict micro betting could have wider effects.
Micro betting involves placing wagers on specific moments within a sporting event, such as the next pitch in baseball, the result of a free throw in basketball, or whether a football play is a run or a pass. These bets are settled almost instantly, encouraging repeated wagers throughout a game.
The New Jersey Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee held an informational hearing on 15 December 2025 to examine whether micro betting should be banned in the state. Lawmakers, advocates, and industry representatives participated in the discussion.
The purpose of the session was to collect testimony, examine evidence, and hear viewpoints from stakeholders such as sportsbook representatives and addiction advocates, rather than to approve legislation. As the parliamentary session draws to a close, politicians remain uncertain whether the risks of micro betting outweigh its advantages, as reflected by the absence of a vote.
In 2025, Assemblyman Dan Hutchison proposed Bill A5971, which would outlaw live proposition betting based on the next play or action in a sporting event. He expressed concern about the volume of gambling marketing and argued that promotions encouraging multiple wagers per day are used by sportsbooks to promote excessive betting.
Senator Paul Moriarty has introduced Bill S4794, now under review by the Senate Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. The measure defines a micro bet as a live wager placed during a sporting event on the outcome of the next play or action.
The law defines micro bets as live betting on the next play or action during a sporting event. Sportsbooks that allow these wagers risk fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 for each infraction. Although the fines are modest, repeated violations could accumulate quickly. Hutchison’s focus is not on banning sports betting entirely but on limiting the speed and frequency of micro wagers.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) supports Bill A5971, viewing micro betting as a high‑risk practice that can accelerate addiction. Speaking on behalf of the council, Jean Swain discussed her own experience with gambling and emphasised that frequent opportunities to bet leave little time for reflection. Without breaks, she argued, impulse takes over, making it more difficult for individuals to regain control. Swain highlighted the need for “breathing room” in gambling, noting that micro betting removes this pause entirely.
Ohio has taken a measured stance on micro betting. Governor Mike DeWine has voiced strong opposition, particularly in relation to baseball, citing concerns about its risks. Rather than imposing a full ban, the state introduced a $200 limit on micro wagers. This compromise is seen as a middle ground between prohibition and unrestricted access, and New Jersey lawmakers are observing the approach closely as they consider their own options.
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, face allegations of accepting bribes to alter pitches. Both deny the charges, with a trial scheduled for May. The case has intensified scrutiny of proposition betting and raised concerns about game integrity. Lawmakers and regulators point to spot‑fixing risks as evidence that micro bets, which focus on individual plays, could make athletes more vulnerable to manipulation.
The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), representing major sportsbooks across the United States, opposes efforts to ban micro betting. According to SBA spokesperson Zachary Khan, micro bets produce detailed, real‑time data that can be used to identify suspicious activity more quickly than traditional wagers. The group argues this information strengthens oversight and helps protect the integrity of sporting events.
New Jersey is considering restrictions on college prop bets through Bill S3080, which has cleared a Senate committee and awaits further approval. The proposal would prohibit wagers on individual performances in college sports. Supporters argue the measure is intended to protect student‑athletes from added pressure and potential exploitation.
Authorities prosecuted 14 individuals earlier in 2025 in connection with a $2 million illegal gambling racket supported by organised crime and linked to college campuses. The case highlights the difficulty facing legislators: excessively stringent regulations risk pushing gambling into illicit markets, while insufficient regulation may allow harm to spread.
The New Jersey legislative session ends on 16 January 2026, leaving limited time for Bill A5971 to advance. Lawmakers must decide whether to move the bill forward, amend it, or allow it to expire.
If the proposal does not progress before the deadline, it will either have to wait until the next session or be revised and reintroduced. The timeline underscores the pressure on legislators as they weigh the future of micro betting in the state.
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