New Jersey Moves to Decriminalize Underage Gambling with Civil Fines
New Jersey lawmakers are pushing a bill to reduce penalties for underage gambling, shifting from criminal charges to civil fines. Currently, those under 21 caught gambling face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The proposed law would replace this with a tiered fine system: $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for further violations.
Supporters argue the change prevents young offenders from having a criminal record while still holding them accountable. Assemblywoman Claire Swift emphasized that underage gambling is serious but shouldn’t burden courts or harm a young person’s future. Co-sponsor Anthony Verrelli highlighted the need for education on gambling risks, as mobile betting has made gambling more accessible to youth.
While the bill is widely supported, some worry it lacks mandatory gambling education. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) has seen a surge in young people seeking help for gambling addiction and urges lawmakers to include educational provisions.
Funds from collected fines would go toward gambling awareness and addiction treatment programs. As the bill progresses, lawmakers are also considering stricter regulations on gambling ads targeting minors.
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This is a step in the right direction, but we also need laws to stop gambling ads from targeting young people. The easier it is to gamble, the more problems we’ll see in the future.
Casinos and betting platforms should also be held accountable for preventing underage gambling. Fining the players is one thing, but what about stricter checks from operators?
Good move by lawmakers! The courts are already overloaded, and punishing underage gambling with civil fines instead of criminal charges is a more reasonable approach.
I support decriminalization, but this bill needs mandatory education. Just handing out fines won’t help young gamblers understand the risks of addiction.
This is a great step forward! Young people shouldn’t have a criminal record for a mistake, but they should still face consequences. A fine system makes much more sense.