In a heartfelt plea echoing across the gambling landscape in the United States, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) recently penned an open letter to gaming regulators nationwide, urging them to ban indoor smoking in casinos and other gambling hotspots. The letter pulls no punches, spotlighting the deadly health risks smoking poses to both casino workers and players, and emphasizing how it flies in the face of responsible gaming principles.
Indoor Smoking Has Direct Ties to Gambling Harm
ANR makes a compelling argument that swapping smoky casino floors for smoke-free environments doesn’t merely boost public health—it also nudges gamblers towards more responsible behaviors. Picture this: smoke-free settings as the unwelcome rain that cuts short a pleasure stroll, naturally limiting the duration gamblers spend glued to the slot machines or blackjack tables. ANR backs their stance with a study from the Las Vegas-based consultant firm C3 Gaming, which makes a clear case linking indoor smoking to problem gambling.
“Smoking on gaming floors… undermines responsible gaming by encouraging addictive behavior as well as prolonged gambling sessions without taking breaks.”
ANR letter
The National Council on Problem Gaming (NCPG) has been singing the same tune, persistently advocating for a smoking ban in all casinos. The NCPG folks argue that getting smokers to step outside for their nicotine fixes could help break the cycle of uninterrupted gambling, which often spirals into addiction.
ANR’s letter also highlights some staggering stats from New Jersey, a state struggling with one of the nation’s highest gambling addiction rates—about 6.3% of adults admitting to gambling problems. During the COVID-19 health crisis, New Jersey took a bold step by imposing a temporary ban on indoor smoking in casinos. Though this restriction was later lifted, it offered a glimpse into a potentially healthier future for the gambling scene.
Banning Smoking Could Hurt Casino Revenues
Despite knowing smoking’s toxic relationship with gambling addiction, only a scant few casinos have embraced smoke-free policies. Why the hesitance? The answer is deceptively simple: money. Casinos know that keeping smokers inside keeps the chips and cash flowing. A smoking ban could be a financial hit they aren’t willing to take, regardless of rising public scrutiny and pressure.
“A [2022] study commissioned by the Casino Association of New Jersey projects gaming revenue losses based on smokers having to take breaks, which is the antithesis of one of the principles of responsible gaming.”
ANR letter
The tension over this issue hit a fever pitch in Atlantic City, where casino workers, fed up with unfiltered secondhand smoke, took their grievances all the way to the New Jersey Supreme Court. They argued that unlike other workplaces, gambling halls are given special exemptions, leaving staff without the same protections enjoyed by other sectors.
ANR aims to reset this high-stakes game and is urging policymakers and gaming officials to take a serious look at how allowing smoking on gaming floors undermines responsible gaming efforts. The organization is calling on regulators from Nevada, New Jersey, and other gaming jurisdictions to sit down for a heart-to-heart about how smoke-free policies can enhance the safety and health of both patrons and staff, while simultaneously promoting responsible gambling.
