ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4909

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 18, 2021

The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4909.

     This bill authorizes fixed odds wagering on horse races and provides that the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement may issue a license to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to establish a system.  Under the bill, fixed odds wagering may be conducted through a fixed odds wagering system by fixed odds wagering account holders.

     Under the bill, “fixed odds wagering” is defined as a form of horse racing wagering against odds offered by a bookmaker in which account holders may lock in their odds when the bet is first placed and no fluctuation in potential payout may occur.  Once the outcome of the race or races is determined, funds would be transferred from the fixed odds wagering licensee to the bettor or bettors that won wagers, and applicable transaction or other fees would be levied by the fixed odds wagering licensee for use and distribution as provided by the division’s rules and regulations.

     The bill authorizes the division to consider an application by the authority to establish the system.  The division is to issue the license if it determines that the authority has demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that wagers placed through the proposed system will be accurately processed, and that the fixed odds wagering system would contain sufficient safeguards to maintain the integrity of the horse racing industry in this State.  The issuance of the license is subject to the approval of the New Jersey Attorney General.  The bill further provides that the authority may enter into a contract or agreement with a person or entity to conduct or operate the system, and may transfer the license to a successor in interest upon approval of the division and the Attorney General.

     The bill also prescribes certain conditions for the establishment of the system, including, but not limited to, the requirement for: (a) a fixed odds wagering account holder to be at least 18 years of age, and physically present in this State; (b) necessary documentation to be submitted by an applicant for a fixed odds wagering account in order to open the fixed odds wagering account and place wagers through the fixed odds wagering system; (c) the types of credits and debits that may be made to a fixed odds wagering account by the authority and the fixed odds wagering account holder; and (d) the manner in which wagers may be placed, in person, by direct telephone call, or by communication through other electronic media.

     The bill further provides that the division would promulgate the necessary rules and regulations with respect to fixed odds wagering, including, but not limited to, the manner in which fixed odds wagers may be accepted; the requirements for any person to participate in fixed odds wagering; conditions under which the fixed odds wagering license is issued or renewed in this State; performance of an annual audit of the fixed odds wagering licensee's books and records pertaining to fixed odds wagering; and the licensing of employees engaged in conducting wagering related activities.  The division will have 90 days from the effective date of the bill to promulgate the rules and regulations.