N.J. Stat. tit. 5, ch. 2A

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-1 Definitions

1. As used in this act: a. "Attending physician" means a physician assigned to attend a boxing exhibition or performance pursuant to this act. b. "Board" means the State Athletic Control Board established pursuant to section 3 of this act. c. "Commissioner" means the commissioner appointed pursuant to section 5 of this act. d. "Contest" means an engagement in which the participants strive in good faith to win. e. "Council" means the State Athletic Control Board Medical Advisory Council established pursuant to section 8 of this act. f. "Event" means any occurrence in which a boxer, wrestler, extreme wrestler, kick boxer or combative sports practitioner displays or exhibits his skills, performs or fights, but does not include professional wrestling except as provided in section 5 of P.L.1997, c.36 (C.5:2A-14.3). g. "Exhibition" means an engagement in which the participants show or display their skills without necessarily striving to win, but does not include professional wrestling except as provided in section 5 of P.L.1997, c.36 (C.5:2A-14.3). h. "Kick boxing or Thai boxing" means any professional sport where the use of hands or feet or other striking techniques are utilized to disable or cause injury to an opponent in a contest, exhibition, or performance. i. "Combative sport" means any professional sport where participants intend to and actually inflict kicks, punches, blows, and other techniques to injure or disable an opponent in a contest, exhibition, or performance. j. "Martial arts" means any discipline where the participants utilize kicks, punches, blows, and other techniques where the intent is not to injure or disable an opponent in a contest, exhibition, or performance. k. "Physician" means an individual licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this State. l. "Promoter" means any person, club, corporation or association, and in the case of a corporate promoter includes any officer, director, employee or stockholder thereof, who produces, arranges or stages any professional boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing, or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest. m. "Professional wrestling" means an activity in which participants struggle hand-to-hand primarily for the purpose of providing entertainment to spectators rather than conducting a bona fide athletic contest. n. "Wrestling" means a bona fide athletic contest in which participants struggle hand-to-hand with the object of winning by throwing an opponent or scoring points and in which any purpose of providing entertainment is secondary. o. "Extreme wrestling" means an activity in which participants struggle hand-to-hand and cut, slash or strike each other or themselves with an implement to intentionally cause bleeding or perform any intentional act which could reasonably be expected to cause bleeding, primarily for the purpose of providing entertainment to spectators rather than conducting a bona fide athletic contest. L.1985,c.83,s.1; amended 1997, c.36, s.1; 2000, c.124, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-2 Findings, declarations

2. The Legislature finds and declares to be the public policy of this State that it is in the best interest of the public and of boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports that boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests should be subject to an effective and efficient system of strict control and regulation in order to: a. Protect the safety and well-being of participants in boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests; and b. Promote the public confidence and trust in the regulatory process and the conduct of boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests. To further such public confidence and trust, the regulatory provisions of this act are designed to extend strict State regulation to all persons, practices and associations related to the operation of any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest held in this State. The Legislature further finds and declares that, because its principal purpose is to entertain without injuring or disabling one of the participants, professional wrestling should be excluded from this system of regulation and control. The Legislature further finds and declares that, because its principal purpose is to entertain by having its participants intentionally cause bleeding, or perform acts which reasonably could be expected to cause bleeding, extreme wrestling should be distinguished from professional wrestling. The emphasis on dangerous stunts that cause injury and bleeding makes extreme wrestling potentially harmful to its participants. Furthermore, the atmosphere of base violence and depravity that prevails at an extreme wrestling event has a deleterious effect on children and young adults. Moreover, the liberal bloodletting that characterizes many extreme wrestling events constitutes a public health hazard not only for the participants, but also the spectators. For all of these reasons, extreme wrestling should be subject to strict State regulation. Because the creativity of those who seek to profit from vulgarity cannot be underestimated, the State Athletic Control Board should be given a proper amount of latitude to regulate the attendant excesses of extreme wrestling that presently exist and that could be incorporated into extreme wrestling events in the future. L.1985,c.83,s.2; amended 1997, c.36, s.2; 2000, c.124, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-3 State Athletic Control Board.

3. a. There is created and established within the Department of Law and Public Safety a State Athletic Control Board. The board shall consist of three public members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for terms of three years, except that of the three members first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one for a term of two years and one for a term of three years. One of the members shall be designated by the Governor as chairman of the board at the time of the member's appointment, and shall serve as chairman during the member's entire term of office and until a successor is duly appointed and qualified. The initial chairman shall be the member appointed to a term of three years. No more than two of the members shall be of the same political party. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and have been qualified. The terms of their successors shall be calculated from the expiration of the incumbents' terms. Any vacancy in the membership of the board other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment but for the unexpired term only. b. Each member of the board may be removed from office by the Governor for cause. Each member of the board before entering upon his duties shall take and subscribe an oath to perform the duties of his office faithfully, impartially and justly to the best of the member's ability. A record of these oaths shall be filed in the offices of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. c. The members of the board shall receive an annual salary of $10,000.00 and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their responsibilities. The members of the board shall not be eligible for membership in any State-administered retirement system. d. The powers of the board shall be vested in the members thereof in office from time to time, and two members of the board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof. Action may be taken and motions and resolutions adopted by the board at any meeting thereof by the affirmative vote of at least two members of the board. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all powers and perform all duties of the board. L.1985,c.83,s.3; amended 2001, c.397, s.1; 2005, c.240, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-4 Authority of State Athletic Control Board

4. a. The State Athletic Control Board shall have and exercise sole discretion, management, control and supervision over all public boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests. The board shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this act and for the proper discharge of its responsibilities hereunder and may prescribe and enforce penalties for the violation thereof. b. The board shall promulgate rules that differentiate an extreme wrestler from a professional wrestler, and an extreme wrestling event from a professional wrestling event. If a person is unsure whether he or she is an extreme wrestler, or if a promoter is unsure whether the event being promoted is an extreme wrestling event, it shall be the obligation of the person or the promoter, as appropriate, to consult the board for a ruling. L.1985,c.83,s.4; amended 2000, c.124, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-5 Commissioner, other personnel

a. The board shall appoint a commissioner, who shall be the chief executive officer of the board and assist the board and be responsible for the proper implementation of board directives and policies and for the discharge of such duties and responsibilities as may be imposed by the board or this act. The commissioner shall receive such salary as the board may determine. The commissioner shall not be subject to the provisions of Title 11, Civil Service. b. The board shall, with the advice of the commissioner, appoint such deputy commissioners, a chief inspector and such inspectors, judges, referees and physicians as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this act, who shall receive such salary or compensation as the board may determine and who shall not be subject to the provisions of Title 11, Civil Service. Persons appointed by the board pursuant to this subsection shall hereinafter sometimes be referred to collectively as "agents." c. The board may employ such other personnel as it deems necessary. All employees, except for those mentioned in subsections a. and b. of this section, shall be in the classified service of the Civil Service. d. The board is authorized to exchange fingerprint data with and receive criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for use in considering applicants for employment. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 5, eff. March 15, 1985.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-6 Restrictions on board members, employees, agents

a. No board member or employee shall be permitted to accept complimentaries or gratuities in any form from any licensee or applicant for licensure under this act or from any person or entity which is either licensed pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L. 1977, c. 110 (C. 5:12-1 et seq.) or is an applicant for licensure pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L. 1977, c. 110 (C. 5:12-1 et seq.), except as provided by regulations promulgated by the board. Those regulations may authorize the furnishing of lodging, meals and parking for board employees assigned to a particular exhibition, event, performance or contest. b. No board member or full-time employee shall be permitted to gamble in any establishment licensed pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L. 1977, c. 110 (C. 5:12-1 et seq.). c. No board member, employee or agent shall act in his official capacity in any matter wherein he or his spouse, child, parent or sibling has a direct or indirect financial interest that might reasonably be expected to impair his objectivity or independence of judgment. d. No board member, employee or agent shall act in his official capacity in a matter concerning an applicant for licensure or a licensee who is the employer of a spouse, child, parent or sibling of the board employee or agent when the fact of the employment of the spouse, child, parent or sibling might reasonably be expected to impair the objectivity and independence of judgment of the board member, employee or agent. e. No board member, employee or agent shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in any applicant for licensure or in any licensee during his term of office or employment. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 6.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-6.1 Prohibited officeholding

4. No board member, employee or agent, including the commissioner, shall hold an office or position in any body, organization, association or federation which is established for the purpose of sanctioning boxing, professional wrestling, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests in this State or other states. L.1988,c.20,s.4; amended 1997, c.36, s.4; 2000, c.124, s.11.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-7 Responsibilities of board

7. The board shall have general responsibility for the implementation of this act, as hereinafter provided, including without limitation, the responsibility: a. To issue licenses and to decide causes affecting the granting, suspension, revocation or renewal thereof; b. To conduct hearings or direct that hearings be conducted pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) pertaining to civil violations of this act or regulations promulgated thereunder; c. To promulgate rules and regulations; d. To establish, prescribe and charge fees for licenses and permits; e. To collect all license fees and taxes imposed by this act and the regulations promulgated thereunder; f. To levy and collect penalties for violations of provisions of this act and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and g. To ensure that all public boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances and contests are conducted in accordance with the provisions of this act and regulations promulgated pursuant to this act. L.1985,c.83,s.7; amended 2000, c.124, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-8 Medical advisory council

a. A State Athletic Control Board Medical Advisory Council is created to assist the board. It shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the Governor. Of the members first appointed by the Governor, three shall be appointed for terms of one year, three for terms of two years, and one member for a term of three years, from the effective date of this section. The Governor shall designate one member as chairman of the council. The term of a member thereafter appointed, except to fill a vacancy, shall be three years from the expiration of the term of his predecessor. Upon the appointment of a successor to the chairman of the council, the Governor shall designate the successor or other member of the council as chairman. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the remainder only of the term. Each member of the council shall be duly licensed to practice dentistry, medicine or osteopathy in the State of New Jersey and, at the time of appointment, shall have had at least five years' experience in the practice of his profession. Consideration shall be given to the appointment of members from the fields of dentistry, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology and orthopedics. The members of the council shall receive such compensation and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses as may be established for professional boards and commissions pursuant to section 2 of P.L. 1977, c. 285 (C. 45:1-2.5). The members of the council shall not be eligible for membership in any State administered retirement system. b. The council shall recommend for board approval regulations, rules and standards for the physical and mental examination of all participants, including, without limitation, pre-fight and post-fight examinations, periodic comprehensive examinations and an extensive medical examination prior to licensure and the renewal of any license to be granted by the board. The council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the board and from time to time prepare and submit to the board for its approval, such additional regulations, rules and standards of examination as in its judgment will safeguard the physical welfare of all participants licensed by the board. The council shall from time to time designate such qualified physicians for the purposes of conducting physical examinations and other services as the rules of the board shall provide, and shall recommend to the board a schedule of fees to be paid to physicians for examinations and other services required by this act. c. The council shall develop appropriate medical education programs for all board personnel involved in the conduct of exhibitions, events, performances or contests, so that the personnel can recognize and act upon evidence of potential or actual adverse medical indications in a participant. d. The council shall review the credentials and performance of each physician designated pursuant to subsection b. of this section on an annual basis as a condition of reappointment of each such physician, including the physician's comprehension of the medical literature referred to in subsection e. of this section. e. The council shall recommend to the board a compilation of medical publications which shall be maintained by the board and be made available for review to all board personnel involved in the conduct of any exhibition, event, performance or contest. f. The council shall also advise the board with respect to any study of equipment, procedures or personnel which will, in its opinion, promote the safety of participants. P.L. 1985, c. 83, s. 8; amended by P.L. 1988, c. 20, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-8.1 Temporary bans

If a boxer, kick boxer or combative sports participant has competed anywhere in a bout, he shall not be permitted to box or engage in his sport in this State until 30 days have elapsed since his last bout or a period of time to be determined by the commissioner, regardless of the number of rounds of his last bout. If a boxer, kick boxer or combative sports participant was knocked out in his last bout, he shall not be permitted to box or participate in a combative sport in this State until 60 days have elapsed since his last bout. If a boxer, kick boxer or combative sports participant lost his last bout on account of a technical knockout, he shall not be permitted to box or participate in a combative sport in this State for at least 30 days or longer depending upon the recommendation of the ringside physicians. P.L. 1988, c. 20, s. 8.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-9 Investigations

a. The board may make or cause to be made such investigations as it shall deem proper in the administration of this act or the rules or regulations promulgated pursuant to the act, including but not limited to examination of the books, records, documents, papers or any financial records of any licensee or applicant for a license pursuant to this act. b. Every licensee and every applicant for a license shall on demand exhibit to the board or to the commissioner all of the matters and things which the board is authorized and empowered to investigate, inspect or examine and shall facilitate as far as may be in their power to do any such investigation, examination or inspection, and they shall not in any way hinder or delay or cause the hindrance or delay of same in any manner whatsoever. c. For the purpose of any investigation, examination or inspection, or any other proceeding authorized under this act, the board or the commissioner may examine, under oath, any and all persons whatsoever and compel by subpena the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records, accounts, papers and documents of any person. The board may serve its process and notices in the manner provided for civil actions in accordance with the Rules of Court. d. The fees of witnesses required to attend before the commissioner or other issuing authority shall be the same as those allowed to witnesses in the Superior Court. e. If any person in any proceeding before the board refuses to take the oath or refuses to respond to a subpena by failing to appear or testify or produce or file any books, records, accounts, papers or documents when ordered to do so by the board, the Attorney General may file in the Superior Court a petition for an order of such court: (1) Compelling the person to respond in accordance with the subpena issued to that person; (2) Suspending the license of the person pending hearing and determination or until compliance with the subpena; or (3) Imposing any other relief or sanction for contempt that may be necessary in accordance with the New Jersey Court Rules. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 9.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-10 Immunity

a. The board may order any person to answer a question or questions or produce evidence of any kind and confer immunity as provided in this section. If, in the course of any investigation or hearing conducted by the board under this act, a person refuses to answer a question or questions or produce evidence of any kind on the ground that he will be exposed to criminal prosecution or penalty or to a forfeiture of his estate thereby, the board may order the person to answer the question or questions or produce the requested evidence and confer immunity as in this section provided. No order to answer or produce evidence with immunity shall be made except by unanimous vote and after the Attorney General and the appropriate county prosecutor shall have been given at least seven days' written notice of the board's intention to issue the order and afforded an opportunity to be heard in respect to any objections they or either of them may have to the granting of immunity. b. If, upon issuance of such an order, the person complies therewith, he shall be immune from having the responsive answer given by him or the responsive evidence produced by him, or evidence derived therefrom, used to expose him to criminal prosecution or penalty or to a forfeiture of his estate, except that the person may nevertheless be prosecuted for any perjury committed in the answer or in producing the evidence, or be prosecuted for willful refusal to give an answer or produce evidence in accordance with an order of the board or held in contempt for failing to give an answer or produce evidence in accordance with the order of the board; and any answer given or evidence produced shall be admissible against him upon any criminal investigation, proceeding or trial against him for that perjury, upon any investigation, proceeding or trial against him for contempt or willful refusal to give an answer or produce evidence in accordance with an order of the board. c. If the board proceeds against any witness for contempt of court for refusal to answer, subsequent to a grant of immunity, the witness may be incarcerated at the discretion of the Superior Court; provided, however, that (1) no incarceration for civil contempt shall exceed a period of 18 months of actual incarceration exclusive of releases for whatever reason; (2) the board may seek the release of a witness for good cause on appropriate motion to the Superior Court; and (3) nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit any of the vested constitutional rights of any witness before the board. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 10.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-11 Violations, penalties

11. a. Any person violating any provision of this act or regulation promulgated thereunder shall, in addition to any other sanction provided herein, be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $250.00 and not more than $25,000.00 for the first offense and not less than $500.00 and not more than $50,000.00 for the second and each subsequent offense. For the purpose of construing this section, each transaction or statutory violation shall constitute a separate offense, except that a second or subsequent offense shall not be deemed to exist unless an administrative or court order has been entered in a prior, separate and independent proceeding. b. An extreme wrestler or promoter of an extreme wrestling event who fails to apply for the required approvals, permits and licenses, or a promoter of an extreme wrestling event who knowingly admits a person under the age of 18 years to an extreme wrestling event shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 for an offense. L.1985,c.83,s.11; amended 2000, c.124, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-12 Docketing as judgment

Upon the failure of any person to comply within 10 days after service of any board order directing payment of penalties or restoration of moneys, the Attorney General or the commissioner may, after an opportunity for a hearing has been provided pursuant to subsection b. of section 7 of this act, issue a certificate to the Clerk of the Superior Court that the person is indebted to the State for the payment of that penalty or the restoration of moneys. A copy of that certificate shall be served upon the person against whom the order was entered. Thereupon the clerk shall immediately enter upon his record of docketed judgments the name of the person so indebted and of the State, a designation of the statute under which the penalty is imposed, the amount of the penalty imposed, or the amount of moneys ordered restored, and the date of the certification. Such an entry shall have the same force and effect as the entry of a docketed judgment in the Superior Court, and the Attorney General shall have all rights and remedies of a judgment creditor in addition to exercising all other available remedies. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 12.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-13 Injunction

Whenever it shall appear to the board that a violation of this act or the regulations promulgated thereunder has occurred, is occurring or will occur, the Attorney General, in addition to any other proceeding authorized by law, may seek and obtain in a summary proceeding in the Superior Court an injunction prohibiting such an act or practice. In any such proceeding the court may assess a civil penalty in accordance with the provisions of this act and may enter such orders as may be necessary to prevent the performance of an unlawful practice in the future and to fully remedy any past unlawful activity. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 13.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-14 Licensure

14. a. No promoter shall hold or conduct any public boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest in the State of New Jersey without first having obtained a license from the board. b. No person shall participate, either directly or indirectly, in any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest, or be a holder thereof, unless the person shall have first obtained a license from the board. The board shall license all promoters; boxers, wrestlers, extreme wrestlers, kick boxers, combative sports contestants or performers, their managers, scorers and trainers; booking agents; ring officials and other persons the board deems necessary. c. All licenses shall be for a period of one year, unless revoked for cause, and shall be subject to the provisions of this act and to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act. Before acting upon any application for a license, the board may examine, under oath, applicants or other witnesses. All applications shall be on a form prescribed by the board. The board shall, by regulation, establish fees for the issuance or renewal of all licenses. d. A license from the board shall not be required of any person in order to conduct or participate in professional wrestling. L.1985,c.83,s.14; amended 1997, c.36, s.3; 2000, c.124, s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-14.1 Events at casino hotels; licensure of promoter required.

5. No promoter shall hold or conduct any public boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest in a casino hotel which is licensed pursuant to or is an applicant for licensure pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.) unless the promoter is licensed as a casino service industry enterprise or is an applicant for licensure as a casino service industry enterprise pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.) or is registered as a vendor in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Casino Control Commission. Within one year of the effective date of this act, all seconds and managers and all promoters, other than those promoters who are applicants for licensure or who are licensed as a casino service industry enterprise under section 92 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-92) or who are registered as vendors in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Casino Control Commission, shall undergo background checks conducted by the State Athletic Control Board prior to holding, conducting or participating in any public boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest in this State. Those promoters who are subject to background checks by the State Athletic Control Board pursuant to this section shall bear the costs involved in the conduct of such background checks. The State Athletic Control Board may incur such expenses as are reasonable and necessary in conducting a background check authorized by this section. An amount equivalent to the expenses incurred shall be assessed as a fee against a promoter who is the subject of a background check by the State Athletic Control Board pursuant to this section and shall be collected by the State Athletic Control Board. The amount collected shall be deposited in a special account in the General Fund and this amount is hereby appropriated to the State Athletic Control Board in the Department of Law and Public Safety to reimburse the board for expenses incurred in conducting the background check. The State Athletic Control Board shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the nature of and procedures concerning background checks to be conducted by the board pursuant to this section. L.1988, c.20, s.5; amended 2000, c.124, s.12; 2009, c.36, s.30.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-14.2 Medical insurance required

9. a. Promoters licensed pursuant to P.L.1985, c.83 (C.5:2A-1 et seq.) shall carry medical insurance covering all extreme wrestlers, professional boxers, kick boxers or combative sports participants whom they promote. b. The cost of the insurance required pursuant to this section shall be borne by the promoter. c. The promoter shall obtain medical insurance coverage in an amount to be determined by the commissioner, which amount shall cover the expenses for the treatment of any injuries the extreme wrestler, boxer, kick boxer or combative sports participant may suffer as a result of an extreme wrestling, professional boxing, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest. d. The insurance coverage required under this act shall extend for at least six months from the date of the bout. e. No extreme wrestling, professional boxing, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest shall be approved in this State unless the promoter is in full compliance with the requirements of this section concerning medical insurance coverage. L.1988,c.20,s.9; amended 2000, c.124, s.13.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-14.3 Professional wrestling events, exhibitions in casino hotels, requirements.

5. No person, club, corporation, or association, and in the case of a corporation no officer, director, employee or stockholder thereof, who produces, arranges or stages any professional wrestling event or exhibition shall hold or conduct such an event or exhibition in a casino hotel which is licensed pursuant to or is an applicant for licensure pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.) unless the person or entity is licensed as a casino service industry enterprise or is an applicant for licensure as a casino service industry enterprise pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.) or is registered as a vendor in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Casino Control Commission. L.1997, c.36, s.5; amended 2009, c.36, s.31.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-15 Licensure of boxers

a. The board shall not grant a license to any person who does not possess good character, honesty, integrity and responsibility. b. No license shall be granted or renewed if the applicant has been delinquent in paying tax which has been assessed pursuant to section 20 of this act unless good cause is shown. c. Each applicant for licensure pursuant to this act shall produce such information, documentation and assurances as may be required to establish by clear and convincing evidence the applicant's reputation for good character, honesty, integrity and responsibility, which may include but not be limited to information, documentation and assurances that the applicant has not engaged in activities with or associated with members of organized crime. d. The board may exchange fingerprint data with and receive criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for use in considering applicants for licensure. e. The board shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of an extensive medical examination prior to licensure and the renewal of any license, giving due consideration to the advice of the State Athletic Control Board Medical Advisory Council, established under section 8 of P.L. 1985, c. 83 (C. 5:2A-8). f. The board shall adopt rules and regulations providing for the issuance of a passport book to each licensed boxer, which shall contain a current photograph of the boxer; the address, telephone number, social security number or other number assigned by the board to the boxer and his manager; and an accurate history of all matches that the boxer has engaged in since becoming a professional, which history shall include information on the matches won and lost and the matches in which there was a technical knockout or a knockout. A boxer who shall fail to provide accurate information in the passport book in accordance with the rules and regulations of the board shall be denied a license or shall have his license suspended immediately, as the case may be. P.L. 1985, c. 83, s. 15; amended by P.L. 1988, c. 20, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-16 Bond required

Before any license is granted or renewed pursuant to subsection a. of section 14 of this act, the applicant shall execute and file with the board a bond to the State of New Jersey in an amount, not less than $10,000.00, to be fixed by the board, conditioned upon the faithful performance by the applicant of the provisions of this act and the payment of taxes herein imposed. The bond shall be in a form with sureties thereon satisfactory to the board. No license shall be renewed unless this bond has been renewed and filed with the board. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 16.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-17 Authority of board to discipline licenses

17. a. The board may revoke any license, after hearing for cause. The board may discipline any licensee who shall violate any of the provisions of this act or the regulations made pursuant thereto. This discipline may take the form of revocation or suspension of a license held by the licensee for all or part of the unexpired portion thereof, and of a refusal to renew a license held by any such licensee. b. The board may, upon its own motion, or upon the verified written complaint of any person charging a licensee with violating any provision of this act or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder, suspend temporarily any license or permit until final determination by the board when such an action is necessary to protect the public welfare and the best interests of boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports. A hearing shall be held within 30 days after the date on which any license or permit has been suspended temporarily unless extended for good cause. c. The board may also, after affording an opportunity to be heard, take one or more of the following actions: (1) Issue a reprimand or censure with regard to any act, conduct or practice which in the board's judgment upon consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances does not warrant the initiation of formal action; (2) Assess civil penalties in accordance with this act; (3) Order that any person violating any provision of this act or any regulation made pursuant thereto cease and desist from future violations thereof or take such affirmative corrective action as may be necessary with regard to any act or practice found unlawful by the board; (4) Order any person found to have violated any provision of this act or any regulation made pursuant thereto to restore to any person aggrieved by an unlawful act or practice, any moneys or property, real or personal, acquired by means of that act or practice, except that the board shall not order restoration in a dollar amount greater than those moneys received by a licensee or his agent or any other person violating this act or any regulation made pursuant thereto; and (5) Order any person as a condition for continued, reinstated or renewed licensure to secure medical or such other professional treatment as may be necessary. L.1985,c.83,s.17; amended 2000, c.124, s.7.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-18 Permit required by promoter

18. a. No boxing, wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest shall be held by any promoter unless the promoter shall have, at least two weeks before the holding of the same, notified the board, in such form, with such detailed information and at such place as the board may prescribe, of the proposed holding of the same, and shall, in addition to having a license as provided by section 14 of this act, have obtained from the board a permit in writing to hold the same. No permit shall be granted to any promoter who has been delinquent in paying a tax which has been assessed pursuant to section 20 of this act unless good cause is shown. b. The board shall be notified, at least one week in advance, in such form and with such detailed information as the board may prescribe, that a boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest is to be telecast, televised or broadcast in any manner, including but not limited to television, radio or any transmission via a cable television system, as defined in section 3 of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-3), or any transmission via microwave, closed circuit, satellite, fiber optic link or any other method of limited distribution. c. No person shall charge or receive an admission fee for exhibiting within this State a telecast of any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest which occurs or has occurred within this State without a permit issued by the board. Permits are required for simultaneous telecasts, closed circuit telecasts, or any transmission of any kind, including but not limited to transmission via microwave, closed circuit, satellite or fiber optic link. As a condition of obtaining a permit, the board shall be furnished with all contracts and agreements pertaining to such transmissions. d. The board shall be informed by the promoter when any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest will be exhibited in any manner either within or without the State. As a condition of obtaining a permit, the board shall be furnished with all contracts and agreements pertaining to such exhibitions viewed either within or without the State. e. No extreme wrestling event shall be held by any promoter who has been licensed pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1985, c.83 (C.5:2A-14) unless the promoter shall have, at least 20 business days before the holding of the event, notified the director of public safety of the municipality in which the event is proposed to take place, in such form and with such detailed information as the board may prescribe, of the proposed holding of the event and received approval in writing therefor. If a municipality does not have a director of public safety or a public safety official with substantially similar duties, the governing body of a municipality shall designate a public safety official to receive notification and approve or disapprove the proposed holding of an extreme wrestling event. In addition to obtaining municipal approval from the appropriate public safety official and having a license as provided by section 14 of P.L.1985, c.83 (C.5:2A-14), a promoter of an extreme wrestling event shall obtain from the board a permit in writing to hold the event. The public safety official of a municipality who receives notice of the proposed holding of an extreme wrestling event shall within 15 business days approve or reject the proposed holding of the event. The official may reject the proposed event if the official decides that the holding of the proposed event would constitute a threat to public safety or public health. If the official rejects the proposed event, no permit for the proposed event shall be granted by the board. If the official grants approval, the written approval shall be forwarded by the official to the board, which shall within five business days of the receipt make a determination on the permit to be issued pursuant to subsection a. of this section, notwithstanding the requirement to notify the board at least two weeks before the proposed holding of the event. f. As a condition of obtaining a permit to hold an extreme wrestling event, no person under the age of 18 years shall be admitted to an extreme wrestling event. The promoter of an extreme wrestling event shall make all reasonable effort to ascertain the age of those persons seeking admittance to the event. L.1985,c.83,s.18; amended 2000, c.124, s.8.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-18.1 Ringside physicians, ambulance required

6. No extreme wrestling, boxing, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest shall commence or proceed unless two qualified physicians designated by the council shall be at ringside for each extreme wrestling, boxing, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest and unless an ambulance containing the standard medical equipment necessary to treat cerebral injuries is stationed at the exhibition, event, performance or contest during the entire time the exhibition, event, performance or contest is taking place. The commissioner or his designee shall delay an exhibition, event, performance or contest until the ambulance and the two qualified ringside physicians required by this section are present. L.1988,c.20,s.6; amended 2000, c.124, s.14.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-18.2 Ophthalmological, neurological examination

Upon the recommendation of a ringside physician, each boxer, kick boxer or combative sports participant shall be required to undergo an ophthalmological and neurological examination after each exhibition, event, performance or contest by a qualified physician or hospital designated by the council. The cost of such examination shall be borne by the promoter of the exhibition, event, performance or contest. A certified copy of the findings shall be submitted to the council and board as soon as possible after the examination. A boxer, kick boxer or combative sports participant shall not be permitted to engage in another exhibition, event, performance or contest if the council or board determines that his previous examination report is unsatisfactory or if no examination report was submitted. P.L. 1988, c. 20, s. 7.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-19 State Athletic Control Board Account

a. There is created and established a nonlapsing dedicated account to be known as the State Athletic Control Board Account. The account shall be credited with taxes, revenue and penalties collected pursuant to this act. b. Amounts received, receivable or anticipated from the date of enactment shall be appropriated to fund the necessary expenses of the board in the performance of the functions, duties and powers of the board upon the certification of the board. c. To the extent that moneys are available beyond those funds necessary to meet the costs of subsection b. of this section, the board shall determine at the close of each fiscal year an appropriate amount to be returned to the General Fund for general State purposes. d. There shall be made available from the General Fund such additional amounts as may be required to carry out the provisions of this act. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 19.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-20 Tax on complimentary tickets, receipts

20. a. Every promoter shall, within seven days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the conclusion of an exhibition, event, performance or contest, furnish to the board at such place as it may prescribe, a duly verified written report of the exact amount of tickets either sold or issued as complimentary tickets for the exhibition, event, performance or contest, the gross proceeds thereof and such other matters as the board may prescribe. b. The board shall determine and fix the number of complimentary tickets for each exhibition, event, performance or contest. All complimentary tickets shall include upon the face of the ticket the price of the ticket and shall be printed or otherwise labeled as a complimentary ticket. The price shall be deemed to be the value of each ticket of the same kind for which the ticket normally would be offered for sale if it was not issued as a complimentary ticket. It shall be a crime of the fourth degree to sell, offer to sell or receive with the intent to sell a ticket which was originally issued as a complimentary ticket. c. Every promoter who holds any boxing, wrestling, but not including extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest shall, within seven days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the conclusion thereof, pay to the board a tax: (1) On the total gross receipts from the sale of tickets and on the face value of all tickets issued as complimentary tickets, as follows: 3% of the first $25,000.00 derived from those tickets; 4% of the next $50,000.00 derived from those tickets; 5% of the next $125,000.00 derived from those tickets; and 6% of any amount derived from those tickets exceeding $200,000.00, except that in no event shall any tax assessed under the provisions of this subsection exceed $100,000.00 for each exhibition, event, performance or contest; (2) On any moneys received by reason of the lease or sale of television, including cable television and closed circuit television, moving picture or radio rights in connection with any such exhibition or performance a tax of 5% of the first $50,000.00 derived from the lease or sale of television, moving picture or radio rights; 3% of the next $100,000.00 derived from the lease or sale of those rights; 2% of the next $100,000.00 derived from the lease or sale of those rights; and 1% of any amount in excess of $250,000.00 derived from the lease or sale of those rights, except that in no event shall any tax assessed under the provisions of this subsection exceed $100,000.00 for each exhibition, event, performance or contest. For the purposes of this subsection, the total gross receipts from the sale of tickets or from the lease or sale of television, moving picture or radio rights shall not be subject to any reduction or allowance of any kind whatsoever. d. The total amount of gross receipts from any such exhibition or performance, including those derived from the sale or lease of television, moving picture and radio rights, and the total amount of tax due hereunder shall be provided to the board for review and determination. For this purpose the board may examine, or cause to be examined, the books and records of any person and hold a hearing as provided herein. e. Should any person being liable for the tax hereby imposed fail to pay the same, an action in the name of the board may be maintained in any court of competent jurisdiction, to be prosecuted by the Attorney General, in addition to any remedies given by the bond filed in accordance with section 16 of this act, which actions and remedies may be pursued simultaneously or in any order which the Attorney General may see fit. L.1985,c.83,s.20; amended 2000, c.124, s.9.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-21 Approval of printers

Tickets for all exhibitions, events, performances or contests authorized by the board shall be obtained from a printer approved by the board. For the purpose of this act and for the prevention of fraud, the board shall prescribe rules and regulations governing the approval of printers and the issuance of tickets. Tickets shall be printed and made in such form as the board shall prescribe. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 21.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-22 Authority of Attorney General relative to casino licensee

22. a. The Attorney General is authorized to investigate and prosecute any allegation of criminal or civil violations pertaining to any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest which is held at or sponsored by any person or entity licensed pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.). b. The identities of all recipients of complimentary tickets to any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest which are distributed by the holder of a casino license, as defined in section 10 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-10), shall be included within the quarterly report on complimentary services required pursuant to subsection m. of section 102 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-102). c. All contracts or agreements entered into by any person or entity licensed pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (.5:12-1 et seq.) and any promoter, sponsor or participant in any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest shall be made available for inspection upon request by either the board or the Attorney General. All such exhibitions, events, performances and contests and all such contracts or agreements shall be governed as if the exhibition, event, performance or contest took place in a casino hotel complex. The Attorney General is also authorized to examine any contract or agreement relating to the televising of any boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, which is supplied to the board pursuant to section 18 of this act. d. Every exhibition, event, performance or contest in a casino hotel licensed pursuant to the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.) shall be subject to licensure in accordance with the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.). L.1985,c.83,s.22; amended 2000, c.124, s.10.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-23 $1,000 penalty

Any person violating any of the provisions of this act for which no specific penalty or other remedy is provided, or in any way aiding, abetting or assisting in such a violation, shall be liable to a penalty of $1,000.00. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 23.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-24 School exemption

The provisions of this act shall not apply with respect to a boxing, wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibition, event, performance or contest in which school pupils or instructors are the only participants, except that this exemption shall apply only to a performance or exhibition conducted under the direct supervision and control of the board of education of a school district, or the person in authority of a teachers' training school or other institution under the control of the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education, or the boards, bodies, or persons in authority of duly constituted private or parochial schools, colleges or universities, or schools for kick boxing, combative sports, or the martial arts. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 24.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-25 Study, report

The board shall adopt rules and regulations concerning the conduct of a study into the advisability of the use of thumbless gloves and the use of headgear in boxing events and shall report its findings to the Governor and the Legislature within 12 months after the appointment of all the members. P.L. 1985, c. 83, s. 25; amended by P.L. 1988, c. 20, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-26 Scoring in writing

At the conclusion of each round in any boxing event, the judges shall provide their respective scoring of the round in writing to the commissioner or his designee. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 26.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-27 Restrictions on promoters

A person promoting a boxing event shall have no financial dealings, directly or indirectly, with a manager or a boxer who is engaged in an event promoted by the person, nor shall such a person promote a boxing event in which the manager or the boxer is a member of the immediate family of the promoter; unless the financial dealings or relationship is disclosed to the board prior to the time that the event is authorized by the board. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 27.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-28 No cash payments

No official or appointee of the board who receives compensation for the performance of duties at a boxing exhibition, event, performance or contest shall be paid in cash. Payment for those services shall be only by check issued by the board. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 28.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-29 Inspection of training facilities

The board shall make periodic inspections of training facilities in this State. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 29.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-30 Agency transfer act applicable

The transfer directed by this act shall be made in accordance with the "State Agency Transfer Act," P.L. 1971, c. 375 (C. 52:14D-1 et seq.). L. 1985, c. 83, s. 32.

N.J. Stat. § 5:2A-31 Existing licenses

Nothing in this act shall affect the validity of any license heretofore issued to any person by the State Athletic Commissioner, but all persons holding such licenses shall in all other respects be subject to the provisions of this act. L. 1985, c. 83, s. 33.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026