One of the largest legal sports betting markets in America is taking a closer look at the industry.
New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement — in collaboration with Rutgers University researchers — has released a report examining the prevalence of gambling throughout the Garden State. The study — “The Prevalence of Online and Land-Based Gambling in New Jersey” — is the second report the state has issued since the legalization of sports betting.
The DGE and Rutgers researchers discovered that the use of online betting sites and retail sportsbooks by participants in New Jersey increased by 19%.
The Garden State, which authorized sports betting in 2018, has a three-times higher rate of problem gambling than the national average. New Jersey sports betting has also seen online-only gamblers in the state nearly triple from 2017 to roughly 15%. The number of those who use online sites or wager through retail locations nearly doubled to about 36%.
The study, which surveyed 3,512 New Jersey residents who were aged 18 and over, includes data regarding the commercial gaming industry. Participants in the study were surveyed between December 2020 and April 2021 on a variety of topics within the gaming industry, including high-risk stocks, video poker, slot machines, bingo, table games, and sports betting.
The DGE’s latest study has been released amid Responsible Gaming Education Month.
“As New Jersey’s gaming industry continues to grow, we have an obligation to help those suffering from problem gaming and gambling addiction issues,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “Through the release of this report, we are taking a comprehensive look at the pervasiveness of gambling across the state, and with it, able to better identify challenges for our most vulnerable populations and design programs and initiatives to assist them.”
Helping hand
Attorney General Platkin and the DGE began offering meeting opportunities, a new phone helpline, and a website in June for bettors looking to remove themselves from wagering.
New Jersey’s toll-free helpline aids bettors in learning about the self-exclusion process while offering the ability to set up in-person or virtual meetings with DGE staff. The DGE’s new website also offers a slew of resources on responsible gaming, including wagering reports.
The state has also appointed Deputy Attorney General Jamie McKelvey as the DGE’s first responsible gaming coordinator. She is responsible for delivering responsible gaming tools.
Driving profits
New Jersey reported strong revenue from sports betting in August. The DGE reported sportsbook revenue of $96 million — a 57% increase compared to July. The state’s total betting handle, which includes casinos, racetracks, and online partners, reached $725.8 million in August — a 43% increase compared to the same month last year.
Gambling operators paid out $12.3 million in taxes in August, up from the $7.7 million in July.
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