New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey S597: Underage gambling-revises penalty to be civil penalty
Status: In committee, October 15, 2026
Revises penalty for underage gambling to be civil penalty; provides for all associated fines to be used for gambling addiction treatment.
What the bill says
An Act concerning the penalties for underage gambling and amending P.L.1977, c.110.
From the introduced text, January 13, 2026:
An Act concerning the penalties for underage gambling and amending P.L.1977, c.110. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. Section 119 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-119) is amended to read as follows: 119. Gaming by Certain Persons Prohibited; Penalties; Defenses. a. A person under the age at which a person is authorized to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages shall not enter, or wager in, a licensed casino or simulcasting facility; provided, however, that the person may enter a casino or simulcasting facility by way of passage to another room, and provided further, however, that any person licensed or registered under the provisions of the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.), may enter a casino or simulcasting facility in the regular course of the person's permitted activities. Any person who violates this subsection shall be [guilty of a disorderly persons offense and shall be fined not less than $500 and not more than $1,000] [ADDED: liable to a civil penalty of up to $500 for the first offense, up to $1,000 for the second offense, and up to $2,000 for the third offense and any offense thereafter, which shall be collected by the commissioner in a summary proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the Penalty Enforcement Law of …
Sponsors
- James Beach (D, 6) · primary sponsor
- Vincent J. Polistina (R, 2) · primary sponsor
- Kristin M. Corrado (R, 40)
- Shirley K. Turner (D, 15)
- John F. McKeon (D, 27)
Latest actions
- : REF SBA
- : REP 2RS
- : TRANS SJU
- : INT 1RS REF SSG
Votes
- Senate Judiciary Committee: Reported favorably (October 15, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: GAMBLING
Common questions
- What is S597?
- S597 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Underage gambling-revises penalty to be civil penalty.
- What does S597 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning the penalties for underage gambling and amending P.L.1977, c.110.
- What is the status of S597?
- In committee as of October 15, 2026. Latest action: REF SBA (October 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored S597?
- James Beach (D, 6), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S597?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S597
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.