FORT McDOWELL, ARIZ.—On October 29, the new We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort opened its doors, unveiling a contemporary ambiance and visitor-centric experience that raise the bar for Valley casinos. All gaming areas, hotel rooms and public spaces, dining outlets and entertainment venues are 100 percent smoke-free, with four comfortable outdoor areas designated for smokers.

House Bill 2298, sponsored by state Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny), would remove exemptions for drinking establishments, cigar bars, casinos, and private clubs. Exceptions to the 2008 law allow. Pennsylvania, now the second-largest state for casino revenue, permits smoking in as much as 50 percent of the casino space. In Atlantic City, smoking is permitted on 25 percent of the casino floor. Some casinos, like Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, voluntarily offer smoking and non-smoking areas in the casino, but none are completely smoke-free. Elsewhere, casino smoking bans did receive blowback from the gaming companies.

Thanks to new directives from the state health authority and regulators in the Keystone State, several land-based gaming venues are now smoke-free. Many of the retail gaming operators have been preparing to launch while ensuring that they adhere to the guidelines provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The Washington-based Meadows Racetrack & Casino is one of the casinos that has recently reopened its doors to patrons. In addition to having all of the new health and safety guidelines that were formulated as part of the efforts to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, the retail casino is also now a “100 percent smoke-free facility.”

Bensalem-based Parx Casino, another popular retail gambling space in the state, also banned indoor smoking. This temporary directive is a bit of an extension of the casino’s previous stance on smoking – this was not allowed anywhere near the table games. Instead, the casino let the patrons enjoy their smoke at a designated space near its slot machines. Unfortunately, even that space will no longer be available for smokers. Instead, the casino has set aside an outdoor patio that sits near a beer garden for anyone who gets the urge to smoke. According to the casino’s management, the temporary move is meant to support the state’s mask-wearing mandate.

Hollywood Casino in Grantville has also been reported to have banned smoking after it received the directives from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Department of Health.

Presque Isle Downs & Casino has also jumped in stating that the temporary ban is part of the efforts to protect both their employees and visitors from the spread of COVID-19. Wind Creek has also done the same. They have both set aside designated outdoor areas where people can smoke.

Back in Business

From all that has been happening, it is quite clear that the casino operators were taking their time with the reopening process. The struggle to reopen amid the ongoing pandemic is still quite pronounced but it is very interesting that they are finding some pretty viable workarounds. Thanks to the efforts of the Gaming Control Board and the Department of Health, they have been able to draw up effective plans that will make it easier for things to return to normalcy.

While the reopening of several casino businesses in the state is certainly a good sign, there is still much that has to be done to ensure the protective measures and directives are followed to the dot. The rules that have been set for the retail gaming venues are certainly a huge part of the plans.

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Pennsylvania’s casinos are going smoke-free — temporarily.

Smoking at casinos is yet another coronavirus-caused cutback.

It comes as a result of last week’s mandate from the Pennsylvania Department of Health expanding on the business safety order requiring masks to be worn in all public places in addition to inside of businesses.

Can’t pull down the mask to smoke at casinos

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Director of Communication Doug Harbach confirmed to PlayPennsylvania that smoking was extinguished for now at PA casinos.

PGCB Executive Director Kevin O’Toole reached out to all of the state’s casinos about implementing the temporary ban. O’Toole determined that in the PGCB protocols, casinos must comply with guidelines from the PA Department of Health, which issued an updated order mandating masks in public. There is no exception in the order that permits a person to pull down a mask to smoke.

O’Toole informed casinos that he interpreted the Health Department’s order to mean that there be no smoking inside public facilities. If the facilities have an outside location with adequate distancing, the opportunity for patrons to smoke in an outside/alternative location could be offered.

Prior to the updated order, Pennsylvania law allowed 50% of space at casinos to permit smoking.

Some casinos already said no smoking

Prior to the PGCB temporary ban, some casinos had already cleared the air on smoking.

In Wind Creek Casino‘s updated health and safety protocols, it lists new smoking restrictions:

“Smoking will not be allowed on the casino floor, public spaces or public bathroom areas. The ONLY place it will be allowed is in designated smoking areas provided at each property.”

Parx Casino temporarily suspended indoor smoking on July 2.

No smoking, drinking or eating at Atlantic City Casinos

On July 2, before Fourth of July visitors headed to Atlantic City, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced there would be no indoor dining, drinking or smoking at Atlantic City casinos.

The first casinos started to reopen in Pennsylvania on June 9, whereas NJ began to welcome back guests on July 2 in Atlantic City. Casinos in PA are open at 50% capacity. In New Jersey, they are open at 25%.

Of Pennsylvania’s 12 brick-and-mortar casinos, 11 reopened. However, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh closed again last week due to an uptick in cases in Allegheny County. Rivers Casino Philadelphia has yet to announce a return date.

In Atlantic City, the Borgata, the highest–revenue-generating property, decided to delay its reopening.

We respect the Governor’s decision to postpone the reopening of indoor dining in New Jersey to protect the public. Given this decision, our property Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/XTNxyw212R

— BORGATA (@BorgataAC) June 29, 2020

Smoking a target of some PA politicos

Right before coronavirus became a worldwide pandemic, PA Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Squirrel Hill) referred a bill to the Health Committee on Feb. 24. The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 prohibits smoking in public places except for casinos, drinking establishments, cigar bars and private clubs. Frankel’s House Bill 2298 seeks to remove the exceptions.

Thirteen co-sponsor signatures are on the bill. The next steps for HB 2298 include debate and discussion in the House Health Committee.

The push for amending the Clean Indoor Air Act isn’t new. In 2017, Rep. Matthew Baker introduced a bill to the House. It didn’t go anywhere. In 2019, Sen. Dan Laughlin followed suit.

Perhaps coronavirus can do what no politician could — permanently banish smoking from the gaming floor.

Pa Casinos Are Smoke Free Shipping

COVID-19 and smoking

Can coronavirus spread through secondhand smoke?

Dr. Mallika Marshall answered this question for CBS in Boston. She said:

“The virus doesn’t necessarily hitch a ride on smoke, but whenever someone smokes or vapes, they’re breathing out respiratory droplets. So if you’re near someone who is smoking and you can smell the smoke, and that person is sick with COVID-19, you’re at risk of getting sick yourself. Not to mention, long-term secondhand smoke exposure can damage the lungs and make you more susceptible to coronavirus complications.”

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Casino workers most exposed

Casino and hospitality workers are the most exposed to secondhand smoke. However, it’s a hazard for everyone in a building that allows smoking, according to the educational nonprofit organization The American Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) Foundation. The ANR Foundation says now is the perfect time to go smoke-free.

Pa Casinos Are Smoke Free

“In addition to the deep cleaning to disinfect against germs and viruses, consider the tobacco smoke residue, including gases, toxins, carcinogens and particulates, left in the air, on walls and surfaces, and in carpets and draperies.”