Lawmakers in New Jersey are making strides in the state’s gambling laws. Just recently, lawmakers in the state announced that they were considering making a noteworthy change in how they deal with underage gamblers. According to critics, underage gambling has continued to present itself as a serious problem for one of the most lucrative gambling markets in the world.
According to analysts, approximately 60%-80% of high school goers say that they have tried gambling for real money in the last year. These analysts from the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors also claim that up to 6% of these high schoolers are addicted to gambling.
Youngsters face a considerably higher risk of developing betting disorders compared to adults. This is in part because young people’s brains are still developing, which means that young punters cannot always evaluate risk. A young person’s capacity to handle loss is also not as secure as a grown adult’s.
When the Supreme Court struck the federal ban on sports gambling thus paving the way for at least 30 states to legalize the practice in 2018, more young people have access to online casinos than ever before. The lawmakers in New Jersey, therefore, are currently deliberating on making a change in the way underage gambling is addressed in the state.
A Bill has since been proposed, titled Bill S-1599, that is looking to provide judges with the discretion to impose compulsory problem gambling treatment and education programs for any individual under 21 that’s caught engaging in gambling activities. In New Jersey, underage gaming is regarded as a disorderly person’s offense and attracts a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000.
The new proposed bill is intended to offer the criminal justice system an alternative to deter illegal betting behavior among young punters. Bill S-1599 was brought forward by Sen. James Beach. Sen. Beach’s driving force behind Bill S-1599 was to assist young punters in tackling gambling-related issues.
This bill is designed to offer them treatment rather than solely imposing fines. The senator believes that this approach is best as it would allow the underlying problem of unhealthy relationships with gambling to be tackled. Additionally, it would also prevent these underage sufferers from becoming repeat gambling offenders.
Sen. Beach believes that the current system of imposing fines can disproportionately affect low-income families end offering treatment alternatives could be a more effective approach in reducing instances of underage gambling. The proposed bill has already gained traction with the Senate committee voting in favor of the bill during a hearing earlier on in the month.
Why this bill demonstrates New Jersey’s willingness to tackle the issue of problem gambling, the good news is that there is limited evidence to suggest that Atlantic City casinos have a widespread concern over the issue of problem gambling. Data from the state division of gaming enforcement indicate that casinos in Atlantic City face penalties more frequently for allowing excluded punters to bet, which can be hard to respond to promptly or prevent.
Based on data from the division of gaming enforcement online gambling operators and sportsbooks tend to attract more infractions compared to land-based casinos. This means that while efforts to address underage gambling in Atlantic City are commendable experts argue that online gambling does pose more significant threats to young people in the state.
According to Felicia Brandon, the executive director for the Council of compulsive gambling of New Jersey online gambling is not only becoming more and more popular but is also more accessible compared to traditional Greek and mortar casinos. It is also worth noting that the online casino environment also allows hunters to hide their identity which makes it a lot easier for underage individuals to take part in gambling activities unsuspected.
Brandon suggests that focusing on online gambling and implementing stricter safeguards may be more effective in stopping or preventing underage gambling-related incidences. New Jersey boasts one of the richest gambling landscapes in the country with Atlantic City celebrating its 45th anniversary of legalized casino gambling.
With nine casinos already operating successfully and profitably in Atlantic City, New Jersey has established itself as one of the most formidable gambling destinations in North America plus New Jersey became the first state in the country to legalize online casino gambling in 2013 which was later followed by the legalization of online sports betting in 2018.
As a trendsetter in the gambling space, New Jersey continues to implement stringent regulations for online operators. For instance, the state has a strict 2-factor authentication policy for mobile sportsbooks. The state also has requirements for monitoring user accounts for suspicious activity which creates a much safer gambling environment for modern gamblers.
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Underage gamblers are much smarter
The rapid expansion of legal sports betting in 33 states, with 3 more expected to launch has continued 2 allow the state to develop father regulation designs to keep underage gamblers safe from gambling. For instance, many states including New Jersey have age confirmation and identity checks.
However, teens and young punters can easily bypass gambling restrictions by placing wagers on their parents’ or other relatives’ accounts or through unregulated offshore betting sites that are typically less vigilant about age checks. To further regulate underage gambling a few states are also moving towards gambling education in public schools.
This effort is still in its infancy and the details of what would be taught to underage gamblers in school are yet to be determined. For example, the state of Virginia enacted a law a last year requiring schools to have classes on gambling and its addictive potential the State Board of Education is still coming up with the curriculum but this is a great sign of things to come.
Apart from New Jersey, other states have also been also trying to limit instances of underage gambling. For example, Michigan also has a bill pending in its legislature to develop such classes in public schools. Similar legislation failed in West Virginia and Maryland in the past. But these states are expected to attempt to make the classes a possibility once again.
Final Thoughts
The proposed changes within casinos in Atlantic City and the rest of the country reflect the state’s commitment to addressing and dealing with gambling-related issues among young people. While the plan to offer treatment and education is certainly commendable, it is clear that even more stringent checks need to be put in place to protect young people.
