To smoke or not to smoke that is a question that will hopefully have an answer come April 5. For months, opponents of in-casino smoking have anticipated a pivotal ruling to move one step toward that goal. Spearheading the charge to eliminate smoking in New Jersey’s casinos has been Casino Employees Against Smoking’s Harmful Effects, or C.E.A.S.E. for short. According to their social media profiles, they claim that some sort of resolution that might ultimately decide the direction of the Jersey casino smoking ban will be announced directly from the state capital’s halls in Trenton this April 5.
Even though the likelihood of Jersey’s legislature flat-out banning smoking in Atlantic City’s nine casinos is next to none for the announcement, the anticipation of the April 5th ruling is so strong that some C.E.A.S.E. members are planning a community event to commemorate the moment. In February, New Jersey’s state senate introduced a bill that would minimize where casino patrons could smoke. However, there is still much more negotiation going on, and there is a need to come to a clear-cut resolution, which won’t happen before the announcement on April 5.
But, even proposed smoking restrictions, such as devoting up to 25% of casino space for smokers, aren’t enough for the United Auto Workers, who are putting their full weight and considerable financial resources behind C.E.A.S.E. The U.A.W. claims that a full smoking ban is in order to safeguard the help of pregnant women, the elderly, or those with sensitive lungs or respiratory issues.
Undoubtedly, a total smoking ban, let alone with restrictions, might further cripple Atlantic City’s casinos from rebounding since the 2020 shutdown. With the rise of online casinos in New Jersey, which contributed to more than half of Jersey’s 2023’s nearly $6 billion gambling haul if smoking advocates get their way and get a full casino smoking ban, that might be the death knell for Atlantic City that has witnessed five casino closures since 2012. More casinos would have to shutter without enough patrons, which means massive economic loss and joblessness. The heart of Atlantic City’s economy has been gambling and tourism since the casinos opened in the late 1970s.
With Mohegan pulling out of Resort Casino by the end of 2024, Jersey’s remaining casinos can’t afford any more problems as they look to rebound from COVID-19. In 2020, many Americans, including New Jersey residents, turned to online casinos like BetMGM, FanDuel, and the other 28 licensed sites to get their casino game fix. Many have, and perhaps, will never return to the Atlantic City casino floor.
By Chris Bates
