New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

It is illegal to gamble in New Jersey. In fact, gambling anywhere other than in an Atlantic City casino or racetrack can result in criminal penalties. Anyone arrested on suspicion of gambling in New Jersey would be well advised to understand his or her legal rights and options. It will be necessary to mount a strong defense to fight such charges.

Under New Jersey Law, gambling, or a contest of chance, is defined as "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." Therefore, any time there is money exchanged because of the outcome of an event, a crime has been committed.

Additionally, state law 2A:40-1 states: "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."

Defending gambling charges can be a complicated process. Here are some of the issues that come into play: Was the defendant aware that he or she was violating the law? What evidence does the prosecutor have against the defendant? How much money was exchanged? Did the suspect gamble or did he or she facilitate gambling for others? Does the defendant have a history of gambling issues?

Even first-time offenders who gambled a small amount of money can face jail time and heavy fines. The Princeton gambling defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to fight wrongful charges and how to negotiate for lesser penalties. If you or a loved one has been charged with gambling in New Jersey, please call our offices right away at (609) 240-0040 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Licensed casino operations are legal in New Jersey, but that does not mean it is legal to gamble throughout the state. In fact, risking something of value in New Jersey outside of a casino is a crime that comes with serious consequences. If you or a loved one faces gambling charges in New Jersey, it may be in your best interest to speak with a skilled attorney right away.

Under New Jersey law, gambling is the “unlicensed risking of something of value upon outcome of contest of chance or future contingent event not under actor's control, upon agreement that actor will receive something of value in event of a certain outcome.” It is illegal to be involved with bookmaking, to have possession of gambling records, and gambling devices. New Jersey gambling laws may become difficult to understand because there are a number of loopholes. For example, it is legal in New Jersey to have raffles and bingo for charitable organizations.

The extent of the penalties for gambling in New Jersey is directly related to the criminal history of defendant and the circumstances of the arrest. Penalties can also result in incarceration in some cases. Anyone charged with a gambling offense in New Jersey would be well-advised to learn more about their legal options from an attorney before discussing the specifics of the alleged crime with the authorities.

The gambling defense lawyers in Princeton of Lependorf & Silverstein handle gambling offenses in New Jersey. Put our years of experience to work for you by calling 609-240-0040 for a free consultation. We can put together a strong defense on your behalf that protects your rights.