Atlantic City casino employees want New Jersey lawmakers to end indoor smoking before Governor Phil Murphy's term expires in early 2026. Workers inhale secondhand smoke all day because state law carved out an exception for casinos almost 20 years back.
The Smoke-Free Air Act took effect in 2006 and stopped people from lighting up inside New Jersey workplaces. Casinos avoided that ban through a special carve-out that still exists. Workers spend hours on gaming floors where patrons light up freely, a reality advocacy groups now call indefensible.
The exemption was originally designed to protect gambling revenue as Atlantic City faced new competition from neighboring states. Two decades later, Atlantic City remains one of the largest indoor workplaces in the country where smoking is still permitted. As more gamblers turn to casinos that accept credit cards and other digital payment options for online play, the argument about protecting revenue from smoking restrictions has weakened, workers say.
Trenton has seen multiple attempts to close the casino smoking loophole. Committees with lawmakers from both parties gave these bills their approval. The full Assembly and Senate never voted on any of them.
Murphy told reporters he'd sign a ban into law if it landed on his desk. Worker advocates point out that time is short. His term ends soon, and there aren't many legislative sessions left. Casino staff and their supporters have stepped up their campaign as the administration enters its final stretch. They point to jurisdictions that banned casino smoking without suffering the revenue catastrophe operators warned about.
Workers and national labor groups went to court over the smoking exemption. The complaint says the current rules put employees in danger and break workplace protection laws. Judges allowed the practice to go on during the proceedings, though the case keeps public focus on the issue.
The lawsuit exposed divisions within organized labor. Some union leadership opposes ending the exemption over concerns about revenue and potential job cuts. Workers on the floor counter that their well-being matters more. The disagreement strained relations between leadership and members.
Legal observers think this case won't wrap up anytime soon and could take years to finish. Workers would rather see the Legislature fix the problem than wait for a court decision, but they're keeping both options open.
Casino operators warn that a smoking ban could hurt revenue and cost jobs. They say a significant portion of patrons prefer gaming floors where smoking is allowed. Research commissioned by the industry suggests a ban could reduce gambling activity by double-digit percentages. Any drop in casino earnings could reduce state funding for programs that support seniors and people with disabilities through the Casino Revenue Fund.
Shore communities benefit indirectly from Atlantic City tourism. Visitors split time between beach towns and casino trips, particularly during the summer. A downturn in Atlantic City gambling could affect the regional hospitality economy. Tourists who visit Atlantic City often book rooms, eat at restaurants and attend shows in Cape May County towns.
Those who back the ban point to places where casinos stopped allowing smoking but avoided lasting financial damage. Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Illinois all put restrictions on casino smoking. Some markets saw revenue dip at first, but state gaming reports show the losses didn't last. The public's view of smoking has changed enough to make up for any drop in customer traffic, ban supporters say.
Towns up and down the coast have stopped people from smoking at beaches, boardwalks, parks, and restaurant patios over the past decade. Sea Isle City and surrounding communities passed rules aimed at cleaner air and attracting vacationers with kids. Local beaches and waterfronts have shifted away from tobacco.
Many Shore residents see a disconnect between their towns and what happens in Atlantic City. Beaches without cigarettes next to casinos full of smoke strike local observers as outdated.
Trenton's top lawmakers need to put this to a vote before the session wraps, or it gets pushed to the next governor. Casino workers in Atlantic City aren't backing down. Industry executives keep talking about potential revenue losses. For Shore communities watching the debate, the outcome could show how New Jersey weighs worker health, tourism, and economic stability going forward.
