TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Assembly State and Local Government Committee has approved a bill that would prohibit the State Lottery Commission from directly selling lottery tickets online, effectively halting plans for state-run internet lottery sales set to begin later this year.
Assembly Bill No. 3759, reported favorably by the committee, reverses a 2022 rule adopted by the State Lottery Commission that authorized the Division of State Lottery to sell tickets through its website and mobile apps. Under that rule, online sales were scheduled to launch in fall 2024.
If enacted, the bill would bar the State Lottery Commission, its affiliated entities, or any contracted agents from acting as online ticket vendors. However, the bill does not affect the operations of privately licensed courier services, which are authorized under existing law to sell lottery tickets online to New Jersey residents.
Legislation restricts state-run digital lottery expansion
The bill states: “No lottery or type of lottery or lottery game shall be permitted to be sold via the internet by the State Lottery Commission, any entity of the State Lottery Commission, or any entity contracted by the State Lottery Commission.” Additionally, the commission is prohibited from naming itself or any contracted entity as a lottery sales agent under the State Lottery Law.
The measure aims to preserve the role of physical lottery retailers and private courier services while curbing expansion of direct online sales through state-run platforms.
Courier services remain authorized
The bill makes clear that its provisions will not interfere with online sales by “a duly licensed courier service,” as defined under P.L.2017, c.11 (C.5:9-14.3). Courier services already operate legally in New Jersey, offering digital ordering of lottery tickets on behalf of consumers.
The legislation would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Lawmakers moved to block the State Lottery Commission from launching online ticket sales, maintaining exclusive digital sales rights for licensed courier services.
