New Jersey criminal charge
Promoting gambling in New Jersey
Promoting gambling is a criminal offense under New Jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2. Its classification is not fixed: New Jersey assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2.
What is the penalty for promoting gambling in New Jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Lottery or policy scheme - money/records or over $100 — Applies when a person receives money or records from a non-player in a lottery/policy scheme, or receives more than $100.00 in one day of money played in such scheme.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $15,000 (Lottery or policy scheme - money/records or over $100 — Applies when a person receives money or records from a non-player in a lottery/policy scheme, or receives more than $100.00 in one day of money played in such scheme.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (Bookmaking - smaller volume — Applies when a person accepts three or more bets within a two-week period through bookmaking, but does not meet the third degree threshold.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Bookmaking - smaller volume — Applies when a person accepts three or more bets within a two-week period through bookmaking, but does not meet the third degree threshold.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Otherwise promoting gambling — Applies to all other violations of subsection a. that do not meet the third or fourth degree thresholds.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Otherwise promoting gambling — Applies to all other violations of subsection a. that do not meet the third or fourth degree thresholds.) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
Applies to current.
How is promoting gambling classified in New Jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lottery or policy scheme - money/records or over $100 | Crime of the Third Degree | Applies when a person receives money or records from a non-player in a lottery/policy scheme, or receives more than $100.00 in one day of money played in such scheme. | N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2undefined |
| Bookmaking - smaller volume | Crime of the Fourth Degree | Applies when a person accepts three or more bets within a two-week period through bookmaking, but does not meet the third degree threshold. | N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2undefined |
| Otherwise promoting gambling | Disorderly Persons Offense | Applies to all other violations of subsection a. that do not meet the third or fourth degree thresholds. | N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2undefined |
Common questions about promoting gambling in New Jersey
What degree of offense is promoting gambling in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: promoting gambling ranges from a Disorderly Persons Offense to a Crime of the Third Degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2.
Lottery or policy scheme - money/records or over $100: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2) · Bookmaking - smaller volume: Crime of the Fourth Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2) · Otherwise promoting gambling: Disorderly Persons Offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2)
What are the penalties for promoting gambling in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey statute covers promoting gambling?
Promoting gambling is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2 (Promoting gambling).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.