New Jersey gaming workers were dealt a serious legal blow Friday when a state judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to ban smoking on casino floors.
The ruling in favor of Atlantic City’s nine struggling casinos was handed down by Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels.
The tobacco friendly casino workers filed a lawsuit in May seeking a permanent ban on smoking because of the health problems caused by secondhand smoke.
When the state banned indoor smoking nearly 20 years ago, they did so with one exception – allowing smoking on 25% of the casino floor.
Casino workers first urged state lawmakers to ban smoking four years ago, but when a bill to this effect stalledthey filed their lawsuit.
Opponents of the ban say it will lead to casino closures and thousands of layoffs.
They also believe that ending smoking in Atlantic City casinos will drive gamblers to casinos in neighboring Pennsylvania.
Casino owners also argue that the state would lose millions in tax revenue under such a ban.
Atlantic Citys nine casinos have suffered financially since the start of the covid pandemic, a recovery made even more difficult by the advent of online and app-based gambling.
The casino industry has long opposed a smoking ban, saying it has worked to develop better ventilation systems as well as enclosed smoking rooms, staffed by employees who volunteer to work there.