The New Jersey Senate has proposed a bill to decriminalize underage gambling under the state Casino Control Act.
The bill, which was sponsored by senators on both sides of the aisle, would change violations of gamblers under 21 from disorderly persons offences to civil penalties.
The current disorderly persons offence applies to both underage players and casino employees; however, the new proposal would instead impose fines up to $500 for first offences, up to $1,000 for second offences and up to $2,000 for third or subsequent offences.
Moreover, the legislation would retain the existing defence for casino employees who reasonably believed the person was at least 21 based on appearance and documentation.
The proposed bill also states that all the fines collected from civil penalties will fund gambling addiction programs. The revenue will be deposited into the General Fund and appropriated to the State's Department of Human Services for compulsive gambling programs.
In related news, earlier this month, the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) requested that the US Supreme Court review the New Jersey v. Kalshi ruling.
The New Jersey Attorney General and state gaming regulators believe the prediction market operates as a sports-betting service and should therefore fall under the authority of individual states.
For casino operators, the bill would change the consequences of underage gambling violations involving employees from a criminal offense to a civil enforcement matter
