New Jersey Rep. Michael Venezia has proposed Assembly Bill 4838, a new way to raise revenue by implementing sports betting fees on certain wagers placed on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The bill would be the first of its kind, taxing bettors on a major sporting event that takes place within the state.
Under Assembly Bill 4838, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement would apply a 10% fee to online bets tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This added charge would cover wagering activity across the entire tournament.
The measure applies to popular bet types, such as moneyline, point spreads, totals, and player props. Funds collected through the surcharge would be directed into the state’s Casino Revenue Fund.
At this stage, the bill has been assigned to the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for further consideration.
For bettors in New Jersey, the proposal could make wagering on the 2026 FIFA World Cup significantly more expensive. The World Cup is regarded as the biggest sporting event globally. With several matches, including the final, set to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, local interest will be significantly higher compared to past tournaments.
More excitement around the World Cup from New Jersey residents is exactly why the added 10% charge stands out. Instead of benefiting from the once-in-a-generation atmosphere of hosting the event, bettors would face higher costs on every wager they place. For example, placing ten $100 bets over the course of the tournament would result in an extra $100 paid purely in surcharges.
For many players, that additional expense could reduce potential returns and make betting less appealing overall. This raises questions about whether the policy places an unfair burden on consumers during one of the most anticipated sporting events.
Betting on the World Cup should be an enjoyable experience, especially when you live in the host state. Instead, this bill makes it less desirable for New Jersey sports bettors.
The added expense tied to Assembly Bill 4838 may also have unintended consequences. When legal wagering becomes more costly, as with this proposed World Cup tax, some players may start looking for alternatives. That means offshore sportsbooks that do not apply the same fees.
These platforms operate outside U.S. regulations, meaning they can offer betting without the additional 10% surcharge. For cost-conscious bettors, that difference can be appealing, especially during a marquee event like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This puts more risks on the user. Offshore sites lack the consumer protections required in regulated markets, such as secure payment systems, reliable withdrawals, and responsible gambling tools. While some bettors may be willing to accept those risks to avoid higher costs, it can expose them to potential issues that would not exist within New Jersey’s regulated framework.
To this end, the proposed World Cup betting tax has some risks involved.
Assembly Bill 4838 is still in the early stages of the legislative process. After being introduced, the measure has been referred to the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, where it will be reviewed and debated.
If the bill advances out of committee, it would then need to pass a full vote in the Assembly before moving to the Senate for consideration. From there, both chambers would need to agree on the final version before it could be sent to the governor for approval or veto.
Given the novelty of the proposal, taxing wagers tied to a single major sporting event, it could face scrutiny from both lawmakers and industry stakeholders. With the World Cup fast approaching, that may not leave enough time for the bill to pass.
