New Jersey committee advances recommendation for ban on gambling ads aimed at problem gamblers
Lawmakers voted 7-0 for Assembly Resolution 150.
US.- The New Jersey Assembly’s Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee has unanimously approved a recommendation that would ban the targeting of gambling advertisements at people showing signs of problem gambling or addiction. The panel voted 7-0 to unanimously endorse Assembly Resolution 150, which was introduced by the committee chair, Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr.
The ban would include personalised marketing campaigns for VIPs that include athletes and other celebrities. The resolution states: “Predatory marketing, including the use of professional athletes or celebrities, which targets certain patrons who are known by sportsbooks and other gambling entities to be gambling addicts, or who have exhibited signs of problem gambling, and encourages them to continue gambling, is antithetical to the goals of responsible gaming and such practices should cease immediately.”
The proposal comes after it emerged that FanDuel had sent a VIP customer a personalised message from athlete Bryce Harper. The client claims to have lost over $1.5m after betting over $18.5m with the operator. Moen said: “It was explicitly made clear that this video was prepared to further entice gambling by this individual.”
The resolution cannot alter current legislation on its own since it is not a statute. New Jersey has looked at other advertising proposals this year. In February, Senator Andrew Zwicker introduced a bill that would stop operators from sending push notifications or texts when an app is closed. That proposal has not moved since it was filed.
