Las Vegas, (October 7, 2024) — A new poll conducted on behalf of casino gaming influencer Brian Christopher of BCSlots and the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) shows that the vast majority (86%) of casino patrons prefer playing at smokefree casinos. Meanwhile, 86% of casino patrons are nonsmokers, with 87% of frequent (several times per month) players and fully 89% of high income (more than $150,000) players saying they are nonsmokers.
The overwhelming majority of Americans don’t smoke, and that includes casino players. The fact is, gamblers go to casinos to gamble. Our survey has shown that even smokers prefer smokefree facilities, so why are casinos reluctant to update their practices? Let’s not peg revenue challenges on smoking policies, and focus on actually improving casino properties so that all people (including staff) can enjoy them better,” said Brian Christopher. “I’m proud to say that BCSlots exclusively visits casinos with end-to-end smokefree experiences. Players are calling for it — it’s time for casinos to listen.”
The poll lends further support to the growing movement for casinos to protect the health of their patrons and workers by joining nearly every other workplace in America in going smokefree. Importantly, 91% of casino workers are nonsmokers, and 95% would prefer working at a casino that guarantees a smokefree work environment.
“Casinos are clinging to outdated business practices by continuing to resist the call to go smokefree indoors,” said ANRF President and CEO Cynthia Hallett. “While we have long known that smokefree policies are critical to protecting casino patrons and workers from the harm of secondhand smoke — including an increased risk of asthma, lung cancer, and COPD — this poll is further evidence that smokefree policies make good business sense, too. If the positive benefit to players’ and workers’ health isn’t enough, there’s a clear benefit to casinos’ bottom lines as well.”
The preference for smokefree casinos is true across the entire gaming experience, from active playing to dining. Players said that a casino being smokefree is a bigger factor (61%) than cleanliness (49%), travel distance (41%), and how likely it is to pay out (31%). This is true no matter how often players go to a casino. 90% of respondents, including smokers, agreed that safe indoor air was important. 97% of casino workers agreed with that sentiment.
The online survey, conducted between December 2023 and January 2024, surveyed 2,136 casino patrons on their attitudes towards smoking.
Additional insights from the poll will be shared at a panel on the player perspective at this year’s Global Gaming Expo, with BCSlots Creator and CEO Brian Christopher, ANRF President Cynthia Hallett, Potawatomi Casino Hotel Milwaukee Sr. Content Marketing Manager Tashina Williams, Foxwoods Resort Casino Senior Vice President Bryan Hayes.