Ban Smoking is the call from Gamblers in California
7th July, 2008
California has recently banned smoking in several public places and many gamblers are aiming to push smoking banning law's to include casinos. In a survey of 1,700 a huge 85 per cent showed their support for banning smoking whilst playing in casinos. Many casino companies are now using the demand for non smoking to market and promote their playing environment. Many now include non smoking areas as the demand for smoke free casino's increases. The old casino image of smoking filled clubs for old men is rapidly diminishing.
Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Valley Ranch one of California's biggest casino's said “Our customers are starting to tell us they're really interested in having a nonsmoking area.” State laws on smoking differ throughout the US with New Yorks ban having little effect on casino earnings. Obviously smokers are against the the push for a ban however as smoker Joan Young “All of a sudden you entered nonsmoking area and you have a cigarette in your hand,” said Young.
Many believe that casinos can benefit from the demand for more non smoking areas in casinos or even a ban as less and numbers of smokers in California decrease. Smoking in UK casinos has been with little impact on the casino industry however bingo halls have suffered.
By Jamie
