Time for a non-smoking casino?

Nearly 20 years ago, I vaguely remember the Silver City casino along the Strip. It was non-smoking and I thought, this is going to be great and very popular. Yet not so long after, it closed for good. I wouldn't have thought smoking would be such an issue but apparently it was.

Tim

Totally agree with this.
I like playing without smoke coming toward me, but I will play where the machines are to my liking regardless.

Casinos should direct efforts toward upgrading ventilation systems.

I think it would cost a casino too much in lost revenue to go entirely non-smoking. I certainly don't see as many smokers in the casinos as I used to, but still a lot of them. And their money is worth just as much to the casinos as non-smokers. Maybe even more, since they are willing to pay outrageous prices for a pack of smokes when they run out!

Casino companies apparently feel the same way. I currently live in Iowa, where a Smokefree Air Act was passed in 2008. It bans smoking in almost all public places and buildings including bars, restaurants, etc. The casinos spent millions of dollars to (successfully) get an exception to the law.

Tim I remember Silver City. It was right across the street from the Stardust. I used to love playing there and they always gave away free popcorn. I also remember they used to have promotions where if you got like three blue sevens on certain slot machines they would give away 6 packs of keystone beer.

Palace will ban smoking

BILOXI, Miss. -- The Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi will become the first in Mississippi to go smoke-free.

General manager Keith Crosby said Tuesday that when the casino opens its latest expansion on June 14, smoking won't be allowed in the casino, hotel, restaurants and bars.

Smoking will be permitted outside the building and in the new $1 million smoking lounge created to accommodate smokers. The smoking lounge has flat-screen televisions and its own air conditioning and heating system.

"Over the years, I have continually received feedback from customers who have been concerned about the quality of air in our casino, and all casinos for that matter," Crosby said in a statement. "And, if you look at the statistics, nearly 80 percent of the public does not smoke. Going smoke free is the right thing to do, and it's the right time to do it.

"We have invested a great deal into creating a beautiful new resort for our customers, as well as our associates. We're starting off fresh, and this decision will allow us to maintain our fresh air quality, creating a healthier, cleaner and more enjoyable environment for everyone" he said.

The Biloxi casino closed Tuesday to complete a $53 million expansion.

The Palace Casino originally opened in January 1997. It was destroyed when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August 2005. It reopened on Dec. 30, 2005.

In 2010, the Palace began a large-scale renovation. A new buffet opened April 18, 2011.The new gaming floor, lounge/sports bar, cafe and grill will open June 14. Work on the hotel lobby, atrium, spa, gift shop, meeting rooms, Mignon's Lounge and high limit gaming area is projected to be completed in late summer.

Read more: https://www.sunherald.com/2011/05/31/3156397/palace-will-ban-smoking.html#ixzz1OB2e8cli

I might drive down there some weekend just to experience a non smoking casino. how very awesome

Probably it would have a real hard time surviving. We see what happened to the Illinois barges since they banned smoking. The folks went to Indiana. Now there are talks of giving the barges a variance to allow it on them. Maybe ONE in Vegas but likely it would not do well. This from a non-smoker.

Terry

and I don't understand why one non smoking casino would not do well in a sea of smoke clogged casinos. There are 3 or 4 non smoking adults for evry smoking adult now. and every non smoker I know would prefer to be in a place that is smoke free to a place that is smoking. So I really don't understand why the non smokers would not flock to a non smoking casino. assuming the games and rooms and restaurants and atmosphere were comparable

The problem with casino smoking bans is that casinos rely on stupid people to pay the rent, and a disproportionate number of stupid people smoke.

That would immediately become my new home Casino.