Share 
Atlantic City casinos just wrapped up their most profitable summer in more than a decade. Workers say that success removes any excuse for allowing smoking on casino floors.
According to figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, brick-and-mortar casinos brought in more than $855 million from June through August, a 5.5% jump compared to last summer.
August alone accounted for nearly $312 million, a 6.1% year-over-year increase. The strong performance marked the fourth consecutive month where in-person casino winnings outpaced online operations.
Amid this success, Atlantic City casino employees continue to fight for what they call a basic right: breathing clean air at work.
Workers push back against industry arguments
The group Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) has been leading the charge to eliminate indoor casino smoking.
Pete Naccarelli, a longtime table games dealer and CEASE co-founder, said industry leaders are hiding behind outdated arguments.
“In rejecting our calls to simply be able to breathe clean air at work, the casino industry has repeatedly argued that they can’t change their policies in the ‘fragile’ business environment.
“But clearly, casinos are making more than enough to weather any changes. While the industry executives make millions of dollars, casino workers have to face health issues due to toxic secondhand smoke just to make a living. How is this fair?”
Evidence from other markets
For years, Atlantic City casinos have maintained that smoke-free policies would drive away patrons. But research has increasingly undermined that claim.
In May, CEASE noted that industry analysts pointed out that Philadelphia casinos did not lose table games customers after going smoke-free.
Parx Casino, which is the only voluntary smoke-free casino in Pennsylvania, saw the strongest rebound in table games revenue after COVID-19 restrictions.
Other Northeast gaming markets, including New York and Connecticut, have long banned indoor smoking, yet their casinos remain profitable and competitive.
A summer too strong to ignore
With Atlantic City casinos enjoying their most lucrative summer since before the Great Recession, CEASE argues that financial performance proves there’s no longer a legitimate reason to prioritize smoking over employee health.
“Even if it were true that smokefree policies could hurt business – which it’s not – after their best summer in a decade, Atlantic City casinos should do what’s right for workers.”
For now, the debate continues, but the numbers show the industry is thriving. Workers say it’s time to ensure that they thrive, too.
