{"data":{"id":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-5-20-1","jurisdiction":"us-nj","citation":"N.J. Stat. § 5:20-1","heading":"Findings, declarations relative to fantasy sports.","body":"1.\tThe Legislature finds and declares as the public policy of this State that:\n(1)\tUnder the New Jersey Constitution, gambling activities may not be authorized without voter approval;\n(2)\tNew Jersey courts define gambling as contests in which the elements of chance are considered to play a predominant role or affect a material impact upon the results of the contest;\n(3)\tParticipation in fantasy sports activities cannot be considered gambling under New Jersey laws because fantasy sports activities are contests in which the relative skill of the participants predominates to a degree that chance plays no material role in determining the outcome of the activities;\n(4)\tFurther, there is a longstanding and still growing national consensus that fantasy sports activities do not constitute gambling, as shown by the enactment of federal statutes; state laws in New York, Massachusetts, Kansas, Tennessee, and several other states; and current New Jersey regulations adopted by the Division of Gaming Enforcement finding that fantasy sports activities do not constitute gambling; and\n(5)\tTherefore, it is within the New Jersey Legislature's constitutional authority to authorize and regulate fantasy sports contests.\nThe Legislature further finds and declares that:\n(6)\tFantasy sports are popular and quickly expanding commercial activities for tens of thousands of New Jersey residents;\n(7)\tInvestigation of the industry in other states has revealed instances of unethical behavior by some employees of fantasy sports operators, which is enabled by lack of adequate regulation and oversight;\n(8)\tIt is in the State's interest to protect participants and promote a positive business environment in the conduct of fantasy sports activities;\n(9)\tTherefore, it is proper and fitting for the Legislature to regulate the fantasy sports industry and protect consumers of fantasy sports activities in New Jersey; and\n(10) Fantasy sports activities conducted in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2017, c.231 (C.5:20-1 et seq.) by an operator holding a permit to do so do not constitute:\n(a)\tan authorized game or authorized gambling game as defined in section 5 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-5);\n(b)\ta contest of chance as defined in N.J.S.2C:37-1;\n(c)\tgambling as defined in N.J.S.2C:37-1;\n(d)\ta gambling transaction pursuant to N.J.S.2A:40-1; or\n(e)\tlottery as defined in N.J.S.2C:37-1.\nL.2017, c.231, s.1.","path":["TITLE 5 AMUSEMENTS, PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS AND MEETINGS"],"source_url":"https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/STATUTES-TEXT.zip","current_through":"P.L.2025, c.405, and J.R.22","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T17:54:13Z","sha256":"20afdaffbb6a86793f2fece2760da1ac0fc19eed4d5b2abb9f3081a96028db26","source_id":"us-nj","stale":true,"prev":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-5-19-1","next":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-5-20-2"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}