“These Record-Setting Reports Are Not A Coincidence, But A Clear Trend And Reflection Of The New Normal”

July 21, 2023 | Contact: press@no-smoke.org

Berkeley, CA – With more than 160 Tribal casino properties operating smokefree in Fiscal Year 2022, Tribal gaming set a revenue record last year, according to a new report by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). The report shows that Tribal casinos generated a record-setting $40.9 billion in 2022 and offers an example of casinos thriving while operating smokefree for only three years. 

Specifically, the report finds that the D.C. region, which includes Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in Connecticut and Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina– all of which have been operating smokefree – revenue increased by 10.8%. Further, in the Phoenix region, which encompasses four smokefree Navajo Nation casinos, revenue jumped 15.7% year-over-year (see page 7 of the report).

“Tribal casinos set a revenue record as a significant number of Tribal leaders use their sovereign authority to pass policy that says no to indoor smoking. These facts stand in stark contrast to what we hear from many commercial casino operators in places like New Jersey, Rhode Island, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Louisiana,” said Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights. “The data offers the latest evidence that it’s past time to end indoor smoking at all casinos because doing so is good for business. Such a policy is also critically important for protecting the health and safety of a diverse workforce. 

“These record-setting reports are not a coincidence, but a clear trend and reflection of the new normal that guests prefer a smokefree gaming environment. We’re consistently seeing smokefree casinos outperform their counterparts that are clinging to decades-old smoking policies that endanger their employees’ health. We applaud the record number of Tribal casinos that have decided to protect their employees from dangerous secondhand smoke and provide a better experience for all guests. In states with commercial casinos, such as New Jersey, we urge legislators to reject industry scare tactics and pass bipartisan legislation that closes smoking loopholes and finally protects workers’ health.”

Background
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported this week that smokefree Parx Casino in the Philadelphia/New Jersey market continues to lead Pennsylvania’s gaming industry as the state just posted record-high revenue.

A report published last year by Las Vegas-based C3 Gaming found that casinos without indoor smoking outperform their smoking counterparts. “Data from multiple jurisdictions clearly indicates that banning smoking no longer causes a dramatic drop in gaming revenue,” wrote C3 Gaming. “In fact, non-smoking properties appear to be performing better than their counterparts that continue to allow smoking.

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ABOUT AMERICANS FOR NONSMOKERS’ RIGHTS
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for over 45 years, since 1976, to protect everyone’s right to breathe nontoxic air in workplaces and public places, from offices and airplanes to restaurants, bars, and casinos. ANR has continuously shined a light on the tobacco industry’s interference with sound and life-saving public health measures and successfully protected 61% of the population with local or statewide smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws. ANR aims to close gaps in smokefree protections for workers in all workplaces, including bars, music venues, casinos, and hotels. For more information, please visit https://nonsmokersrights.org and https://smokefreecasinos.org.

                                                                       ###

ABOUT AMERICANS FOR NONSMOKERS’ RIGHTS
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for over 45 years, since 1976, to protect everyone’s right to breathe nontoxic air in workplaces and public places, from offices and airplanes to restaurants, bars, and casinos. ANR has continuously shined a light on the tobacco industry’s interference with sound and life-saving public health measures and successfully protected 61% of the population with local or statewide smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws. ANR aims to close gaps in smokefree protections for workers in all workplaces, including bars, music venues, casinos, and hotels. For more information, please visit https://nonsmokersrights.org and https://smokefreecasinos.org.