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A bill to lessen the penalty for underage gambling is being worked on by New Jersey lawmakers. The new law aims to change the approach from punitive to civil by substituting penalties for criminal prosecution.
Instead of facing criminal charges, anyone under 21 who are discovered gambling would be subject to increasing fines under the proposed reforms. The penalty would be $500 for first-time offenders, $1,000 for second crimes, and $2,000 for any further infractions.
The funds generated from these fines will go toward programs dedicated to preventing and treating gambling addiction. These programs will focus on raising awareness and offering educational resources to help reduce the harms associated with gambling, especially for young people.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey weighed in on the bill, stressing the growing need for intervention. “More and more New Jersey citizens need help due to the ongoing expansion of gambling opportunities, and it is anticipated that the demand will only continue to grow. There is also an urgent need for expanded education and awareness about the harms that can come of gambling, particularly with respect to youth,” the Council stated.
The bill has already passed through an Assembly committee and is now set to move to the full Assembly for approval.