ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 200
with committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MAY 5, 2021
As amended, this concurrent resolution permits sports wagering through casinos and certain horse racetracks on any collegiate athletic competitions and permits sports wagering through certain off-track wagering facilities on any professional, collegiate, or amateur athletic competitions.
Currently, the State Constitution prohibits sports wagering on any college sport or athletic event held New Jersey or in which a New Jersey college team participates. Wagering is permitted only through casinos and current or former horse racetracks.
This amendment would permit wagering through casinos, current or former horse racetracks, and off-track wagering facilities operated by such horse racetracks on all professional, college, or amateur sport or athletic events. It would permit wagering even if the event takes place in New Jersey or a New Jersey college team participates in such event.
Sports wagering in New Jersey has become widely popular since the law first permitted it. In addition, New Jersey is home to many collegiate athletic postseason and tournament events, including National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) events. Future events have already been scheduled in New Jersey, such as the East Regional of the 2025 NCAA “March Madness” Men’s College Basketball Tournament. March Madness is a major sporting event and extremely popular for sports bettors across the State and the country. With the addition of the East Regional taking place in New Jersey, the State should provide more opportunities to New Jersey bettors to participate legally in such tournaments.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The committee amended the bill to permit wagering at off-track wagering facilities operated by current or former running and harness horse racetracks on the results of any professional, college, or amateur sport or athletic event.