Few issues involving the casino industry cause such a conflict between intellect and emotion as that of second-hand smoke. Personally, I think even manure is less offensive to the nostrils than cigarette smoke — and it has fewer carcinogenic side effects. Exposing one’s employees to a steady barrage of tobacco and nicotine means shooting dice with their health. And if your employees aren’t aware of the risk they’re running, you’d better bring them up to speed.
But … banning smoking on casino floors is practically a suicide vow for a casino. We don’t know just how bad the effect of Illinois‘ smoking ban has been on the state’s casinos, as it’s been coupled with the crash dive of the U.S. economy. However, gambling revenues were down 26% in the Land of Lincoln last month, far more than in any neighboring state.
Atlantic City seemed to have arrived at an acceptable compromise: Ban smoking on all but 1/4 of the casino floor and provide enclosed lounges (in which employees would not have to set foot) for those players who absolutely, positively have to light up. Unfortunately, with the notable — and laudable — exception of Harrah’s Entertainment — compliance was virtually nil, with Colony “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” Capital being the worst offender. The city council became so miffed it decided to escalate to a 100% ban.
Then the bottom fell out. Caught in the pincers of a recession and swooning casino revenues (plus the threat of mass layoffs), the city fathers decided to lift their ban. However, they waited so long to come to a decision that it can’t be ratified until Oct. 22. The real-world consequence is that, starting Oct. 15, there will be an odd, one-week interregnum [Correction: 12-day] in which Atlantic City casinos will be smoke-free. It will also provide a seven-day laboratory in which to find out what happens to traffic when a destination casino nixes smoking. Too bad the New Jersey Casino Control Commission doesn’t measure gambling win in one-week increments or else we might have some mighty interesting concrete data. Will the smokers really stay home or is it all a lot of huffing and puffing (more huff than puff, perhaps)?
All of which is a rather windy way of saying that these events make an inauspicious backdrop for an Oct. 15 media event announcing the formation of Gamblers Against Secondhand Smoke (that’s right, GASS). Player and second-hand-smoke victim Tom McEvoy is co-chair of the campaign, which kicks off at the American Lung Association‘s North Las Vegas HQ (3553 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 140, at 1 p.m., if you’re interested).
The other speaker, Stephanie Steinberg, is an activist who helped push the Illinois and Colorado smoking bans across the finish line. So I doubt she’ll find herself mobbed by thankful casino execs. Local 721 of the Transport Workers Union appears to be the moving force behind this.
However, if there’s one issue where the Vegas casinos are likely to fight until the last dog is hung, it’s smoking. After all, a smoking ban in Nevada translates into a steady stream of cars heading for the nearest tribal casino. (It’s already decimated the revenues of some slot routes.)
At least some of the casinos here are trying to minimize the noxious effects of smoke. But others’ gestures are so ludicrous — like the “smoke-free” aisles criss-crossing the Palazzo‘s casino floor — that there’s no question that room for improvement remains.
