New Jersey lawmakers have introduced four Senate bills that would revise how online casinos and sportsbooks engage with customers, focusing on promotional outreach, account limits, and payment methods, in a bid to encourage responsible gambling.
The measures — Senate Bills 3401, 3419, 3420, and 3461 — were introduced last week and are under review by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. The proposals follow recent scrutiny of sports betting practices and integrity concerns in professional and college athletics.
SB 3401: Ban on push notifications and text promotions
Senate Bill 3401, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Zwicker, would prohibit casino licensees, their Internet gaming affiliates, and sports wagering licensees from sending push notifications or text messages to solicit wagers or deposits.
Under the legislation, operators would be barred from initiating or sending mobile device push notifications or text messages, including alerts, to prompt Internet gaming account holders or sports betting patrons to place wagers or fund accounts. The bill defines a “push notification” as an automatic electronic message displayed on a user’s device when the platform interface is not actively open or visible.
Violations would carry a fine of not less than $500 per offense. The Division of Gaming Enforcement would be directed to adopt rules under the state’s Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions.
Zwicker said the bill is limited in scope. “It’s specific to text messages and push notifications to place a wager or replenish an account, two things that studies have shown can contribute to gambling addiction,” Zwicker said. “We’re speaking two days after the Super Bowl, and there’s a massive barrage of online gambling ads.”
Supporters of the measure argue that restricting direct promotional messages to individual accounts may reduce excessive or compulsive gambling behavior. Operators would still be permitted to advertise through websites and other public channels.
SB 3461: Credit card funding prohibited
Senate Bill 3461 would prohibit the use of credit cards to fund online casino or sports wagering accounts. Players would still be able to use debit cards, e-wallets, and other approved payment methods.
Lawmakers backing the bill have said the intent is to prevent consumers from wagering with borrowed funds, citing potential financial risk. Critics have argued that restricting credit card payments could affect operator revenue and state tax collections.
Some operators, including DraftKings, have previously limited credit card use on their platforms.
SB 3419 and SB 3420: Account limits and incentive restrictions
Two additional measures focus on sports wagering operations.
SB 3419 would require sports wagering licensees to adopt and publish rules governing wagering account limitations and to notify patrons when accounts are limited. An Assembly companion bill, A4002, was introduced by Assemblymembers Dan Hutchison, Cody Miller, and Michael Venezia.
SB 3420 would prohibit sports wagering licensees from offering incentive-based wagering promotions to individuals who are using responsible gaming mechanisms.
The proposals follow earlier legislative efforts to foster safer gambling. In October 2025, Sen. Paul Moriarty introduced a bill to prohibit micro-bets, with fines for violations. That measure did not advance, and a similar bill has not been reintroduced.
Separately, Sen. Kristin Corrado introduced SB 3200, which would establish a hotline to report conduct that could compromise the integrity of sporting events and would ban individuals found to be participating in such activity.
Market and compliance implications
New Jersey permits legal online sportsbooks and online casinos and has reported consistent growth in digital wagering since legalization. The new bills would alter how operators manage direct marketing communications, customer account controls and funding options.
If enacted, SB 3401 and SB 3461 would require adjustments to customer acquisition strategies, retention campaigns, and payment processing workflows. SB 3419 and SB 3420 would formalize account limitation disclosures and restrict certain promotional offers tied to responsible gaming settings.
Industry stakeholders are expected to monitor the legislative process for potential compliance timelines and regulatory guidance. The bills take effect immediately upon enactment under the text of SB 3401.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/02/11/117549-new-jersey-senators-introduce-four-bills-targeting-online-gambling-marketing-and-payments
