Bill seeks to block state from selling lottery tickets online — Lottery Tickets

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.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.