Noted for havingthe world’s largest sports book, the Westgate in Las Vegas also has the world’s most smoke-free sports book.
The Westgate took the unprecedented step of banning smoking in its recently renovated sports book, making it the most prominent Las Vegas sports book to do so.
The change will be a welcome relief to bettors who dislike inhaling second-hand smoke or going home smelling like someone else’s ashtray. But Deutsche Bank in a 2014 report said a smoking ban in Nevada casinos likely would result in a 7.5 percent decline in gaming revenues.
In 2007, Illinois banned smoking in casinos, and casino revenues dropped by nearly 21 percent during the ban’s first year. In Delaware, a 2002 smoking ban resulted in an 11.3 percent decline in gaming revenues.
A 2003 study in Australia indicates smoking reinforces ritualistic betting practices and generates more play among smokers who also gamble. Another study published in 2002 in the journal Addiction suggests habitual smokers gamble more often and spend more money when they do, than their non-smoking counterparts.
Neither study addressed whether or not smoking was on the rise or declining among bettors. In Nevada, it’s on the decline among residents.
In 1999, more than 31 percent of Nevada residents said they smoke, but 15 years later, that percentage declined to less than 17 percent.
In 2006, Nevada voters approved banning smoking while playing slots in stores, gas stations, and restaurants.
While reports indicate statewide bans on smoking have a negative impact on gaming revenues, Nevada casinos don’t have direct competition from tribal casinos or significant gaming operations in nearby states, where smoking is permitted.
Yet, most gaming operators on the Las Vegas Strip remain wary of outright banning smoking, and likely are eyeing the Westgate closely to see how its business might be affected.
