Casino workers are serious now.
On December 9, employees and anti-smoking advocates gathered in Trenton to hold a news conference to turn up the heat on lawmakers to close a loophole which permits smoking in the casinos, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
The argument is that smoking forces workers to choose between a paycheck and health, Casino Employees Against Smoking’s (Harmful) Effects and Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights said in a news release.
The groups are asking lawmakers to pass S1878, which is co-sponsored by state Senator Vince Polistina and several other senators. In the Assembly, A4541, sponsored by Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Shanique Speight and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, also seeks support.
CEASE counts thousands of casino dealers and other frontline gaming workers formed after indoor smoking returned on July 4.
A Politico story December 8 revealed that outgoing Senate President Steve Sweeney said the legislation stands a chance during the lame duck session. A few weeks ago, the bill was considered dead with no support from Sweeney.
Politico reported: in a letter sent to Sweeney, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights President Cynthia Hallett pushed Sweeney to pass the Senate bill that would end the carve out for indoor smoking casinos currently have.”
While Sweeney declined comment, he told reporters earlier in the week it was “possible” the measure advances, yet Sweeney remains concerned the ban could put Atlantic City casinos at a disadvantage to those in Pennsylvania.”
These facts stand out:
- Casinos in eastern Pennsylvania operate smoke free and still thrive with Parx in Bensalem the top revenue producer.
- Atlantic City revenue grew 11 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter in pre-Covid 2019.
