Bill
Bill > A1822
NJ A1822
NJ A1822Revises penalty for underage gambling to be civil penalty; provides for all associated fines to be used for gambling addiction treatment.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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 fines. Specifically, individuals under 21 caught gambling in casinos or simulcasting facilities will face a civil penalty of up to $500 for a first offense, up to $1,000 for a second, and up to $2,000 for subsequent offenses. Similarly, casino licensees or employees who allow underage individuals to gamble, and adults who knowingly permit someone under their care to gamble illegally, will also be subject to these escalating civil fines. Importantly, all fines collected under this bill will be directed to the General Fund for appropriation to the Department of Human Services to fund programs focused on the prevention, education, and treatment of compulsive gambling, such as those offered by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (7)
Luanne Peterpaul (D)*,
Anthony Verrelli (D)*,
Clinton Calabrese (D),
Margie Donlon (D),
Eliana Pintor Marin (D),
William Sampson (D),
Sterley Stanley (D),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/A1822 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1822_I1.HTM |
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