Ending smoking on casino floors has long been a thorny issue for many operators, with most fearing that turning away smokers would lead to a dip in revenue. However, more properties are beginning to experiment and even expand their available gaming floor where smoking is not allowed.
The latest such property to follow suit is the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, which has announced that more than 200 of its latest slot games will be part of a 7,300-square-foot-expansion which will be dedicated to non-smokers.
The dedicated section will have 224 slot machines and be located close to the William Hill Sportsbook. This gaming space is opening on Monday, August 24, 2026, to the public, with guests invited to the Grand Opening celebration and Spin ItForward IGT Celebrity Charity Slot Challenge on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
While properties remain tentative in their efforts to cater to both groups - smokers and non-smokers - there is a pronounced shift towards adding more smoke-free space.
Multiple studies from across the United States have repeatedly argued that eliminating smoking on gaming floors is not tied to any noticeable decrease in revenue. In fact, most properties found that there was no change in revenue at all.
However, casinos in places such as New Jersey have been skittish, with properties citing economic hardship and smoking as another wild-card factor they try to avoid. However, the Palms Casino Resort is happy to lead the charge.
"Guest feedback drives so much of what we do, and expanding our non-smoking gaming options is something we’ve heard consistently," explained Kevin Glass, the General Manager at Palms Casino Resort.
"This new spacecombines over 200 of the latest games, a dedicated bar, and a new gaming experience to create an entirely new way to play at Palms. And since Palms was recently recognized as one of the luckiest casinos in the country, we thought we’d make a little more room for the winning to continue," he added.
Palms Casino has opted for a different approach to non-smoking gaming options. Instead of earmarking part of its existing facilities for non-smoking gamers, the property has gone ahead to incorporate its newest gaming options into a dedicated space that is purpose-built for non-smokers instead.
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