New Jersey Bill Would Replace Underage Casino Gambling Charges With Civil Fines
- Under New Jersey Senate Bill 597, people under 21 who violate restrictions on entering or wagering in licensed casinos or simulcasting facilities would face civil fines instead of disorderly persons…
- As of October 2, 2026, the available legislative history lists no committee or floor vote on S597.
- Today, the rule sits in Section 119 of the Casino Control Act.
Under New Jersey Senate Bill 597, people under 21 who violate restrictions on entering or wagering in licensed casinos or simulcasting facilities would face civil fines instead of disorderly persons charges. The proposal remains pending. Put simply, the New Jersey underage gambling bill would swap the charge for a fine, capped at $500 for a first violation and higher for repeat ones. On September 28, 2026, it was transferred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to the Legislature’s records.
As of October 2, 2026, the available legislative history lists no committee or floor vote on S597. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and the September 28 transfer is the latest action on its official record.
What New Jersey’s underage gambling bill would change
Today, the rule sits in Section 119 of the Casino Control Act. A person under 21 who enters or bets in a licensed casino or simulcasting facility commits a disorderly persons offense and must be fined between $500 and $1,000.
The entry restriction has exceptions, including passing through to another room and entry by licensed or registered people carrying out permitted activities. A simulcasting facility, for anyone unfamiliar with the term, is a casino area where people bet on horse races broadcast from other tracks.
A disorderly persons offense is a low-level offense in New Jersey. A conviction under this provision can appear on a person’s record. S597, sponsored by Sens. James Beach and Vincent Polistina, would replace that charge with a civil fine, News 12 New Jersey reported.
Proposed civil fines would increase for repeat offenses
The fines would climb with each violation:
| Violation | Proposed maximum civil fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | Up to $500 |
| Second offense | Up to $1,000 |
| Third and later offenses | Up to $2,000 |
These are maximums, not fixed amounts, according to the introduced bill text. That turns today’s setup around. Under current law, $500 is the lowest fine for a violation. Under the bill, it would be the most a first-time violator could be fined.
Casino employees and caregivers are also covered
The bill reaches beyond the under-21 visitor. The same civil fines would apply to casino licensees and employees who allow someone under 21 to stay in or bet at a casino, News 12 reported.
They would also apply to a person who knowingly lets someone under their lawful care, custody or control bet or try to bet. Under current law, both are disorderly persons offenses.
Casinos would keep a defense they already have, according to the outlet. It applies when the underage person falsely claimed in writing to be of age, looked old enough, and the casino acted in good faith.
Fine revenue would support gambling programs
The bill also says where the money would go. Fines would be paid into the state’s General Fund, and the Legislature would then appropriate them to the Department of Human Services for compulsive gambling prevention, education and treatment programs, News 12 reported.
The bill’s official summary puts it in one line: all associated fines are to be used for gambling addiction treatment.
Underage casino gambling would remain prohibited
The bill would retain the underage wagering prohibition and existing entry restrictions and exceptions while changing the penalties for covered violations.
The idea has come up before. An earlier version, A5086, passed the Assembly 73–1 on January 30, 2025, but did not become law during that legislative session. Our October 1 report has more on that earlier effort. This session’s identical Assembly bill is A1822.
For now, S597 sits with the Senate Judiciary Committee. It would need to pass both legislative chambers and become law before its penalty changes could take effect. Until then, underage gambling at a New Jersey casino remains a disorderly persons offense.
Featured image: Casinos along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, seen from Bally’s Atlantic City in April 2019. Photo: Tdorante10 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
