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New Jersey proposal could abolish criminal charges for underage gambling
Garden State lawmakers want to decriminalize underage casino gambling and replace it with fines ranging from $500 to $2,000.
New Jersey State Senators James Beach (D-Camden) and Vincent Polistina (R-Atlantic) have proposed legislation to eliminate criminal charges for underage gambling in casinos and simulcast facilities.
Senate Bill 597 would replace disorderly persons offenses with escalating fines. Civil penalties would start at $500 for a first offense, rising to $1,000 for a second offense and to $2,000 for a third and subsequent incidents.
Bill goes beyond underage gamblers
Currently, anyone under 21 who wagers at a New Jersey land-based casino or simulcasting facility faces a disorderly persons charge.
The law can go beyond the gambler, with casino employees who knowingly allow underagers to gamble also facing charges. The same applies to 21+ adults who let somebody in their custody or care play while underage.
According to Shore News Network, S-597 would replace the criminal designation with civil penalties in all situations. Casino workers and adults who knowingly allow the gambling would face the same fine schedule.
The proposed bill retains an existing defense for employees who reasonably believe the person is 21 based on their documentation and appearance.
All fines would help fund problem gambling programs
S-597 directs all fines collected from associated incidents to go towards prevention, treatment, and education on problem gambling.
Funds would first go to the state's General Fund, then be appropriated to the Department of Human Services for gambling addiction. One example is the Council of Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
The legislation has already passed a committee
S-597 began in the Senate Judiciary Committee, passing by an 11-0 vote on October 15, 2026. It has now moved to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
The legislation is essentially a reboot of Beach's and Polistina's S-3972 proposal from 2024. This bill was introduced in December 2024 but did not receive a vote in either house before the legislative session ended in 2025.
Nothing would change with New Jersey online casino laws
Neither current laws nor S-597 cover underage gambling in the state's online gambling market. The Division of Gambling Enforcement places responsibilities on NJ online casinos to prevent persons under 21 from depositing and playing for real money.
The process starts with mobile casinos requiring a potential player's name, residential address, date of birth, and last four digits of their Social Security number during registration. This info helps verify that a person is at least 21 years of age.
If the person doesn't pass these checks, they can't even use no deposit bonus codes, let alone deposit and play for real money.
Even after a player deposits and gambles, they may need to provide a photo ID and proof of residence (e.g., a utility bill) before cashing out. The fact that winnings could be confiscated is a major deterrent to underage gambling.
But again, S-597 doesn't seek to apply civil penalties to those under 21 caught playing online casino games. It applies directly to brick-and-mortar facilities, like existing laws.
Written by Jeremy Olson
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