Caesars Entertainment’s shareholders are apparently not on board with a recent proposal to study the effects of smoke-free casinos. While activists continue to fervently promote the idea of smoke-free casinos, citing health-related concerns, gambling companies and their investors remain obstinate in maintaining the status quo.

The proposal was filed by public health and labor advocates from the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation and healthcare provider Trinity Health. The aforementioned organizations suggested that implementing a non-smoking policy across Caesars’ 52 properties in the United States could help the company save up money.

However, approximately 80% of Caesars’ shareholders voted against the proposal, following Caesars’ claim that change isn’t needed. For context, the casino operator described its smoking policy as a “complex business decision” and added that it currently complies with local regulations.

Caesars further explained that it doesn’t believe compiling a report on the effects of smoke-free casinos wouldn’t be an “effective use of company resources.”

Smoke-Free Activists Are Encouraged to Continue the Fight

While the proposal was rejected, its proponents said that they were encouraged by the support it received and plan to bring it back in 2025. For context, almost 19% of Caesars’ shareholders voted in favor of the support, sparking hope about the future of smoke-free casinos.

Paula Larson-Schusster, president of United Auto Workers Local 3555 and dealer at Caesars’ Flamingo casino hotel in Vegas, said that the support represents a “forward move.” She added that companies will not be convinced to go smoke-free easily but added that the proposal was but the first step in raising awareness on the matter.

Larson-Schusster was firm that a smoke-free policy would not hurt casino companies’ product but would actually make it more valuable.

Indoor smoking continues to be one of the hot topics of the American casino industry. Many states exempt casinos from the indoor smoking ban, allowing them to dedicate a portion of their gaming area as a smoking zone.

However, proponents of banning smoking at casinos argue that this exposes casino workers to high levels of unhealthy smoke and can potentially lead to health complications.

While casino companies fear that going smoke-free could deal a blow to their profits, supporters of this change point out that there are already casinos that prohibit smoking without seeing a decline in profits.

The multi-front war on smoking also continues in states such as Pennsylvania where CEASE and UAW recently asked lawmakers to end the loophole that allows casinos to offer indoor smoking.

The post Caesars Shareholders Reject Proposal to Study the Benefits of Going Smoke-Free appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The strike by unionized casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit continues after they rejected a tentative five-year labor contract. The decision stands in contrast to the resolution reached at MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, where workers overwhelmingly approved the proposed agreements, ending their 34-day strike.

Detroit Casino Council Faces Scrutiny as MGM Grand Workers Decline Tentative Agreement

The Detroit Casino Council, representing five unions, had brokered a tentative deal on November 17 to cover 3,700 workers across the three casinos. While the rejection by MGM Grand workers raises questions, the council refrained from disclosing specific reasons behind the decision.

Wendy Abraham, a union member and dealer at MGM Grand Detroit, expressed apprehension about the extended 64-month contract, stating that she had reservations, believing it to be excessively long, reported WMYD Detroit. Another significant issue for several individuals involved the suggested upfront pay raise of $3 per hour. Catherine Bilek Roberts, also affiliated with MGM, maintained that they should receive a minimum of $6 or $7 per hour in the initial year.

Notably, the rejection by MGM Grand workers has left them isolated, with MotorCity and Hollywood Casino employees returning to work. The broader context of labor struggles in Detroit sees parallels with ongoing strikes, such as those by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan workers.

MGM’s Strong Finances Clash with Detroit’s Casino Strike

The rejection carries significance against the backdrop of MGM Resorts International‘s robust financial performance, reporting net revenues of $4 billion in the third quarter, a 16% increase from the previous year. 

At the same time, the month-long strike has led to temporary closures and disruptions in services, impacting valet services and amenities at the affected casinos. The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported substantial revenue losses in October, ranging from $5 million to $7 million for each casino, resulting in an 18% drop in overall revenue compared to the previous month. 

The MGM casino management expressed disappointment at the rejection, with Matt Buckley, President & COO of MGM Resorts Midwest Group, calling the offer “historic” and emphasizing its potential benefits for employees and their families.

Buckley emphasized that the proposal comprised the most extensive wage hikes ever seen in the 23-year history of the Detroit casino industry. As the strike persists, the impact on Detroit and Michigan’s economy remains a concern, with projected daily losses of approximately $738,000 in city and state tax revenues and $3.4 million in casino operator revenues.

The post MGM Grand Detroit Workers Reject Labor Contract And Continue Strike appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Residents of Richmond, Virginia, once again voted against a proposed project that called for the development of a casino. The proposed $562 million project sought the development of Richmond Grand Resort and Casino, a new casino that would’ve been constructed just off Interstate 95. Supporters of the project said that it would bring economic stimulus, boost tourism and local businesses. However, opponents disagreed with the positive aspect of a casino in Richmond, warning it would bring financial hardships and crime.

Back in 2021, Richmond voters once again were asked to vote in favor or against a casino project. At the time, some 51% of the residents voted against the project with 49% supporting it. Now, the margin is even higher, as suggested by a report released by NBC12, revealing that some 61% of the Richmonders voted against the casino project based on data from the Virginia Board of Elections.

The referendum results come after an intense competition between supporters and opponents of the casino project in Richmond. Late last month, No Means No Casino, an anti-casino group founded by Paul Goldman, won a legal fight against the state over voter registration lists. The US District Court for the Eastern District Court of Virginia ruled in favor of Goldman, asking the Virginia Board of Elections to provide him access to the lists, something that is not uncommon for political candidates and committees.

This enabled No Means No Casino to continue its fight against the casino project, despite fears about the significant funding of the opposite side. Judging by the recent results, despite the spending in support of the casino project, residents of Richmond have once again stopped the project from lifting off.

Richmond Grand Resort Thanks Residents Who Supported the Project

After the referendum results were released, Levar Stoney, Richmond’s Mayor, released a statement explaining: “I will continue to be a voice for communities that have been historically overlooked and underserved.” The Mayor said that he remains dedicated to bringing good paying jobs, affordable child care and career opportunities for all residents of the city.

“We are grateful to the thousands of Richmonders who voted for good jobs and a stronger city, especially those in southside who poured their hearts into this project,“

reads a statement released by Richmond Grand Resort and Casino

Richmond Grand Resort said in a statement that it was proud to engage in a campaign that sought to develop new opportunities for the city’s residents. The group that supported the expansion of casino gambling thanked all the Richmonders who voted in favor of the project that was expected to revitalize the city, delivering new jobs and economic stimulus.

The post Virginia: Richmond Voters Reject Casino Project Once Again appeared first on Keno Wizard.