ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5086

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 12, 2024

      The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5086.

      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.