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New jersey criminal charge

Promoting gambling in New jersey

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

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?

Penalties for Promoting gambling
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison3 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))presumptiveN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (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)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Jail / prisonup to 18 months (no statutory minimum) (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))discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to 10000 usd (no statutory minimum) (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))discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Jail / prisonup to 6 months (no statutory minimum) (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)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-8
Fineup to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Otherwise promoting gambling — Applies to all other violations of subsection a. that do not meet the third or fourth degree thresholds.)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-8

Applies to current.

How is promoting gambling classified in New jersey?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Promoting gambling
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Lottery or policy scheme - money/records or over $100crime of the third degreeApplies 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 volumecrime of the fourth degreeApplies 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 gamblingdisorderly persons offenseApplies 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?

Penalties for promoting gambling in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a disorderly persons offense up to a crime of the third degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 and N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

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.