“ You ’ ve got a group that ’ s demographically aging out , and for the new market , they ’ re creating a very inhospitable environment .”
— Richard Schuetz , gaming industry expert and former regulator
ondhand smoke kills more than 41,000 nonsmokers . Then there ’ s thirdhand smoke , identified by the Mayo Clinic as the residue of tobacco smoke that becomes “ embedded in most soft surfaces such as clothing , furniture , drapes , bedding and carpets ” and also settles on hard surfaces like walls and floors . Thirdhand smoke is dangerous too , and can linger for months even after smoking discontinues .
And that ’ s the problem — how to balance real health risks against an economic hit that may lead to job losses . Bob McDevitt of UNITE Here Local 53 says New Jersey can ’ t ban smoking at Atlantic City casinos as long as it ’ s permitted in Pennsylvania . His solution : wait for Pennsylvania to enact a ban , after which New Jersey can follow suit .
CEASE ’ s White rejects the notion that customers will reject their favorite casino just because they ’ re asked to step outside for a smoke . As he put it , “ Gamblers will swim through a moat of alligators to get back to a blackjack table .”
Christopher also doesn ’ t believe players in South Jersey will drive 90 minutes or more just so they can smoke at a slot machine . “ People are there to gamble — they ’ re there for the experience , and if your casino ’ s not exciting enough for them , then you need to work on that .”
He also points out that revenue-wise , Parx Casino in Bucks County — a no-smoking property — regularly tops all its rivals in the Pennsylvania market .
Your Money or Your Life
In the 1940s , about half of American adults smoked cigarettes . By 2005 , that figure had dropped to 20.9 percent . In 2021 , the percentage was lower still , about 11.5 . Cigarette smoking continues its downslide , and Schuetz says younger casino patrons may actually be repelled by smoke-filled rooms .
“ So what are operators doing about future demand for their product ? You ’ ve got a group that ’ s demographically aging out , and you always have to have new market coming in . For that new market , they ’ re creating a very inhospitable environment .”
The American Gaming Association is Switzerland when it comes to this issue — it has no official position on the matter , leaves it to member organizations to decide , and has never put the topic on the agenda at G2E . Meanwhile , smoking — and the debate about smoking — continue in 16 states that still allow it .
While bars and restaurants have done just fine without smoking , the 2009 Federal Reserve Bank report said those venues can ’ t be fairly compared to casinos . “ First , the marginal contribution of one or two casinos to local employment and tax revenue … is much greater than for a bar or restaurant ,” the report states . “ In many small communities , one or two casinos employ a
large percentage of the population and also provide a large percentage of tax revenue to local communities .”
In addition , many state and local governments “ earmark casino revenue to specific programs such as infrastructure and education ,” which can suffer when revenues drop . So lawmakers and operators are understandably jittery . Sean Sullivan , general manager of Live ! Casino in Western Pennsylvania , recently told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review , “ I ’ ve never seen a smoke-free casino work as long as I ’ ve been in the industry .”
To that , Feldman responds , “ He ’ s either not been in the industry long , or just hasn ’ t raised his head from his desk . The challenge here , and where he may have some standing , is that when smoking has been banned midstream , it ’ s had a negative effect . And that ’ s been everywhere .” But , as the C3 Gaming report noted , those properties “ tended to recover in subsequent years .”
More than 1,000 gaming halls in 38 states no longer permit smoking indoors , and 20 states now have laws requiring commercial casinos to be 100 percent smoke-free . Cynthia Hallett , president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers ’ Rights , says others “ continue to employ the sky-isfalling scare tactics about jobs and revenues that contradict independent analysis of competitive casino markets where that just didn ’ t happen .”
Over time , smoking as a practice may die from attrition . Until then , activists like Vanessa Baker will continue to advocate for her health as well as her job . The head of Rhode Island ’ s CEASE chapter blames her respiratory problems on working on a smoky casino floor , and has said she ’ s no longer willing to be “ the canary in the coal mine .”
And what about Shreveport ? In May , former city council members John Nickelson and LeVette Fuller wrote an editorial “ imploring ” the current body not to repeal the city ’ s comprehensive smoking ban .
“ We have the opportunity to position Shreveport as a leader in public health , a city that prioritizes its citizens ’ well-being ,” they wrote . “ We shouldn ’ t sacrifice that opportunity in a misguided attempt to secure short-term economic gains .”
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux , who had the authority to veto the measure , instead straddled the fence , allowing the ordinance to pass into law without his signature . “ Dealers and managers will have to choose ,” he said , “ between risk to their health from secondhand smoke and their livelihoods .” And on June 1 , smoking was back in Shreveport casinos . As Schuetz says , “ They shut casinos down across the country as a result of Covid , but they won ’ t stop smoking . It ’ s a clear indication that they feel guilty if they kill you quickly , but if it kills you slowly , they ’ re kind of cool with that .”
16 Global Gaming Business AUGUST 2023