TLDR
- A New Jersey Senate committee voted 11-0 to advance a bill replacing underage gambling charges with civil fines.
- Fines would start at up to $500 and rise to up to $2,000 for repeat offenses.
- Adults and casino staff who allow underage gambling could also be fined.
- The legal gambling age would stay at 21.
- Fine money would fund gambling harm prevention, education and treatment programs.
New Jersey lawmakers have moved forward with a bill that would replace criminal charges for underage gambling with civil fines. The money collected would go toward gambling addiction prevention and treatment programs.
Senate Bill 597 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by an 11-0 vote on October 15. The Press of Atlantic City reported the vote.
What the Bill Would Change
Right now, underage gambling in New Jersey can lead to a disorderly persons offense. The bill would remove those offenses and replace them with civil fines for people under 21 caught gambling at casinos and simulcasting facilities.
The fines would increase with each violation. A first offense could bring a fine of up to $500, and a second offense could bring a fine of up to $1,000.
A third or later offense could lead to a fine of up to $2,000.
The same penalties would apply to adults who allow minors in their legal care to gamble. They would also apply to casino license holders or employees who let underage people gamble.
The bill would not change the state’s legal gambling age, which would stay at 21. It would only change how violations are handled.
That includes cases involving people under 18. Those cases are currently handled through the juvenile justice system.
Where the Money Would Go
All fines collected would go into the state’s General Fund. The Legislature would then send the money to the Department of Human Services.
The funds would pay for programs focused on the prevention, education and treatment of gambling harm. These could include services from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
Illegal gambling would still carry a penalty under the plan. The difference is that the money would be used to help reduce future harm.
Democratic Sen. James Beach, who represents Camden and Burlington counties, sponsored the bill with Republican Sen. Vince Polistina of Atlantic County. Senators Kristin Corrado, Shirley Turner and John McKeon are listed as co-sponsors.
Beach said criminal convictions can have long-lasting effects on young people. He said targeted prevention and behavioral support could help address the causes of gambling problems.
Polistina pointed to the growing number of gambling ads in sports broadcasts, social media and online advertising. He said young people now see more betting content, so a different approach to violations is worth considering.
This is not the first time New Jersey has looked at this idea. In December 2024, lawmakers proposed Senate Bill 3972, which also would have replaced criminal penalties with rising fines.
That earlier bill would also have funded addiction services. The legislative session ended before it could become law.
Senate Bill 597 restarts the effort for the 2026-27 legislative session. It was filed in January 2026 and has now cleared its first Senate committee.
The bill now heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for review. It must also pass the full Senate and Assembly before it can reach the governor’s desk.
