All Roll Calls
Yes: 103 • No: 15
New JerseyA5447220th Legislature (2024-2025)HouseWALLET
Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties.
Sponsored By: John J. Burzichelli (Democratic), Clinton Calabrese (Democratic), John F. McKeon (Democratic), William B. Sampson IV (Democratic), Sterley S. Stanley (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Gambling victims gain more repayment options
After a hearing and violation finding, Consumer Affairs may order money or property returned to sweepstakes victims; repayment is not automatic. For victims age 62 or older, any amount ordered returned must equal twice what was taken. For other unlawful gambling, Gaming Enforcement can seek court orders stopping violations, imposing civil penalties, and ordering repayment. That court process excludes sweepstakes banned by this law. The court cannot suspend or revoke a Gaming Enforcement license through that action.
Free entry required for lawful sweepstakes
Since August 15, 2025, New Jersey bans sweepstakes requiring payment or something valuable, unless state law allows them. Qualifying sweepstakes must offer free entry with the same winning odds as paid entry. Paid entry must accompany food, nonalcoholic drinks, or merchandise worth no more than $20, unless Consumer Affairs sets another amount. Qualifying merchandise excludes coins, tokens, or online credits usable only for entry or exchange with the operator or affiliates. Sports-based winners are allowed only when all entries are free. Entry materials must disclose rules, prize details, and winning odds or unlimited-entry status. Cash and merchandise prizes count as New Jersey taxable income. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian’s consent to claim a prize over $1,000.
Sweepstakes fines can fund gambling treatment
Consumer Affairs sends sweepstakes civil fines left after its enforcement costs to the State General Fund. The Legislature may direct that money to Human Services for qualifying compulsive-gambling prevention, education, and treatment programs. The law sets no fixed funding amount. Available funding depends on fine collections, enforcement costs, and legislative approval.
Deceptive bettors face graded criminal charges
The law criminalizes deliberate cheating to win money or property, or reduce losses, in casino, internet, and sports wagering. It also covers attempts to win through sports bets using nonpublic information or deceptive use of another person’s gaming account. Offenses are second degree at $75,000 or more, and third degree above $500 but below $75,000. Amounts from $200 through $500 are fourth degree; amounts below $200 are disorderly persons offenses. Acts within one scheme or course of conduct can be added together to set the offense level.
Gambling promoters face tiered criminal fines
Taking more than five bets totaling over $1,000 in one day is a third-degree crime, with fines up to $35,000. That grade also covers specified lottery schemes: receiving money or records from nonplayers, or over $100 played in one day. Bookmaking involving three or more bets in any two-week period is a fourth-degree crime, with fines up to $25,000. Other gambling promotion is a disorderly persons offense, with fines up to $10,000.
Illegal gambling sites face criminal fines
People with substantial control over public premises commit a third-degree crime by knowingly allowing prohibited gambling there. Another premises offense covers controllers who knowingly allow prohibited gambling and receive property under an agreement to share gambling proceeds. The specified premises offense carries a fine up to $50,000. Operating a gambling website or app that lets people in New Jersey wager is also a third-degree crime. That online offense carries a $50,000–$100,000 fine and excludes gambling regulated and controlled by the state.
Sweepstakes violators face fines and liens
Sweepstakes violators face civil fines up to $100,000 for a first offense and $250,000 for later offenses. Each day a violation continues counts separately. After a hearing, Consumer Affairs can order conduct stopped; violating that order carries up to $25,000 per violation. Amounts due become liens on the debtor’s New Jersey real property, generally ahead of other claims, subject to statutory exceptions. Consumer Affairs has five years after payment becomes due to sue for collection.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
John J. Burzichelli
Democratic • Senate
Clinton Calabrese
Democratic • House
John F. McKeon
Democratic • Senate
William B. Sampson IV
Democratic • House
Sterley S. Stanley
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Margie Donlon M.D.
Democratic • House
Shirley K. Turner
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/30/2025
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 69 • No: 10 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 6/30/2025
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 34 • No: 5
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.128.
8/15/2025GovernorPassed Senate, PBH — (34-5)
6/30/2025SenateSubstituted for S4282 (1R)
6/30/2025SenateReceived in Senate, SWR, 2nd Reading in Senate
6/30/2025SenatePassed Assembly — (69-10-1)
6/30/2025HouseReported, 2nd Reading in Assembly
6/19/2025HouseTRANS Assembly Appropriations Committee
6/19/2025HouseREP/ACA, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee
5/8/2025HouseTRANS Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee
5/8/2025HouseIntroduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee
3/17/2025House
Bill Text
Version PL2025
10/3/2025
Version AL2025
9/16/2025
Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts (5/8/25 1R)
7/1/2025
Assembly Appropriations Substitute (6/19/25 1R)
6/19/2025
6/18/25; 1R
6/18/2025
As Introduced
5/30/2025
Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Substitute (5/8/25)
5/9/2025
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