New Jersey Gambling Laws & Legal Age to Gamble (2024)

New Jersey is the unquestionable leader when it comes to land-based gambling on the East Coast, and residents and visitors can also choose between of dozens of legal online casinos and sports betting sites.

Most of the big casinos are located on the Atlantic City boardwalk, but New Jersey also has several parimutuel racetracks. The state allows charitable gambling and has its own lottery. New Jersey was the second state to regulate its intrastate online gambling market, which means that gamblers can get their online casino and poker fixes without having to turn to offshore iGaming sites.

New Jersey Unlawful Gambling

The New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice defines gambling as “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the actor's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.”

Only gambling expressly authorized pursuant to the state constitution is legal in New Jersey. But state law focuses on criminalizing operators rather than individual players.

A person is guilty of "promoting gambling" when he knowingly:

(1) Accepts or receives money or other property, pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any person whereby he participates or will participate in the proceeds of gambling activity; or

(2) Engages in conduct, which materially aids any form of gambling activity.

In fact, the New Jersey Code states that it is a "defense to prosecution that the person participated only as a player," although the burden is on the defendant to prove their status as a player.

Most gambling-related matters are covered by New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, section 2C:37-1 et seq. and 5:5-1 et seq. The minimum gambling age is 18 for bingo, lottery games, and pari-mutuel betting and 21 for casino-style games.

New Jersey Casinos

The history of regulated gambling in New Jersey dates to 1939 when the state legalized pari-mutuel horse race betting. However, the state gambling industry really took shape after 1976, when NJ residents voted in favor of allowing casinos in Atlantic City. New Jersey became only the second state, after Delaware, to legalize casino gambling. Racetracks aside, land-based gambling remains restricted to Atlantic City limits to this day.

The Casino Control Act of 1977 laid out a framework of regulation for the new industry and created the Casino Control Commission to license it and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) to oversee it and maintain its integrity.

In total, 12 casinos were built, including three by Donald Trump. But the 2008 financial crisis, coupled with gambling expansion in Pennsylvania and New York State, had a negative impact on Atlantic City's gaming sector. Between 2014 and 2016, five casinos closed. Fortunately, economic conditions improved, and two new casinos, the Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Casino Resort, were built.

In 2010, lawmakers enacted a bill to amend the Casino Control Act to deregulate the industry and make it more competitive with other states, eliminating many of the rules the casinos found burdensome. It allowed the casinos to use fewer supervisors for table games and required fewer Casino Control Commission inspectors to be on a property at any one time. Many of the commission's powers were transferred to the DGE.

New Jersey Online Gambling

As casino revenue dwindled, New Jersey lawmakers began looking for ways to save the struggling industry. They were thrown a lifeline in 2011, when the US Department of Justice offered a legal opinion that the federal Wire Act prohibited sports betting only and not casino gaming, poker, or lotteries. The 1961 law criminalized the use of interstate telephone lines to operate a betting or wagering business, and the new opinion would pave the way for state-sanctioned online gambling.

Nevertheless, in 2011, Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the state's first attempt at an iGaming bill, stating that it violated the New Jersey Constitution.

But on February 26, 2013, a revised bill authorizing online casino gaming and poker was overwhelmingly approved by the New Jersey Legislature, and later signed into law by Christie. The bill restricted the operation of online gambling to Atlantic City's casinos in partnership with third-party software providers.

New Jersey's online gaming market launched on November 21, 2013. Just under five years later, the first online sports betting app launched in the state, more of which below.

New Jersey Sports Betting

Around the same time New Jersey lawmakers were working to legalize online gaming, they also had a stab at sports betting.

New Jersey's first sports betting bill was approved in 2012 after a non-binding referendum showed there was strong public support for legalizing sportsbooks.

Professional sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB, sued New Jersey, arguing that the bill violated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and threatened the integrity of their games. New Jersey argued PASPA interfered with its constitutional rights to enact its own gambling laws.

The courts sided with the leagues, and New Jersey sports betting was shut down. Undeterred, lawmakers drafted new legislation that would repeal the state's own laws banning sports betting. Once again, the leagues sued.

New Jersey argued that while PASPA prohibited the state from authorizing sports betting, nothing prevented it from simply not enforcing laws related to sports betting, essentially decriminalizing the practice.

The professional sports lobby prevailed again in the lower courts. But in June 2017, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. On May 2018, in a shock 7-2 decision, the highest court in the land ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional as it commandeered power from the states.

After a years-long battle, New Jersey was free to legalize sports betting and had laid the groundwork for states across America to follow suit, which they did in great numbers.

Since the issue with PASPA was in part about federal overreach and 10th Amendment rights, the Supreme Court decision also defanged the federal Wire Act, which arguably prohibits online sports betting.

Certainly, federal authorities have shown no inclination to apply the Wire Act to the new state-regulated online sports betting markets.

Land-based sports betting launched at Atlantic City casinos and the state's racetracks the following June, and the first mobile sports books went live that August.

New Jersey Parimutuel Betting

With a rich racing history, New Jersey has three racetracks that offer parimutuel betting on their live races, along with simulcast betting: Meadowlands, Monmouth Park, and the Freehold Raceway. Off-track betting (OTB) is also available at various OTB parlors and via two mobile apps, MonmouthBetting.com and 4NJBets.

Sports betting has taken off in a big way at the tracks, quickly supplanting parimutuel horse betting as their biggest earner. For example, Meadowlands is a stone’s throw from the MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and Jets, and part of the New York metropolitan area, one of the largest urban landmasses in the world and the most populous area of the US. With a vast amount of footfall – and football – it's little wonder that its FanDuel sportsbook is one of the most profitable in the world.

New Jersey Poker

As of September 2023, there were three live poker rooms in New Jersey, all in Atlantic City, at the Borgata, Harrah's, and the Tropicana. No venues outside Atlantic City are permitted to offer cash games, although charitable poker tournaments are allowed under license. Home games are also legal provided no one is taking a rake or otherwise profiting commercially.

New Jersey legalized online poker in 2013. Later, it joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MISGA) and now shares player liquidity with Nevada, Delaware, and Michigan.

New Jersey Lottery

Established in 1970, the New Jersey Lottery offers a wide range of draw games, including multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions, as well as scratch-offs, online "fast-play" games, and the keno-style game "Quickdraw." In 2013, it was announced the lottery would begin online ticket sales from the fall of 2014.

New Jersey Charitable Gaming

New Jersey permits certain types of non-profit organizations to conduct charitable bingo, raffles, and casino nights, including poker tournaments, via a permit from the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission. There are strict caps on prizes. For example, for bingo, no prize may be awarded that exceeds $1,000 in one game.

New Jersey Gambling FAQ

Does New Jersey have casinos?

Yes, or more specifically, Atlantic City has casinos. There are nine casinos in the resort town, including The Borgata, The Hard Rock Atlantic City, Harrah's, and The Tropicana.

Does New Jersey have racetracks?

Yes, there are three horse racetracks in New Jersey, Meadowlands in North Jersey, Monmouth Park in Oceanport, and the Freehold Raceway in Freehold.

Does New Jersey have sports betting?

Yes, since 2018, Atlantic City casinos and the state's three racetracks have offered retail and mobile sports betting.

Is real-money online gambling legal in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey residents are free to join New Jersey-regulated casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms. We strongly recommend that you stick to legal NJ gambling sites that are safe because they're licensed and regulated by NJ DGE.

Does New Jersey have poker?

Yes, there are three poker rooms in Atlantic City, at the Borgata, Harrah's, and the Tropicana. Real-money online poker is available to play no matter where you are in the state.

Are home games legal in New Jersey?

Yes, social poker home games are legal provided no one takes a rake or otherwise profits commercially.

NJ Gambling Laws (Full Text)

2. No gambling of any kind shall be authorized by the Legislature unless the specific kind, restrictions and control thereof have been heretofore submitted to, and authorized by a majority of the votes cast by, the people at a special election or shall hereafter be submitted to, and authorized by a majority of the votes cast thereon by, the legally qualified voters of the State voting at a general election, except that, without any such submission or authorization:

A. It shall be lawful for bona fide veterans, charitable, educational, religious or fraternal organizations, civic and service clubs, senior citizen associations or clubs, volunteer fire companies and first-aid or rescue squads to conduct, under such restrictions and control as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Legislature by law, games of chance of, and restricted to, the selling of rights to participate, the awarding of prizes, in the specific kind of game of chance sometimes known as bingo or lotto, played with cards bearing numbers or other designations, 5 or more in one line, the holder covering numbers as objects, similarly numbered, are drawn from a receptacle and the game being won by the person who first covers a previously designated arrangement of numbers on such a card, when the entire net proceeds of such games of chance are to be devoted to educational, charitable, patriotic, religious or public-spirited uses, and in the case of senior citizen associations or clubs to the support of such organizations, in any municipality, in which a majority of the qualified voters, voting thereon, at a general or special election as the submission thereof shall be prescribed by the Legislature by law, shall authorize the conduct of such games of chance therein;

B. It shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize, by law, bona fide veterans, charitable, educational, religious or fraternal organizations, civic and service clubs, senior citizen associations or clubs, volunteer fire companies and first-aid or rescue squads to conduct games of chance of, and restricted to, the selling of rights to participate, and the awarding of prizes, in the specific kinds of games of chance sometimes known as raffles, conducted by the drawing for prizes or by the allotment of prizes by chance, when the entire net proceeds of such games of chance are to be devoted to educational, charitable, patriotic, religious or public-spirited uses, and in the case of senior citizen associations or clubs to the support of such organizations, in any municipality, in which such law shall be adopted by a majority of the qualified voters, voting thereon, at a general or special election as the submission thereof shall be prescribed by law and for the Legislature, from time to time, to restrict and control, by law, the conduct of such games of chance;

C. It shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize the conduct of State lotteries restricted to the selling of rights to participate therein and the awarding of prizes by drawings when the entire net proceeds of any such lottery shall be for State institutions and State aid for education; provided, however, that it shall not be competent for the Legislature to borrow, appropriate or use, under any pretense whatsoever, lottery net proceeds for the confinement, housing, supervision or treatment of, or education programs for, adult criminal offenders or juveniles adjudged delinquent or for the construction, staffing, support, maintenance or operation of an adult or juvenile correctional facility or institution;

D. It shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize by law the establishment and operation, under regulation and control by the State, of gambling houses or casinos within the boundaries, as heretofore established, of the city of Atlantic City, county of Atlantic, and to license and tax such operations and equipment used in connection therewith. Any law authorizing the establishment and operation of such gambling establishments shall provide for the State revenues derived therefrom to be applied solely for the purpose of providing funding for reductions in property taxes, rental, telephone, gas, electric, and municipal utilities charges of eligible senior citizens and disabled residents of the State, and for additional or expanded health services or benefits or transportation services or benefits to eligible senior citizens and disabled residents, in accordance with such formulae as the Legislature shall by law provide. The type and number of such casinos or gambling houses and of the gambling games which may be conducted in any such establishment shall be determined by or pursuant to the terms of the law authorizing the establishment and operation thereof;

E. It shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize, by law, (1) the simultaneous transmission by picture of running and harness horse races conducted at racetracks located within or outside of this State, or both, to gambling houses or casinos in the city of Atlantic City and (2) the specific kind, restrictions and control of wagering at those gambling establishments on the results of those races. The State's share of revenues derived therefrom shall be applied for services to benefit eligible senior citizens as shall be provided by law; and

F. It shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize, by law, the specific kind, restrictions and control of wagering on the results of live or simulcast running and harness horse races conducted within or outside of this State. The State's share of revenues derived therefrom shall be used for such purposes as shall be provided by law.

Criminal Law

2A:40-1. Gaming transactions unlawful

All wagers, bets or stakes made to depend upon any race or game, or upon any gaming by lot or chance, or upon any lot, chance, casualty or unknown or contingent event, shall be unlawful.

2A:40-2. Liability of stakeholder or person receiving wager

Whoever pays, delivers or deposits any money, property or thing in action upon the event of any wager or bet prohibited by this chapter or by any law of this state, may sue for and recover the same of the winner, or person to whom the same shall be paid or delivered, or of the stakeholder or other person in whose hands the same shall be deposited, or any part thereof, whether or not the same shall have been delivered or paid over by such depositary or stakeholder and whether or not any such wager or bet be lost.

[New Jersey, however, has an exception to this rule, under its Casino Control Act, N.J.Stat.Ann. § 5:12-101 (West 1988). That statute, essentially, provides that a loan made for casino gambling in Atlantic City is legal and enforceable. Gottlob v. Lopez, 205 N.J.Super. 417, 501 A.2d 176 (1985).]

2A:40-5. Action by loser to recover money or property lost at gaming, with costs; limitation

If any person shall lose any money, goods, chattels or other valuable thing, in violation of section 2A:40-1 of this title, and shall pay or deliver the same or any part thereof to the winner, or to any person to his use, or to a stakeholder, such person may sue for and recover such money, or the value of such goods, chattels, or other valuable thing, from such winner, or from such depositary, or from such stakeholder, whether the same has been delivered or paid over by such stakeholder or not, in a civil action provided such action is brought within 6 calendar months after payment or delivery.

2A:40-6. Informer action to recover money or property lost at gaming; limitation; costs

If the person who shall lose and pay such money, or lose and deliver such thing or things as aforesaid, shall not, within the time aforesaid, without collusion, sue for the money or other thing or things so lost and paid, or delivered, any other person may sue for and recover the same, with costs of suit, from such winner, depositary or stakeholder as aforesaid; the one moiety thereof to the use of the person suing for the same, and the other moiety to the use of the state; provided the action is instituted within 6 calendar months from and after the expiration of the time limited in section 2A:40-5 of this title for the loser to sue for the same.

2C:2-6. Liability for conduct of another; complicity

a. A person is guilty of an offense if it is committed by his own conduct or by the conduct of another person for which he is legally accountable, or both.

b. A person is legally accountable for the conduct of another person when:

(1) Acting with the kind of culpability that is sufficient for the commission of the offense, he causes an innocent or irresponsible person to engage in such conduct;

(2) He is made accountable for the conduct of such other person by the code or by the law defining the offense;

(3) He is an accomplice of such other person in the commission of an offense; or

(4) He is engaged in a conspiracy with such other person.

c. A person is an accomplice of another person in the commission of an offense if:

(1) With the purpose of promoting or facilitating the commission of the offense; he

(a) Solicits such other person to commit it;

(b) Aids or agrees or attempts to aid such other person in planning or committing it; or

(c) Having a legal duty to prevent the commission of the offense, fails to make proper effort so to do; or

(2) His conduct is expressly declared by law to establish his complicity.

d. A person who is legally incapable of committing a particular offense himself may be guilty thereof if it is committed by another person for whose conduct he is legally accountable, unless such liability is inconsistent with the purpose of the provision establishing his incapacity.

e. Unless otherwise provided by the code or by the law defining the offense, a person is not an accomplice in an offense committed by another person if:

(1) He is a victim of that offense;

(2) The offense is so defined that his conduct is inevitably incident to its commission; or

(3) He terminates his complicity under circumstances manifesting a complete and voluntary renunciation as defined in section 2C:5-1 d. prior to the commission of the offense. Termination by renunciation is an affirmative defense which the defendant must prove by a preponderance of evidence.

f. An accomplice may be convicted on proof of the commission of the offense and of his complicity therein, though the person claimed to have committed the offense has not been prosecuted or convicted or has been convicted of a different offense or degree of offense or has an immunity to prosecution or conviction or has been acquitted.

2C:37-1. Definitions

The following definitions apply to this chapter and to chapter 64:

a. "Contest of chance" means any contest, game, pool, gaming scheme or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants or some other persons may also be a factor therein.

b. "Gambling" means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the actor's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.

c. "Player" means a person who engages in any form of gambling solely as a contestant or bettor, without receiving or becoming entitled to receive any profit therefrom other than personal gambling winnings, and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of the particular gambling activity. A person who gambles at a social game of chance on equal terms with the other participants therein does not thereby render material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of such game if he performs, without fee or remuneration, acts directed toward the arrangement or facilitation of the game, such as inviting persons to play, permitting the use of premises therefor or supplying cards or other equipment used therein. A person who engages in "bookmaking" as defined in this section is not a "player."

d. "Something of value" means any money or property, any token, object or article exchangeable for money or property, or any form of credit or promise directly or indirectly contemplating transfer of money or property or of any interest therein, or involving extension of a service, entertainment or a privilege of playing at a game or scheme without charge. This definition, however, does not include any form of promise involving extension of a privilege of playing at a game without charge on a mechanical or electronic amusement device, other than a slot machine as an award for the attainment of a certain score on that device.

e. "Gambling device" means any device, machine, paraphernalia or equipment which is used or usable in the playing phases of any gambling activity, whether such activity consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, lottery tickets, policy slips and other items used in the playing phases of lottery and policy schemes are not gambling devices.

f. "Slot machine" means any mechanical, electrical or other device, contrivance or machine which, upon insertion of a coin, token or similar object therein, or upon payment of any consideration whatsoever, is available to play or operate, the play or operation of which, whether by reason of the skill of the operator or application of the element of chance, or both, may deliver or entitle the person playing or operating the machine to receive cash or tokens to be exchanged for cash, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or in any other manner whatsoever. A device so constructed, or readily adaptable or convertible to such use, is no less a slot machine because it is not in working order or because some mechanical act of manipulation or repair is required to accomplish its adaptation, conversion or workability.

g. "Bookmaking" means advancing gambling activity by unlawfully accepting bets from members of the public upon the outcome of future contingent events as a business.

h. "Lottery" means an unlawful gambling scheme in which (a) the players pay or agree to pay something of value for chances, represented and differentiated by numbers or by combinations of numbers or by some other media, one or more of which chances are to be designated the winning ones; and (b) the winning chances are to be determined by a drawing or by some other method based upon the element of chance; and (c) the holders of the winning chances are to receive something of value.

i. "Policy" or "the numbers game" means a form of lottery in which the winning chances or plays are not determined upon the basis of a drawing or other act on the part of persons conducting or connected with the scheme, but upon the basis of the outcome or outcomes of a future contingent event or events otherwise unrelated to the particular scheme.

j. "Gambling resort" means a place to which persons may resort for engaging in gambling activity.

k. "Unlawful" means not specifically authorized by law.

2C:37-2. Promoting Gambling.

a. Promoting Gambling Defined. A person is guilty of promoting gambling when he knowingly:

(1) Accepts or receives money or other property, pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any person whereby he participates or will participate in the proceeds of gambling activity; or

(2) Engages in conduct, which materially aids any form of gambling activity. Such conduct includes but is not limited to conduct directed toward the creation or establishment of the particular game, contest, scheme, device or activity involved, toward the acquisition or maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment or apparatus therefor, toward the solicitation or inducement of persons to participate therein, toward the actual conduct of the playing phases thereof, toward the arrangement of any of its financial or recording phases, or toward any other phase of its operation.

b. Grading. A person who violates the provisions of subsection a. by:

(1) Engaging in bookmaking to the extent he receives or accepts in any one day more than five bets totaling more than $1,000.00; or

(2) Receiving, in connection with a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise (a) money or written records from a person other than a player whose chances or plays are represented by such money or records, or (b) more than $100.00 in any one day of money played in such scheme or enterprise, is guilty of a crime of the third degree [Ed. note: punishment is three to five years] and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2C:43-3 shall be subject to a fine of not more than $35,000.00 and any other appropriate disposition authorized by N.J.S.2C:43-2 b.

A person who violates the provisions of subsection a. by engaging in bookmaking to the extent he receives or accepts three or more bets in any two-week period is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree [Ed. note: punishment is up to 18 months] and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2C:43-3 shall be subject to a fine of not more than $25,000.00 and any other appropriate disposition authorized by N.J.S.2C:43-2b. Otherwise, promoting gambling is a disorderly persons offense and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2C:43-3 shall be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000.00 and any other appropriate disposition authorized by N.J.S.2C:43-2b.

c. It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection a. that the person participated only as a player. It shall be the burden of the defendant to prove by clear and convincing evidence his status as such player.

2C:37-3. Possession of Gambling Records.

a. A person is guilty of possession of gambling records when, with knowledge of the contents thereof, he possesses any writing, paper, instrument or article:
(1) Of a kind commonly used in the operation or promotion of a bookmaking scheme or enterprise, including any paper or paper product in sheet form chemically converted to nitrocellulose having explosive characteristics as well as any water soluble paper or paper derivative in sheet form; or
(2) Of a kind commonly used in the operation, promotion or playing of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise.

b. Defenses.
(1) It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection a. (2) which must be proven by the defendant by clear and convincing evidence that the writing, paper, instrument or article possessed by the defendant constituted, reflected or represented plays, bets or chances of the defendant himself in a number not exceeding 10.
(2) It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection a. which must be proven by the defendant by clear and convincing evidence that the writing, paper, instrument or article possessed by the defendant was neither used nor intended to be used in the operation or promotion of a bookmaking scheme or enterprise, or in the operation, promotion or playing of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise.

c. Grading. Possession of gambling records is a crime of the third degree and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2C:43-3 shall be subject to a fine of not more than $35,000.00 and any other appropriate disposition authorized by N.J.S.2C:43-2b. when the writing, paper, instrument or article:
(1) In a bookmaking scheme or enterprise, constitute, reflect or represent more than five bets totaling more than $1,000.00; or
(2) In the case of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise, constitute, reflect or represent more than one hundred plays or chances therein.

Otherwise, possession of gambling records is a disorderly persons offense and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2C:43-3 shall be subject to a fine of not more than $20,000.00 and any other appropriate disposition authorized by N.J.S.2C:43-2b.

2C:37-4. Maintenance of a Gambling Resort.

a. A person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree if, having substantial proprietary or other authoritative control over premises which are being used with his knowledge for purposes of activities prohibited by N.J.S.2C:37-2 and N.J.S.2C:37-3, he permits such to occur or continue or makes no effort to prevent its occurrence or continuation and he accepts or receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any person whereby he participates or will participate in the proceeds of such gambling activity on such premises and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2C:43-3 shall be subject to a fine of not more than $25,000.00 and any other appropriate disposition authorized by N.J.S.2C:43-2b.

b. A person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree if, having substantial proprietary or other authoritative control over premises open to the general public which are being used with his knowledge for purposes of gambling activity, he permits such to occur or continue or makes no effort to prevent its occurrence or continuation and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2C:43-3 shall be subject to a fine of not more than $25,000.00 and any other appropriate disposition authorized by N.J.S.2C:43-2b.

2C:37-4.1. Shipboard gambling, crime; grading; exception

1. a. A person is guilty of shipboard gambling when the person:
(1) knowingly causes, engages in or permits any gambling activity prohibited under N.J.S.2C:37-2, 2C:37-3 or 2C:37-4 to be conducted on a vessel that embarks from any point within the State, and disembarks at the same or another point within the State, whether the gambling activity is conducted within or without the waters of the State; or

(2) manages, supervises, controls, operates or owns any vessel that embarks from any point within the State, and disembarks at the same or another point within the State, during which time the person knowingly causes or permits any gambling activity prohibited under this chapter, whether the gambling activity is conducted within or without the waters of the State.

b. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection a. of this section is guilty of a crime of the same degree as the most serious crime that was committed in violation of N.J.S.2C:37-2, 2C:37-3 or 2C:37-4, as appropriate.

c. This section shall not apply to gambling activity conducted on United States-flagged or foreign-flagged vessels during travel from a foreign nation or another state or possession of the United States up to the point of first entry into New Jersey waters or during travel to a foreign nation or another state or possession of the United States from the point of departure from New Jersey waters, provided that nothing herein shall preclude prosecution for any other offense under this chapter.

2C:37-5. Gambling offenses; presumption

In any prosecution under this article in which it is necessary to prove the occurrence of a sporting event, a published report of its occurrence in any daily newspaper, magazine or other periodically printed publication of general circulation shall be admissible in evidence and shall constitute presumptive proof of the occurrence of such event.

2C:37-6. Lottery offenses; no defense

Any offense defined in this article which consists of the commission of acts relating to a lottery is no less criminal because the lottery itself is drawn or conducted without the State. This section shall not apply to any person who has in his possession or custody any paper, document, slip or memorandum of a lottery which is authorized, sponsored and operated by any state of the United States, provided that the paper, document, slip or memorandum was purchased by the holder thereof in the State wherein such lottery was authorized, sponsored and operated.

2C:37-7. Possession of a gambling device

A person except a player is guilty of possession of a gambling device when, with knowledge of the character thereof, he manufactures, sells, transports, places or possesses, or conducts or negotiates any transaction affecting or designed to affect ownership, custody or use of:
a. A slot machine; or
b. Any other gambling device, believing that the same is to be used in the advancement of unlawful gambling activity.

Possession of a gambling device other than under such circumstances as would constitute a violation of section 116 of the "Casino Control Act" (P.L.1977, c. 110; C. 5:12-1 et seq.) is a disorderly persons offense; provided, however, that possession of not more than one gambling device other than a slot machine for social use within the home shall not be an offense under this section; and provided further, however that possession of one or more antique slot machines shall not be an offense under this section or under section 116 of the "Casino Control Act" (P.L.1977, c. 110; C. 5:12-1 et seq.). As used in this section, "antique slot machine" means a slot machine which was manufactured prior to 1941. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the use of an antique slot machine for any unlawful purpose or for gaming....

2C:37-9. Nonapplicability

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit any activity authorized by the "Casino Control Act" (P.L.1977, c. 110; C. 5:12-1 et seq.), or to supersede any provision of said act.

2C:43-6. Sentence of Imprisonment for Crime; Ordinary Terms; Mandatory Terms.

a. Except as otherwise provided, a person who has been convicted of a crime may be sentenced to imprisonment, as follows:

(1) In the case of a crime of the first degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between 10 years and 20 years;

(2) In the case of a crime of the second degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between five years and 10 years;

(3) In the case of a crime of the third degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between three years and five years;

(4) In the case of a crime of the fourth degree, for a specific term which shall be fixed by the court and shall not exceed 18 months.

b. As part of a sentence for any crime, where the court is clearly convinced that the aggravating factors substantially outweigh the mitigating factors, as set forth in subsections a. and b. of 2C:44-1, or the court finds that the aggravating factor set forth in paragraph (5) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:44-1 applies, the court may fix a minimum term not to exceed one-half of the term set pursuant to subsection a., or one-half of the term set pursuant to a maximum period of incarceration for a crime set forth in any statute other than this code, during which the defendant shall not be eligible for parole; provided that no defendant shall be eligible for parole at a date earlier than otherwise provided by the law governing parole.

c. A person who has been convicted under 2C:39-4a. of possession of a firearm with intent to use it against the person of another, or of a crime under any of the following sections: 2C:11-3, 2C:11-4, 2C:12-1b., 2C:13-1, 2C:14- 2a., 2C:14-3a., 2C:15-1, 2C:18-2, 2C:29-5, who, while in the course of committing or attempting to commit the crime, including the immediate flight therefrom, used or was in possession of a firearm as defined in 2C:39-1f., shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court. The term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term. The minimum term shall be fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed by the court or three years, whichever is greater, or 18 months in the case of a fourth degree crime, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole.

The minimum terms established by this section shall not prevent the court from imposing presumptive terms of imprisonment pursuant to 2C:44-1f.(1) except in cases of crimes of the fourth degree.

A person who has been convicted of an offense enumerated by this subsection and who used or possessed a firearm during its commission, attempted commission or flight therefrom and who has been previously convicted of an offense involving the use or possession of a firearm as defined in 2C:44-3d., shall be sentenced by the court to an extended term as authorized by 2C:43-7c., notwithstanding that extended terms are ordinarily discretionary with the court.

d. The court shall not impose a mandatory sentence pursuant to subsection c. of this section, 2C:43-7c. or 2C:44-3d., unless the ground therefor has been established at a hearing. At the hearing, which may occur at the time of sentencing, the prosecutor shall establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the weapon used or possessed was a firearm. In making its finding, the court shall take judicial notice of any evidence, testimony or information adduced at the trial, plea hearing, or other court proceedings and shall also consider the presentence report and any other relevant information.

e. A person convicted of a third or subsequent offense involving State taxes under N.J.S. 2C:20-9, N.J.S. 2C:21-15, any other provision of this code, or under any of the provisions of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes, or Title 54A of the New Jersey Statutes, as amended and supplemented, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court. This shall not preclude an application for and imposition of an extended term of imprisonment under N.J.S. 2C:44-3 if the provisions of that section are applicable to the offender.

f. A person convicted of manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing with intent to distribute any dangerous substance or controlled substance analog under N.J.S. 2C:35-5, of maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility under N.J.S. 2C:35-4, of employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme under N.J.S. 2C:35-6, leader of a narcotics trafficking network under N.J.S. 2C:35-3, or of distributing, dispensing or possessing with intent to distribute on or near school property or buses under section 1 of P.L.1987, c. 101 (C. 2C:35-7), who has been previously convicted of manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog, shall upon application of the prosecuting attorney be sentenced by the court to an extended term as authorized by subsection c. of N.J.S. 2C:43-7, notwithstanding that extended terms are ordinarily discretionary with the court. The term of imprisonment shall, except as may be provided in N.J.S. 2C:35-12, include the imposition of a minimum term. The minimum term shall be fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed by the court or three years, whichever is greater, not less than seven years if the person is convicted of a violation of N.J.S. 2C:35- 6, or 18 months in the case of a fourth degree crime, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole.

The court shall not impose an extended term pursuant to this subsection unless the ground therefor has been established at a hearing. At the hearing, which may occur at the time of sentencing, the prosecutor shall establish the ground therefor by a preponderance of the evidence. In making its finding, the court shall take judicial notice of any evidence, testimony or information adduced at the trial, plea hearing, or other court proceedings and shall also consider the presentence report and any other relevant information.

For the purpose of this subsection, a previous conviction exists where the actor has at any time been convicted under chapter 35 of this title or Title 24 of the Revised Statutes or under any similar statute of the United States, this State, or any other state for an offense that is substantially equivalent to N.J.S. 2C:35-3, N.J.S. 2C:35-4, N.J.S. 2C:35-5, N.J.S. 2C:35-6 or section 1 of P.L.1987, c. 101 (C. 2C:35-7).

g. Any person who has been convicted under subsection a. of N.J.S. 2C:39-4 of possessing a machine gun or assault firearm with intent to use it against the person of another, or of a crime under any of the following sections: N.J.S. 2C:11-3, N.J.S. 2C:11-4, N.J.S. 2C:12-1b., N.J.S. 2C:13-1, N.J.S. 2C:14-2a., N.J.S. 2C:14-3a., N.J.S. 2C:15-1, N.J.S. 2C:18- 2, N.J.S. 2C:29-5, N.J.S. 2C:35-5, who, while in the course of committing or attempting to commit the crime, including the immediate flight therefrom, used or was in possession of a machine gun or assault firearm shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court. The term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term. The minimum term shall be fixed at 10 years for a crime of the first or second degree, five years for a crime of the third degree, or 18 months in the case of a fourth degree crime, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole.

The minimum terms established by this section shall not prevent the court from imposing presumptive terms of imprisonment pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection f. of N.J.S. 2C:44-1 for crimes of the first degree.

A person who has been convicted of an offense enumerated in this subsection and who used or possessed a machine gun or assault firearm during its commission, attempted commission or flight therefrom and who has been previously convicted of an offense involving the use or possession of any firearm as defined in subsection d. of N.J.S. 2C:44-3, shall be sentenced by the court to an extended term as authorized by subsection d. of N.J.S. 2C:43-7, notwithstanding that extended terms are ordinarily discretionary with the court.

h. The court shall not impose a mandatory sentence pursuant to subsection g. of this section, subsections d. of N.J.S. 2C:43-7 or N.J.S. 2C:44-3, unless the ground therefor has been established at a hearing. At the hearing, which may occur at the time of sentencing, the prosecutor shall establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the weapon used or possessed was a machine gun or assault firearm. In making its finding, the court shall take judicial notice of any evidence, testimony or information adduced at the trial, plea hearing, or other court proceedings and shall also consider the presentence report and any other relevant information.

i. A person who has been convicted under paragraph (6) of subsection b. of 2C:12-1 of causing bodily injury while eluding shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court. The term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term. The minimum term shall be fixed at, or between one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed by the court. The minimum term established by this subsection shall not prevent the court from imposing a presumptive term of imprisonment pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection f. of 2C:44-1.

Licensed Gambling

5:8-24. Short title

This act shall be known as and may be cited as the "Bingo Licensing Law."

5:8-25. Licensing authorized; organizations eligible; game described; purposes to which proceeds devoted; rights of licensees; use of electronic devices

It shall be lawful for the governing body of any municipality, at any time after this act shall become operative within such municipality and except when prohibited by this act, to license bona fide organizations or associations of veterans of any war in which the United States has been engaged, churches or religious congregations and religious organizations, charitable, educational and fraternal organizations, civic and service clubs, senior citizen associations and clubs, officially recognized volunteer fire companies, and officially recognized volunteer first aid or rescue squads, to hold and operate games of chance of, and restricted to, the specific kind of game of chance commonly known as bingo or lotto played for prizes with cards bearing numbers or other designations, five or more in one line, the holder covering numbers, as objects, similarly numbered, are drawn from a receptacle and the game being won by the person who first covers a previously designated arrangement of numbers on such a card, by selling shares or tickets or rights to participate in such games and by conducting the games accordingly, when the entire net proceeds of such games of chance are to be devoted to educational, charitable, patriotic, religious or public-spirited uses, and, in the case of senior citizen associations or clubs, to the support of such organizations, and for any such organization, association, church, congregation, society, club, fire company, first aid or rescue squad, or senior citizen association or club, when so licensed, to hold, operate and conduct such games of chance by its active members pursuant to this act and such license, and under such conditions and regulations for the supervision and conduct thereof as shall be prescribed by rules and regulations duly adopted from time to time by the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission, hereinafter designated as the control commission, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, but only when the entire net proceeds thereof are devoted to the uses aforesaid and for any person or persons to participate in and play such games of chance conducted under any such license.

The control commission shall, pursuant to regulations promulgated by it, authorize the use in conducting bingo or lotto of electronic devices that are the functional equivalent of the cards, numbered objects, and receptacle described herein to the extent that the use of such devices is not inconsistent with any other provision of this act or the provisions of subparagraph A of the New Jersey Constitution, Article IV, Section 7, paragraph 2. Any such electronic device shall comply with specifications prescribed by the commission and shall be approved by the commission prior to use. Such devices shall not include any device into which currency, coins or tokens may be inserted or from which currency, coins or tokens, or any receipt for monetary value, can be dispensed or which, once provided to a person participating in bingo, is capable of communicating with other such devices. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as allowing electronic devices used by a qualified organization in conducting bingo or lotto to be linked to electronic devices used by any other qualified organization in conducting bingo or lotto.

5:8-51. Eligible organizaations

a. It shall be lawful for the governing body of any municipality, at any time after this act shall become operative within such municipality and except when prohibited by this act, to license bona fide organizations or associations of veterans of any war in which the United States has been engaged, churches or religious congregations and religious organizations, charitable, educational and fraternal organizations, civic and service clubs, senior citizen associations and clubs, officially recognized volunteer fire companies, and officially recognized volunteer first aid or rescue squads, to hold and operate the specific kind of game or games of chance commonly known as a raffle or raffles played by drawing for prizes or the allotment of prizes by chance, by the selling of shares or tickets or rights to participate in such game or games and by conducting the game or games accordingly, when the entire net proceeds of such games of chance are to be devoted to educational, charitable, patriotic, religious or public-spirited uses, and in the case of senior citizen associations and clubs to the support of these organizations, and for any such organization or association, church, congregation, society, club, company or squad, when so licensed or without any license when and as hereinafter prescribed, to hold, operate and conduct such game of chance pursuant to this act and such license, in such municipality and to sell shares or tickets or rights to participate in such game or games of chance therein and in any other municipality which shall have adopted this act and under such conditions and regulations for the supervision and conduct thereof as shall be prescribed by rules and regulations duly adopted from time to time by the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission, hereinafter designated as the control commission, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, but only when the entire net proceeds thereof are devoted to the uses aforesaid and for any person or persons to participate in and play such games of chance conducted under any such license.

b. The control commission may adopt regulations authorizing licensees to hold events known as:

"armchair races " at which wagers are placed on the outcome of previously-filmed horse races and wagerers do not know the results in advance, when the prize awarded consists of merchandise or raffle tickets only, and not cash; and

"casino nights " at which players use chips or script purchased from the licensee to wager in games of chance known as blackjack, under/over, beat-the-dealer, chuck-a-luck, craps, roulette, bingo or similar games approved by the commission, when the chips or script are redeemable for merchandise or raffle tickets only, and not for cash.

The regulations shall establish the frequency with which these events may be held, the rules of the games, the specific type and value of prizes which may be offered, the qualifications of the individuals conducting the games and other requirements which the commission may deem pertinent.

c. No license shall be required for the holding, operating or conducting of a raffle for a door prize of donated merchandise of the value of less than $50.00 for which no extra charge is made at an assemblage at which no other game of chance is held, operated or conducted, if the proceeds of such assemblage are devoted to the uses described in this section.

2. a. It shall be lawful for the governing body of any municipality, at any time after this act shall become operative within such municipality and except when prohibited by this act, to license bona fide organizations or associations of veterans of any war in which the United States has been engaged, churches or religious congregations and religious organizations, charitable, educational and fraternal organizations, civic and service clubs, senior citizen associations and clubs, officially recognized volunteer fire companies, and officially recognized volunteer first aid or rescue squads, to hold and operate the specific kind of game or games of chance commonly known as a raffle or raffles played by drawing for prizes or the allotment of prizes by chance, by the selling of shares or tickets or rights to participate in such game or games and by conducting the game or games...[under] rules and regulations duly adopted from time to time by the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission, hereinafter designated as the control commission, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, but only when the entire net proceeds thereof are devoted to the uses aforesaid and for any person or persons to participate in and play such games of chance conducted under any such license.

Casino Control Act

On February 1, 2011, Governor Chris Christie signed into law Bill S-12, which makes significant changes to the regulation of casino gaming in Atlantic City.  Authority over the daily operation of casinos was transferred from the Casino control Commission to the Division of Gaming Enforcement.  Text is here