New Jersey Bills Target Youth Gambling with Ad Rules and Education
New Jersey’s legislature took big steps toward safeguarding youth from gambling’s allure through two bills: Assembly Bill A5562 and Senate Bill S-3666.
A Push to Protect Young People
Introduced by Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese and Senator Shirley Turner, respectively, these measures aim to shield minors from the state’s booming gambling industry, which has seen $6 billion in online casino revenue since 2013.
With sports betting and iGaming flourishing, lawmakers are addressing the growing exposure of teens to gambling content, driven by pervasive ads and easy online access.
A5562, launched on April 10, seeks to overhaul gambling advertising by commissioning a study through the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. The study will analyze which words, phrases, and ad placements most effectively promote responsible gambling and deter underage participation.
Calabrese emphasized that the bill targets “irresponsible advertising” near schools and colleges, aiming to reduce the appeal of gambling to vulnerable groups. The Division of Gaming Enforcement has 12 months to publish findings and mandate three to ten key phrases for all gambling ads, potentially reshaping how operators like DraftKings market their platforms.
Educating the Next Generation
Meanwhile, S-3666, co-sponsored by Senator Turner, mandates that New Jersey high schools integrate gambling risk education into their health and physical education curricula.
Turner highlighted the urgency, noting that 20 percent of teens are at risk of gambling addiction due to the rise of online sports betting.
“Kids are bombarded with gambling ads and can access platforms through friends or family,” she said, citing studies showing 8 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds already exhibit problem gambling behaviors. The bill tasks teachers with covering financial risks, addiction signs, and links to mental health issues like depression, ensuring students make informed choices.
A companion bill, S-1242, introduced by Senator James Beach, complements these efforts by requiring minors caught gambling illegally to attend prevention and treatment programs offered by groups like the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
Currently, underage gambling in casinos carries fines of $500 to $1,000, but S-1242 allows courts to prioritize rehabilitation over penalties, aiming to steer young people away from harmful habits early.
Recommended