Despite efforts by organizations like Trinity Health and the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation to push for smoke-free policies in casinos, shareholders of major casino companies like Caesars Entertainment, Bally’s Corp., and Boyd Gaming have voted against studying the potential cost savings of such policies. The boards of directors at these companies actively fought to keep the proposals out of the shareholders’ proxy materials, citing reasons such as the ineffectiveness of studying nonsmoking policies and the protection of nonsmoking customers in designated smoking areas.
Caesars, Bally’s, and Boyd all received overwhelming votes against the proposals, with more than 81% of Caesars’ votes cast against the idea of studying nonsmoking policies. The Securities and Exchange Commission denied the casinos’ requests to exclude these proposals from the voting process, allowing them to move forward. Despite the efforts by advocacy groups, the opposition from shareholders and the boards of directors of these companies remains strong.
The issue of smoking in casinos has been a longstanding tradition, especially in destinations like Las Vegas where smoking has been allowed in casinos since the beginning. While many areas in Nevada hotels have been smoke-free since 2006, casinos have remained a stronghold for cigarette and cigar use. Park MGM, as a notable exception, has implemented a comprehensive smoke-free policy throughout its property, sending a message that it is possible to create a smoke-free environment even within the confines of a casino setting. Despite this, the acceptance of smoking in casinos as a norm continues to prevail industry-wide.
Advocates for smoke-free environments in casinos view the issue through a public health lens, pointing out the potential risks associated with indoor smoking. Not only does smoking pose health dangers to employees and guests, but it can also result in higher maintenance costs and deter customers who prefer smoke-free environments. The efforts by organizations like the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation and Trinity Health highlight the importance of addressing these concerns and promoting healthier environments within the casino industry.
While the recent shareholder votes may have been discouraging for advocates of smoke-free policies in casinos, the fact that the proposals garnered significant support indicates a growing awareness of the issue. The ability to bring back these proposals for future votes at companies like Bally’s and Boyd provides a ray of hope for those pushing for change. With the acknowledgment that this is an important matter affecting the health and well-being of employees and guests, the conversation around smoke-free policies in casinos is far from over. As companies like Park MGM lead the way in implementing such policies, the industry may slowly shift towards a more inclusive and health-conscious environment for all patrons.