TLDR
- New Jersey’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-0 to advance bill S597.
- The bill would replace criminal penalties for underage gambling with civil fines.
- Fines would start at about $500 and rise to a maximum of $2,000 for repeat violations.
- Money from the fines would fund compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment.
- The bill now heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
New Jersey lawmakers have moved forward a bill that would change how the state punishes underage gambling. The proposal would replace criminal penalties with civil fines.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-0 on Thursday to advance the bill, known as S597. The measure has not become law.
According to the Legislature’s bill page, S597 was introduced on January 13. It has since passed through several committee assignments.
How the Proposed Fines Would Work
Under the bill, a first violation would bring a civil penalty of about $500. A second violation would bring a fine of $1,000 or less.
Any further violation would carry a maximum fine of $2,000. This means repeat offenders would face higher costs.
The fines would apply to anyone under 21 who gambles at a casino or simulcast location. The legal gambling age in New Jersey is 21.
The bill also covers adults who allow a person under 21 in their lawful custody to gamble. Casino licensees and employees who permit underage gambling would face the same fines.
The change would make these violations a civil matter. Right now, they are treated as a disorderly persons offense.
Where the Money Would Go
Money collected from the fines would pay for prevention, education, and treatment services for compulsive gambling. According to the Senate Republican office, this could include programs from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
The bill does not remove penalties. It changes how they are classified and directs the money to these services.
The primary sponsors are Senators James Beach and Vince Polistina. Co-sponsors include Kristin Corrado, Shirley Turner, and John McKeon. The Press of Atlantic City reported that the bill advanced with support from both parties.
Polistina, a Republican from Atlantic County, said young people now see gambling more often than in the past. He pointed to sports programs on TV, advertising, and social media.
He said underage gambling should not be encouraged and casinos must follow the law. He also said treating a young person’s mistake as a crime is too harsh.
Polistina said the bill keeps people accountable through fines, with higher costs for repeat offenders. The ban on underage gambling would stay in place.
The proposal is similar to legislation that received early approval last year but never became law. The Legislature’s bill page lists those earlier measures as S3972 and A5086.
S597 first went to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. It was moved to the Judiciary Committee on September 28.
After Thursday’s vote, the bill was sent to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. The Office of Legislative Services has certified it for a fiscal note.
