The New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee advanced two pieces of legislation that aim to make teenagers and young adults aware of the risks associated with underage gambling.
The first bill, S-1242, would require individuals found guilty of an underage gambling offense to participate in a compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment program, such as those provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
Under current law, anyone who enters or gambles at a casino when they are under 21 years of age is guilty of a disorderly persons offense and is subject to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000. The bill would update the statute to give the court the option of whether to impose the fine.
The second bill, S-3666, would require each high school district to incorporate instruction on the potential risks of compulsive gambling into the curriculum as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The instruction would include information on the dangers of gambling addiction, taking risks with personal finances or assets, and probability versus predictability.
State Sens. James Beach, D-Camden/Burlington, and Shirley Turner, D-Mercer/Hunterdon, sponsored the measures.
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