Smoking ban in Italian casinos, Sblendorio (St. Vincent): 'Significant benefits for workers and customers'

In Atlantic City it is an open question, very open, which even divides the unions and which pushed many workers to start a lawsuit in court. In Italy, the "smoking ban" issue was filed for some time. In fact, since 2003 the Sirchia law (which came into force in 2005) extended the smoking ban to all closed rooms, including private workplaces or places not open to public, shops and restaurants, leisure places, gyms, sports centers, and therefore even casinos. The only exceptions are private spaces not open to users or the public and those reserved for smokers and marked as such, but which must have a smaller surface than that for non-smokers.

In Atlantic City, owners and some of the unions are highly concerned about the introduction of a total smoking ban. For now, in fact, smoking is allowed in 25 percent of the casino areas and they are the only venues for which there is no local ban, which was also tested during the pandemic. How was this health revolution experienced in Italian casinos? Were there any negative consequences on the business in the short, medium and long term? We ask to Cristiano Sblendorio, Casino di St. Vincent's marketing manager, and who has personally experienced this health transition.

“In the first period, in 2005, a slight decline in revenue and entrances was probably recorded, although it is not possible to attribute it for sure to the application of the anti-smoking law in Italy. However, in the medium and long term, no significant critical issues associated with the smoking ban have been identified."

At the same time, what were the advantages of this ban?

“Undoubtedly, significant benefits have been found for the health of both workers and patrons of casinos, as well as in all public places.”

How were casino spaces organized before the introduction of the smoking ban? Did workers and unions complain and protest about having to be in contact with smokers?

“Previously, it was the custom to allow smoking in all rooms, without any particular complaints; this practice was considered normal.”

Are there currently any spaces dedicated to smokers? How are the employees who work in these spaces selected, if so?

“We have three smoking rooms with slot machines: a larger one located in the electronic games room and two others located on the processed games floor. It is important to note that there are no stable employees inside the smoking rooms; the presence of staff is limited to passing by in case of need for technical interventions on the slot machines.”

Do non-smoking players enjoy playing in spaces designated for smokers, in the name of social relations, or do they prefer to stay in totally smoke-free places?

“Non-smoking players generally tend to avoid entering rooms reserved for smokers, unless they are attracted by specific slot machines which are only in these rooms.”