East Coast Gaming Congress: Execs discuss pandemic lessons as Atlantic City casino workers protest indoor smoking

Covid-19 forced most US casinos to close for months. Caesars Entertainment learned lessons that can't be unlearned. The Cordish Companies introduced new health and safety measures at land-based casinos. The company has not gone back to buffets. Since the casinos reopened, business has been good. Eric Hausler, CEO of Greenwood Racing, owner of Pennsylvania’s Parx Casino, said a restaurant that was open every day for lunch and never made any money was closed for good once the gambling venue resumed operations. He said people were fed up with being cooped up and came back.

East Coast Gaming Congress is taking place in New Jersey. The conference's keynote speaker did not mention the ban on indoor smoking in casinos. A panel discussion on the issue was canceled, because of the opposition of Atlantic City's casinos' trade association. About 100 people protested outside the conference, demanding the state legislature to act on a bill that has the support of more than half of state lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy. Parx casino in Pennsylvania decided to remain smoke-free since reopening in 2020. The introduction of a smoke free policy at ParX has been successful.