TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday signed legislation requiring public colleges and universities in New Jersey to host the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey on their campuses in an effort to raise awareness of gambling-related risks among students.
The measure, A1715/S3184, requires all public colleges, universities and community colleges in the state to invite and facilitate the presence of the council on campus at least once per semester. The visits are intended to provide students with information about the risks associated with gambling, access to counseling services, self-exclusion programs and other available support resources.
“Today’s signing demonstrates our continued commitment to promoting responsible gaming and supporting the well-being of students across New Jersey,” Murphy said. “By connecting campus communities with expert resources, we’re taking proactive steps to address gambling-related harm before it takes root.”
Angela Bethea, acting secretary of higher education, said the rapid growth of online sports betting has had a negative impact on young adults.
“Sports have long been a way for people to connect and form community, but the rapid growth in online sports betting is having a deleterious effect on the well-being of our young adults,” Bethea said. “This law ensures New Jersey’s public institutions support students to responsibly engage and offers a resource on campuses to help educate students on the risks of using betting platforms.”
The legislation builds on the Murphy administration’s broader responsible gaming efforts. In April 2025, Murphy announced the release of a Responsible Gaming Task Force report outlining a statewide strategy to address problem gambling and promote responsible gaming.
The bill passed both chambers of the Legislature unanimously. Its primary sponsors are Sens. Joseph Cryan and John McKeon and Assemblywoman Garnet Hall.
“The proliferation of sports betting by college students is a troubling trend that can have a destructive impact on their lives,” said Cryan, who chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee. “Research shows that young people are especially vulnerable to compulsive gambling and can have a difficult time breaking the habit once it becomes ingrained. Our state schools have a responsibility to act to protect them from the negative influences that promote the practice.”
McKeon said the legislation takes a preventative approach by ensuring students have access to reliable information and resources.
“Since the expansion of online gaming and sports betting, we’ve seen a troubling rise in problem gambling, especially among inexperienced young adults on college campuses,” McKeon said. “This legislation takes a preventative approach by ensuring that students have direct access to data-driven information and resources from the Council on Compulsive Gambling throughout their college careers, helping to educate them before they are negatively impacted.”
“College should be a time of opportunity, not silent struggle,” Hall said. “This law connects students with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, giving them access to education and support services that can make a real difference in their well-being.”
