Unanswered queries casino operators prefer to evade:
Let's Dive into the Shifting Tides of Smoke-Free Casinos* BY: Mark Gruetze, our website
Gone are the days when casinos shied away from gathering crucial player data. But oddly, they still avoid asking vital questions like whether a smoke-free gaming floor would influence player frequency or gaming spend, or even if heavy smokers would accept a smoke-free environment.
Operators hesitate to expose the costs of smoking on health insurance, maintenance, and repair, forgetting that many businesses and entertainment sites are already bound by smoke-free laws. They often dispute the idea that casinos should conform to such laws.
Despite clear evidence that smoking can diminish player appeal post-COVID, many operators remain adamant that a smoke-free environment would result in permanent revenue losses and job cuts. Yet, this is one of the rare instances where top executives stand by vague assumptions instead of solid data.
Bronson Frick, director of advocacy for the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, remarks, "COVID changed everything for the gaming and hospitality industry, including old assumptions about indoor smoking."
Recent research shows that players are increasingly accepting smoke-free gaming since the pandemic. For instance, a study by slot machine mega-influencer Brian Christopher reveals that an astounding 86% of casino visitors prefer smoke-free gaming, with the figure reaching 89% among players with an annual income of at least $150,000.
Joseph S. Weinert, executive vice president of Spectrum, which conducted an analysis against a New Jersey smoking ban, reaffirms the company's stance: "Spectrum stands behind the research, analysis, and conclusions of its 2021 report." However, other post-COVID studies point towards the popularity of smoke-free gaming among players.
Casino executives typically oppose a smoking ban due to their responsibility to generate profits. Weinert adds, "I don't know of a single casino GM who likes cigarette smoke. They tend to know their customers really well and there's a reason they're fighting a potential ban, particularly in New Jersey and Pennsylvania."
Leading casinos like Parx Casino in Philadelphia, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in Connecticut, and those in smoke-free jurisdictions prove that smoke-free environments do not deter gamblers. Even major operators like Caesars Entertainment, Boyd Gaming, Wynn Resorts, and Penn Entertainment, which operate successfully in smoke-free areas, resist shareholder proposals to assess the costs of still allowing smoking where it's permitted.
Frick comments, "Indoor smoking is a growing business risk to casino operators. It's imperative for the industry to understand that smoke-free indoor air isn't a bad thing. It's good for business and simply shifting smoking to an outdoor patio is an easy practical solution."
As the U.S. adult smoking rate drops significantly, reaching 11.6% in 2022, and consumer support for smoke-free environments grows, it seems inevitable that more casinos will join the smoke-free trend.
In the context of shifting tides in casino culture, it's worth noting that casino-goers are increasingly preferring smoke-free gaming environments, with a recent study revealing that 86% of casino visitors favor smoke-free gaming, and this figure reaches 89% among high-income players. Furthermore, resorting to responsible gambling practices, such as promoting smoke-free gaming, can be a beneficial move for casinos in aligning with the growing consumer preference and reducing potential business risks associated with indoor smoking.
