Nevada is Less Likely to Outlaw Indoor Casino Smoking

The debate over smoking in casinos has been contentious in recent years. On one side, many claim that banning indoor smoking would create a healthier environment and help to reduce the risks of second-hand smoke exposure.  

On the other side of the house, there is fear that such a ban could decrease revenues due to fewer customers visiting the casino.  

The state of New Jersey appears to be on the verge of making such a decision, with many in favour of banning indoor smoking at Atlantic City’s gaming venues. However, support for such a ban in Nevada appears to be far less clear. 

A survey conducted by Culinary Local 226 found that only 61% of members support a ban on smoking in casinos, even though 90% don’t smoke themselves. As 90% don’t smoke, this suggests that those in favour are mainly concerned about protecting the health of others rather than their personal health.  

Furthermore, past experiences have proven that going smoke-free can affect business: Silver City Casino adopted a policy in 1991 but ultimately reversed it three years after experiencing a decline in revenue due to fewer customers being willing to visit since they would no longer be able to smoke inside.  

In other parts of the United States, policies are beginning to develop, allowing nonsmoking areas within casinos while still permitting smoking in certain areas.  

Pennsylvania is just one example; they permit up to 50% of their gaming floors to be designated non-smoking areas. In this way, patrons who wish not to be exposed to cigarette smoke can still enjoy gaming without anyone subjecting themselves to the potential harm caused by second-hand smoke. 

While New Jersey may be on the verge of implementing an indoor smoking ban at their gaming venues, it remains to be seen if Nevada will follow suit anytime soon.  

With conflicting opinions and potential revenue losses looming large on both sides of this contentious issue, gambling operators will likely continue discussing and debating ways forward for some time before any significant decisions are made statewide or across the nation.

For now, it looks like those who wish not to come into contact with second-hand smoke while gambling will need to settle for areas explicitly designated for them until further developments arise from both sides of this ongoing debate over indoor smoking bans at casinos