County authorities reject proposal to allow smoking in West Virginia casino
Updated Article:
Posted on: May 16, 2025, 11:55h.
Last updated on: May 16, 2025, 12:10h.
Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinORead MoreGambling News, Politics, Business* Mardi Gras Casino's Smoking Plea Swiftly Swatted Down* County health board refuses casino's request to allow indoor smoking
A contention from Mardi Gras Casino in West Virginia to put indoor tobacco smoking in designated areas has been brush-offed by local officials.
With five commercial casinos in West Virginia, cigarettes and cigars are permitted in certain areas of three of these properties. However, Mardi Gras Casino and The Casino Club at The Greenbrier stand out, entirely smoke-free establishments. While The Greenbrier voluntarily abstains from indoor smoking, Mardi Gras' smoke-free status is mandated by a county ordinance.
Last October, representatives with Mardi Gras Casino submitted a petition to the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health, pleading for permission to designate up to 10% of its gaming space for smoking - not pipes, cigars, or vapes. The county health board rejected the plea this week.
As a concerned health advocate, Dr. Dara Aliff-Lao has expressed her opposition to the health board rescinding any such restrictions. "I feel like once we start eroding things, they go away completely. We've seen that time and time again in other aspects of health," Aliff-Lao said.
Smoking Up the Score
Mardi Gras representatives argue that a gambling facility in Kentucky with slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines, which opened in October 2023 and allows indoor smoking, is hurting business.
Sandy's Racing & Gaming, a $75 million entertainment facility in Ashland, boasts 700 HHR machines, a BetMGM Sportsbook, and a segregated smoking area. Money talks, and it seems Sandy's is diverting a significant portion of West Virginia gamblers' dollars. Due to this competition, Mardi Gras anticipates a 6% decline in annual slot revenue, translating to a loss of more than $3.2 million. This downturn will result in Kanawha County receiving about $66K less tax money this year.
Split Decision
The Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health wasn't unanimous in their stance against permitting Mardi Gras Casino to designate a portion of its gaming floor for smoking. Two board members, President Jeremy Nelson and Jessica Hudson, the only two non-doctors or nurses on the board, voted in favor of allowing casino patrons to light up.
"Mardi Gras has a substantial impact on our community. They are at a disadvantage, and I think they've demonstrated that the amount of people's money that's going across the state line is alarming," said Nelson.
Unquestionably, the health concerns held by the majority of the board outweighed the potential economic gains associated with allowing smoking. As it stands, the status quo remains – Mardi Gras Casino will remain smoke-free.
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/US/coronado-casino-resort-tucson- becomes-first-arizona-smoke-free-casino-opening/story?id=81765409
[2] https://www.wvgazettemail.com/health-news/20230216/mardi-gras- casino-petition-for-smoking-section-denied-by-health-board
[3] https://www.wvmetronews.com/2023/03/07/mardi-gras-requests-kanawha- county-let-guests-smoke-in-part-of- casino/
- Mardi Gras Casino's recent plea to the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health for permission to allow indoor smoking in designated areas was rejected, continuing its status as a smoke-free establishment.
- Historical horse racing, a gambling facility in Kentucky with smoking areas, might be diverting West Virginia gamblers' dollars, leading Mardi Gras Casino to anticipate a 6% decline in annual slot revenue.
- Despite two board members, Jeremy Nelson and Jessica Hudson, voting in favor of allowing smoking at Mardi Gras Casino, the health concerns held by the majority of the board outweighed the potential economic gains, and the status quo remains – Mardi Gras Casino will remain smoke-free.
- In West Virginia, four out of five commercial casinos allow cigarettes and cigars in certain areas, while Mardi Gras Casino and The Casino Club at The Greenbrier are smoke-free.
- A petition submitted by Mardi Gras Casino representatives in October 2023 asking for the permission to designate up to 10% of its gaming space for smoking was denied by the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health this week.
- Sandy's Racing & Gaming, a smoking-permitted entertainment facility in Ashland, poses competition to Mardi Gras Casino, featuring historical horse racing machines, a BetMGM Sportsbook, and a segregated smoking area.
- Delaware North, the operator of Mardi Gras Casino, attributed a potential loss of more than $3.2 million in slot revenue to the competition from smoking-permitted casinos in neighboring states, prompting their plea to the county health board.
