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Will Casinos Change Their Smoking Policies Upon Reopening?

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by YOleven, May 17, 2020.

  1. YOleven

    YOleven Palladium

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    There has been discussion that some casinos might be considering a change to their smoking policies after reopening following the coronavirus shutdown, either making some sections of the casino smoke-free or banning smoking outright. Of course, we won't know for sure until individual properties announce their official plans and protocols for reopening, but I'm just curious if others think this is actually a possibility, either initially during reopening or permanently.

    If casinos were ever going to change their policy on smoking, I suppose that doing so following an extended closure would be a logical time to do it. That said, I don't know that there's necessarily a direct connection with coronavirus precautions and banning smoking, other than the fact that as we know it now, COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease.

    I've never been a fan of smoking in casinos, but it has never deterred me from visiting Vegas or any other gaming locations that allow smoking. Plus, air filtration at newer properties like Cosmo tends to be very good, and the smoke is not nearly as noticeable as at some of the older properties or downtown.
     
  2. Mr2BOBCATS

    Mr2BOBCATS Palladium

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    With apologies to all the considerate smokers out there, in my experience there's far far more inconsiderate "gambling is smoking and I will blow it in your face" people out there. Casinos in Canada have been smoke-free for many years and they're packed with people, and the smokers seem to have adjusted to taking their occasional breaks outside without any major issue.

    Closed-in smoking sections in the casino might be a nice compromise?
     
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  3. mcc192

    mcc192 Bronze

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    I'm not a smoker, but when in Vegas I enjoy a cigar while on a machine, of course I always try and choose a machine with no one around, If I'm at a bar top I'll ask those around me if they mind or not, no one has ever gave me a negative answer.
     
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  4. Chuck

    Chuck Palladium
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    I smoke, but if they really WANT to go smoke-free in a casino, this is the mega-silver platter of all time to do it.

    I mean, what do they say to an anti-smoker after they've spent a month talking about how health and safety is gonna be their #1 priority? But I dunno, I think if they were gonna do it, something would have leaked out by now.

    I've actually been shocked by the LACK of smoking threads everywhere the last couple of months. It's a pretty easy go-to when someone feels like stirring up some shit. And no, I don't count this thread in that category, people are pretty level-headed here usually, regardless of their view on it.
     
    #4 Chuck, May 17, 2020
    Last edited: May 17, 2020
  5. james40

    james40 Bronze

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    The non-smoking casinos we have visited are much nicer and cleaner than the smoking casinos. Not making any sort of judgement, just stating a fact. Slant top VP machines are the worst, filthy from ash and overflowing ashtrays. We especially enjoy Harrah's NOLA as an enjoyable visit. It has several outside smoking areas complete with slots.

    As to the original question, my guess is they will not change the smoking policy. Now is not the time for any drastic changes, maybe someday, but not now.
     
  6. Big Slotter/kdk

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    I have had quite a few surveys from casinos I play at over the closure period. Most of them address smoking in the surveys so they have all been thinking about it.
    I also have been following the reopening news of various casinos. Several in Washington State have at least planned to open as non-smoking casinos, at least temporarily because they also require masks. Here in AZ some have added non-smoking areas when they reopened this weekend, but they were small relative to the main slot floors. Based on my time there it was easier to find an open machine in those sections than it was on the main floors so they may not stay that way permanently. One smaller casino here in AZ did announce they will open as non-smoking next month and require masks but it would just be temporary.
     
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  7. fraygul

    fraygul Bingo Nerd
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    As a considerate smoker who is also canadian, I am all for closed in room for smoking areas of the casino. I don't know how they make room for smoking areas outside but if they can do that, I'm good with that too. Beats sitting outside at -40 here. I also smoke waaay too much when I am in Vegas and yes, non smoking casinos feel a lot cleaner.
    Also if they are sanitizing the machines all the time, do they have time to clean all the ashtrays plus keep the yuck from cleaning ashtrays to the sanitizing? When they took smoking out it sucked, but we all adjusted and were fine, but if I have the choice to go to a casino that has smoking or an enclosed area (that still has good games) I go there.
    I can't see it actually keeping me from Vegas. Though if one casino allows smoking and another doesn't I will probably gamble at the one that allows it. On the scale of what annoys me, smoking in a smoking area or outside is much lower than resort fees and all the trifling crap that we get charged for all over.
     
  8. claired67

    claired67 Palladium
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    I’m not a smoker-never have been-but it almost seems like there’s so many changes already that people are gonna complain about that they won’t add one more.
     
  9. bayoubengal

    bayoubengal World's Worst VP Player
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    Unless the state bans it, I don’t see any casinos doing it. I’d be in support of the ban but I don’t think it’ll happen.
     
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  10. Goldenknight

    Goldenknight Palladium

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    I'm leaning the opposite way, if a place has been considering this as a policy it's probably better to do it now. Everyone will be complaining about everything, so you might as well have your clients get used to your new normal instead of trying to roll out major changes anytime soon again.

    I read through some Indiana gaming commission stuff today, masks required at tables for players and dealers, no smoking at tables, designated smoking area on the casino floor, every other machine off, no food OR drinks on the casino floor. Big changes for sure.
     
  11. 44inarow

    44inarow Cool Story Bro

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    Exactly. For better or for worse, smoking in Vegas is definitely down, and while a no-smoking policy might result in losing some customers, my gut is that they'll more than make up for it, especially if it's done across the board.
     
  12. claired67

    claired67 Palladium
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    Maybe. Like “everyone is going to complain so might as well go all in.” Cleaning the ashtrays is an issue, removing masks is an issue. I would not miss it but I’ve had people literally check themselves out of the hospital so they could smoke so I don’t know. The enclosed smoking sections always look kind of yucky.
     
  13. MNSlotLover

    MNSlotLover Ainsworth Whisperer
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    Yeah, I’ve seen little old ladies in wheelchairs on oxygen smoking at the slots. Pretty scary!
     
  14. 44inarow

    44inarow Cool Story Bro

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    Could be worse. There was once a guy (and a pump attendant, at that) smoking at a gas station we stopped at in NJ. I feel like that's some sort of safety violation.
     
  15. Bradleyvegas

    Bradleyvegas Silver

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    My local Harrahs Cherokee (in North Carolina) is mask required and smoke free indoors may 18-31 they announced (could be extended) while they do invite only.
    Where as I read at least some Vegas properties like PH denying that they will be smoke free on open (I thought on Twitter vitalvegas)
     
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  16. Wiscolovesvegas

    Wiscolovesvegas Palladium

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    I’m a smoker and truthfully it would probably help me not smoke at the way too much level I do in Vegas. Lol. However, I don’t see it happening ...... perhaps more no smoking sections? Always baffled me that I didn’t see more TBH.
     
  17. Chuck

    Chuck Palladium
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    I think it's the kind of thing where all the Strip honchos would have to have a sit down and agree to all do it at the same time. Nobody wants to lose that business to the guy across the street.

    Although MGM did move almost unilaterally in making the guest rooms non-smoking. But there's exceptions.
     
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  18. DaArsonist

    DaArsonist Bronze

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    I don’t think it will happen, if some big whale comes in betting 50k a hand or likes to play slots at 100 dollar credit machines and he likes to smoke while gambling there is no way a casino is going to be willing to lose that business. If they make exemptions for him they will be filled with law suits claiming discrimination. Just don’t see it occurring as there are quite a few gamblers who enjoy a smoke or a cigar while playing. Especially some of the high roller types.
     
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  19. 44inarow

    44inarow Cool Story Bro

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    "Smoker" is not a protected class. If it's someone betting $50k/hand they could open up a private room, but the $50k/hand player is definitely the exception rather than the rule. They've already removed smoking from the restaurants, hotel rooms, and pretty much anywhere else that's not a casino floor.
     
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  20. DaArsonist

    DaArsonist Bronze

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    I understand that it’s not a protected class you are correct that law suits may not hold water. But I still think that if a person is willing to spend enough money they will adhere to whales requests. In regards to the whales having smoking privileges than regular folk would not have I think it would be more of a PR issue I guess. Anyways I just don’t think smoking will go away in the long term. It doesn’t bother me either way sometimes if I’m drunk enough and winning enough lol I’ll light a cigarrete or cigar with all the smokers, I’m more inclined to think it’s better for business for gamblers to have the option of smoking while playing than it is to not have the option.

    Now I’m not a lawyer or a rep for OSHA but I wonder what the standards are for putting employees health and well being in harm by having them deal tables with a bunch of people smoking. I’m sure it’s something that is collectively bargained in their labor contract but still what happens if a none smoking dealer works the tables for 20 years then develops lung cancer due to all the smokers. How does that impact business and what are medical costs on claims paid out on these cases. But again that dealer had the option whether to take that job or not and new the risks when they accepted the offer.

    In the end it will always come down to dollars and cents, do they make more money allowing smoking in the casino.
     
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