New Jersey Governor Presses for Atlantic City Casino Smoking Vote

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill wants Atlantic City casino smoking rules settled in the Legislature, not left to the courts. Her comments put new attention on two bills that would either end indoor smoking or let it continue under tighter limits.

Good to Know

• One bill would ban smoking across Atlantic City casino floors.
• Another would allow smoking only in enclosed, separately ventilated areas.
• Casino workers remain split over jobs, health, and long-term revenue effects.

Casino Smoking Fight Returns to New Jersey Legislature

Court action is underway, but Sherrill said lawmakers still need to act. In an interview with The Press of Atlantic City, she said the issue belongs in the legislative process and that hearings are needed to weigh worker health against economic risk.

Under current rules, casinos can allow smoking on up to 25% of the gaming floor. Even so, smoke does not stay in one place and can drift into nonsmoking sections.

Two bills are back in play. S212 would ban smoking entirely in Atlantic City casinos. S698, sponsored by Sens. John Burzichelli and Michael Testa, would keep smoking but place it inside enclosed and separately ventilated areas designed to stop air from circulating into nonsmoking space. That bill would also bar managers from forcing employees to work in smoking sections and would create a 15-foot buffer from live-dealer table games.

Sherrill said: “There’s litigation right now, but they really need legislation,” She also said she plans to talk with legislative leaders about timing for long-pending proposals.

Pressure has been building for years. Casino workers have spent about five years protesting and lobbying for change, and supporters of a ban say they have backing from roughly two-thirds of the Legislature. Still, bills have repeatedly stalled. One measure cleared a Senate committee more than two years ago, then expired when the session ended.

The fight inside the workforce has gone in two directions. CEASE has pushed for a full ban and argues secondhand smoke creates long-term health risks for casino employees. Unite Here Local 54 has taken the other side, warning that a ban could cut revenue, cost jobs, and even threaten some casino operations. Atlantic City casino operators have made similar arguments.

Pete Naccarelli, a dealer at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and a CEASE representative, welcomed the governor comments. He said:

“We’ve lost too many co-workers due to the Legislature’s inaction over the last two decades.

“No worker wants to breathe poison for eight hours a day. With majority support in both houses, we urge the Legislature to listen to the governor’s call for action and finally move to close the two-decades-old casino smoking loophole before more of us die.”

Sherrill also pointed to outside pressure on Atlantic City. She said three planned casinos in New York City are expected to affect customer traffic and revenue, so any decision has to consider jobs and the local economy as well as worker safety.

Ban supporters reject the argument that smoke-free casinos automatically lose business. They point to studies they say show smoking bans no longer guarantee revenue declines. At the same time, workers seeking a ban have also gone to state court, creating a parallel track while legislation remains pending.

Public health trends add another layer to the debate. Data cited by advocates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Interview Study showed 9.9% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2024, down from 20.1% about two decades earlier.

FAQ

What did Mikie Sherrill say about casino smoking?

She said the issue should be handled through legislation rather than left to the courts.

What would S212 do?

S212 would ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos.

What would S698 do?

S698 would allow smoking only in enclosed, separately ventilated areas with added worker protections.

Why are workers divided?

Some workers want a full ban for health reasons, while others fear revenue losses, job cuts, and possible casino closures.

What is the current smoking rule in Atlantic City casinos?

Smoking is allowed on up to 25% of casino floor space, though smoke can spread beyond those sections.

What outside factor did Sherrill mention?

She pointed to three planned casinos in New York City as a competitive threat to Atlantic City.

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