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Bill > S3972
NJ S3972
NJ S3972Revises penalty for underage gambling to be civil penalty; provides for all associated fines to be used for gambling addiction treatment.
summary
Introduced
12/16/2024
12/16/2024
In Committee
12/16/2024
12/16/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, anyone who gambles at a casino or simulcasting facility while under the legal age of 21 is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. A person who allows someone under the age of 21 to gamble, while they are in that person's legal care or custody, is also guilty of a disorderly persons offense. A licensee or employee of a casino who allows someone under the age of 21 to gamble is guilty of a disorderly persons offense as well. This bill changes the penalties for each of these actions from that of a disorderly persons offense, which is of a criminal nature, to instead be a civil fine of up to $500 for the first offense, up to $1,000 for the second offense, and up to $2,000 for any offense thereafter. The fines collected will used for prevention, education, and treatment programs for compulsive gambling, such as those provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
AI Summary
This bill revises the penalties for underage gambling in New Jersey, changing them from criminal disorderly persons offenses to civil penalties. Currently, individuals under 21 who gamble, casino employees or licensees who allow underage gambling, and adults who permit those under their care to gamble at casinos or simulcasting facilities face criminal charges. The new bill establishes a graduated fine structure: $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second offense, and $2,000 for third and subsequent offenses. The bill maintains an existing defense for casino employees who can prove the underage person presented written misrepresentation of their age and appeared to be of legal age. Importantly, all collected penalties will be directed to the Department of Human Services to fund prevention, education, and treatment programs for compulsive gambling, specifically those provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. This approach shifts the focus from criminal punishment to civil penalties and supporting addiction treatment, while still maintaining deterrents against underage gambling.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 12/16/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3972 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4000/3972_I1.HTM |
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