New Jersey bill would replace jail with fines for underage gambling
A separate, non-binding resolution advanced the same week would also ban gambling ads targeted at people showing signs of addiction.
Key Takeaways
- S597 would replace the current disorderly persons offence for underage gambling.
- Fines would be $500 for a first offence, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for a third or subsequent violation by anyone under 21 who enters or gambles at a licensed casino or simulcasting facility.
- The bill would also fine casino licensees, employees and adults who knowingly allow someone under 21 in their care to gamble.
US.- New Jersey lawmakers are considering S597, a bipartisan bill that would replace criminal charges for underage gambling at licensed casinos with civil fines of up to US$ 2,000. The bill, introduced by Sens. James Beach and Vincent Polistina, would also impose penalties for casino employees and adults who knowingly let a minor in their care gamble.
Anyone aged under 21 who enters or gambles at a licensed casino or simulcasting facility would face a US$ 500 civil penalty for a first offence, US$ 1,000 for a second and US$ 2,000 for a third or subsequent violation. All money collected through the fines would be used for gambling addiction prevention, education and treatment. The funds would first go to the state General Fund before being appropriated to the Department of Human Services for qualifying compulsive gambling programmes.
S597 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.
Another proposed bill in New Jersey would ban the targeting of gambling advertisements at people showing signs of problem gambling or addiction. The ban would include personalised marketing campaigns for VIPs that include athletes and other celebrities.
