A New Jersey legislator is calling for a ban on microbetting — a rapidly growing form of sports wagering — citing its potential to fuel addiction and financial distress, particularly among younger gamblers.
Assemblyman Dan Hutchison, a Democrat representing the state’s 4th District, introduced a bill that would outlaw bets on brief, in-game events such as a single pitch, a coin toss, or a player’s next point. Hutchison said his main goal is to address the addictive, fast-paced nature of these bets. “Protecting our citizens from the dopamine-type effects that this type of betting has on people — we need to protect those people,” he said.
Concerns Over Rising Gambling Addiction
Hutchison, who also practices as a bankruptcy attorney, said his professional experience has shown him how easily gambling can spiral into financial hardship. He described cases where clients’ betting habits led to missed mortgage payments and looming home losses. “I go through all the bank statements, I see all the FanDuel bets and all this, and he promised me it wasn’t going to happen again. But it did happen again,” Hutchison said.
He emphasized that the bill is not meant to restrict sports betting entirely, but to create boundaries around “excessive and impulsive gambling.” His concern comes amid a federal investigation into illegal betting involving NBA players and a coach, with much of the scrutiny centering on prop-style bets.
Experts Warn of Microbetting’s Addictive Design
Backing Hutchison’s proposal is Dr. Harry Levant, a certified gambling counselor and director of gambling policy at the Public Health Advocacy Institute. Levant described microbetting as “a dangerous and defectively designed gambling product,” arguing that its design and speed make it especially addictive.
“Microbetting is an out-of-control product,” Levant said. “You can bet on the speed of every pitch in every baseball game, the speed of every serve in a tennis match, every point in ping pong from the Czech Republic. The human brain is not built to handle a known addictive product delivered at light speed through artificial intelligence.”
Both Hutchison and Levant maintain that they support legalized sports betting, but believe that stronger consumer protections are essential to safeguard vulnerable individuals from the harm of hyper-fast wagering.
Critics Say Ban Could Push Bettors Underground
While some view Hutchison’s bill as a necessary step to address gambling addiction, others warn it could have unintended consequences. Veteran sports bettor Steve Maltepes, known as “The Philly Godfather,” argued that banning microbets could drive gamblers to unregulated offshore markets instead.
“If you do that, you’re going to send people to the offshore market,” Maltepes said. “And they’re the same people you’re trying to keep the money from. We want to keep this money in the states for our tax revenue, for our streets, for our schools, because that’s where it goes — this sports betting revenue.”
Similar moves to restrict in-game prop betting have emerged elsewhere. In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine has pushed for tighter limits after gambling probes involving professional baseball players.
As debates over the balance between regulation and personal freedom continue, Hutchison’s bill reflects a growing effort among policymakers to address the high-speed gambling trends reshaping the sports betting landscape.
Source:
“New Jersey lawmaker aims for ban on microbetting”, completeigaming.com. Oct 27, 2025
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