In deterring underage gambling, states tend to simply punish such behavior without intervention. They don’t address why people are gambling at such a young age. For that reason, New Jersey could give its court system options to actually address the behavior.

A bill in the state legislature would expand the choices that state judges have in terms of people convicted of underage gambling. It represents the individuality of such people and that being caught gambling underage could be a mere symptom of a deeper issue.

S1599 is currently awaiting a potential vote on the New Jersey Senate floor. On May 18, the New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend its passage.