New Jersey lawmakers are pushing forward with a new bill that could change the penalties for underage gambling, reducing them from criminal offenses to civil violations. This proposed shift would mean young people caught gambling under the age of 21 would no longer face potential jail time or a criminal record. Instead, they would be subject to fines. The bill, which recently passed the Assembly, aims to make underage gambling violations less harsh, with the goal of encouraging accountability without the long-term consequences of criminal charges.
Addressing gambling among youth:
The current law in New Jersey imposes criminal penalties for individuals under 21 who gamble at casinos or online platforms. Those who break the law can be charged with disorderly persons offenses, which carry the potential for up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. The new bill would replace these criminal penalties with a civil fine structure.
For a first offense, violators would face a $500 fine; the amount would increase to $1,000 for a second violation and $2,000 for any subsequent offenses. In addition to penalties for underage gamblers, the bill proposes fines for adults or casino employees who permit someone under 21 to gamble. These fines would range from $500 for a first offense to $2,000 for repeated violations.
The legislative change comes amid growing concerns over gambling addictions, especially among young adults. The legalization of sports betting in 2018, combined with the widespread availability of mobile apps and online platforms, has made gambling more accessible than ever. According to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), calls to its helpline, 800-GAMBLER, have surged by 277% since sports betting was legalized, with a notable rise in calls from individuals under 30.
The primary motivation behind the bill is to allow young people a “clean slate” by avoiding a criminal record for gambling violations. Assemblywoman Claire Swift (R-Atlantic) emphasized that this change would help prevent the court system from becoming clogged with minor offenses, a problem she says has been increasingly burdening local courts. “Underage gambling is a serious issue, but it should not result in young people being saddled with a criminal record,” Swift stated.
Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D-Hunterdon), who co-sponsored the bill, also highlighted the importance of addressing gambling habits at a younger age. “The rise of online gambling platforms and mobile apps has made it easier for young people to gamble,” Verrelli said in a statement. “It’s critical that we implement educational measures to raise awareness about the risks involved.” He further emphasized that the bill was not just about punishment but about preventing future gambling problems, which can often escalate into more severe addiction.
While the bill has garnered support, some have expressed concerns over the lack of mandatory education provisions for underage gamblers. The CCGNJ, which has seen an increase in young people seeking help for gambling issues, has supported the bill in principle but has voiced reservations about the absence of requirements for education about gambling addiction. Luis Del Orbe, interim executive director of the council, stressed, “Education is critical, especially at a time when youth gambling is on the rise.” The CCGNJ has also called for language changes in the bill to address these concerns, arguing that fines alone won’t sufficiently mitigate the risks associated with gambling.
How the bill could impact gambling awareness programs:
The bill proposes that all fines collected from underage gamblers would be directed to programs designed to combat gambling addiction. These funds would specifically go to education, prevention, and treatment initiatives provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. While the CCGNJ has reservations about the lack of mandated education for underage offenders, the organization sees this funding as a step forward in supporting the state’s efforts to reduce gambling-related harm.
The bill also responds to the growing need for gambling addiction services in the state. According to reports, a large portion of young people who gamble begin the activity before they reach 21, with many first experimenting with betting between the ages of 15 and 18. As gambling platforms continue to expand, there is concern over the potential for a public health crisis if action is not taken soon.
“Every year, gambling becomes more accessible, and more companies get involved,” said B.J. Schecter, a professor at Seton Hall University and expert on sports media, casino-gambling-decriminalized/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>as NJ Spotlight News reported. “If we don’t address this soon, we could be facing a much larger problem in the future.”
As the bill moves through the legislative process, there are ongoing discussions about whether it goes far enough in addressing the root causes of youth gambling. In addition to this bill, several other legislative measures are being considered to tackle the broader issue of gambling addiction. One such measure seeks to restrict online gambling advertisements aimed at minors, while another proposes creating a public awareness campaign about the risks of gambling.
Furthermore, state agencies have already begun efforts to curb the growth of gambling problems. In March of last year, the New Jersey Attorney General’s office launched a public awareness initiative designed to educate residents about the dangers of gambling. This campaign, which began during the NCAA basketball tournaments, will continue through the Super Bowl, aiming to reach at-risk populations such as young men and communities of color, groups identified as particularly vulnerable to developing gambling disorders.
casino employees who permit someone under 21 to gamble. These fines would range from $500 for a first offense to $2,000 for repeated violations.The legislative change comes amid growing concerns over gambling addictions, especially among young adults. The legalization of sports betting in 2018, combined with the widespread availability of mobile apps and online platforms, has made gambling more accessible than ever. According to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), calls to its helpline, 800-GAMBLER, have surged by 277% since sports betting was legalized, with a notable rise in calls from individuals under 30.The primary motivation behind the bill is to allow young people a "clean slate" by avoiding a criminal record for gambling violations. Assemblywoman Claire Swift (R-Atlantic) emphasized that this change would help prevent the court system from becoming clogged with minor offenses, a problem she says has been increasingly burdening local courts. “Underage gambling is a serious issue, but it should not result in young people being saddled with a criminal record,” Swift stated.Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D-Hunterdon), who co-sponsored the bill, also highlighted the importance of addressing gambling habits at a younger age. "The rise of online gambling platforms and mobile apps has made it easier for young people to gamble," Verrelli said in a statement. "It’s critical that we implement educational measures to raise awareness about the risks involved." He further emphasized that the bill was not just about punishment but about preventing future gambling problems, which can often escalate into more severe addiction.While the bill has garnered support, some have expressed concerns over the lack of mandatory education provisions for underage gamblers. The CCGNJ, which has seen an increase in young people seeking help for gambling issues, has supported the bill in principle but has voiced reservations about the absence of requirements for education about gambling addiction. Luis Del Orbe, interim executive director of the council, stressed, "Education is critical, especially at a time when youth gambling is on the rise." The CCGNJ has also called for language changes in the bill to address these concerns, arguing that fines alone won’t sufficiently mitigate the risks associated with gambling.How the bill could impact gambling awareness programs:The bill proposes that all fines collected from underage gamblers would be directed to programs designed to combat gambling addiction. These funds would specifically go to education, prevention, and treatment initiatives provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. While the CCGNJ has reservations about the lack of mandated education for underage offenders, the organization sees this funding as a step forward in supporting the state’s efforts to reduce gambling-related harm.The bill also responds to the growing need for gambling addiction services in the state. According to reports, a large portion of young people who gamble begin the activity before they reach 21, with many first experimenting with betting between the ages of 15 and 18. As gambling platforms continue to expand, there is concern over the potential for a public health crisis if action is not taken soon.“Every year, gambling becomes more accessible, and more companies get involved,” said B.J. Schecter, a professor at Seton Hall University and expert on sports media, as NJ Spotlight News reported. “If we don’t address this soon, we could be facing a much larger problem in the future.”As the bill moves through the legislative process, there are ongoing discussions about whether it goes far enough in addressing the root causes of youth gambling. In addition to this bill, several other legislative measures are being considered to tackle the broader issue of gambling addiction. One such measure seeks to restrict online gambling advertisements aimed at minors, while another proposes creating a public awareness campaign about the risks of gambling.Furthermore, state agencies have already begun efforts to curb the growth of gambling problems. In March of last year, the New Jersey Attorney General’s office launched a public awareness initiative designed to educate residents about the dangers of gambling. This campaign, which began during the NCAA basketball tournaments, will continue through the Super Bowl, aiming to reach at-risk populations such as young men and communities of color, groups identified as particularly vulnerable to developing gambling “/>
