New Jersey Senate Panel advances civil fines for underage gambling

The bill would also change how cases involving people under 18 are handled, now a matter for the juvenile justice system.

Key Takeaways

• New Jersey’s Senate Bill 597 cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously on October 15 and goes next to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
• Fines would be up to US$500 for a first offence, US$1,000 for a second and US$2,000 for a third or subsequent violation.
• The bill also covers adults who let minors in their care gamble, and casino licensees and employees who permit it, but keeps the good-faith defence for employees who relied on written proof of age.

US.- New Jersey lawmakers have advanced a bill that would replace criminal penalties for underage gambling at casinos and simulcasting facilities with civil fines of up to US$2,000. Senate Bill 597 cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously on October 15 and will next be considered by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

The measure would remove disorderly persons offences for violations involving people under 21. It would also apply to adults who allow minors under their legal care to gamble, as well as casino licensees and employees who permit underage gambling.

Under the proposed system, first-time violations could result in fines of up to US$500, rising to US$1,000 for a second offence and US$2,000 for a third or subsequent violation. The bill would not change New Jersey’s minimum legal gambling age of 21, but would alter how cases are handled, including those involving people under 18 who are currently subject to the juvenile justice system.

All revenue collected through the civil penalties would go into the state’s General Fund. The Legislature would then allocate the money to the Department of Human Services for eligible programs addressing gambling-related harm, including prevention, education and treatment services. Potential beneficiaries include services provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.

The bill is sponsored by Democratic senator James Beach, who represents Camden and Burlington counties, and Republican Vince Polistina of Atlantic County. Sens. Kristin Corrado, Shirley Turner and John McKeon are also listed as co-sponsors. It would retain an existing defence for casino employees who relied in good faith on written proof of age and reasonably believed the individual was at least 21 based on their appearance and documentation