Park MGM going smoke-free
Quote:Upon Opening, Park MGM/NoMad Will be Las Vegas Strip’s Only Smoke-Free Casino-Resort
I will bet it doesn't last a year.
Quote: DRichDoes anyone actually think they will stick with the non-smoking?
I will bet it doesn't last a year.
I applaud the effort. Now we will see if the public does. I have my doubts, but no smoking policies have worked in just about every other industry. When Arizona passed the no smoking in bars laws, everyone I talked to said it wouldn't be strictly enforced and/or it would drive many bars out of business. Turned out they were wrong.
I'll accept your wager. Shall we bet the usual one dollar?
Quote: billryanI applaud the effort. Now we will see if the public does. I have my doubts, but no smoking policies have worked in just about every other industry. When Arizona passed the no smoking in bars laws, everyone I talked to said it wouldn't be strictly enforced and/or it would drive many bars out of business. Turned out they were wrong.
I'll accept your wager. Shall we bet the usual one dollar?
I will take your $1 wager. The difference in your scenario was that all of the bars were mandated to non smoking. I think it would work too if applied to every casino.
The question is what does MGM do if it does succeed?
Quote: billryanI applaud the effort. Now we will see if the public does. I have my doubts, but no smoking policies have worked in just about every other industry. When Arizona passed the no smoking in bars laws, everyone I talked to said it wouldn't be strictly enforced and/or it would drive many bars out of business. Turned out they were wrong.
I'll accept your wager. Shall we bet the usual one dollar?
The difference is a state law (like Arizona) means all buisneses in that industry must go smoke free.
When just one casino does, they have to compete with all of the casinos that still offer smoking or at least have smoking areas.
In AC Revel tried to open as a smoke free casino and was crushed (granted many other issues), but they did end up allowing smoking (though in AC, smoking is only allowed in designated 25% of the casino , which I think is a fair compromise). So, every casino has "smoke free" areas. But, I have a feeling a casino surrounded by smoking casinos will scare off smokers (who tend to gamble more), I would not be surprised if they eventually offer a smoking section (even if they don't go 100% smoking).
Quote: billryanThey are betting that the policy will attract more new customers than it alienates old ones. I think it has a realistic shot at succeeding.
The question is what does MGM do if it does succeed?
Even if it does attract more customers I doubt that they will gamble like the smokers. Smokers gamble more than non-smokers.
Quote: DRichEven if it does attract more customers I doubt that they will gamble like the smokers. Smokers gamble more than non-smokers.
Do they? Even if that is true, I suspect a lot of non-gambling non-smoking vegas visitors will welcome the change.
We will know in a year, maybe less.
Please don’t assume that Revel’s problems were mostly about smoking. They were mostly about bad management decisions.Quote: GandlerIn AC Revel tried to open as a smoke free casino and was crushed (granted many other issues)...
The had announced upon opening that there was going to be almost no comps. Even for high rollers. That was the biggest problem.
But the big problem regarding no smoking was NOT the no smoking rule per se, but that they didn’t have ANY accommodations for smokers. You had to go off property to smoke. You couldn’t even smoke outdoors if it was on Revel’s footprint.
Specifically, there was no smokers lounge. This, despite the fact that there was a space near the front desk that was about 20’ x 50’ oval, OPEN AIR, with a bar, a couple fire pits, and a small stage. It was designed to be a smoking lounge, but smoking was not allowed.
That’s the kind of stupid decision that killed Revel.
Hopefully they don't change their minds (Revel) or go under (Silver City).
Dog Hand
I wish there was a federal law so ALL properties were smoke-free. That way no property would be at a competitive disadvantage.
Especially with Covid being a respiratory illness spread by aerosols, it makes absolutely no sense that smoking is allowed in any indoor place.
Quote: DogHandIn the Biloxi market, the Palace casino has been no smoking for several years.
Dog Hand
Point well taken. Many said the Palace Casino wouldn't make it as a non-smoking venue, but it survived. I've never seen it crowded, and the selection of table games is limited.
The Island View Casino in Gulfport built what is basically a second, non-smoking casino as part of the same property. I haven't been for over 2 years, but the "smoking" side always seemed busier than the "non-smoking" side. Regardless, the non-smoking side apparently generates enough non-smoking traffic.
It puzzles me why the Biloxi casinos that allow smoking -- some 30+ stories tall -- report that only 5 or 6 floors are non-smoking floors. I'm not sure where all the smoking gamblers stay overnight, but this doesn't add up.
And, it puzzles me why a gambler in Vegas can puff away blowing tobacco smoke everywhere, but gamblers cannot puff away blowing cannabis smoke. AFAIK, all the Biloxi casinos have "non-smoking" sections. If that's true in Vegas, folks who don't like the smoke have a non-smoke gaming area available.
Never any easy answers. However, I'm glad Biloxi/Gulfport supports (what I consider to be) 2 non-smoke casinos. I confess, I thought the original non-smoke proposal for the Palace was pretty chancey, don'cher know?
If the formerly conservative state passes it, I think you will see a domino effect where another dozen or more states get on the bandwagon.
Quote: billryanLegal marijuana is on the ballot in Arizona this election and it appears that it will pass easily. Current polling has it at about 60% in favor.
If the formerly conservative state passes it, I think you will see a domino effect where another dozen or more states get on the bandwagon.
Major irony that the liberal NYS hasnt passed any
Cuomo has been an opponent but latest news is he is now in favor. Legislation that was expected to pass got sidetracked by COVID. Likely to be back in 2021.Quote: darkozMajor irony that the liberal NYS hasnt passed any
The time is long past to stop the practice of people having to breath second hand smoke indoors. It’s a health concern and we outlawed it in movie theaters, restaurants and numerous other places because it’s a health risk we no longer tolerate.
I've noticed quite a few people who don't normally smoke... when they come to Vegas they add some light smoking in with the rest.Quote: billryanDo they? Even if that is true, I suspect a lot of non-gambling non-smoking vegas visitors will welcome the change.
We will know in a year, maybe less.
Under normal circumstances I would make this bet in a heartbeat, however, with the covid-19 I could see that extending how long they will stay smoke-free.
Quote: AxelWolfI've noticed quite a few people who don't normally smoke... when they come to Vegas they add some light smoking in with the rest.
I’m sometimes in that camp. It enhances the vice aspect of Vegas.
In fact, when I smell cigarette smoke, it triggers a desire in my brain to visit a casino.
That said, I would prefer that all my gambling were done in a smoke-free environment.
Perhaps only dive casinos with a craps table should allow smoking —for the sake of history and atmosphere.
Smoking prevents you from getting covid-19. I suggest no less than 10 packs a day.Quote: smoothgrhI’m sometimes in that camp. It enhances the vice aspect of Vegas.
In fact, when I smell cigarette smoke, it triggers a desire in my brain to visit a casino.
That said, I would prefer that all my gambling were done in a smoke-free environment.
Perhaps only dive casinos with a craps table should allow smoking —for the sake of history and atmosphere.
Quote: komalAppreciate the effort! I think this is the first non-smoking casino resort in Las Vegas
The Silver City went smoke free, but it didn't last. They went out of business a short time after. I wouldn't call that place a "resort" though.
Quote: WizardThe Silver City went smoke free, but it didn't last. They went out of business a short time after. I wouldn't call that place a "resort" though.
I remember the Silver City and I played there a few times. Where was it located? Was it by the Peppermill?
Quote: WizardThe Silver City went smoke free, but it didn't last. They went out of business a short time after. I wouldn't call that place a "resort" though.
But a strip resort catering to convention folks and smoke free customers has a much better chance.
not that I can remember, if it was ,it didn't last long.Quote: billryanWasn't the Westin smoke-free. While not on the strip, it fit my description of a Vegas resort.
I read a while back that pre-pandemic they were having such trouble getting people to stay and play at Park MGM that hosts from other MGM resorts were able to book their players for stays at Park MGM and those hosts from the other property would still get credit for their player’s Park MGM trip.
So it makes sense that they’re using it as the guinea pig to see if gamblers will go for a non-smoking casino. What do they have to lose?
Quote: AxelWolfnot that I can remember, if it was ,it didn't last long.
Wiki says the Westin was one of the first resorts to ban smoking in most areas of the resort. I couldn't find much else in a quick internet search, nor did it give dates.
Quote: ams288Park MGM has struggled since day 1 after the rebrand from Monte Carlo. It’s not a nice enough property to satisfy people who are used to Aria/Bellagio levels of luxury but it’s too nice for the Luxor/Excal crowd. And the whole atmosphere of the place is just kind of “blah.” It can have a good vibe when there is a Lady Gaga or Aerosmith concert going on, but most of the time it’s just lifeless and dead in there.
I read a while back that pre-pandemic they were having such trouble getting people to stay and play at Park MGM that hosts from other MGM resorts were able to book their players for stays at Park MGM and those hosts from the other property would still get credit for their player’s Park MGM trip.
So it makes sense that they’re using it as the guinea pig to see if gamblers will go for a non-smoking casino. What do they have to lose?
Park MGM was Murren’s renovation baby. He wanted to get away from themed resorts. In retrospect, it probably should have been left as the Monte Carlo. The place is blah. Eataly is very nice.
Quote: rsactuaryDidn't Debbie Reynolds own a casino, and wasn't that the very first one to go smoke free?
She did in the mid-90s, and I’m guessing that it was smoke-free because of all the Hollywood memorabilia (costumes, dresses, and ruby red slippers) she had displayed on site.
Quote: billryanWiki says the Westin was one of the first resorts to ban smoking in most areas of the resort. I couldn't find much else in a quick internet search, nor did it give dates.
Re: dates - after casuarina, when even the casino just carried the Westin name. So, short lived, I guess.
