The Atlantic City casino workers who are fighting for a smoking ban have a new ally: the Republican party of New Jersey. The ongoing fight has been on the table for years - but now, it looks like it will finally end with a new bill sent to the desk of the governor asking for Atlantic City casinos to be 100% smoke-free.

Atlantic City casino workers advocating for a smoke-free indoor environment have welcomed a significant new ally in their ongoing fight. A growing grassroots coalition seeking to ban smoking inside the city's nine casinos has now garnered the support of key Republican leaders in New Jersey, intensifying pressure on Democratic lawmakers to act.

The push to end indoor smoking in Atlantic City's casinos has been a contentious issue in the state's capital, Trenton, for years. While prior legislative sessions demonstrated strong bipartisan support for a smoking ban, efforts to pass such a law have been repeatedly stalled. The current measure, Assembly Bill 2143 (AB2143), has gained considerable traction yet remains stagnant in the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee.

The stalemate over the casino smoking ban

Democrats, who hold majorities in both the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate, have faced criticism for delaying progress on AB2143 despite widespread support. Assemblyman Bill Moen, chair of the committee where the bill resides, has yet to bring it to a vote. Reports suggest that Democratic leaders are heeding concerns from the casino industry, which argues that a smoking ban could lead to job losses, decreased tax revenue, and even potential closures of Atlantic City resorts.

Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio condemned these delays in September, urging Democrats to prioritize worker safety over industry lobbying. This week, Assembly Republican Whip Brian Bergen (R-Morris) joined the call for immediate action, accusing Democratic leadership of neglecting casino employees' health.

"Leaving the casino smoking ban bill off the Tourism Committee's agenda is more than an oversight - it's an insult," Bergen said in a statement. He went on to say that there is enough support from both sides of the aisle to advance this bill. The speaker has no excuse not to act immediately to protect workers from secondhand smoke.

Bergen emphasized the inconsistency in the state's smoking laws, which already ban smoking in outdoor public spaces like beaches and parks while allowing it in casinos. He said that casino employees have waited long enough for a healthy workplace, and it's inexplicable why expanded protections haven't been expedited.

Bipartisan momentum builds

AB2143, introduced in the beginning of the year by Assembly Members Herb Conaway and Moen, has attracted 43 co-sponsors in the Assembly, indicating enough support to pass the 80-seat chamber. Meanwhile, its companion bill in the Senate, Senate Bill 1493, has secured the backing of 17 senators in the 40-seat chamber. Senators Shirley Turner and Joseph Vitale spearheaded the Senate version.

Despite bipartisan backing, Democratic leadership has slowed the legislative process, citing economic fears voiced by the Atlantic City gaming industry. Casinos claim that eliminating smoking would deter gamblers, reduce revenue, and lead to layoffs. However, worker advocates argue that the health risks posed by secondhand smoke far outweigh the industry's concerns.

GOP steps up pressure

Republican leaders see the issue as a rallying point to challenge the Democratic majority's priorities. "If Democrats are serious about protecting workers, Republicans are ready to help pass the bill. We need legislative action, not excuses," DiMaio asserted earlier this year.

With support growing across party lines, the spotlight now falls on Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to move the bill forward. GOP lawmakers and worker advocacy groups are urging Coughlin to instruct the Tourism Committee to schedule a vote on AB2143.

A broader movement for workplace safety

The coalition advocating for the casino smoking ban represents not just workers but also public health advocates and some casino patrons. They argue that indoor smoking bans in other states have proven successful without catastrophic impacts on local economies.

"New Jersey has applied the smoking ban to outdoor locations, beaches, and parks," Bergen noted. It's high time we extend the same protections to casino employees who are forced to work in hazardous conditions, he added.

As 2025 approaches, the renewed push for smoke-free gaming is expected to dominate legislative discussions. The outcome will determine whether New Jersey's lawmakers prioritize worker health over the casino industry's lobbying efforts. For many casino workers, the hope is that the tide is finally turning in their favor, thanks to growing bipartisan support and an increasingly vocal grassroots movement.

Whether you're a fan of smoking or prefer a smoke-free environment, the choice is entirely yours. Play at online casinos in NJ where you're free from the restrictions and rules of land-based venues—enjoy the game on your own terms, anytime, anywhere.