A smoke-free casino group in Atlantic City has been advocating for a smoking ban in the city’s nine casinos to better prepare for the future.
The Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA) recently raised concerns about Atlantic City’s future and highlighted the risks to over 8,000 casino jobs. CEASE, a group of casino workers against smoking, believes transitioning to smoke-free casinos is essential for the city’s economic viability.
If casino executives want to bring people who are choosing to stay home back to Atlantic City’s casinos, they should make the in-person experience better. Eliminate indoor smoking,” said CEASE co-founder and table game dealer Pete Naccarelli.
While New York casinos are completely smoke-free, casinos in Philadelphia, a key feeder market for Atlantic City, can create designated smoke-free gaming areas. However, critics argue that without physical separation between smoking and non-smoking sections, patrons throughout the casino are exposed to harmful secondhand smoke.
Bipartisan Bills Stalled
Legislation to amend the 2006 New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to eliminate the tobacco exemption for Atlantic City casinos gained bipartisan support in the NJ Legislature in 2022 and 2023. Despite support from a majority of legislators, the bills never advanced for a vote.
Following the November 2023 elections, Democratic leaders delayed the legislation due to concerns over potential job losses and revenue declines in the casino industry. Advocates like Naccarelli urge lawmakers to prioritize the well-being of casino workers and push for smoke-free environments.
Casino Claims
The Casino Association of New Jersey commissioned Spectrum Gaming to analyze the impact of a smoking ban in Atlantic City. While the initial study projected revenue declines and job losses, more recent findings suggest that the impact of being smoke-free on the industry is uncertain.