New Jersey Underage Gambling Penalties Could Be Relaxed

Posted on: February 6, 2025, 09:57h. 

Last updated on: February 6, 2025, 10:14h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Underage gambling rates in New Jersey have skyrocketed in recent years, prompting a surge in calls to treatment outlets and clogging the legal system.

New Jersey underage gambling Atlantic City
Actors portraying a mother and son play cards with casino chips. New Jersey underage gambling penalties could become less severe through legislative action. (Image: Shutterstock)

Many New Jersey lawmakers want to relax penalties on under-21ers who have been charged with illegal gambling to clear up courtrooms and allow them to move forward with their lives without having a criminal record.

Under the state’s current law, a person under the age of 21 convicted of gambling, aside from on the lottery, which is 18 and up, faces six months in prison and $1K in fines. The charge is universal, whether the act occurred inside an Atlantic City casino, a retail sportsbook, a mobile sportsbook, a parimutuel facility, or on an online gambling website.

The gambling conviction, a disorderly person misdemeanor offense, can remain on a person’s record for three years after the completion of the sentence.

The rise of online gambling platforms, mobile apps, and advertisements has made it easier for young people to be lured by the notion that they can get rich quickly through gambling,” Assemblyperson Anthony Verrelli (D-Hunterdon) told NJ Spotlight News. “These services can appear attractive to young people who may not fully understand the risks involved, and as a result, they are more vulnerable to developing gambling problems.”

Verrelli is the chief sponsor of House Bill 5086. The legislation seeks to revise penalties for underage gambling to be lowered from a misdemeanor to a civil penalty.

Underage Gambling Bill 

Verrelli, along with his co-sponsors, Assemblypersons Claire Swift (R-Atlantic) and Luanne Peterpaul (D-Monmouth), suggests amending the underage gambling statute. The lawmakers propose fining underage people convicted of gambling up to $500 for the first offense, up to $1K for the second offense, and up to $2K for subsequent offenses.

All fines would be directed to the New Jersey Department of Human Services for the “prevention, education, and treatment programs for compulsive gambling.”

HB5086 is making progress in Trenton, as the bill cleared the Assembly with nearly unanimous support with a 73-1 vote on January 30. Assemblyperson Brian Bergen (R-Morris) was the lone dissenter.

The underage gambling bill has moved to the Senate where it’s being first considered by the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Prevention Committee.

Responsible Gaming Group Concerned

The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, funded by the state gaming industry, says if lawmakers want to ease penalties for underage gambling by eliminating the possibility of prison time, the updated law should require responsible gaming education for offenders.

When a young person is ‘fined,’ who actually pays the fine?” asked Luis Del Orbe, the council’s interim acting director. “More and more of New Jersey’s citizens need help due to the ongoing expansion of gambling opportunities. There is an urgent need for expanded education and awareness about the harms that can come of gambling, particularly with respect to youth.”

In 2022, during the council’s most recent examination of underage gambling, a study concluded that 4%-5% of the state youth aged 12-17 met one or more criteria for having a gambling problem. Another 10%-14% were deemed to be “at-risk” for developing a gambling addiction.