New Jersey Casinos Hit with Fines Over Underage Gambling

In a recent crackdown on gambling-related offenses, five Atlantic City casinos and a racetrack in New Jersey have been ordered to repay $77,000. The penalties were imposed due to individuals placing wagers that led to house wins being either underage gamblers or individuals on a self-exclusion gambling list.

Online sportsbooks and casino platforms were not exempt from scrutiny, as DraftKings received a $7,500 fine for related offenses, and Rush Street Interactive faced a $2,000 penalty for accepting wagers on unapproved events. New Jersey strictly regulates the types of sports and events on which gambling companies can accept wagers. Any offerings outside the approved list result in regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action.

Contrary to suggesting a lapse in standards, the developments highlight that New Jersey's gambling establishments are actively addressing issues. Many problems were identified and reported by the casinos themselves, revealing instances where underage gamblers accessed slot machines or failed to produce sufficient identification.

Despite their proactive measures, Atlantic City casinos are held to rigorous standards, with the responsibility on them to prevent ineligible gamblers from accessing their products. Some cases also involved individuals on the self-exclusion list, prohibiting them from participating in gambling activities.

Casinos and gambling establishments must ensure compliance, even if gamblers use cunning tactics to gain access. Resorts faced the largest forfeiture, returning $51,000 for cases dating back to 2020. Ocean Casino Resort followed with $7,500, while Harrah’s had the smallest forfeiture at just $900. Freehold Raceway forfeited $4,400, Golden Nugget $4,200, and Bally’s north of $5,600. Although the reported amounts seem small, repeated offenses may trigger a more serious review, leading to enforcement actions and fines.