Casinos in Las Vegas Face Pressure to Implement Smoke-Free Environment as Public Attitudes Change
Vegas Casinos Embracing a Smoke-Free Future
Hey there, the glitzy world of Las Vegas casinos is experiencing a shift as they move towards a smoke-free era, all thanks to investor pressure and evolving public perceptions. Although the majority of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip still allow smoking on the gaming floors, more and more people want the casino operators to reconsider the smoking policy.
Loner in the Pack: Park MGM
Park MGM, a prominent strip property, is the lone trailblazer that imposed an indoor smoking ban back in 2020, a rule some visitors might not be aware of. Despite the ambiguity, tourists like Amy Chamberlain from California prefer Park MGM for this very reason, as reported by Las Vegas Weekly.
Smoke Detonates: Industry-wide Reform
Recent findings suggest that more industry players may soon have to tackle the smoking issue head-on. A survey by the Nevada Tobacco Control and Smoke-Free Coalition revealed that a whopping 67% of voters back smoke-free casinos, prompting groups such as the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation (ANRF) to propose studies on the costs and benefits of smoke-free policies to various big gaming companies.
These proposals aimed at shareholders may seem like a piece of cake for some companies, but most tried their best to steer clear of them, only for the SEC to step in and allow the votes. So far, 8.6% of Wynn Resorts investors and 11% of Boyd Gaming shareholders have shown their support for these proposals. Caesars Entertainment and Penn Entertainment will hold similar votes mid-June.
Smoke-Haze Removal: An Uphill Battle
Although the percentages might not represent a majority, the ANRF sees this as an indication of burgeoning support. Their analyst, Bronson Frick, highlights that investors are suggesting a change even when management is resistant, which may influence future policies.
Industry experts claim that fears of losing revenue may be overstated. Studies by UNLV researchers and independent groups suggest that smoking bans have minimal impacts on gaming income. In some instances, properties without smoke have shown signs of better performance. Professor Ashok Singh, a UNLV researcher, confirms that a 2015 smoking ban at Kangwon Land in South Korea did not affect its business volume.
Meanwhile, UNLV gaming expert Anthony Lucas queries the industry's reluctance to delve deeper into this area. He believes that this hesitation comes from the entrenched belief that smoking and gambling go hand in hand. However, he argues that current data and falling smoking rates across the nation call this notion into question.
Labour on Board
Labour groups are also paying attention to the matter. The Culinary Union, which represents tens of thousands of Las Vegas Strip workers, supports smoke-free initiatives at Park MGM and contends that it should protect workers better.
Smokescreen or Reality?
For now, the industry remains hesitant. But as public opinion evolves and shareholders show increasing interest, smoke-filled casino floors might soon become a thing of the past.
Enrichment Data- Park MGM is the only major Las Vegas Strip casino to enact a complete indoor smoking ban, which has been in place since 2020.- Despite intentions to keep smoke-free shareholder proposals off ballots, companies such as Wynn Resorts and Boyd Gaming have experienced shareholder support in the range of 8.6% and 11%, respectively.- Public surveys display a high preference for smoke-free casinos, with over 2/3rds of Nevada voters professing support for the idea.- Advocacy groups like the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation and Trinity Health have put forth proposals to major casino companies, urging them to investigate the economic benefits of smoke-free policies.- Nevada is considering broader tobacco control measures, like banning cigarette sales to those born after 2004 with exemptions for specific casinos.- The future outlook sees a gradual shift towards more smoke-free environments across the industry as investor pressure and changing public attitudes gather momentum.
In the evolving casino-and-gambling landscape of Las Vegas, Park MGM is charting the path forward as the only major strip property with a complete indoor smoking ban, implemented in 2020. As the smoke-free movement gains momentum, with over 67% of Nevada voters expressing support for smoke-free casinos, other industry players may soon follow suit, influenced by investor pressure and changing public perceptions.
