New Jersey is considering updating its betting rules in an attempt to mitigate online gambling addiction.
In proposed rule changes published Sept. 15, 2025, the state would “bring standardization” to its lucrative online sports betting and casino market. New Jersey admitted that betting addiction is a “serious issue” that impacts its residents.
Nonetheless, the proposed new rules are a doubling down on the so-called “responsible” gambling (RG) model. This framework, which the World Health Organization has criticized, is controversial because it places more onus on the user than the product.
This philosophy does not change under the proposed NJ online gambling rules.
Reasons for NJ Gambling Rule Changes
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, which regulates the state’s online gambling industry, has for years required some addiction mitigation. The state’s online gambling industry kicked off in 2013.
New Jersey-sanctioned gambling platforms have been required to enable users to set self-imposed deposit and spending limits. Users can self-exclude from online gambling.
Operator websites and apps must also provide information on where to get help for addiction.
However, New Jersey said “additional steps are needed to address this ongoing issue.”
“While each operator already maintains an RG staff, there is no standardization as to when patrons require intervention other than best practices previously set forth by the Division,” the proposed rule changes explained.
“The Division intends to provide specific requirements regarding what constitutes problem gambling and to ensure that specific assistance is provided.”
The state said it wants to require “earlier ensured intervention” for gambling addiction.
‘Responsible Gaming Lead’
Under the proposed rule changes, gambling operators must designate one employee as a dedicated “responsible gaming lead.”
The lead can be someone already employed at the online gambling firm. The state would not require the online gambling company to hire additional full-time employees to address addiction.
The lead must identify and maintain a list of “at-risk” users that the state can view upon request.
What could flag a user as being at-risk of problem gambling?
Problem Gambling Warning Signs
Any user “meeting or exceeding” any of the following thresholds must be “flagged for due diligence review” to look for potential problem gambling.
The following criteria are “automatic triggers” for operator review:
- User’s deposits exceed $10,000 over 24 hours and $100,000 over 90 days
- User’s “total turnover” exceeds $1 million over 90 days
- User accesses the self-exclusion page, but does not complete the process, three or more times in 30 days
- User requests a second cool-off period within 45 days after the first
- User makes three consecutive increases to any “responsible gaming” limits without any decreases within seven days
- User cancels a withdrawal request three times in 10 days
- User’s time spent logged in increases by 50% or more during the current week, compared to the immediately preceding two-week period
- User ends two or more gambling sessions in the same week with an account balance of less than $1.00
- User concludes two or more sessions in the same week with an increase in the number of wagers from the previous session
Due Diligence Review
Ultimately, it would be up to the online gambling operator’s internal review to determine whether a user with any of the warning signs should be considered at-risk of addiction.
In other words, New Jersey would still give online gambling platforms the authority to interpret the user’s potential addiction signs.
If a gambler “meets or exceeds” the addiction warning signs, but the operator’s review determines that the patron is not at-risk, the operator must document the reasons for the decision.
The gambling company must maintain a record of these reasons for five years.
If the operator determines that the user’s warning signs should result in being placed on the at-risk list, a system of intervention would then be required.
The lead must also ensure that at-risk users do not receive “direct advertising materials.”
NJ Online Gambling Intervention System
Each operator would be required to implement the following intervention phases.
Operators must maintain detailed records of all interventions for five years.
Phase 1
The operator must contact the user through their validated email address or any other method approved by the state.
The gambling firm must provide information to the user on the availability of the various responsible gambling tools, including:
- Time, loss, and deposit limits
- Cool-off period options
- Self-exclusion requests
- Account closure procedures
- Resources to address problem gaming
Phase 2
The operator must require the user to view a “video tutorial” on addiction to continue gambling.
The state must approve the tutorial. The video must educate users on the gambling platform’s addiction mitigation features.
The patron must view the video in its entirety before placing further bets.
Phase 3
Under the proposed NJ online gambling rules, the RG lead must now contact the patron by phone, video call, or any state-approved method of communication to discuss potential problem gambling.
They must provide the user with contact information for a counselor licensed by New Jersey with experience in gambling addiction. The lead must also provide their own contact information to the user.
The lead can refer the patron to emergency medical and/or mental health professionals or to law enforcement if they determine that the patron may be at risk of harm to themself or others.
If the lead is unable to reach the patron, a voice message must be left.
The lead must make three attempts to contact the patron by phone, with each call placed at least 24 hours after the preceding call and with a voice message left each time.
If the lead can’t reach the patron by phone after three attempts, the lead must email the patron. Their account must be temporarily suspended until direct communication is successful.
The account must remain paused until a “determination” that they are not exhibiting gambling problems.
If, following the third phase of the intervention system, the lead concludes that the user has signs of problem gambling, the patron’s account must be closed.
Next, the user must be referred to available problem gambling resources.
Removal from At-Risk List
A gambling operator can remove a user from the at-risk list.
Removal can happen if the gambler fails to trigger any problem gambling criteria for 180 days from the date of the last review.
Additionally, the RG lead must determine that their activity is not problematic.
The operator can re-add the user to the list upon its internal review.
NJ Seeks Input for Online Gambling Rules
Anyone may provide feedback to New Jersey regarding the proposed rule changes.
Written comments must be submitted by November 14, 2025.
You can email comments to RuleComments@njdge.gov.
The state is also accepting feedback by physical mail at the following address:
Jamie McKelvey, Deputy Attorney General
Division of Gaming Enforcement
1300 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401
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