Indoor Tobacco Smoking Resumes at Rivers Casino in Philadelphia
Chillin' in the Casino Smoke Again: Rivers Casino PHL Brings Back Puffs post-COVID
In a surprising turn of events reminiscent of the 90's, Rivers Casino Philadelphia decided to welcome smokers back to its gaming floor in October 2022. Joining the ranks of Mount Airy Casino, it's now the only Pennsylvania casino that maintains a completely smoke-free zone, with Parx Casino leading the smoke-free trend.
Fomenting Controversy—or Avoiding It?
While Mount Airy Casino proudly announced the return of smoking via Facebook, Rivers Casino PHL kept it under wraps. Instead, they were busy touting their new offerings for 2023, like a swanky Italian-American steakhouse and a scrumptious new pizza shop. Tucked between these enticing additions, they subtly pointed out that smoking areas are back on the gaming floor. One's gotta wonder—was it done strategically to dodge criticism?
Cashing In on Smokers—at What Cost?
The rationale behind reintroducing smoking isn't entirely clear, but with declining revenues from slot machines and table games, it seems like a move to cater to their loyal smoker clientele. Over the past few years, online gaming options have gained popularity, making it challenging for casinos to attract new customers.
However, the question remains—how will smoke-speckled air bring back the folks who'd rather enjoy the virtual casino experience, where they can breathe clean air and avoid that poker-face ashtray scent?
Sparking a Legislative Fire: The Quest for a Smoke-Free Casino PA
There's a looming threat to Rivers Casino's newly lit cigarette corners. In March 2022, Pennsylvania's Allegheny County Democrats, Sen. Jay Costa and Rep. Dan Frankel, presented the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, aiming to end indoor smoking in casinos to protect employees from secondhand smoke. The proposed bill aims to tighten the Clean Indoor Air Act, classifying e-cigarettes as smoking, and granting local governments more control over implementing stricter smoke-free laws.
With recent political changes and successful smoke-free initiatives in neighboring New Jersey, supporters are hopeful for the bill's success. The casino industry, however, may continue to clash with public health advocates until smoky gambling dens become relics of the past.
Torn between Testers and Trendsetters
Balancing the needs of smokers and smokaphobes in the evolving gaming landscape is a dicey game. Public opinion strongly supports smoke-free legislation, yet casinos resist giving up their loyal smoking customers. Will Rivers Casino PHL find a way to savor the flavors of success without choking on the smoke? Only time will tell.
In light of the debate on smoke-free casinos, Rivers Casino PHL's decision to reintroduce smoking areas on their gaming floor raises questions about their strategic approach to attracting smokers, especially given the growing popularity of online gaming options and the recently proposed Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act. Despite this, the casino industry, including Rivers Casino PHL, continues to navigate the balance between catering to long-time smoker clients and addressing public health concerns by offering casino-and-gambling experiences that include casino-games in smoke-free environments.
