USAThe Legality of Esports Betting in New Jersey
We guide you through the current legal situation for Esports betting in New Jersey.Is Esports Betting Legal in New Jersey? - All you need to know
The quick answer is yes, and you can bet on esports legally in New Jersey. However, if you want to learn more about why this is, how it came to be, and who regulates this type of betting, make sure to stick around as we’ll discuss it in this article. So, let’s get to it.
Fast Facts about the Legal Status of eSport Betting in NJ:
| Current Status: | Legal |
| NJ Legislature bill: | Bill A637 |
| Agency regulating betting on eSports: | New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) |
| Maximum amount of wager allowed: | None |
| NJ’s approved events: | Prominent esports including Call of Duty, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Dota 2 |
| NJ first dedicated Esports betting site: | VIE.gg |
FAQs
Betting on esports in New Jersey has been legal since the 24th of January 2022. (2)
Yes, through sites such as VIE.GG, DraftKings, FanDuel, Luckbox, Bet365, and Unibet, you can place bets on ongoing esports tournaments for any prominent esports in the industry, such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike.
No, the legal betting age in New Jersey for esports is 21. (3)
This limit was implemented during the test run of esports betting by the DGE. They retain the authority over the betting limits and can change them anytime. Another argument could be made for the fact that the primary demographic for people who watch esports is 18 – 35.
Federal & State Law - How did NJ legalize esports betting?
The DGE monitored esports betting with a ‘soft-play’ period of five days. After that, they were happy with what they saw and decided to legalize it entirely under State Law.
Remember that there is a difference between Federal and State Law, and that you should always do your research on your own state before betting on any esports.
Federal Law regarding esports
Esports betting is still considered illegal under Federal Law outside the states that currently allow it. It is important to note this distinction as it means you cannot bet in all states. Always check the laws of the state you are in before betting on esports. (4)
NJ State Law regarding esports
Starting in January of 2020, Bill A637 revised the definition of sporting events regarding betting to include esports.
This Bill was unanimously passed in July of 2020. In July of 2021, New Jersey lawmakers passed legislation to bring esports betting into the state’s already large sports betting industry to legalize it.
This move allowed licensed state operators to start accepting bets on esports of up to $100. Then, in April of 2022, New Jersey granted VIE.gg a license to operate as a betting company solely focused on esports.
How are esports events run in New Jersey?
There are various operators running esports betting sites presently. These operators include:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Luckbox
- Bet365
- GG.BET
- Unibet
- VIE.gg
These NJ esports operators adhere strictly to any New Jersey law governing esports betting.
Registration Process
It’s important to understand that betting on esports requires the same registration process as if you were betting on other sports or playing online casino games.
Registration with the necessary KYC documents, such as proof of identity, is necessary for security reasons. Any esports betting website must provide proof of identity for any players for security and legal reasons.
Which events can I bet on?
The world of esports is changing daily, but most esports betting is done on games considered the esports titans. These games include, but are not limited to:
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- League of Legends
- Dota 2
- Overwatch
- Call of Duty
- Valorant
Each website’s offers for betting might differ slightly, but in general, you can expect the ability to bet on tournaments or games with a tremendous following.
What is the Future of esports Betting in NJ?
The intention behind legalizing esports betting was to get ahead of regulating an industry that experiences massive daily growth.
With new games releasing constantly and the next big esports title being around the corner, having the necessary regulations in place for betting helps prevent substantial fraud.
While many states have since made esports betting legal, there is still a long road before every state does the same. But who knows what the future holds?
Takeaway on The legality of esports Betting in NJ
There is no denying the scale of the esports industry and how much money flows daily. Now, thanks to the efforts of bodies such as the DGE and VIE.gg, esports betting can be a part of your thrilling experiences.
Remember always to gamble responsibly and stay up to date with the latest news and laws for your state and the country.
Resources & Sources
- VIE.gg, Betting Rules, Accessed 01 July 2022, <https://www.vie.gg/betting-rules/>
- Esports Entertainment to Launch Full esports Betting Site in New Jersey, Accessed 01 July 2022, <https://igamingbusiness.com/esports-ent-launches-full-esports-platform/>
- Terms and Conditions, Accessed 01 July 2022, <https://www.vie.gg/terms-and-conditions/>
- The National Law Review, What the Future Holds for Esports Gambling, Accessed 01 July 2022, <https://www.natlawreview.com/article/what-future-holds-esports-gambling>