Murphy signs bill to outlaw sweepstakes gambling in New Jersey

ATLANTIC CITY — Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Friday to outlaw so-called “sweepstakes gambling” in New Jersey, which critics have said is too close to the real thing but without the oversight and consumer protections of regulated gambling.

The sponsors of the bill — state Sens. John Burzichelli, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, and John McKeon, D-Essex, Passaic — said it takes aim at a growing number of illegal gambling operations that use sweepstakes-style platforms to skirt state gambling laws.

“New Jersey has a proud tradition of responsible gaming regulation that we don’t want to be undermined by bad actors seeking to exploit legal loopholes at the expense of consumers,” Burzichelli said. “This will ensure that our laws are clear, our penalties are stronger, and that we have the too