New Jersey Mandates Problem Gambling Messaging At Public Colleges

New Jersey is about to put responsible-gambling messaging directly in front of one demographic that is most likely to need it.

On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed A1715/S3184, a bill that requires every public college, university, and community college in the state to invite the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey to campus at least once per semester. The idea is simple: If students are going to be exposed to sports betting and online gambling, the state wants to make sure they’re equally exposed to help, education, and guardrails.

“Today’s signing demonstrates our continued commitment to promoting responsible gaming and supporting the well-being of students across New Jersey,” Murphy said. “By connecting campus communities with expert resources, we’re taking proactive steps to address gambling-related harm before it takes root.”

The council’s visits are expected to include education on gambling risks, on-ramps to counseling, and information about self-exclusion programs and other support systems. While the bill doesn’t mandate specific programming or curriculum, institutions must “invite and facilitate the presence” of the council each semester, meaning real face time with students, not just an email blast.

Angela Bethea, New Jersey’s acting secretary of higher education, framed the law as overdue, given how dramatically sports wagering has shifted from niche to normalized in just a few years.

“Sports have long been a way for people to connect and form community, but the rapid growth in online sports betting is having a deleterious effect on the well-being of our young adults,” Bethea said. “This law ensures New Jersey’s public institutions support students to responsibly engage and offers a resource on campuses to help educate students on the risks of using betting platforms.”

‘Troubling trend’

A1715/S3184 passed both chambers unanimously and is sponsored by Sens. Joseph Cryan and John McKeon, along with Assemblywoman Garnet Hall. All three cited the rise in gambling participation among college-aged adults and the increased ease of placing bets on a phone, whether during lecture, in the dorms, or while walking between classes.

“The proliferation of sports betting by college students is a troubling trend that can have a destructive impact on their lives,” Cryan said. “Research shows that young people are especially vulnerable to compulsive gambling and can have a difficult time breaking the habit once it becomes ingrained. Our state schools have a responsibility to act to protect them from the negative influences that promote the practice.”

McKeon added that the goal is prevention, not punishment. 

“Since the expansion of online gaming and sports betting, we’ve seen a troubling rise in problem gambling, especially among inexperienced young adults on college campuses,” he said. “This legislation takes a preventative approach by ensuring that students have direct access to data-driven information and resources from the Council on Compulsive Gambling throughout their college careers, helping to educate them before they are negatively impacted.”

The move also builds on Murphy’s broader responsible-gaming push, including the Responsible Gaming Task Force report released in April 2025.