Underage casino violations would draw civil fines for addiction programs

Underage entry and gambling violations would become civil matters. This covers people below the legal drinking age who enter or bet in licensed casinos or simulcast betting facilities. Entry would remain allowed when passing through to another room or carrying out activities permitted by a casino license or registration. If enacted, the change would take effect immediately. Maximum fines would be $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for each later violation.

Civil fines would replace the disorderly persons offense for these adults. Caregivers are covered when they have lawful care, custody, or control of the underage person. Operators and employees could defend allowing an underage person to stay if the person claimed legal age in writing, looked old enough, and was admitted in good-faith, reasonable reliance on both. If enacted, fines would immediately become up to $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for each later violation.

Penalty money would go into the General Fund for lawmakers to direct to the Department of Human Services. The money would support gambling addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs that meet state criteria. Lawmakers would have to approve spending the money. If enacted, this requirement would take effect immediately.