The Venetian and Palazzo are altering their table game smoking policies, which will allow players to smoke at table games, something that has been seen at Wynn Resorts for a number of years.
While they will allow table game players to smoke, they will provide non-smoking tables for people on an individual basis when requested.
There was an internal memo released last week which stated: “Beginning Monday, November 6, the company will reinstate the smoking policy on the casino floor which will permit the smoking of cigarettes, cigars and vapes at all table games on the casino floors at The Venetian and the Palazzo.
“As a reminder, the use or visibility of marijuana products continues to be strictly prohibited.”
It was through feedback which the company received that encouraged The Venetian to review the current procedures in place.
A company spokesman cited that its change in policy was similar to an unadvertised program that was in place at Wynn and Encore Las Vegas for several years, whereby a player can ask a dealer to designate the table as a non-smoking one and a sign would be placed on the table to emphasize this.
Presdient and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, Cynthia Hallet, explained how these policies didn’t protect other players and casino staff, saying, “The notion of a partial smoking policy in casinos is a failed attempt to address the serious health concerns of casino workers.
“Secondhand smoke respects no boundaries, and allowing smoking in designated areas cannot cloak the pervasive risks it poses,” she said. “It’s also troubling that under Wynn’s policy, table game dealers must rely on the awareness of patrons regarding this unadvertised rule and hope that they opt for a smoke-free gaming experience.”
Casinos and smoking policy have been a big topic of discussion recently with Agua Caliente Casino allowing smoking again after over three years back in October and Isleta Casino reporting in September that 95% of staff appreciated the non-smoking policy at the venue.
