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New Jersey Governor Urges Vote on Atlantic City Casino Smoking

New Jersey Governor Urges Legislative Vote on Atlantic City Casino Smoking – Lawmakers Face Decision Amid Worker Health and Revenue Debate

Key Takeaways

• New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill called on lawmakers to resolve Atlantic City casino smoking rules through legislation rather than court action.
• Bill S212 would ban indoor smoking in casinos, while S698 would allow smoking in enclosed, separately ventilated areas with added worker protections.
• Smoking is currently permitted on up to 25% of casino gaming floor space, though smoke can spread beyond designated sections.
• Casino workers and unions remain divided, citing health concerns on one side and potential revenue and job losses on the other.

Governor Calls for Legislative Action Instead of Court Resolution

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has renewed attention on the long running debate over indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos. In an interview with The Press of Atlantic City, she stated that the issue should be addressed through the legislative process rather than left to ongoing litigation.

“There’s litigation right now, but they really need legislation,” Sherrill said, emphasizing that lawmakers should hold hearings to weigh worker health concerns against potential economic risks. Court action is currently underway, but the governor indicated that a statutory decision is still necessary.

For you as an observer of the US gambling market, the distinction matters. A legislative solution would create a clearer regulatory framework for operators, employees, and customers, while court driven outcomes could leave room for further legal challenges.

Two Bills Present Different Regulatory Paths

Two separate bills are now back under consideration in the New Jersey Legislature.

Bill S212 proposes a full ban on indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos. If adopted, it would close a longstanding exemption that allows casinos to permit smoking despite broader indoor restrictions elsewhere.

Bill S698, sponsored by Senators John Burzichelli and Michael Testa, would take a different approach. It would allow smoking to continue, but only within enclosed and separately ventilated areas designed to prevent smoke from circulating into nonsmoking sections. The proposal includes additional worker protections. Managers would be barred from requiring employees to work in smoking sections, and a 15 foot buffer zone would be established around live dealer table games.

Under current rules, casinos may allow smoking on up to 25% of their gaming floor space. However, smoke does not remain confined to designated areas and can drift into nonsmoking sections.

Workforce Divided Over Health and Economic Impact

The debate has been ongoing for years and has split casino workers and unions.

The group CEASE has pushed for a full smoking ban, arguing that secondhand smoke creates long term health risks for employees. According to the report, casino workers have spent about five years protesting and lobbying for change. Pete Naccarelli, a dealer at Borgata Hotel Casino and a CEASE representative, said the Legislature’s inaction has had serious consequences for workers. He stated that no employee wants to breathe what he described as poison for eight hours a day and urged lawmakers to close what he called a two decades old loophole.

On the other side, Unite Here Local 54 has warned that a smoking ban could reduce revenue, lead to job losses, and potentially threaten some casino operations. Atlantic City casino operators have made similar arguments, linking smoking restrictions to possible financial strain.

Supporters of a ban dispute the claim that smoke free casinos automatically lose business. They have pointed to studies they say show that smoking bans no longer guarantee revenue declines. However, specific figures were not detailed in the source material.

Political Support and Legislative Delays

According to advocates of a smoking ban, roughly two thirds of the Legislature support ending indoor smoking in casinos. Despite this reported backing, previous efforts have stalled.

One measure cleared a Senate committee more than two years ago but expired when the legislative session ended. The repeated failure to bring the issue to a final vote has contributed to ongoing frustration among workers and advocacy groups.

Governor Sherrill said she plans to speak with legislative leaders about the timing of long pending proposals. Her comments suggest renewed efforts to move the bills forward after years of procedural setbacks.

Competitive Pressure From Planned New York Casinos

Sherrill also referenced external market pressures that could influence the debate. She pointed to three planned casinos in New York City, which are expected to affect customer traffic and revenue in Atlantic City.

This competitive backdrop adds another layer to the legislative discussion. Lawmakers are being asked to balance worker health concerns with the potential economic impact on jobs and local revenue, particularly as new regional competition emerges.

Public Health Trends Provide Additional Context

Public health data has also entered the debate. Advocates cited figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Interview Study showing that 9.9% of US adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2024. About two decades earlier, the figure stood at 20.1%.

The decline in smoking rates has been used to argue that customer demand for indoor smoking may not be as strong as in previous decades. At the same time, workers seeking a ban have pursued legal action in state court, creating a parallel track alongside legislative efforts.

Our Assessment

The renewed push by Governor Sherrill places the responsibility for resolving Atlantic City’s casino smoking rules squarely on the New Jersey Legislature. Lawmakers must now choose between a full indoor ban under S212 or a restricted model under S698 that permits smoking in enclosed, ventilated areas with added worker protections. The outcome will directly affect casino employees, operators, and the regulatory framework governing one of the United States’ established gambling markets, particularly as new competition from planned New York City casinos approaches.