Why is cheating worse in New Jersey?
A lot of times large contingents of organized criminal elements got to nearby locations to set up shop. New Jersey, Bridgeport CT, and RI has some of that with NYC. Belvidere, IL was a bit of one for Capone in Chicago, Phenix City, Alabama off of nearby Columbus, GA.
There are many stories like this to find:
https://www.tcnjsignalnews.com/article/2023/09/nj-corruption-embarassing