New Jersey lawmakers are once again considering legislation that would change how the state handles underage gambling violations in casinos and simulcasting facilities. A bipartisan measure filed in the Senate seeks to replace criminal penalties with a system of escalating civil fines while directing all collected revenue toward gambling addiction services.
Senate Bill 597, sponsored by Sen. James Beach, a Democrat from Camden, and Sen. Vincent Polistina, a Republican from Atlantic County, would amend provisions of the Casino Control Act related to individuals under the legal casino gambling age of 21. The proposal maintains the current minimum age requirement but changes the consequences for violations.
Under the bill, a first offense would carry a civil penalty of up to $500. A second violation could result in a fine of up to $1,000, while a third or subsequent offense could lead to penalties of up to $2,000.
Proposal Shifts Violations From Criminal to Civil Matters
Current New Jersey law allows individuals under 21 who enter a licensed casino or simulcasting facility and gamble to be charged with a disorderly persons offense. Although considered a low-level criminal offense, such a charge can create a criminal record.
The proposed legislation would remove that criminal classification and replace it with civil enforcement measures. The same framework would apply to sportsbook operations located within simulcasting facilities, according to Shore News Network.
The bill also extends the civil penalty structure beyond underage gamblers themselves. Casino employees and license holders who knowingly permit underage individuals to remain in or wager at gaming venues would face the same escalating fines. Likewise, adults who knowingly allow someone under their legal care, custody, or control to gamble while underage could be penalized under the legislation.
Existing protections for casino workers would remain in place. Employees could still use a good-faith defense if they relied on written age representations and reasonably believed a patron was at least 21 years old based on appearance and identification documents.
The proposal does not alter New Jersey’s legal gambling age and would not legalize underage gambling. Instead, it focuses solely on changing the method of enforcement and punishment.
Revenue Earmarked for Compulsive Gambling Services
A key component of Senate Bill 597 is the allocation of penalty revenue. All funds collected through the civil fines would be deposited into the state’s General Fund and appropriated to the Department of Human Services.
According to the proposal, the money would support compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment initiatives that meet existing state requirements. Programs eligible for funding could include those operated by organizations such as the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
Supporters of the legislation have argued that directing financial penalties toward treatment and prevention efforts provides a more constructive response to gambling-related issues than imposing criminal records on young offenders.
The bill also changes the existing penalty structure. Current law requires a minimum fine of $500 and allows fines up to $1,000 for subsequent violations. Under the proposed system, repeat offenders could face higher penalties while avoiding criminal prosecution.
Measure Returns After Earlier Attempt Fell Short
The latest proposal follows a similar effort during the previous legislative session. Beach and Polistina introduced substantially the same legislation in late 2024 as Senate Bill 3972. That measure did not complete the legislative process before the session ended.
The bill has now been reintroduced for the 2026-27 legislative term. Additional co-sponsors include Sens. Kristin Corrado, Shirley Turner, and John McKeon. After being filed earlier this year, SB597 was recently referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.
New Jersey remains one of only a handful of states whose legislatures are still in session, with lawmakers scheduled to adjourn on Dec. 17.
If enacted, the proposal would have its greatest practical impact in Atlantic City, where the state’s casino industry is concentrated. The change would shift underage gambling violations involving patrons and casino personnel from criminal proceedings to civil enforcement actions.
The debate comes as casinos continue efforts to prevent underage access to gaming floors. Under the Casino Control Act, Atlantic City casinos are required to verify that patrons are at least 21 years old. Security personnel monitor entrances and gaming areas, often checking identification from individuals who appear younger than 30.
Despite those safeguards, violations still occur. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement oversees enforcement actions related to underage gambling. In November 2008, Bally’s received a $157,500 penalty after regulators concluded that the property had repeatedly allowed an underage woman to gamble. Earlier that year, Borgata was fined $105,000 in a separate underage gambling case.