Division of Gaming Enforcement
John J. Farmer, Jr., Attorney General
John Peter Suarez, Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 3, 2002

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kerry Hand (609) 441-2533

The Office of The Attorney General and The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement File First Complaints Requesting Casino Forfeiture of
Jackpots Won by Underage Gamblers

ATLANTIC CITY - Attorney General John J. Farmer and Division of Gaming Enforcement Director John Peter Suarez announced today complaints seeking the forfeiture of jackpots won by two underage gamblers at Resorts Hotel and Casino.

The complaints are the first filed in response to legislation passed in March 2001 requiring casinos to forfeit all proceeds won by persons prohibited from gambling in Atlantic City casinos, such as underage gamblers and those on the Casino Control Commission exclusion list, which includes people who have criminal histories and whose presence is deemed inimical to the casino industry. Prohibited gamblers also now include problem gamblers who voluntarily place themselves on the recently enacted self exclusion list.

On two separate occasions last August, underage gamblers at Resorts were arrested by State Police assigned to DGE after they attempted to claim their slot jackpots. Resorts is being asked to relinquish a $2,000 jackpot and a $375 jackpot won by the underage gamblers and in accordance with the new legislation, one half of the forfeited funds will be appropriated to programs for the treatment of problem gambling.

According to Division of Gaming Enforcement Director John Peter Suarez, "Not only will the prohibited gamblers not benefit from their ill-gotten winnings, neither will the casinos. This law adds another layer of responsibility to the casinos' obligation to keep prohibited patrons from playing and it not only benefits the State, but those in treatment for gambling problems."

In the year 2000, there were 255 arrests for underage gambling at Atlantic City Casinos. Underage gambling is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to $1000. People who voluntarily place themselves on the self exclusion list may be asked to leave the casino property and are prohibited from collecting any gambling proceeds, but are not charged with a criminal offense as is the case with the Casino Control Commission exclusion list.

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