Rhode Island Wants to Criminalize Underage iGaming Despite Opposition

A bill that sought to criminalize iGaming by anyone under the age of 21 was dealt a defeat in the House Judiciary Committee in Delaware on Tuesday, April 22, but the issue may return for discussion and re-vote, as lawmakers are looking to push the measure through anyway.

The bill was narrowly defeated with a 7-5 vote, but rancor over the decision persists, with the proposal now possibly up for reconsideration. If passed, the bill would make it a criminal offense for young adults between the ages of 18 and 20 to connect to gambling websites online.

Critics Say the Law Is Arbitrary and Unclear

This is an almost strange decision, given that people in this age group can currently access physical gaming floors freely. Critics of the bill have slammed it for its arbitrary language, which would introduce new offenses into the state’s criminal code—arguably without proper consultation or a clear need to do so.

However, the Rhode Island State Police believe that criminalizing iGaming is a step in the right direction. The ACLU of Rhode Island and the Public Defender’s Office have strongly opposed the proposal.

According to Megan Jackson, the legislative liaison for the Public Defender’s Office, creating a separate offense for iGaming in this age group could make it difficult for individuals to understand the legality of their actions—are they allowed to gamble in-person but not online?

Jackson urged the state to focus on educating individuals in this particular age group rather than passing laws that could have serious consequences for those who may have violated them unintentionally:

“Rather than criminalizing digital gambling for individuals aged 18 to 20, we suggest considering alternative measures that focus on education and harm reduction, such as punishing such conduct as a civil offense with a required education component on problem gambling.”

Megan Jackson, the legislative liason for the Public Defender’s Office

Bill May Be Revived Amid Conflicting Arguments

In this contentious landscape, the bill is being “reconsidered,” as confirmed by the committee. This will allow Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Col. Darnell Weaver to present his case for the bill.

His argument focuses on “phone-addicted youths” and the belief that introducing a criminal offense could serve as a deterrent, even if gambling online might feel like a natural activity for many young adults today.

Whether the bill makes it to a re-vote remains to be seen. But as Jackson points out, education may be the far better course of action, rather than arbitrarily penalizing “phone-addicted” young adults.