County authorities reject proposal for casino smoking permits in West Virginia
Posted on: May 16, 2025, 11:55h.
Last updated on: May 16, 2025, 12:10h.
Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO | Asia Pacific Gaming | Commercial Gaming | Legislation | Politics
Mardi Gras Casino in West Virginia stays smoke-free despite petition* County health board denies request for cigarette smoking in designated areas** Indoor smoking allowed in other WV casinos*
In a move that could impact its revenue, West Virginia's Mardi Gras Casino filed a petition last October to designate up to 10% of its gaming space for indoor tobacco smoking. However, the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health recently shot down this request.
Out of West Virginia's five commercial casinos, only Mardi Gras and The Casino Club at The Greenbrier have a strict no-smoking policy due to county ordinances. The remaining three casinos welcome cigarettes, cigars, and vapes in certain gaming sections.
New York-based gaming giant Delaware North, which operates Mardi Gras Casino, had hoped the county health board would grant its petition. They argued that an increase in revenue would benefit the community, but health concerns prevailed.
Dr. Dara Aliff-Lao, an OBGYN, expressed her opposition to the proposed change during the deliberation, citing public health concerns. She stated that reversing the smoking ban would send the wrong message and could erode future protections.
The Smoking Competition
Mardi Gras representatives cited Kentucky's Sandy's Racing & Gaming, a new casino that opened in October 2023 with indoor smoking, as a competitor causing a decline in their slot revenue. Sandy's offers a segregated smoking area and is reportedly drawing customers from the West Virginia market.
With Kentucky legalizing Historical Horse Racing (HHR) games in 2021, Sandy's features 700 HHR machines, a BetMGM Sportsbook, and is only an hour's drive from Mardi Gras. An estimated decline in Mardi Gras' annual slot revenue of 6%, amounting to over $3.2 million, could lead to a loss of approximately $66,000 in tax revenue for Kanawha County.
Divided Opinions
The Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health did not make their decision unanimously. Two members, President Jeremy Nelson and Jessica Hudson, who are the only non-health professionals on the board, voted in favor of allowing Mardi Gras patrons to smoke indoors.
Nelson argued that Mardi Gras had a significant impact on the community and was at a disadvantage due to the smoking ban. He believed that the casino had demonstrated a significant drop in revenue due to the interstate competition.
However, the board ultimately agreed to maintain the smoking ban, considering public health concerns and the mixed response from board members.
Enrichment Data: The smoking ban at Mardi Gras Casino could potentially impact its revenue compared to casinos in neighboring states or even other West Virginia casinos that allow indoor smoking. Factors such as patron preferences, local ordinances, and competition from other West Virginia casinos may play a role in the casino's declining revenue. Meanwhile, maintaining a smoke-free environment comes with benefits such as improved indoor air quality and reduced health risks, potentially attracting non-smokers and supporting a broader customer base. However, specific financial data is needed to fully assess the impact.
- Despite a petition by Delaware North, operators of Mardi Gras Casino in West Virginia, the county health board denied the request to allow indoor tobacco smoking in designated areas.
- New York-based gaming giant Delaware North had hoped that the county health board would grant the petition, arguing an increase in revenue would benefit the community.
- In contrast, Dr. Dara Aliff-Lao, an OBGYN, expressed opposition to the proposed change, citing public health concerns and the potential for erosion of future protections.
- Mardi Gras representatives pointed to Kentucky's Sandy's Racing & Gaming, a new casino with indoor smoking, as a competitor causing a decline in their slot revenue.
- Sandy's Racing & Gaming, which features Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines, a BetMGM Sportsbook, and is less than an hour's drive from Mardi Gras, has reportedly drawn customers from the West Virginia market.
- The Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health had divided opinions on the matter, with two members voting in favor of allowing indoor smoking at Mardi Gras.
- President Jeremy Nelson argued that Mardi Gras' significant community impact and revenue drop due to interstate competition justified the petition, but the board ultimately maintained the smoking ban, considering public health concerns and mixed responses from board members.
