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Smoking ban costly for casinos

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey – As reported by the Press of Atlantic City: "At Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, fresh air is pulled in three times an hour by the building's massive ventilation system.

"…Borgata and other casinos in town have spent millions of dollars on high-tech ventilation systems and fancy 'smokeless' gaming tables and ashtrays to protect their customers and employees from harmful smoke.

"Now they are facing the possibility that much of the money will have been wasted — and the special equipment will be unneeded — when Atlantic City's proposed casino smoking ban takes effect in April.

" …'Obviously, they're going to have to take a look at things that will make smoking less intrusive than it was, which includes a simple inventory of ashtrays. One thing to be answered is whether casinos will continue to sell cigarettes and other tobacco products,' said Harvey Perkins of Spectrum Gaming Group.

"…Casinos oppose a smoking ban. They have repeatedly pointed to a study, commissioned by the Casino Association of New Jersey, that estimates gaming revenue will plummet 20 percent and 3,400 jobs will be lost in Atlantic City because smokers will flee to other gaming markets where they are not outlawed.

"…Most if not all of Atlantic City's 11 casinos voluntarily set aside nonsmoking areas on their gaming floors years ago. Borgata, for instance, says a little more than half of its casino floor is smokefree…"

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