Share 
The debate on smoking in Atlantic City casinos is taking shape in 2026 as two new bills have been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature.
Casino employees have been desperate to eliminate smoking inside Atlantic City facilities for years. Lawmakers are taking notice, introducing Senate Bills 698 and 212 earlier this week.
One bill bans smoking entirely, while the other modifies current regulations.
Full smoke ban
Sen. Shirley K. Turner introduced SB 212, which eliminates smoking completely inside Atlantic City properties. The bill reads:
“This bill amends the ‘New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act,’ to prohibit smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Current law prohibits smoking in most indoor public places and workplaces, with certain exceptions, including indoor public places and workplaces which are within the perimeter of casinos and casino simulcasting facilities and accessible to the public for wagering.
“This bill would eliminate these exceptions from the smoking ban. This bill would take effect on the 90th day after the date of enactment.”
Casinos are permitted to allow smoking on up to 25% of the gaming floors in Atlantic City. Lawmakers and casinos have faced significant backlash from organizations such as Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and United Auto Workers (UAW).
CEASE and UAW filed a lawsuit in April 2024, which was appealed through an appellate court hearing last month. Both organizations are seeking a full smoking ban.
Modifications to current smoking rules
According to SB 698, introduced by Sen. John J. Burzichelli, smoking would still be allowed on up to 25% of the gaming floor. However, it would only be permitted under the following circumstances:
- In unenclosed interior designated smoking area which contain slot machines or other electronic games, but is not to include areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility that are 15 feet or less from any casino pits offering table game with live dealers
- In enclosed interior designated smoking areas equipped with a ventilation system that is separately exhausted from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, so that air from the smoking area is not recirculated or back-streamed into interior areas that are not interior designated smoking areas
The bill also says “enclosed interior designated smoking areas are to be separated from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, by solid walls or windows, a ceiling, and a solid door.”
Employees are not to be assigned to the enclosed area unless they agree to it.
