A New Jersey sports betting bill introduced last week would prohibit gambling companies from partnering with in-state schools and universities.  Assembly 4113 defines sports wagering partnerships as an “agreement between a sports wagering operator or intermediary and a public institution of higher education, including an athletic department or booster club of the institution, for access to advertise in the institution’s stadiums and other facilities, in digital and broadcast sports content, and through other means.” Foundations that raise money to support a college or university would still be allowed to partner with sports betting companies so long as the company did not market or advertise to children enrolled in the school or university.  Ahead of the curve The proposal is precautionary as opposed to reactionary as no such partnerships currently exist in the state. That is a relative rarity for legislation in the sports betting industry, which often comes as a response to major events or developments.  A variety of studies have determined the negative impacts of sports betting on young adults, many of which develop problem gambling behaviors or simply aren’t aware of healthy gambling practices. A 2024 Fairleigh Dickinson poll among registered voters nationwide found that 10 percent of men aged 18-30 demonstrated behavior consistent with problem gambling. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey also reported a 277 percent increase in calls to its helpline since New Jersey legal sports betting was approved in 2018. “Simply put, advertisements for sports betting on a college campus are unnecessary and can create harmful consequences,” Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter (D-Somerset), one of the bill’s sponsors, said in a statement, per NJ Spotlight News. “We must protect our students from the risks of gambling addiction by keeping these types of promotions off of campuses, where young adults are most vulnerable.” N.J. sports betting tax increase proposed Elsewhere in the state legislature, Sen. John McKeon is supporting Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposal to increase the sports betting operator’s tax rate. Legal Sports Report outlined the planned increase, which would drive the tax rates for land-based (13 percent) and New Jersey online casinos (15 percent) to 25 percent each. The proposal first appeared in Murphy’s Summary of Budget Recommendations for FY2026 and still needs approval before it is enacted. McKeon also authored a bill last year to increase the tax rate to 30 percent, although that bill has not made any progress. Estimates suggest the increase would contribute $402.4 million to the $58 billion budget. Although the increase would be substantial, it would still pale in comparison to New York’s 51 percent tax rate. That may not last forever, however, as a recently introduced bill aims to change that. Assembly Bill A6013 would increase the number of available sports betting licenses and slash the tax rate to 25 percent, the same that is being proposed by Murphy.