NJ Lawmakers Seem Poised to Ban the Sale of Lottery Tix Online
In a decisive move, New Jersey legislators unanimously progressed a bill last week aimed at banning the online sale of state lottery tickets. While the proposed measure is still awaiting a full vote, its advancement out of committee signals that it may soon reach the Assembly floor.
New Jersey likely to pass ban on online lottery ticket sales.
The Role of Retail Lottery Sales in Supporting Local Enterprises
The decision by NJ lawmakers to ban online lottery sales has divided stakeholders, with small businesses likely to benefit, while lottery players seeking convenience may feel thwarted.
Approximately 7,000 businesses across New Jersey rely on in-person lottery ticket sales, according to NJ Spotlight News. For these establishments—ranging from convenience stores to gas stations—lottery sales serve as an indispensable revenue stream. These transactions often lure customers who also purchase high-margin items, bolstering overall profits.
Eric Blomgren, Executive Director of the New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience Store, Automotive Association, expressed concerns about the potential shift to online ticket sales, stating:
“Lottery sales have underpinned small businesses for half a century. Direct state competition through online ticket sales would undermine the very retailers who serve as the Lottery’s backbone.”
The move to ban online sales is seen by many as a safeguard against this perceived imbalance, protecting brick-and-mortar establishments from competing with their own supplier.
The Push for Online Access and Its Limits
The New Jersey Lottery’s 2023 proposal to introduce online ticket sales aimed to modernize its platform and attract younger customers. Assemblyman Sterley Stanley introduced bill A3759, which would explicitly prohibit the New Jersey State Lottery Commission from implementing such sales.
Despite the state’s hesitation to fully embrace an online platform, New Jersey does allow players to purchase tickets digitally through state-approved courier services. These companies, including Jackpocket, Jackpot.com, and Lotto.com, enable players to select tickets online. Employees from these services physically buy tickets at retail locations and upload them to customers’ accounts.
Lessons from Neighboring Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers a contrasting approach. Since launching its online lottery platform in 2018, the state has seen a flourishing of both digital and traditional lottery sales. Meanwhile, New Jersey remains cautious, with its proposed platform delayed until at least 2025—well beyond the original target of fall 2024.
Small businesses in New Jersey enjoy the benefits of exclusive lottery sales. Clearly, the tide of technological change suggests that an online lottery system is inevitable despite the resistance from local retailers. The balance between progress and preservation will likely remain a contentious issue in the Garden State.
