New Jersey bill would end criminal charges for underage gambling

New Jersey’s SB597 would swap a criminal record for a civil fine, moving to the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.

The hit

New Jersey senator Jim Beach’s bill to decriminalise underage gambling has moved, referred this week to the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to Casino.org. Beach filed SB597 in January after pushing the idea for four years. The bill would replace a criminal misdemeanour with a civil fine for minors caught gambling in Atlantic City casinos & simulcast sportsbooks.

Why it matters

The current law makes underage gambling a low-level misdemeanour, creating a criminal record for the minor, while a civil penalty does not, according to Casino.org. Security checks aren’t foolproof & fake IDs have become more authentic-looking. Civil fines still punish the behaviour, & the money would fund problem-gambling treatment. SB597 would also extend the same civil penalties to casino staff who knowingly let a minor gamble & to parents or caretakers who help minors gamble.

The record

Bill sponsor	Sen. Jim Beach (D-Camden)
First offence fine	Up to $500 under SB597, down from a criminal charge
Second & repeat offence fine	Up to $1,000 for a second offence, up to $2,000 for a third & subsequent offence under SB597
Largest DGE underage gambling fine	$157,500 paid by Bally’s (November 2008)
Legislature session ends	December 17, 2026 (New Jersey Legislature)

What happens next

Watch the Senate Judiciary Committee, where cosponsor Sen. Kristin Corrado sits, for a vote before New Jersey’s Legislature adjourns.

Sources: Should Underage Gambling Be a Crime? NJ Lawmakers Say ‘No’

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