A New Jersey lawmaker has introduced a bill aimed at banning micro betting, a form of in-play wagering that allows bettors to stake money on the outcome of the next action in a live sporting event.
Senator Paul Moriarty has filed Bill S4794, which has been referred to the Senate Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee for review. The proposed legislation defines a “micro bet” as a live proposition wager placed during a sporting event concerning the outcome of the next play or action.
Under the bill, all such micro bets would be prohibited in New Jersey. Any individual or sportsbook found offering or accepting these wagers would be guilty of a disorderly persons offence and subject to fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per violation.
Not all prop bets would be banned
Importantly, Moriarty’s proposal would not outlaw all prop bets. Bettors would still be able to wager on outcomes that span the duration of a game, such as how many points a basketball player might score or whether a specific football player will score a touchdown. The bill specifically targets high-frequency, rapid-fire betting formats that encourage impulsive wagering behaviour.
Strengthening existing gambling safeguards
Moriarty’s legislation represents a stronger move than Assemblyman Dan Hutchison’s A5971, which was pre-filed in late July without official text. Both bills highlight growing concern about the risks posed by micro betting to player integrity and responsible gambling practices. The bill outlined penalties for operators who continue to provide these bets, defining them as wagers on specific plays or activities during a game.
Assemblyman Hutchison argued that micro betting encourages impulsive gambling behaviour due to the rapid pace of wagers placed during live games. He cited a significant increase in calls to problem gambling helplines since sports betting was legalised in New Jersey as a sign of growing concern.
According to Bill S4794’s text: “Over the last several years, sportsbooks have developed new methods of wagering which are more enticing and engaging for bettors, but carry additional risks to the bettor’s health and well-being, and the integrity of sports more broadly.”
It continues to warn that the fast-paced nature of micro bets reduces a bettor’s ability to make informed decisions, allowing for “a higher volume of wagers in a shorter amount of time,” and thus contributing to excessive and irresponsible gambling.
Growing scrutiny over micro betting
The debate around micro betting has intensified in recent months. Several cases have emerged involving professional athletes investigated for allegedly altering their performance in connection with micro betting markets.
Cassidy Hubbarth interviewed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver during Celtics-Knicks on Prime. pic.twitter.com/KB42EssfpU
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) October 25, 2025
This scrutiny deepened following reports linking NBA player Terry Rozier to a betting-related scandal, which drew widespread attention across US media. Both NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred have publicly questioned whether micro betting should be permitted at all.
In a related development, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine revealed last week that major US sports leagues are collaborating to push for national restrictions on micro betting. According to The Columbus Dispatch, Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Manfred informed DeWine that his office has already reached a preliminary agreement with several sportsbooks to remove such wagers from their offerings voluntarily.
In an update to that, MLB has moved to restrict micro prop betting, which involves wagering on small in-game events. The decision was made in light of possible threats to the sport’s integrity. DeWine had expressed worries that these wagers might result in insider influence and manipulation, which has sparked more extensive conversations on the moral limits of sports betting.
Balancing innovation and responsibility
The proposed New Jersey legislation underscores a growing national debate over the balance between betting innovation and consumer protection. As sportsbooks introduce increasingly interactive wagering formats, regulators and lawmakers are being forced to reassess where the line between engagement and exploitation should be drawn. If passed, S4794 would make New Jersey one of the first states in the US to explicitly prohibit micro betting.
In a bid towards responsible gambling, New Jersey proposed regulations that would make responsible gambling measures mandatory for licensed operators in the Garden State. The decision to move from voluntary to mandatory responsible gambling (RG) standards has positioned the state as a leader in consumer protection, but experts warn that broader integration and federal support are still urgently needed.
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