Casinos Embrace Smoke-Free Gaming Floors Amidst Declining Smoking Rates

Smoking rates are down, and casinos are taking note. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards smoke-free gaming floors, with no apparent impact on business.

, and Administrator

2025 October 9 . 11:21 AM

1 min read

This image is taken indoors. In the background there is a wall and there are two lights. A few... — This image is taken indoors. In the background there is a wall and there are two lights. A few people are sitting on the chairs and there is a table with a few things on it. In the middle of the image there is a table with a bottle, a menu card and an ashtray on it. Two men and a woman are sitting on the chairs and they are smoking. They are holding cigarettes in their hands.

Casinos Embrace Smoke-Free Gaming Floors Amidst Declining Smoking Rates

Casinos worldwide are rethinking their smoking policies, with a growing acceptance from patrons and a declining smoking population. Recent changes, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, suggest that smoke-free gaming floors may no longer negatively impact casino operations.

The shift towards smoke-free casinos is gaining traction. Only 11.6% of adults smoked in 2022, a significant drop from previous years. This decline, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a re-evaluation of smoking policies in public spaces, including casinos.

Two casino finance analysts have suggested that casinos can shut down smoking on gaming floors without any adverse impact on their operations. This contradicts the old notion that correlation does not imply causation. In fact, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos in Connecticut opted out of smoking post-pandemic and maintained their economic momentum.

The trend towards smoke-free casinos is likely to continue, driven by health concerns and changing societal norms. With a declining smoking population and no apparent negative impact on casino operations, it seems that casinos can accommodate both smokers and non-smokers by keeping smoking outdoors.