In a significant legal decision, Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels ruled against the casino workers' lawsuit, asserting that a smoking ban could jeopardize the financial viability of Atlantic City's casinos.
The lawsuit, initiated by tobacco-wary casino employees, sought to dismantle a longstanding exception for smoking on 25% of casino floors—a decision that has sparked heated debates since the state outlawed indoor smoking nearly two decades ago.
With casino revenues struggling, particularly in the wake of the COVID pandemic and the rise of online gambling, opponents argue that enforcing a smoking ban could lead to massive closures and job losses.
Casino owners have claimed that lifting the smoking exception could prompt gamblers to flock to neighboring Pennsylvania casinos, stressing that potential tax revenue losses for the state would also be significant.
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