New Jersey may fine underage gamblers instead of criminalizing them

In December 2024, New Jersey lawmakers began deliberating a significant change to underage gambling regulations. The proposed bill aims to lower the legal consequences for individuals under 21 who gamble, shifting the penalties from a criminal offense to a civil one. If passed, offenders would incur fines instead of facing criminal charges, with initial penalties set at $500 for first violations and escalating for repeat offenses. The financial proceeds from these fines are intended to support prevention, education, and treatment programs for compulsive gambling, highlighting a growing concern about increasing youth involvement in gambling activities, especially in light of expanding sports betting across the nation. The legislative change arrived amid worries regarding the uptick in gambling participation among younger demographics. Industry experts and advocates for gambling treatment noted that the problem has been exacerbated by the recent proliferation of gambling options in New Jersey and nationwide. Assemblyman Don Guardian, who expressed initial reservations about the proposed changes, acknowledged the potential benefits of allocating fine revenues toward combating problem gambling. Community organizations have voiced support for the bill but insist that it requires additional measures to effectively address youth gambling issues. Concerns were raised about the absence of education requirements associated with the bill, suggesting that merely imposing fines may not provide sufficient deterrent against underage gambling. Luis Del Orbe from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey emphasized that as awareness about the harms of gambling grows, it must be coupled with educational programs to inform youth of the risks involved. Looking ahead, the initiative has been approved by an Assembly committee, setting the stage for a broader assembly vote. However, it remains crucial for the bill to pass both houses of the New Jersey Legislature and be signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy. As the discussion continues, there is a distinct recognition of the urgent need for solutions aimed at addressing the challenges posed by underage gambling in an era of rapidly changing gambling landscapes.