Although New Jersey has been liberal with its sports gambling regulations, it is still prohibited for sportsbooks to allow bets on college-level sporting events. Some operators have already gotten in trouble after they were found to have allowed wagers to be placed on several off-limits college games, and lawmakers in the state are prepared to try to prevent the activity from recurring. They are said to be contemplating the fines that are associated with violations.

According to NJ Online Gaming, Ralph Caputo, a state Assemblyman from Essex County, would like to see the fine increase from its current $2,000 level to between $20,000 and $100,000. He told the media outlet yesterday, “It’s insulting, really, for any of them to ignore the clear will of what the people voted for. The Division of Gaming Enforcement does a terrific job, but all they have right now is a slap on the wrist.”

The Golden Nugget, Resorts Casino and Caesars Entertainment all came under fire last year after it was discovered they had allowed wagers to be placed on college games. Both the Golden Nugget and Resorts Casino had received bets on two football games – Princeton vs. Columbia and Rutgers vs. Indiana – and Resorts was also busted for accepting bets on another football game, as well as a men’s basketball game. Caesars was presented with a $2,000 fine for allowing bets on a Rutgers vs. Kansas football game.

Caesars weakly tried to blame a computer glitch for the bets being allowed. However, the company was saved, as now wagers were actually placed.