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A bipartisan Bill is moving through the New Jersey State Senate that would move underage gambling from a criminal offense to a civil penalty.
Two Democrats and two Republicans cosponsor Senate Bill 597, and it would amend the law that currently subjects an underage gambler to a misdemeanor. It would replace that criminal violation with a series of civil fines.
A first offense would be met with a $500 fine, followed by $1,000 and $2,000 fines for a second and third offense.
Sen. Jim Beach (D-Camden) filed the legislation in January, and last week it was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-Caldwell) sits on that committee and is also one of its Republican cosponsors.
The New Jersey legislature is in session until December, so there is still plenty of time for the bill to make it out of committee and move into the other chamber.
Fines would be directed to the Department of Human Services
The proposed civil penalty structure applies to both land-based venues and online casinos in New Jersey.
SB597’s text directs monies collected from civil fines to the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), where it will be used to address problem gambling and fund treatment programs for compulsive gambling.
The current law, as it stands, also has a fine structure, but still creates a criminal record for the underage violator, whereas the proposed civil penalty does not. Atlantic City casinos do not permit access to gaming floors for those under 21. With SB597, penalties would also extend to casino staff who knowingly accept wagers from individuals under 21, as well as parents or caretakers who assist in facilitating underage gambling.
