New Jersey is rethinking how it deals with underage gambling, moving toward making such activity a civil offense rather than a crime, with fines going to fund programs for compulsive gamblers.
A bill to decriminalize gambling by people under 21 advanced Thursday in a state Senate committee with bipartisan support.
It mirrors a measure that was debated and given preliminary approval last year, but which ultimately was not enacted.
The bill, S597, would change the penalties from a disorderly persons criminal offense to a civil fine of up to $500 for the first offense, up to $1,000 for the second offense and $2,000 for a third offense.
