New Jersey Underage Gambling Fines Could Replace Jail Time
New Jersey's S597 would replace criminal charges for underage casino gambling with civil fines up to $2,000. Here's what it means.
New Jersey lawmakers are weighing a bill that would swap underage gambling fines for criminal charges, capping civil penalties at $2,000. The bipartisan measure, reported by News12 and Casino.org, also targets casino staff and adults who let minors gamble. It now sits with the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- S597 would set civil fines of $500, $1,000 and $2,000 for first, second and third offenses.
- The bill applies to anyone under 21 at licensed casinos or simulcasting facilities.
- Sens. James Beach and Vincent Polistina introduced the bipartisan bill.
- Fine money would go toward gambling addiction prevention and treatment programs.
- The Division of Gaming Enforcement's largest underage gambling fine against a casino was $157,500, issued to Bally's in 2008.
- A separate, non-binding resolution would ban gambling ads aimed at people showing signs of addiction.
What does New Jersey's underage gambling fines bill do?
New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill that would turn underage gambling fines into the main penalty instead of jail or a criminal record. S597 would remove criminal charges for anyone under 21 caught gambling at a licensed casino.
According to Focus Gaming News, the bipartisan bill comes from Sens. James Beach and Vincent Polistina. It would cover licensed Atlantic City casinos as well as simulcasting facilities and their sportsbooks.
How much would the fines actually be?
Casino.org reports the fines would escalate with each offense: $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for a third or later one. That replaces the current law's flat misdemeanor charge for underage gambling.
The existing statute already carries fines between $500 and $1,000, but it also leaves the underage person with a criminal record. S597 would erase that record entirely, keeping the penalty purely civil going forward.
The bill would keep an existing legal defense for casino staff. Employees who checked written identification in good faith and reasonably believed someone was 21 or older would not be held liable.
Who else could be fined under the new law?
The bill doesn't stop at minors themselves. Focus Gaming News reports it would also penalize casino employees who knowingly let an underage person onto the gaming floor.
Parents or caretakers who help a minor gamble would face the same civil penalties as the minor. The goal, according to the bill's sponsors, is to spread accountability across everyone involved, not just the underage gambler.
Why are lawmakers pushing to decriminalize now?
Sen. Beach has pushed this change for four years, according to Casino.org. He argues minors shouldn't carry a lifelong criminal record for walking onto a casino floor and placing a bet.
The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, where cosponsor Sen. Kristin Corrado also sits. The New Jersey Legislature remains in session and is set to adjourn for 2026 in December, leaving a narrow window for a vote.
Where would the fine money go, and how big have past penalties been?
All collected fines would first land in the state's General Fund. From there, the Department of Human Services would direct the money toward compulsive gambling prevention, education and treatment programs statewide.
Casino.org notes that the Division of Gaming Enforcement has issued much larger fines against casinos themselves for letting minors gamble. Bally's paid $157,500 in 2008 after regularly allowing an underage woman onto its floor, and Borgata paid $105,000 earlier that same year.
A related, non-binding resolution moving through Trenton this same week would ban gambling ads aimed at people showing signs of addiction. That would include personalized VIP marketing campaigns that use athletes or other celebrities to draw in players.
What it means for players
Nothing here changes how casinos check identification or run their gaming floors day to day. But it does change what happens if a minor slips through security. Anyone who plays poker or casino games, wherever they play, benefits from clearer rules and from underage gambling fines that fund real treatment programs instead of saddling a teenager with a permanent criminal record. It's also worth knowing the difference between a civil fine and a misdemeanor if you're ever asked for ID at a casino or simulcasting facility.
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Frequently asked
Is underage gambling still illegal in New Jersey?
Yes. S597 doesn't legalize underage gambling, it just changes the penalty from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil fine. Anyone under 21 caught gambling at a licensed casino would still face consequences and a financial penalty.
How much could someone be fined under S597?
The bill sets escalating civil fines of $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second and $2,000 for a third or later violation, according to Casino.org.
Has S597 passed yet?
No. The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee this week and still needs committee and floor approval before it becomes law. The Legislature is set to adjourn for 2026 in December.
Would casino employees face penalties too?
Yes. Focus Gaming News reports the bill would fine employees who knowingly let an underage person gamble, along with parents or caretakers who assist a minor in gambling.