New Jersey High School Students Could Soon Be Taught About Gambling Risks

English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, and … betting? New Jersey's legislation aims to unify education regarding the risks linked to gambling within the high school curriculum of the state. 

Senate Bill 3666 mandates that public school districts teach high school students about the dangers of compulsive gambling. If implemented, gambling courses would be included in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

"When minors gamble, they risk their futures. Approximately 20% of teenagers have a gambling problem or are at risk of developing one. Those who gamble are also more likely to use drugs or alcohol, as well as suffer from anxiety or depression,” said New Jersey Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon), a primary sponsor of SB3666 with Senate Deputy Majority Whip James Beach (D-Burlington/Camden).

“By passing this legislation, we can make teens aware of these risks and ensure they grow up with the knowledge they need to make responsible choices,” Turner added.

In New Jersey, gamblers faced a historic loss of $6.3 billion last year, ranking second only to Nevada for commercial gaming earnings. New Jersey hosts nine casinos in Atlantic City, along with iGaming, both retail and online sports betting, fantasy sports, parimutuel betting, and a state-operated lottery. 

Status of Bill 

For several years, lawmakers in New Jersey have been attempting to enact legislation that incorporates gambling education into high school curricula. The chances keep increasing that 2025 will be the year it gets approved. 

Shirley and Beach’s SB3666 was retained last autumn in preparation for the 2025 session. In February, it received unanimous approval from the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, & Historic Preservation Committee, but has since become stalled. The reason isn’t evident, as the measure has not faced any public resistance. 

The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey obviously backs SB3666.

"Educating students about compulsive gambling will help to prevent problem gambling, especially given the abundance of gambling opportunities and related advertising in our state,” a CCGN statement read.

The Casino Association of New Jersey did not reply to a request for comment before this report was published. Nevertheless, responsible gaming is a fundamental aspect of the CANJ mission. 

“Atlantic City’s casinos are committed to promoting responsible gaming. New Jersey has been at the forefront of casino gaming for many years, so we understand how critical this issue is to our industry, patrons, and the entire State of New Jersey,” Mark Giannantonio, CANJ and Resorts president, said in March during Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

Virginia Excels in High School Gambling Education 

If SB3666 gains traction and is enacted, New Jersey won’t be the first state to offer gambling education to public high school students. In 2022, two years after Virginia legalized new kinds of commercial gambling, legislators enacted a law for “education on problem gambling and its addictive potential.” 

Consequently, the Virginia Board of Education created protocols for this type of teaching. The curriculum offers high school educators guidance on alerting students to identify the signs of problematic gambling and how to deter gambling behavior in young people. 

The tutorial also informs kids about the unfavorable odds for gamblers and emphasizes that gambling should always be viewed as a cost-related form of entertainment rather than a means to make money.