Lawmakers in the New Jersey Assembly have voted to advance a bill to decriminalize underage gambling, reducing it to a civil infraction. Violators would still receive a fine, but nothing would go on their criminal record. The bill has moved quickly, as it was just introduced in December.
This is not the first time Garden State legislators have toyed with the idea of changing the penalties for underage gambling. It appears this version of the proposal finally has legs.
Representatives Claire Swift (R) and Anthony Verrelli (D) co-sponsored a bill that would eliminate jail time and allow a clean record for underage gamblers. However, unlike some previous proposals, it doesn’t include provisions for mandatory problem gambling treatment for offenders. That has led to a lukewarm response from some advocates.
This would apply to all all forms of gambling in New Jersey, including entering Atlantic City casinos or using online casinos and online sports betting apps.
What are new penalties of underage gambling
According to Assembly Bill 5086, committing an underage gambling violation would trigger the following punishment:
“This bill changes the penalties for each of these actions from that of a disorderly persons offense, which is of a criminal nature, to instead be a civil fine of up to $500 for the first offense, up to $1,000 for the second offense, and up to $2,000 for any offense thereafter.”
A licensee or employee of a casino would be subject to similar penalties should someone allow an underage gambler to place a wager or serve alcohol.
Lawmakers have decided to change the penalties because of previous violation “clogging up the court systems” for months, Swift told NJ Spotlight News.
Under the proposed bill, it’s not mandatory for underage gamblers to undergo treatment. Luis Del Orbe, Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), has concerns over the new laws:
“Such education is all the more critical at a time when youth gambling is on the rise to a troubling degree.
“More and more New Jersey citizens need help due to the ongoing expansion of gambling opportunities, and it is anticipated that the demand will only continue to grow.”
Sen. James Beach (D-Burlington) sponsored a bill last year that would have required mandatory compulsive gambling treatment if it had passed. Swift and Verrelli opted for a different route in this bill.
CCGNJ to collect funds from finds
Despite the CCGNJ having doubts about the news penalties, which does not include mandatory treatment, the organization is still going to benefit.
Any fines incurred will go straight to the CCGNJ, according to the bill, which says:
“The fines collected will used for prevention, education, and treatment programs for compulsive gambling, such as those provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.”
The CCGNJ is going to have an impact on the messaging for underage gambling with the revenue the fines generate.
