Pushing for the Global Gaming Expo to Discuss Smoke Free Casinos (Las Vegas Review Journal, Howard Stutz)
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On September 26, 2015 the Las Vegas Review Journal reported that the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas will not be discussing the need for a casino wide smoking ban. There are more nonsmoking casino states than smoking casino states, and smoking continues to be a health hazard for employees and guests.
In the meantime, strides continue to be made with smokefree gaming laws. Ohio, Maryland and Massachusetts require 100% smokefree gaming, and all casinos opened 100% smokefree in those states.
The story reported that In New Orleans, Harrah’s casino is smokefree as required by a new city law that took effect in May 2015. At first, Harrah’s reported a 16% decline in revenue for May, and 31% decline in June. But revenues rose 26% in July, and now Harrah’s bills its New Orleans casino as the “best smoke-free casino in the south” and is building outdoor smoking patios. August revenues declined 17% but other factors like few weekend days were to blame for the drop. Harrah’s now bills its New Orleans casino as the “best smoke-free casino in the south” and is building outdoor smoking patios.
GASP has reported in the past that large gaming corporations operate or are opening 100% smokefree gaming facilities: In August 2014, Caesars Entertainment opened the $442 million smokefree Horseshoe Baltimore casino in Maryland, and MGM Resorts is opening a $1.2 billion smokefree casino in Maryland near Washington DC. A $1.7 billion casino in Everett, MA is being built by Wynn Resorts.
Contact GASP for a full list of jurisdictions across the globe that require 100% smokefree gaming venues.