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Are you ready to bet on the Rutgers Seton Hall NCAA Basketball game this December 12? 

How about the Scarlet Knights against Rider, in what will be a huge contest for the Broncs? 

If you live anywhere other than New Jersey, where there is legalized sports betting, it has never been a problem. But in the Garden State, next to New York, you cannot place a wager on New Jersey schools. 

That, however, may change this November. 

There has been much discussion over the last few years about whether or not Garden State residents should be able to place wagers on Division 1 institutions in the state. That debate will be decided at the ballot box on Tuesday, November 2. 

Both New Jersey state houses passed SCR133 (with just one no vote of the 111 legislators)  

“If approved by the people of New Jersey, this amendment will allow for further growth in the sports wagering industry,” said Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey, both D-Monmouth, two of the main sponsors. “Events and tournaments such as March Madness are highly anticipated by sports bettors all over the country.” 

Right now, New Jersey is the only state (or territory) of the 26 around the country that does not allow betting on in-state universities, thanks to the antiquated thinking that college athletes could be more susceptible to bribes. But now that college athletes can make money on their names, images, and likenesses (NIL), there is really no more reason to not have wagering on college events in the Garden State. 

There is a lot of buzz around the Rutgers football program, thanks to the return of Greg Schiano to the banks of the Old Raritan. If the bill is passed on November 2, there is a chance that some of the Scarlet Knights’ games, including a bowl game, would have odds and be on the docket at all of the sportsbooks around the state. 

Where it could come into force is for the NCAA Basketball season, where both Rutgers and Seton Hall could be good teams. But it would also cover Rider University, Monmouth, and St. Peter’s in the MAAC: both Rider and Monmouth will come into the 2021-22 campaign with a chance to be near the top of the standings. 

There is also Princeton in the Ivy League (after the whole league went on a hiatus for a year), Farleigh Dickenson in the NEC, and NJIT in the Atlantic Sun, for a total of eight Garden State teams for basketball. 

Hopefully, for fans and bettors in New Jersey, the bill will pass without too much opposition, and then we will get a chance to wager on these games. 

It is time.

If you or anyone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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