Las Vegas Casinos Feel the Heat to Go Smoke-Free as Public Opinion Shifts

Las Vegas casinos are moving towards a smoke-free future due to investor pressure and changing public views. While most Las Vegas Strip resorts still allow smoking on their gaming floors, more and more people want casino operators to think again.

Park MGM’s Smoke Ban Stands Alone Amid Growing Calls for Industry-Wide Reform

Park MGM stands alone as the only major Las Vegas Strip property to ban indoor smoking, a rule they brought in back in 2020. Some visitors do not know about this rule, but others, like Amy Chamberlain from California, say it is why they pick where to stay, reported Las Vegas Weekly.

New findings point to more industry players having to tackle the smoking issue soon. A survey backed by the Nevada Tobacco Control and Smoke-Free Coalition revealed that over two-thirds of voters want smoke-free casinos. This led groups like the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) to submit proposals to several big gaming companies. These proposals ask shareholders to push for studies on the costs and benefits of no-smoking policies.

Most companies tried to keep these proposals off shareholder ballots, but the SEC stepped in and allowed the votes. So far, 8.6% of Wynn Resorts investors and 11% of Boyd Gaming shareholders have supported these proposals. Caesars Entertainment and Penn Entertainment will hold similar votes in mid-June.

Smoke-Free Momentum Builds as Studies Challenge Industry Fears

Although these percentages do not represent a majority, ANRF’s Bronson Frick views them as indicators of growing support. He pointed out that investors are voicing concerns even when management resists, which might influence future policies.

Experts in the industry claim that worries about losing revenue may be exaggerated. Studies by UNLV researchers and independent groups suggest that bans on smoking have little impact on gaming income. In some instances, properties without smoke have shown signs of better performance. Professor Ashok Singh, who helped write a study about South Korea’s Kangwon Land, verified that the venue’s smoking ban in 2015 did not affect its business volume.

At the same time, UNLV gaming expert Anthony Lucas wonders why the industry hesitates to look into this more. He thinks this reluctance stems from a deep-seated belief that smoking and gambling go hand in hand. Yet, he contends that current data and falling smoking rates across the country call this idea into question.

Labor groups have started to pay attention, too. The Culinary Union, which speaks for tens of thousands of Las Vegas Strip workers, backs smoke-free efforts at Park MGM and keeps pushing to protect workers better.

For the time being, the industry remains cautious. However, as public opinion changes and shareholders show more interest, smoke-filled casino floors might soon become a thing of the past.