New Jersey Casinos Raise Breast Cancer Awareness

The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) released an official statement regarding the organization’s plans to participate in October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiatives. Atlantic City’s largest casinos will host special events and promotions to raise awareness of the disease and contribute to breast cancer research and prevention.

Atlantic City Casinos Feature Special Events

The National Breast Cancer Foundation started 2022’s campaign under the motto RISE – Rally In Screening Everyone. Atlantic City casinos rallied behind the cause and will be hosting various fundraising events under the coordination of The Casino Association of New Jersey.

Bally’s will renew last year’s “Pink Your Drink” campaign, introducing an expanded menu featuring special pink cocktails and desserts. A portion of all proceeds from these limited-time offerings will help fund breast cancer awareness and research programs.

Borgata, Tropicana, Caesars, Resorts, and Harrah’s will commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with special pink illuminations on their exteriors to support the courage of women in the region fighting the disease.

Golden Nugget also introduces a special pink drink and joins Borgata, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, and Ocean and Resorts in support of the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign. Many of these properties will also host special events and feature updated menus, with part of the profits going to various cancer treatment and prevention initiatives.

All Major Operators Rallied behind the Cause

Mark Giannantonio, president of The Casino Association of New Jersey, lauded the casinos’ efforts to support such an important cause and expressed his pride to see Atlantic City come together.

Unfortunately, so many of us have been affected by cancer, whether through our own diagnosis or that of a loved one.

Mark Giannantonio, president of The Casino Association of New Jersey

The CANJ president added that the cause was personal for many New Jersey residents, which is why the region’s casinos joined forces to raise awareness and funding for breast cancer research and screening.

Controversy Continues to Plague the Industry

While the various cancer awareness initiatives do help an important cause, CANJ undoubtedly also appreciates such a positive PR opportunity in a year that has been rife with controversy.

Most recently, the highly anticipated smoking ban for New Jersey casinos fell through after Atlantic City casino representative Mark Giannantonio withdrew from the panel, sabotaging the whole initiative. The move understandably left a sour taste among workers who had been campaigning for months, causing them to blame casinos for valuing profits over employee lives.

Atlantic City operators also clashed with workers earlier this year over a new labor agreement with the region’s union, only conceding then the state’s gambling industry came under real threat.

CANJ’s support of breast cancer awareness is indeed commendable. However, the organization’s previous lack of care for its own workers makes its efforts look like a PR opportunity rather than the result of genuine care and commitment.