New Jersey Opens Doors to Esports Betting with New Legislation

New Jersey has taken a significant step in the esports industry by legalizing esports betting. The bi-partisan bill A637, known as the esports betting bill, was signed into law in June 2021. This legislation allows any New Jersey online casino to accept wagers on esports competitions.

The bill's journey began in January 2020 when it was first introduced to the New Jersey Assembly. After six months of deliberation, it was approved and moved to the senate for further approval, which took an additional year. The legislation aims to revise and expand what constitutes sports betting within the state.

However, there are initial restrictions. Operators can only accept wagers on esports markets up to $100 with a maximum payout of $500. Further increases in these limits require approval from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). New Jersey has been proactive in the gambling sector since the federal ban on sports betting was overturned in 2018, playing a key role in its repeal. The state's esports betting scene is expected to grow rapidly, following the trend set by the United Kingdom, where esports betting has been permitted for some time.