Clearing the air: NJ casino employees' push for smoking ban gains momentum

Clearing the air: NJ casino employees’ push for smoking ban gains momentum

Posted by author January 22, 2025 Gambling

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New Jersey’s casino industry reached a new milestone in 2024, generating $6.3 billion in gambling revenue, partly driven by online gambling, The Press of Atlantic City reported.

Nevertheless, despite record breaking profits last year, Atlantic City executives are expressing concern over profits arguing that banning smoking on gaming floors would hurt revenue, says the Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), an organization looking to ban smoking inside casinos to safeguard employees health.

“With record revenues, now is the time for the industry to make positive changes, starting with eliminating indoor smoking,” said Pete Naccarelli, CEASE co-founder and Atlantic City casino worker.

In 2024, internet gambling generated $2.4 billion, a 24% increase from the previous year, while sports betting added another $1.1 billion. In contrast, in-person gambling revenue dropped by 1.1% to $2.8 billion, according to CEASE.

“Casinos embraced and heavily promoted online gambling. Now that it’s successful, they can’t blame it for their struggles. Rather than focusing on these shifting trends, casinos should prioritize aligning with modern health standards, including creating smokefree environments,” Naccarelli said.

CEASE is calling on the New Jersey legislature to pass bipartisan legislation to close the casino smoking loophole and protect thousands of workers from secondhand smoke.

The organization said that with revenues at record highs, the industry has the resources and opportunity to make their workplaces safer and healthier for everyone.