Former Regulator Exec Advocates for Stronger Gambling Framework

There are different regulations when it comes to gambling in states across the US. While some states permit casino and sports betting, others prohibit such forms of gambling. Just like the regulation can vary from one state to the other, so can the legal gambling age.

In some US states, the minimum age required for gambling activities such as lotteries or even casinos is 18, while others require the visitors to be 21 or older. With that in mind, a new proposal calls for a uniform legal gambling age as a way to protect young adults from harm and addiction, among other changes.

Uniform Gambling Age Is Needed

David Rebuck, the former director of the New Jersey gambling regulator, the Division of Gaming Enforcement, listed a range of recommendations to help protect young adults from gambling harm, as announced by the Associated Press. The key recommendations came as a part of an essay released last week, where the former gaming exec wrote about the importance of implementing a uniform gambling age.

According to Rebuck, the minimum legal age required for all gambling activities needs to be set at 21. His recommendations suggest raising the minimum age some states require for lotteries, daily fantasy sports, bingo and other gambling activities from 18 to 21. “Revising the age of majority sends a powerful message that all gambling is an adult privilege,” wrote Rebuck.

Moreover, the executive explained: “For some youth, gambling results in at-risk behavior with damaging lifelong consequences. Minors 18 to 20 years old will undeniably benefit from the extra time to fully understand and prepare for any form of legal gambling engagement in the future.”

Changes May Be Made Nationwide

Rebuck is a recognizable executive who played a key role in strengthening the gambling regulations in New Jersey. His recent suggestions may result in changes to the minimum gambling age not only in New Jersey but across the country too.

Besides a uniform gambling age, Rebuck wrote about the importance of increasing the minimum legal age for specific activities such as daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests, lottery tickets and the popular arcade games that offer a form of entertainment that is close to slot games.

According to Rebuck, the gambling regulations in New Jersey need to undergo reform. This is because they were implemented long before the boom of online gambling and betting via smartphones and the Internet. By updating the rules, the Garden State will be able to better protect young adults from excessive gambling and harm.

On the other hand, according to Rebuck, education is also incredibly important. He supported the development of education campaigns that inform the public about the dangers associated with popular social casino apps, skill-based games and other gambling activities.