In our spotlight on Business Report tonight.

Adults who play competitive video games may soon be able to bet on their favorite EA sports teams under a bill that unanimously passed an assembly committee last week.

The pending legislation would start the process for the State Division of Gaming Enforcement to approve wagering on EA Sports events occurring at physical facilities outside of New Jersey.

Sponsors say it's an opportunity to embrace an emerging industry, but addiction prevention advocates fear that gambling could create more problems, especially among young people who play video games.

To discuss more, I'm joined by our mental health writer, Bobby Brier.

All right, Bobby, thank you for joining me.

Thank you, Robert.

Thanks for having.

Me.

Okay.

Let's start off for those who don't know what is EA sports gambling?

Yeah.

EA Sports gambling is really betting on video games.

This was something that has already been really legalized in the state, and it's something that is continuing to gain popularity, especially among younger generations.

This allows for people to kind of bet on games.

With this new bill that's offered in front of the legislature right now that would essentially allow for more betting for people to bet on themselves and to bet on their teams when they're playing these competitive video games.

New in this legislative session, but something that has been introduced in previous legislative sessions as well.

Well, it's no secret it's popular.

But, you know, sponsors to this bill, like William Mullen, have said that it will generate revenue and it will really be able to expand betting options.

Is that true?

That's right.

You know, this would really be a generator in revenue for the state.

It would be the latest expansion in gambling with EA Sports betting.

We know that the state has seen about overall and total gaming revenue, a 9% increase from 2023 to 2024.

If you factor in casinos and racetracks.

This would really be a boost to the state in terms of more money.

At the same time, it could potentially lead to more economic growth in different sectors of the economy as well.

So the state really sees this as a win not only for the casino industry, but also for people getting into the e-sports industry as well.

And it's worth.

Pointing out, Bobbie, that this is expanding outside of the state as well.

When you think about this.

Legislation, that's correct.

You know, they would be looking to put in guardrails from the state Division of Gaming Enforcement to put to address wagering outside of the state.

So if you're here in the state of New Jersey, the potential to wager on sports outside of the state, these e-sports games are also a possibility.

So that's kind of another latest development in this.

We also know that not everyone is on board with this.

Tell me a little bit about what your reporting found.

We really found that addiction prevention advocates, while they understand the state's approach to trying to grow their revenue, have raised concerns, mostly because video games often appeal to a younger audience.

Many times those under the age of 45.

And they feel as though this latest expansion of the bill would really potentially lead to more problem gambling in the future.

They talk about a population that's already vulnerable to gambling.

We know that places like the Council on Compulsive Gambling.

From their latest data has seen a huge uptick in calls to their helpline for young adults since the legalization of online sports betting in 2018.

So they really fear that this could lead to something further down the road.

It should also be noted, though, that lawmakers feel as though they could put forth bills like this that would generate revenue in gambling, while also providing safeguards to responsible gaming in the state.

And there are a number of bills up in the state legislature that would address responsible gaming.

I feel like you hit on a really good point.

It's especially popular among young people, and a lot of.

Young people have already been exposed to video games where they have that that loot cash box and stuff.

So.

Exactly.

Yeah.

And it's something that, you know, we're kind of seeing more and more of this would really allow for places like casinos, racetracks and online sports wagering for people to be able to bet more openly.

But it would also provide the state with a way to legitimize EA Sports gaming.

But what are the risk to these kids when we think about, you know, that age group.

Really the risks would be that they could potentially see signs of of addiction, things like thinking about either betting all the time, things such as, you know, being a have a preoccupation, spending too much money on on some of these these issues.

We know overall that while many people and most people gamble responsibly, there is a growing portion of young adults that continue to see this problem, not just here in New Jersey, but also nationally.

So both statewide and national experts have kind of raised concerns about this latest expansion into gambling.

Excellent reporting, Poppy, as always.

Thank you.

All right.

So for more to hear more of Bobby's reporting, head.

To NJ Spotlight, Newstalk.