Could outdoor gambling solve impasse over smoking at casinos?
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There is an impasse between Atlantic City casino workers who want a smoking ban and gambling executives who fear it would hurt business and cost jobs. A bill that would end smoking in the casinos has sat untouched in New Jersey's state Legislature for months.
The outdoor smoking area that Harrah's in New Orleans opened about five years ago is a better alternative to the one offered by Atlantic City's Golden Nugget. Most Pennsylvania casinos can allow smoking on 50% of the gaming floor. The casino association says a ban on smoking in Atlantic city casinos would hurt the industry and lead to fewer jobs and less tax money for state programs for senior citizens. It's also necessary to devise and implement a solution that will address the concerns of employees without jeopardizing jobs. The association is also concerned about the safety of their employees. State Sen. Shirley Turner is one of its main sponsors.
