Atlantic City Casino Gambling Age
Many of us take this spectacular shore city for granted, but it’s so much more than a shady neighborhood with a few casinos thrown in. The struggling town has a fascinating past and, hopefully, a bright future. Here are 10 things you may not have known about Atlantic City, New Jersey. L ess than 40 years ago, casino gambling was illegal everywhere in the United States outside of Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey. But since Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in. We strictly adhere to the rules of responsible gaming and only permit people over 21 years of age who are physically in the State of New Jersey to access our games. Caesars Casino & Sports is your own personal Las Vegas and Atlantic City rolled into one, wherever and whenever you want in New Jersey.
You must be 21-years-old to gamble in New Jersey and Atlantic City casinos aggressively enforce the underage gambling law. The casinos all have their own security officers who patrol all areas of the casino hotel, including the casino floors. The security officers keep a watchful eye for underage gamblers.
What Happens If You’re Caught At A Casino Gambling Underage?
Top Atlantic City Casinos: See reviews and photos of casinos & gambling attractions in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Tripadvisor. New Jersey casinos, located in Atlantic City, have a minimum gambling age of 21 years. All gambling is regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. It is thought to be one of the most stringent gaming commissions in the world. Atlantic City casinos pay eight percent of the win to New Jersey.
The typical scenario has a security officer approaching a young gambler at a slot machine and requesting identification to verify her age. If she is under 21, the security officer will escort her off the casino floor to a security holding area, and the official police will be called. The individual will be issued a criminal complaint for underage gambling under the casino control act – N.J.S.A. 5:12-119. This law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from gambling in an Atlantic City casino or any simulcast facility.
If the individual is convicted of underage gambling, the consequence is a disorderly persons offense. This means their criminal charge will become part of their criminal record. There’s also a fine of up to $1,000 and the individual’s driver’s license will be suspended for at least 6 months. If they’re under 17 and haven’t obtained a driver’s license yet, the issuing their drivers license will be postponed for 6 months.
A lot of individuals actually believe the legal age to gamble is 18 years old. However, absence of knowledge that the legal age is 21 is no defense to an underage gambling charge. If a parent or guardian of a person under the age of 21 allows an underage individual to gamble, that person can be charged with a disorderly persons offense as well. N.J.S.A. 5:12-119(c)
The Casino Control Commission frequently assesses substantial fines against the casinos for allowing underage gamblers to place bets. They’re crackin’ down on these underage gamblers, so know the law!
TALK TO AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY
If you or your child is currently facing underage gambling charges, talk to a criminal defense lawyer who could help. The experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty can contest the charges and help you fight, avoiding the most severe penalties. Contact us immediately to schedule a free initial consultation at 609-390-4600 or fill out the form below.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
In the U.S., we have two major milestone birthdays that take place within 3 years of each other: 18 and 21. At age 18, a person is considered a legal adult and can vote, play the lottery, and join the armed forces. At age 21, a person can legally drink and buy alcohol and patronize casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. But in many states, people can gamble at age 18—and there’s no better place to host a milestone birthday than a local casino. Here’s a roundup of the various states and their restrictions regarding 18 and over casinos.
Pari-mutuel betting
Pari-mutuel betting is a type of wager where the final payout is determined after all bets are made, which is different from the fixed odds offered by casinos. The most popular type of pari-mutuel betting is off-track betting facilities. When you bet on horse races, all bets are pooled together and the house takes its fee. Once betting closes, the payouts are finalized based on how much money is in the pool and the results of the event. States that allow pari-mutuel betting for people aged 18 and over include:
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
Bingo
Anyone can participate in a few rounds of bingo at the local church, but most casino bingo halls have an age limit to gamble. States that allow people age 18 and up to play bingo in a casino include:
- Connecticut
- Florida
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
Mixed age limits
Some states allow gambling for ages 18 and up or 21 and up, some depending on the particular casino, others depending on the particular casino game. For example, Florida allows those 18 and up to gamble on pari-mutuels, bingo, and poker, but has an age minimum of 21 for slots. States with mixed age limits include:
- Florida
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Washington
- California
Age 18+ welcome
A few states welcome anyone age 18 and older to gamble at local casinos, including California (with a few exceptions). California is home to casinos in over 100 cities—the largest number by far in the U.S., exceeding even the number found in Nevada. Southern California alone boasts two dozen cities with casinos, including Campo, which is home to Golden Acorn Casino! States that allow gambling at the age of 18 include:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Minnesota
- Wyoming
- California (with a few exceptions)
Atlantic City Casino Gambling Agent
Celebrate your 18th at Golden Acorn Casino
If you’re looking for the best place to celebrate your birthday at one of the 18 and over casinos near San Diego, come see us at Golden Acorn Casino. We offer hundreds of slot machines and dozens of table games to choose from, and we’re conveniently located right off the I-8, about an hour away from downtown San Diego. And who knows, maybe your wish for a big jackpot will come true when you blow out your candles!