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New Jersey is considering a more lenient approach to the state’s gaming laws that would treat underage gambling as a civil offense, rather than a crime.
If the proposal is successful, the offense will now be punishable by a fine. And would also fine anyone who aids underage gambling in the state.
Currently, in New Jersey, the legal gambling age is 21 years of age and above. Anyone conducting any form of gambling activity below the age of 21 in New Jersey casinos or other gambling facilities will be committing a crime.
When it comes to underage gambling, different states have different rules. Take New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, for instance. While all three states prohibit minors from placing bets, the penalties for getting caught vary.
New Jersey takes a hard line, with fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail. Pennsylvania is more lenient, with penalties of up to $300 and community service. Ohio falls somewhere in between, with fines of up to $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail.
It’s worth mentioning that Pennsylvania allows minors to play certain lottery games, while New Jersey and Ohio don’t make any exceptions.
However, the underaged regulatory update is one of many sitting in a NJ courthouse, as a bill aimed at banning the sale of New Jersey lottery games has cleared committee review and is now awaiting a full vote.
New Jersey replaces jail term with higher fines
The new proposal outlines a fine structure for underage gamblers as such:
- $500 fines for first-time offences
- $1,000 for second offences
- $2,000 for third and subsequent offences
As reported by AP News, the New Jersey Council said:
“More and more of 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.”
As sports betting sweeps the nation, more and more young people are getting hooked on gambling. Hence, New Jersey lawmakers are taking action by advancing a bill that would crack down on underage betting.
Nonetheless, the bill still needs to pass both houses of the Legislature before landing on Governor Phil Murphy’s desk.
Fines for underage NJ gambling to fund problem gambling treatment
The bill proposes that proceeds from the fines that would be charged to offenders go towards supporting services for individuals struggling with compulsive gambling.
Assemblyman Don Guardian, a Republican former mayor of Atlantic City, said:
“The concern I had initially was about reducing the severity of the punishment. But the fact that all the money will go to problem gambling treatment programs changed my mind.”
While Luis Del Orbe, the council’s acting executive director, appreciates the bill’s provision for funding gambling treatment and education, he believes it falls short.
Hence, he maintains that fines without education won’t effectively reduce problem gambling among young people. This is because he believes that when a young person gets a fine, they aren’t the ones footing the bill, so the inclusion of mandatory education in the bill is a necessity and will give a high end in responsible gaming.
The council added: “There is also an urgent need for expanded education and awareness about the harms that can come of gambling, particularly with respect to youth.”
