As Football Season Kicks Off, NJ Gaming Regulators Warn Players About Illegal Sites

The Office of the Attorney General, the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), and the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) are reminding New Jerseyans to steer clear of illegal sites when betting on professional and college football or engaging in fantasy sports activities related to those sports.

Using licensed sports wagering sites—also known as “sportsbooks”—and authorized fantasy sports sites is the only way to ensure operators are doing business under regulatory oversight and abiding by the laws that protect consumers against fraud, deceit, and other illegal conduct.

“We know that the start of football season brings with it an uptick in sports betting and fantasy sports participation, and we want everyone to enjoy these activities safely and securely. Sportsbooks and daily fantasy sites licensed and authorized to operate in New Jersey are subject to nation-leading consumer safeguards against fraud, identity theft, and unscrupulous actors; however, illegal sites have none of these protections. This season, we urge fans to stick with regulated websites to avoid scams and bogus offers. And for those who may need help with a gambling problem, know that help is available,” said First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay V. Ruotolo.

“The problems with illegal sportsbooks are numerous. They lack oversight to ensure customers are actually paid what they won as well as security protocols to safeguard sensitive personal and financial information, like Social Security numbers and bank data,” said DGE Director David Rebuck.

“For many fantasy sports participants, the start of the football season is an especially exciting opportunity to test their knowledge of the players and the game by drafting and managing their own virtual team in fantasy football contests. Today we’re reminding these armchair managers that the most important pick of a winning season is selecting a fantasy sports operator that is properly permitted and doing business legally in New Jersey to ensure the game is fair and everyone is playing by the rules,” said Cari Fais, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Betting on certain professional and collegiate sports at casinos and racetracks was legalized in New Jersey in 2018 under the regulatory authority of DGE. It is not legal to bet on New Jersey college teams or on college games that take place in the state. All sportsbook operators doing business in New Jersey must hold a valid sports wagering license.

Participating in permitted fantasy sports activities, commonly called “daily fantasy sports,” was legalized under a separate law in 2017 and is under the regulatory authority of DCA. Any fantasy sports operator that is collecting an entry fee and offering prizes to participants must obtain a permit to do so from DCA. Operators of websites that host fantasy games to assist groups of friends or co-workers keep score and make trades in a fantasy league do not need to obtain permits from the state, as long as the operator is not collecting an entry fee or paying prizes.