Makes compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment program optional penalty for casino gambling by person under legal age of 21; makes fine optional.

S 1242 amends New Jersey law to make the $500 to $1,000 fine and mandatory participation in a compulsive gambling program optional for courts when a person under 21 gambles in a casino. Currently, offenders face a mandatory fine for this violation, which is a disorderly persons offense. Under this bill, courts can choose not to impose the fine and may opt not to require participation in a state-approved program, such as those offered by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The bill does not change the offense status but provides judicial flexibility in sentencing.