Atlantic City Venues Could Face Escalating Fines Under S597
New Jersey’s underage gambling bill would replace criminal penalties with escalating civil fines, while keeping the legal gambling age at 21. The post Atlantic City Venues Could Face Escalating Fines Under S597 appeared first on ReadWrite .
New Jersey lawmakers James Beach and Vincent Polistina are proposing a bill, Senate Bill 597, that would transform penalties for underage gambling at licensed casinos and simulcasting facilities in Atlantic City from criminal offenses to civil fines. The bill would maintain the minimum gambling age at 21, but levy fines of up to $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for subsequent violations.
Repeated violations would result in escalating penalties. The same escalating fines would apply to casino licensees and employees who knowingly allow underage gambling. Adults who knowingly allow a minor under their lawful care to gamble at these venues would also be subject to the same fines. Money collected from these fines would be allocated to the General Fund for gambling-addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs in the Department of Human Services.
This proposal, revived from a previous 2024-25 legislative session, would primarily affect Atlantic City, home to New Jersey's licensed casino industry.
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