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Casinos Bet on Healthy Living29 April 2001Although casinos represent the last bastion for many smokers, where they can still smoke freely, it appears that this too is about to change. A number of casinos are already offering patrons a healthier place to gamble as they open smoke-free slot machine rooms. Following in the footsteps of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, The Mohegan Sun Casino, on the Mohegan Indian reservation in southeast Connecticut, elected to convert its bingo hall into the smoke-free "Hall of the Lost Tribes," because a non-smoking gambling area was the No. 1 request from customers. John Shelk, vice president for the American Gaming Association, reflecting on the change in the industry, commented that until about five years ago, gambling in a casino meant hanging out in a smoke-filled room. As more and more public places became non-smoking, the pressure fell upon the gambling industry to implement it too. However, the legislation met with great opposition with claims that up to 60 percent of casino visitors smoke and it was left up to the resorts to decide for themselves. The Trump Plaza in Atlantic City has led the way for non-smoking casinos by opening an entire non-smoking building last year. The non-smoking campaign even extends to signs above some of the slot machines, stating "Breathe Easy" and "The only thing smoking is our slots." Although most casino resorts do attempt to meet the needs of the health-conscious by offering health clubs and spas. going healthy on the actual casino floor is an individual decision each casino must make based on its customers, said Shelk. |