The New Jersey State Senate has received a new bill that would permit smoking in the state’s casinos “with some restrictions,” according to a WPVI local news report.
The bill up for consideration was introduced by Senator John Burzichelli. Under its conditions, smoking would be limited to 25% of the casino floor and would allow smoking in unenclosed areas of the floor where slot machines are present.
The bill also would keep live dealers 15 feet away from areas where smoking would be permitted.
However, the UAW Region 9 union, which represents 3,000 Atlantic City casino dealers and slot techs, says this is not good enough.
Union representatives told local news that a complete ban on smoking is the “only acceptable answer.”
UAW Region 9 Daniel ViCente commented, "Smoke goes where it wants. It'll float everywhere on the floor.
"The rules as it's written in this proposal are ridiculous and continue to put our peoples' health and safety at risk.”
Controversy around whether to ban smoking in casinos around the Garden State has been building for the past few years. Leaders on both sides of the issue have voiced concerns regarding how a smoking ban could potentially affect the city’s casinos moving forward.
Indoor smoking was banned in New Jersey in 2006. However, the current laws on the books make room for smoking in casinos and in simulcasting facilities, an allowance casino employees have pushed back against for more than three years.
Currently, smoking is allowed in Atlantic City’s casinos on 25% of the gaming floor. However, these spaces are not designed to contain smoke, causing it to waft into other areas of the casino.
New Jersey first revisited a possible casino-wide smoking ban after temporary bans during the Covid-19 pandemic were lifted in July 2021.
Following the decision to remove temporary bans, Atlantic City casino workers asked for permanent legislation that would prohibit smoking in casinos statewide.
