Last updated: December 13, 2024
Former NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck urges reforming gambling laws to better protect consumers. He proposes raising the legal gambling age to 21 and eliminating arcade games that mimic casino slots. Rebuck also stresses the importance of stronger regulation of daily fantasy sports and addressing problem gambling.
David Rebuck, a recently retired Director of New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, has also supported making some gambling laws more strict to protect consumers. Rebuck wants the legal age for gambling in New Jersey to be increased from 18 to 21 to match the majority of other states in the USA, where the minimum gambling age is currently 21.
He has spoken against particular machines that resemble casino games, especially those that contain slot games, and has urged various operators to remove them to prevent young players from resembling casino-like behaviour. Also, he has for one called for increased scrutiny of daily fantasy sports, arguing that these promote gambling habits. The calls are part of a larger campaign to update the state’s gambling laws, which Rebuck … said are currently aimed at addressing only criminal elements while neglecting the interests of consumers, particularly youngsters.
Currently, officially the National Council on Problem Gambling, in particular, Executive Director Keith Whyte welcomed Rebuck’s propositions. As for the regulatory experience, Whyte noted that Rebuck was instrumental in addressing problem gambling and adjusting regulation in New Jersey and further afield and said that he is not done yet.
The National Council on Problem Gambling and its Executive Director, Keith Whyte, speak in support of David Rebuck’s recent message on the necessity to address the problems of gambling laws for players. Whyte also praised Rebuck’s regulation background and his knowledge of problem gambling as well as the necessity for the update of the gambling regulation in New Jersey and in general.
Even having left a long-standing position as Director of New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement to retire, Rebuck continued to seek improvement in the industry’s regulation. He has particularly stressed having said time and again that many laws concerning gambling that currently exist in any nation and around the world are outdated, and are more of a battle against organized crime than the player protection that is the trend these days.
Rebuck argues that, with organized crime largely under control in Atlantic City’s gambling sector, the emphasis should shift toward protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly young players.
Rebuck also expressed concerns about certain forms of entertainment, such as skill-based games, social gaming apps, and sweepstakes, which may blur the lines between casual play and gambling, potentially fostering addiction. He stressed the importance of ensuring the public understands that these games can contribute to the same risks as traditional gambling.
In his view, these types of games and activities should be subject to the same level of scrutiny as gambling, with stricter oversight aimed at minimizing harm.
