Gaming regulators in two of the biggest on line casino markets within the nation have lifted the final of their remaining COVID restrictions as gamblers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are capable of smoke inside once more.
According to the Associated Press, the year-long ban on smoking inside Atlantic City casinos expired final weekend, which allowed people who smoke to renew smoking indoors as soon as once more. An almost equivalent ban in neighboring Pennsylvania expired as nicely.
The foremost distinction between the 2 states is how the casinos have responded to the lifting of the ban. In New Jersey, all 9 Atlantic City casinos have resumed smoking inside. Whereas, in Pennsylvania, solely three properties resumed indoor smoking.
According to a Pittsburgh CBS affiliate, Rivers Casino, Live! Pittsburgh Casino and the Meadows Casino are the one properties to renew smoking and can solely permit it to be finished in designated smoking areas. New Jersey casinos additionally carried out designated smoking areas, which can make up about 20% of the gaming flooring.
There is a good quantity of pushback in opposition to the resumption of smoking contained in the state’s casinos. There was a rally final month on the Atlantic City Boardwalk calling for Murphy to ban smoking in casinos. Murphy by no means dedicated to signing laws that might prohibit it, if it reached his desk, however stated he can be “very constructive” on the problem.
The Casino Association of New Jersey, the commerce group that represents Atlantic City casinos, absolutely helps a smoking ban and stated it might have constructive “long-term financial implications for the industry and the region.”