Key points:
- The SPGA has spoken out against a recent bill which seeks to ban sweepstakes in New Jersey
- Bill A5447 was submitted by Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese
- Two months ago, in January, Calabrese submitted a separate bill seeking to legalise sweepstakes in the state
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) has labelled Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese’s Bill A5447 – which looks to ban sweepstakes in New Jersey – as “reckless” and “shortsighted.”
This latest bill comes just two months after Assemblyman Calabrese submitted bill A5196, which sought to fully legalise and regulate the practice in the Garden State. Further, this bill was fully endorsed by the SPGA upon its initial submission in January.
Now, however, details of the newly submitted bill A5447 directly contradict the proposed legislation so recently advocated for by Calabrese. Although it is unclear what has prompted this sharp U-turn from the assemblyman, the SPGA’s condemnation of this latest bill remains indisputable.
Indeed, as part of its statement commenting on the bill, the Association said: “Our members take pride in driving innovation and providing safe, engaging digital entertainment to New Jersey consumers. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to working with policymakers to ensure that millions of American adults can continue enjoying their preferred gaming experiences within a properly regulated environment.
"“We urge lawmakers to reject Assembly Bill 5447 and instead pursue the balanced regulatory approach previously introduced to protect consumers while allowing innovation to flourish in New Jersey’s dynamic gaming market.”
Good to know: The SPGA was formed in September 2024 to advocate for responsible social sweepstakes gaming
Despite being an only recently incepted associative body – the SPGA went to the mat with the American Gaming Association (AGA) last month, following comments from AGA CEO Bill Miller which identified sweepstakes casinos as part of the wider issue of unregulated gambling.
The SPGA rejected these claims, arguing that sweepstakes are legal in most states and should not be affiliated with serious and damaging parts of the market such as offshore and illegal sportsbooks.
Over the past six months, New Jersey has certainly looked the most likely candidate to become the first state to regulate sweepstakes. However, following this latest development, this progression has now faced its latest hurdle.
