Invoice to Outlaw On line casino Smoking in Rhode Island Faces Lengthy Odds
Rhode Island lawmakers earlier this month shelved laws that might pressure the state’s two brick-and-mortar casinos to go smoke-free. Because the legislative session approaches its summer season conclusion, the percentages of the 2 measures passing seemingly lengthen.
A lady smokes a cigarette whereas taking part in a slot machine at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln. State legislative efforts to pressure casinos in Rhode Island to go smoke-free seem lifeless in 2024. (Picture: The Windfall Journal)
Home Invoice 7500 was launched in February. The statute would repeal the indoor smoking provisions offered to Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton via the state’s Public Well being and Office Security Act handed in 2004.
The partisan measure, backed by 10 Democrats however zero Republicans, obtained consideration earlier this month within the Home Finance Committee. The committee heard from on line casino staff who say the state’s ongoing allowance of indoor smoking threatens their well being and argue they deserve the identical office protections as almost all different industries.
Bally’s reps argued a smoking ban would damage their operations and, subsequently, the state by decreasing gaming revenue. The Bally’s casinos run slot-like video lottery terminals (VLTs) on behalf of the Rhode Island Lottery. The state receives about 60% of the VLT income.
On line casino Smoking Payments Mothballed
The Home Finance Committee, regardless of being managed by Democrats 13-2, determined to carry HB 7500 as an alternative of voting to maneuver it to the complete Home ground. The committee “really helpful the measure be held for additional examine.”
There’s since been no motion on the invoice. The Senate model of HB 7500, Senate Invoice 2368, has additionally been shelved. Senate Finance Committee members motioned to carry the invoice for additional assessment, too.
Rhode Island’s two casinos can designate as a lot of their gaming flooring for smoking as they need. Nonetheless, nonsmoking sections are to be “bodily separated” from smoking areas and outfitted with separate air flow methods.
Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Vice President Craig Sculo informed the Home Finance Committee that smoking bans aren’t good for a on line casino’s enterprise. Sculo stated the Bally’s casinos supply staff choices to work in smoke-free areas and simply this month added a second nonsmoking gaming area on the Lincoln resort that enhances the smoke-free second-floor on line casino.
Lawmakers behind the push to extinguish smoking say secondhand smoke doesn’t abide by smoking part guidelines and permeates a lot of the office.
Think about what it’s like, night time after night time, going dwelling with cigarette odor in your hair, having to bathe earlier than you even obtained into mattress,” stated state Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D-South Kingstown), a former smoker and lead sponsor of HB 7500. “Each single night time, throwing your garments within the laundry each single night time due to the stench of smoking.”
Tanzi doesn’t purchase what Bally’s is promoting in claiming a smoking ban would damage enterprise. She stated many eating places and bars argued the identical earlier than the state’s 2004 smoking legislation went into impact.
“The sky has not fallen, and we’re all higher off in consequence,” Tanzi stated. “I’m optimistic this may make issues higher for on line casino staff and the underside line of the state price range.”
Time Ticking
Because the on line casino smoking payments linger within the Windfall capital, the 2024 legislative session for the Rhode Island Normal Meeting strikes towards its finish. The legislature is ready to adjourn on June 30.
Bally’s shareholders lately voted down a proposal raised by an investor to check the monetary implications of constructing the corporate’s casinos smoke-free.
The outcomes of the vote haven’t but been made public. If at the least 5% of the shares voted in favor of the examine, the matter could be raised once more throughout the firm’s 2025 annual assembly.
