Casino industry faces pressure to eliminate indoor smoking

Anti-smoking advocates are pushing for major U.S. casino operators to examine the financial impact of eliminating indoor smoking.

The American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) and Trinity Health have filed shareholder resolutions with Boyd Gaming, Wynn Resorts Ltd., Caesars Entertainment, and Penn Entertainment, seeking formal studies on the economic benefits of smoke-free casino environments.  

Board recommendations from Boyd and Wynn advise shareholders to vote against the proposals, with annual meetings scheduled for April 30 and May 8, respectively.  

Last year, similar resolutions failed at Bally’s, Boyd, and Caesars, though they drew more than 60 million proxy votes in support.  

“There are clear business risks to allowing indoor smoking in casinos, including higher health insurance premiums, higher maintenance costs, and a significant deterrent to potential visitors due to secondhand smoke exposure,” said Cynthia Hallett, President and CEO of ANRF.

However, casino executives mostly remain opposed to smoking bans, citing potential economic consequences. They argue that allowing smoking gives them a competitive edge over casinos in neighboring states that do not permit the activity and that the introduction of such bans could lead to job losses.

Of the 27 U.S. states with commercial casinos, 11 have fully smoke-free gaming floors, including New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland.  

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reaffirmed that the only way to eliminate the health risks of secondhand smoke is to prohibit smoking in all indoor areas.