Slots influencer Brian Christopher has announced that he will launch Las Vegas’ first entirely smoke-free gaming floor in Downtown Las Vegas.
The updated Brian Christopher Slots at Plaza will see a casino expansion at the front of the Plaza Hotel & Casino become the area’s first completely smoke-free gaming environment. The existing slots titles available will grow from 25 to 85+ and will feature outdoor access through the Plaza’s main entrance.
Speaking of the new expansion and his company BC Venture’s decision to promote an entirely smoke-free environment, Christopher told Casino News USA:
“Ever since the pandemic shut down casinos across the country, health was supposedly at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Sticking to that, it’s well past time for casinos to go smokefree so that 100% of the population doesn’t have to breathe in toxic chemicals from 13% of those who smoke.
It’s not a movement against smokers, it’s a movement for all people and for the next generation of gamblers who did not grow up in a smoking world.”
Lisa Melmed, marketing manager at the Plaza Hotel & Casino added:
“BCSlots at the Plaza has been very successful. Guests enjoy playing the games that they have seen Brian play in his videos, and many appreciate the fact that his dedicated area is smokefree. Given the continued popularity of BCSlots at the Plaza, we are excited to open Brian Christopher Slots as our new and expanded smokefree and social media friendly casino addition next to our iconic dome entrance.”
The news was also welcomed by The American Non Smokers Rights Foundation as Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO said:
“We thank Brian Christopher for his unwavering support of casino workers and joining us in the fight for smokefree casinos. As we continue our campaign to make all casinos smokefree indoors, Brian Christopher’s commitment to promote only smokefree gaming spaces will help raise awareness of this serious issue and the conditions casino workers are forced to endure.”
The move by BC Ventures and the Plaza Hotel & Casino comes just after smoking bans and loopholes made the news in several states during 2022. In April Rhode Island Representative Teresa Tanzi sponsored a bill that would place a complete ban on smoking in all casinos. However, despite the bill going to a committee, it failed to make it to a vote by the end of the 2022 legislative session.
Similarly, a legislative attempt to close a loophole that allowed Atlantic City casinos to permit smoking on their premises has yet to pass. Although the majority of lawmakers agreed that smoking should be banned to protect the health of casino workers, an amendment to the ‘New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act’ is still in a committee and is pending a vote. Meanwhile, a panel discussion to look into the matter was scrapped in September of 2022 after casino executives pulled out.
However, 2022 also saw one casino operator take matters into its own hands as Rivers Casino Philadelphia introduced a permanent smoking ban at its property despite there being no legal obligation to maintain a temporary ban that was implemented during the global pandemic.
Currently 260 commercial and 148 Tribal casinos in the United states are smoke-free.
Reporter & gambling industry analyst covering the land-based and online casino industry in the United States.
