Atlantic City goes non smoking

[venetian]

Just wondering what my fellow Americans think about the trend of casinos going non smoking. Colorado just did it and I hear the casinos are having quite a time with all the seat saving their staff has to do. Atlantic City just passed it the other day and it will be in effect in October. Do you think it is just one more law to drive many away from casinos? Or do you think it is a good idea? I am interested to hear what everyone thinks.

 

[winbig]

Just wondering what my fellow Americans think about the trend of casinos going non smoking. Colorado just did it and I hear the casinos are having quite a time with all the seat saving their staff has to do. Atlantic City just passed it the other day and it will be in effect in October. Do you think it is just one more law to drive many away from casinos? Or do you think it is a good idea? I am interested to hear what everyone thinks.

I was just at the Trop in AC and a dealer there told me that they signed the bill that day and casinos would be non-smoking starting in October.

Oh well, guess I'll be playing online more often now.

Philadelphia and surrounding PA counties that have the slot parlors are jumping for joy right now. I'm sure their revenues are going to skyrocket on and after October 15th. Once PA passes a bill (hopefully) to allow live poker, AC will soon become a ghost town.

Here's an interesting article:

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Trump: Atlantic City casinos should sue over smoking ban

By WAYNE PARRY – 6 days ago

<snippet>

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump called on 11 casinos Thursday to sue over a new smoking ban approved by the Atlantic City Council, arguing that it created a competitive disadvantage.

The real estate magnate, chairman of a company that owns three casinos in Atlantic City, said he would not file his own suit but wants the Casino Association of New Jersey to stop the ban from taking effect in October.

"I'm not a smoker, and I don't personally like what smoking does to people," Trump told The Associated Press in an interview in his Manhattan office. "But this puts us at a huge disadvantage."

Slot parlors in the Philadelphia area, which have been stealing many of Atlantic City's most profitable and reliable customers over the past year and a half, permit them to smoke while gambling. Some smokers shunned Atlantic City last April when the city imposed a partial ban that restricts smoking to no more than 25 percent of the casino floor.

Also:

The ordinance allows casinos to construct gambling-free smoking lounges but does not require them to.

If casinos know what's good for them, they will definitely put many of these lounges (multiple!) in easy to access areas in many parts of the casino.



More on the ban -

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Atlantic City to ban smoking in casinos

By Liz Benston April 24, 2008 7:25 PM

In a move that could reverberate across the casino industry, the Atlantic City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to ban smoking in the nation’s No. 2 gaming market.

Following the example of non-tribal casinos in states such as California, Colorado and Delaware that already prohibit smoking, Atlantic City casinos must go smoke-free by Oct. 15. They have the option, however, of building enclosed smoking lounges with no gaming machines or cocktail service, like those used in airports.

 

[ballysdb]

I have nothing to say.

 

[winbig]

Us smokers should start a boycott of AC casinos!

 

[ballysdb]

They will see what happens. So many people will stop going.

I used to be in heaven when I was at the Wild West Casino...Drinking, smoking, gambling and listening to country music.
Oh well...

 

[venetian]

I really feel bad for those in non smoking states. I smoke mostly when I gamble and not much any other time. I know that if our local Indian casinos go non smoking that would be it for me. I know it is a bad habit but if I am going to help build those beautiful buildings with all their twinking lights, I will not be shunned in some smoking hole just because it is politically correct. I read recently that 25% of gamblers smoke. Trump is right to want to protest, sue or do whatever it takes to keep ALL of his customers. That is just good business on his part.

 

[CasinoKidd]

Thought I'd give you guys my perspective even if you will hate me for it.

When I have gone to Turning Stone Casino & Resort in Verona, NY, I have to take 2+ showers a day and change my clothes multiple times. Why? I cannot stand the smell of smoke. It makes me gag to no end. I think this ban is a good idea, because from my point of view I should not have to suffer while I gamble. Though 25% of gamblers may smoke, I'm betting only about 10-15% will have a huge problem with this. It is a national trend to end smoking in buildings lately, barring private property, and so this should really be no surprise to many smokers.

I do understand it's a choice that many people have made, however I do not feel because of your choice I should be forced to hold my nose and gag, and reak of cigarette smoke, even though I don't smoke. Smoking rooms are a good idea because it will allow gamblers to smoke while non-smokers don't have to breathe in their fumes.

Just my opinion, keep an open mind!!

CK

 

[babs7262]

I guess Ill have to enjoy my free smoking room at the trop while gambling online lol

 

[venetian]

I know this is a problem for non smokers and I have so many friends that don't like it but most of the casinos I go in have great ventilation systems. It is the rude smoker that has probably hastened this along. I always check who is sitting next to me and I am most polite to the non smoking seniors. But if I am smoking and someone sits right next to me when there are other machines available... then they are on their own!

 

[Mousey]

I know this is a problem for non smokers and I have so many friends that don't like it but most of the casinos I go in have great ventilation systems. It is the rude smoker that has probably hastened this along. I always check who is sitting next to me and I am most polite to the non smoking seniors. But if I am smoking and someone sits right next to me when there are other machines available... then they are on their own!

Same for me! And I understand that for anyone severely allergic to cigarette smoke, the atmosphere at most casinos that allow smoking is miserable. But... I put it on the casinos to provide good non-smoking areas and excellent ventilation throughout the casinos.

I also think the non-smoking 'fanner' that sat down next to me -- while I had a lit cig IN HAND -- and then began fanning and hacking, to be rude. The same machines were further down the line and also 30 feet away. And I'm severely allergic to several perfumes/colognes one them being Chanel #5 -- which she was wearing. I certainly don't sit down beside someone wearing perfume and then start the 'fanner' routine. I get up and move on. sheesh.... Now... I got that out of my system...

Someone once called me a hypocrite because I'm a smoker, enjoy smoking in casinos, yet hate smokey casinos. I look at it this way: I also like steamed cabbage -- that doesn't mean I want my house to reek of it. Good ventilation is the key.

Off my soapbox....

I think, overall, the non-smoking regulation will hurt casinos -- especially if there are other, smoking allowed, venues within easy driving distance.

 

[BingoT]

Foxwoods & The Mohegan Sun are in the works for non smoking.
All I can say is Life will go on With or Without smoking.
I say take the drunks out of the casino's too.
You ever sit near a drunk before I rather take the smoke.

 

[GGW Laurie]

i wonder if such a law would ever pass in vegas? i cant imagine that it would, i have not been to metropolis, ill since they went smoke free and i have heard that it has hurt them quite a bit. i get free room offers and free cash coupons but why go if you cant enjoy yourself. i think imo this will hurt a/c in the long run............................laurie

 

[pokeraddict]

I'm curious why the 75/25 didn't work. I've been to several casinos that have non smoking sections and virtually all have non smoking poker rooms. The trouble is that it is easy to save a seat in a poker room. Just think about how many slot attendants will be needed just to hold seats.

 

[venetian]

I'm curious why the 75/25 didn't work. I've been to several casinos that have non smoking sections and virtually all have non smoking poker rooms. The trouble is that it is easy to save a seat in a poker room. Just think about how many slot attendants will be needed just to hold seats.

That is why I think my company's product is very timely. The only good thing about all this non smoking nonsense is that maybe I will actually start making money. If you haven't seen my seat savers go to my website and see what I am talking about. www.watchmyseat.com I have spoken to some distributors in Colorado that say it is a nightmare with the extra staff they have employed just to try to save smokers seats. I really can't imagain being on a hot streak and half of my brain wanting to smoke...I am not sure I could concetrate. Aughhhh I hope these Indian casinos won't cave to public pressure, I would really miss my weekends playing Wolf Run. And then not being able to play online...makes me think I'll have to move across the pond!

 

[Darem1]

Non smoking casinos

While I can't stand the smoke, so long as it is legal I will vote that people should be able to smoke if they want to, we have too many rules and regulations here already. I just try not to sit next to a smoker and the only time I have a problem is if a smoker sits next to me and then lights up when I may not want to vacate the machine right at that time. Courtesy counts.
That being said, I do wish you guys and gals who smoke would consider quitting, for your own health. Yes I know you have heard this a zillion times, but maybe one more time might save or prolong a life so I am being a turd and mentioning it again.

 

[w8n4win]

I think there are more gamblers who smoke than don't. There was one casino here out of five that had a non-smoking floor, seems if it was profitable to have a non-smoking area all the others would have had one. Maybe, I'm wrong and non-smokers will come out of the woodwork for a non-smoking casino.

 

[Mousey]

Some of the Tunica casinos had/have non-smoking sections. There's rarely anyone in them when I pass by --- All the non smokers are obviously following me around so they can sit down beside me and start fanning and go 'hack' 'hack'.