A bill cleared for debate on the floor of the New Jersey Senate would give judges options to mandate treatment for underage gambling.
S 1599, which cleared the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee and now awaits a possible floor vote, would alter the state code related to offenders convicted of underage gambling. Under the measure, instead of simply punishing those caught underage gambling with fines, judges would be able to offer treatment options in lieu of punishment.
The bill would make fines of up to $1,000 optional for judges, who could choose to mandate at least one compulsive gambling treatment session instead of, or in addition to the fines.
A similar bill giving judges the option of mandated treatment for adults convicted of crimes related to compulsive gambling has stalled in the state Assembly.
The legislative efforts come in the wake of a study by the National Council on Problem Gambling showed that around 60 percent of high school-aged adolescents reported having gambled for money during the past year, with 4 percent to 6 percent having serious gambling problems.
Advocates of groups opposing compulsive gambling are suggesting the bill should be amended to include online gambling.
“Online gambling is just as popular, if not more popular, than in-person, brick-and-mortar casino gambling and definitely much more accessible,” said Felicia Grondin, the executive director for the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, according to NJ Spotlight News. “And there’s more opportunity for kids to gamble online given the fact that one can hide their identity online.”
