A New Jersey Senate committee has approved legislation that would prohibit a specific category of in-game wagering known as micro bets, sending the proposal forward for further consideration. The measure, identified as Senate Bill 2160, targets wagers placed on the immediate outcome of individual plays during sporting events.
The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee voted on March 23 to advance the bill, which Senators Paul Moriarty and Patrick Diegnan introduced. Lawmakers designed the proposal to limit betting formats they believe carry heightened risks for consumers and the integrity of competitions.
Bill Targets Play-by-Play Wagers
The proposal defines a micro bet as a live proposition wager on the next action in a game, such as whether a baseball pitch will be a strike or a football play will result in a run or pass. If enacted, licensed sportsbooks in New Jersey would no longer be allowed to offer or accept these bets.
The bill sets penalties for violations as disorderly persons offenses, with fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per incident.
Concerns Over Risk and Behavior
Supporters argue that the structure of micro betting increases vulnerability to manipulation and compulsive gambling. “Micro betting poses several risks to New Jersey and its residents,” said Senator Moriarty (D-Atlantic/Camden/Gloucester).
“For one, micro bets can more easily be rigged than betting on the outcome of an entire game, especially by insiders who may know ahead of time how a micro bet or prop bet could play out, in turn misleading and disenfranchising the average player. They can also be incredibly addictive, as they are made based on short-term outcomes with quick payoffs. This enables bettors to place a higher volume of wagers in a shorter amount of time, leading to a vicious cycle of excessive, impulsive, and financially irresponsible gambling.”
Senator Diegnan (D-Middlesex) added: “Betting and gambling are already addictive, but goading players with the possibility of endless opportunities to bet during games makes micro bets significantly more dangerous,” said Diegnan. “Through micro bets, bettors have the opportunity to spend more money and more time on gambling, an incredibly slippery slope that frequently leads to addiction and major financial losses.”
Part of Broader Betting Trends
Micro bets fall within the wider rise of in-game wagering. Research for state regulators has shown that two-thirds of bettors place live bets, with higher-intensity users accounting for more than half of such activity and facing greater risks of overspending.
Industry figures also highlight the scale of live betting. During a Q1 2025 earnings call, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins said it represented over half of the company’s handle. In European markets, in-game wagers exceed 60% of total bets.
The bill now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. If passed, New Jersey would be among the first states to directly restrict micro betting as scrutiny of high-frequency wagering continues.
Source:
“Moriarty, Diegnan Bill Banning Micro Bets Clears Committee”, njsendems.org, March 23, 2026
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