Investors are now being targeted by opponents of smoking in casinos as a way to potentially ban smoking in gambling establishments. A national non-smoking group and a Michigan health system have placed shareholder proposals on the agenda of annual meetings for major gambling companies, including Boyd Gaming and Bally’s Corporation. These proposals ask the companies to study the financial benefits of going smoke-free at their casino properties. Efforts to end smoking in gambling halls have also included lobbying lawmakers in New Jersey and filing lawsuits to overturn indoor smoking laws that exempt casinos.
The proposals from Trinity Health and the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation will be voted on by shareholders of Boyd Gaming and Bally’s Corporation. A similar proposal has been submitted to Caesars Entertainment, although the date of its annual meeting has not been announced yet. The president of the non-smokers group emphasized the harm caused by indoor smoking, particularly to casino workers who play a significant role in generating revenue for the companies. The goal is to protect the well-being of both workers and patrons by exploring all avenues to end smoking in casinos.
In many states, including Atlantic City, workers in casinos have expressed concerns about the dangers of secondhand smoke. Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, a group advocating for a smoke-free environment in casinos, highlights the risks that workers face on a daily basis. The push to ban smoking in casinos has faced opposition from the gambling companies, who claim that such decisions should be left to company management. However, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has rejected these claims and allowed the shareholder proposals to proceed, impacting the three major gambling companies.
Bally’s, Boyd Gaming, and Caesars Entertainment all oppose the shareholder proposals calling for a study on the financial benefits of going smoke-free. They argue that these decisions should be made by company management and that implementing a smoking ban could put them at a competitive disadvantage. Bally’s and Boyd Gaming have encouraged shareholders to vote against the proposals, stating that such measures could force the companies to adopt smoke-free policies unilaterally. The debate over smoking bans in casinos continues to intensify, with health concerns for employees and customers being weighed against business considerations and customer preferences.
While Bally’s supported the repeal of a smoking ban in Louisiana last year, Boyd Gaming emphasized the potential negative impact of smoking bans on its operations in various markets. Caesars Entertainment did not respond to requests for comment, but highlighted the importance of considering various factors in determining smoking policies for its properties, including customer preferences, local regulations, and the actions of competitors. The debate over smoking in casinos underscores the ongoing tension between health concerns and business interests within the gambling industry. Shareholders will have the opportunity to weigh in on these important decisions, potentially shaping the future of smoking policies in casinos.
