It is not possible to talk about the casino industry in the United States without mentioning New Jersey. The Garden States was among the early adopters of gambling laws after the Supreme Court ruling of 2018. In the recent past, some state representatives have raised concerns about the implementation of health regulations inside casinos in Atlantic City. Calls to impose a smoking ban within gambling premises, for instance, have increased of late.
Even though the casino operators feel that such a move would hurt their business, there is immense support for these proposals from casino workers. There is an evident divide within the gambling industry as some officials rise up against the ban arguing that it would discourage casino visits by those who come to engage in smoking among other activities.
What we cover
The Current State of the Ban Proposal
Many people became aware of the gambling industry of New Jersey after it was officially regulated in 2018. The truth is that it had been running successfully for many years. While it is normal for the industry to go through the usual ups and downs, the events of 2020 really hit hard. The good news is that many operators have managed to bounce back and the surge of 2021 revenue figures is an indication of the recovery in the industry.
When the pandemic first hit and people were directed to keep social distance as a control measure, many legislators began to adopt a new mindset on the betting market. For the casino establishments in Atlantic City, the current plan to boost business involved renovating their spaces and upgrading the facilities they have. The problem of the anti-smoking lobby groups is that workers are confined to enclosed spaces where guests are allowed to smoke for extended periods of time.
This is not the first time that the anti-smoking ban in AC casinos is being proposed. The latest report on the legal status of the proposal is that a group of bipartisan lawmakers had taken up the initiative to push the bill forward. Their support will be focused on drumming up support for the bills that would put an end to the idea of smoking for those visiting various gambling venues in the city.
As with other laws, there are those who are strongly against banning smoking in casinos. According to the president of the association who is an executive member of the Hard Rock casino management, Joe Lupo, habitual smokers might keep away from the casino life and this will hurt business. In the long run, such changes could render a bid blow to the financial performance of the gambling industry in the city and regions surrounding it. Further insight will be obtained by reading published literature on the advances made in gambling so far.
If Pennsylvania casinos still upheld their approval for in-casino smoking, the competitive disadvantage to NJ would eventually choke the entire industry. Lupo added that it is was ironical that casino workers were the greatest supporters of this proposed bill given that any changes in the gambling landscape would affect them first. The casino industry in Atlantic City supports more than 20,000 employees who survive not only on their salaries but also on tips from customers.
The perception of Lupo insinuates that a ban across all states would create a fair playing field for all operators but a regional ban is going to affect certain economies. The controversy surrounding this bill is too great to be ignored and only time will tell how the scale is going to tip. There does not seem to be hurry in getting this bill into the state assembly perhaps in efforts to gunner the required support.
How Does the NY Gambling Market Affect Business in NJ?
For many years, the biggest gambling destination in the eastern side of US has been New Jersey. With many other states opening up their economies to the gains of the betting industry, only time will tell how long the status quo is going to hold. The number and caliber of state regulations in the Northeastern side of US paint a picture of an upcoming economic tip-over. One state that appears to be rising fast is New York that has in the last ten years been working towards offering its customers a wide array of gaming options and bonuses when they place bets.
For a market that legalized commercial casinos in 2013, the close to 10 years period that followed was characterized by immense growth. The first regulated sportsbook landed in New York in 2019. In all that time before then, the NY gambling scene was the subject of admiration for many people. More than 90% of the casinos and sportsbooks operations here were established outside the city center. Legislation has recently been passed allowing mobile sportsbooks to operate live in NY; the thought that a casino would soon be put up in the City is now a great possibility.
This move and many others spark an air of competition between New York and New Jersey as pertains to gambling. Considering that New Yorkers no longer need to cross over to neighboring New Jersey for gambling escapades, competition truly exists. If New York bettors decide to play on their side, New Jersey casino operators are definitely going to experience a dip in revenue unless they establish tangible measures to salvage their market share. Many casinos in New Jersey have undertaken expansion projects – an important move in increasing their level of influence amid stiff competition.
Final Thoughts
The AC casino industry has been in the spotlight in recent months. Industry analysts are holding their breath, curious of the progress that the smoking bill will make in 2022. Since the gambling industry in the United States is regulated at the state level, calls to harmonize such bans might not bear any fruits. It is now upon operators to come up with marketing strategies that will keep their players loyal regardless of the changing rules.
