NJ Voters Push Gambling Ad Limits as Australia Cuts Back

• A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll shows 76% of New Jersey voters support gambling ad limits.
• Australia’s largest bookmaker, Sportsbet, has stopped airing live odds updates during NRL and AFL broadcasts.
• U.S. lawmakers are considering new regulations, including the SAFE Bet Act, which would limit sports betting ads during live games and certain hours

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Australia’s largest bookmaker, Sportsbet, announced it will no longer air live odds updates during NRL and AFL broadcasts. The decision comes after a broader push to cut legal sports betting advertising, with a 40% reduction over the past year.

Sportsbet’s move reflects the industry’s recognition that its social license was eroding in the face of public backlash. While broader government-imposed gambling ad regulations have been delayed until after the next election, this self-imposed restriction marks a significant step in response to community concerns.

The decision to scale back live betting promotions has sparked interest across the globe, particularly in the United States, where states with legal sports betting, like New Jersey are grappling with similar issues.

Poll Shows New Jersey Wants Less Ads

A recent Fairleigh Dickinson University poll revealed that 76% of New Jersey voters support limits on gambling advertisements, with bipartisan backing across Democrats, Republicans, and independents. This growing sentiment mirrors the frustrations seen in Australia, as sports betting ads flood TV screens and social media platforms, often targeting young audiences.

“If either party is looking for a slam dunk issue in New Jersey, this is it,” said Dan Cassino, executive director of the FDU Poll. “Even the groups most likely to take part in gambling, like young men, seem to be fed up with all of the ads.”

Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, New Jersey has become one of the country’s biggest gambling markets. Residents have wagered more than $46 billion from 2021 through 2024 on New Jersey sportsbooks, and aggressive advertising campaigns have accompanied the industry’s explosive growth.

However, concerns about addiction and overexposure—especially among young men—have fueled calls for regulatory action.

Changes On The State And Federal Level

New Jersey lawmakers are now considering gambling ad limits similar how Australia sports betting sites have acted. While no company has voluntarily pulled live betting odds from broadcasts in the U.S., federal legislation such as the SAFE Bet Act, proposed by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), aims to restrict sports betting ads during live games and between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, legislators are pushing for additional regulations on Connecticut sportsbooks, including limits on how much individuals can wager at sportsbooks. These moves signal a broader shift in the U.S. toward more responsible gambling policies, echoing the efforts already underway in Australia.

As the debate over gambling advertising intensifies, New Jersey could follow Australia’s lead in reining in betting promotions, giving voters the relief they overwhelmingly support.

News tags: AFL | Australia | Connecticut | Dan Cassino | Fairleigh Dickinson University | FDU Poll | New Jersey | NRL | Paul Tonko | Richard Blumenthal | SAFE Bet Act | Sportsbet | U.S. Supreme Court