Indoor smoking within the walls of casinos has always been a point of contention, sparking debates and even legal action in places like Atlantic City.

In a recent open letter addressed to various gambling regulators throughout the United States, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) made a plea for the banning of indoor smoking in casinos and other gambling establishments. The organization emphasized that permitting smoking indoors on gaming floors poses health risks to both employees and patrons, and goes against the principles of responsible gaming.

ANR asserted that creating smoke-free environments could not only benefit public health but also encourage more responsible gambling behaviors by naturally limiting the time players spend at machines or tables. The letter also referred to a study conducted by the Vegas-based consultancy firm C3 Gaming that highlights the connection between smoking and problem gambling.

The National Council on Problem Gaming (NCPG), the foremost organization in the United States dedicated to preventing gambling harm, has consistently advocated for a ban on indoor smoking in casinos across all jurisdictions. The NCPG pointed out that implementing a smoke-free policy could prompt smokers to take regular breaks outside, potentially curbing continuous gambling, which is often linked to gambling harm.

The letter from ANR also presented data from New Jersey, a region known for grappling with gambling addiction, revealing that approximately 6.3% of adults in the state struggle with gambling problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey temporarily prohibited indoor smoking in casinos as part of public health precautions, only to later rescind the restriction.

Despite acknowledging the harmful connection between smoking and gambling addiction publicly, very few casinos have taken the initiative to enforce smoke-free policies. The letter accused gambling establishments of having a vested interest in keeping patrons inside for as long as possible, thus explaining their hesitance to ban smoking despite mounting public pressure, as such a measure could potentially impact their revenues.

“Smoking on gaming floors…undermines responsible gaming by encouraging addictive behavior as well as prolonged gambling sessions without taking breaks.”

Tensions surrounding the issue of smoking reached a peak in Atlantic City. Casino employees, frustrated by what they perceive as a lack of protection against secondhand smoke, recently made an appeal to the New Jersey Supreme Court. They argued that employees in the gambling sector are denied state protections that are customary in other industries, due to the special exemptions granted to casinos.