New Jersey lawmakers have introduced World Cup surcharge bills that would place a temporary 10% levy on online sports betting revenue tied to the 2026 tournament. The proposal comes as officials face criticism over the cost of moving fans to MetLife Stadium.
Sen. Paul Sarlo introduced S4111 on May 4, with a companion bill filed in the Assembly. The measures are aimed at helping New Jersey cover costs linked to hosting eight World Cup matches, including the final on July 19.
The surcharge would cover World Cup betting revenue
The betting surcharge would apply from June 12 to July 20, 2026. It would cover online sports wagering on World Cup events offered by Atlantic City casinos, online sportsbooks and horse racing permit holders.
The bill defines covered wagering to include bets on matches and individual player statistics. That would bring prop bets into the temporary surcharge, not just match-result markets.
The 10% charge would sit on top of New Jersey’s existing sports betting tax structure. The proposal would also add a 2.5% hotel occupancy surcharge, a 3% Meadowlands district sales surcharge and a 50-cent rideshare surcharge in the area.
Transit costs have turned into a political fight
The bills landed after weeks of backlash over World Cup transport pricing. NJ Transit plans to charge $150 for a round-trip ticket from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium during the tournament, far above the usual fare for that route.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill has said the state faces a $48 million bill tied to safely moving fans to and from the matches. FIFA has pushed back on the pricing model, warning that high fares could deter fans and create transport problems around the venue.
MetLife Stadium will have no general spectator parking on matchdays. That makes transit planning a central part of the tournament operation in New Jersey.
Operators would not get the same relief as residents
The proposal would let New Jersey residents claim a 2026 state income tax credit for some surcharges they paid. Sportsbooks would not receive the same credit for the betting surcharge.
That makes the sports betting levy a direct cost for licensed operators if the bills advance. It would also create a short-term tax layer around one of the most heavily bet sporting events of the year.
The bills still need to move through the Legislature. Their next test will be whether lawmakers are willing to add new tournament charges while fans and local officials are already arguing over World Cup costs.
