Smoke-Free Casino Proposal No Go for Caesars

Non-smokers have been left fuming after the Board of Directors at Caesars Entertainment unanimously voted against a shareholders’ proposal to research the potential cost savings if the brand’s retail casinos were to go smoke-free. The proposal would have included Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester.

Would Smoke-Free Environment Alienate Customers?

Caesars Entertainment shareholders had been petitioned by Trinity Health to commission and disclose a report on the potential cost savings through the adoption of a smoke-free policy for Caesars Entertainment properties. The petition included a request for “transparency regarding how the Company manages the risks associated with indoor secondhand smoke and the benefits of non-smoking indoors”.

However, shareholders didn’t have the positive response that Trinity Health was hoping for. 

Caesars Entertainment issued a proxy statement to justify the decision, noting that it already had 10 smoke-free casinos in its portfolio thanks to a state-level ban.

““We believe that completely banning smoking from all our properties where it is not legally required may risk alienating our smoking customers,” the statement said, while claiming that the company was already “taking steps to help protect the health” of non-smoking customers by limiting smoking areas such as in bathrooms and restaurants.

Of course, should the PA anti-smoking bill go through, Caesars Entertainment’s reply will be moot. Meanwhile, players who enjoy a flutter at PA online casinos face no such issues and can continue enjoying a smoke-free - or not, as they prefer! - environment within the comfort of their homes.