Assemblyman Proposes Sweepstakes Ban in New Jersey
A New Jersey legislator has proposed a bill to ban sweepstakes following a previous unsuccessful effort to regulate them.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese is sponsoring Assembly Bill 5447, a measure that aims to prohibit sweepstakes casino gambling and impose new penalties on illegal gaming operations in New Jersey.
According to the proposed legislation, the enforcement of penalties would fall under the joint responsibility of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Affairs and the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).
The fate of A5447 now rests with state lawmakers, who will consider the bill during its upcoming first reading.
Calabrese has opted for a different approach to sweepstakes casinos after his earlier proposal to regulate the activity, Assembly Bill 5196, failed to gain traction.
While A5447 does not provide a definition of sweepstakes casinos, its predecessor, A5196, clarifies the term by classifying sweepstakes casinos as regulated entities.
Summarily, the bill defines sweepstakes casinos as online or mobile platforms that offer games similar to authorized gambling games, using free currency, and award redeemable credits or cash prizes.
Additionally, A5196 takes into account the use of alternative, non-cash items for wagering at sweepstakes casinos.
“An online sweepstakes casino may additionally offer tokens, coins, chips, credits, or other forms of currency for purchase or exchange that are directly redeemable for cash, prizes, or other things of value.” The bill stated.
More Regulation News
Bill 5447 to Compete with SB 4109
Although A5196 made no progress in the state assembly, the issue of sweepstakes regulation is being considered in the Senate under a new bill.
Proposed by Senator Joseph Cryan, SB 4109 seeks to categorize sweepstakes casinos as a form of internet gaming.
The bill also includes provisions for the licensing and taxation of sweepstakes operations. It is now under review by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
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