In recent sessions, our Legislature has passed laws that will subject persons under 21 years of age to a criminal record for drinking a single beer in public, and is currently attempting to impose driving license suspensions on any person under the age of 18 for smoking in public, while it refuses to oppose procedural changes that will allow children of any age to serve food and drink during gambling events throughout the State of New Jersey.
Focus on the Family has already gone on record as opposing this change currently being considered by the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC), the organization that is charged with overseeing the operations of bingo in New Jersey. Yet, this commission continues to support the concept of legislation proposed in the State Assembly by Representative Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. that would allow children of any age to be present during these gambling events. What is even more troubling is that this assemblyman is attempting to go around the legislative process by having the LGCCC change the law without the passage of any bill.
Studies show that more than 2.2 million adults who currently suffer pathological gambling addictions, began gambling between the ages of 10 and 13 years old. Children are three times more likely than adults to become problem gamblers, they are five times more likely to develop gambling-related problems than adults, and that there is an estimated 7.9 million teenagers and children that either had a problem with gambling or were addicted. The New Jersey Family Policy Council sent letters to the entire New Jersey Legislature citing these facts and asked for their support. Unfortunately, except for a few potential supporters, most appear unconcerned.
Isn’t it ironic that we live in a state where legislation is currently being considered that would subject a 17-year-old who smokes in public to suspension of his/her license for up to a year, while laws that currently protect our children from risks that may predispose them to a life of problem gambling are about to be rescinded?
William Hunt
Hazlet