Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in West Virginia is seeking approval to create a designated smoking area with 150 slot machines. The casino believes that the current ban on smoking in most indoor public areas and workplaces in Kanawha County is negatively impacting its business. In a recent meeting with the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health, casino representatives presented a plan to create a separate smoking area that would be enclosed and equipped with its own HVAC system to filter out smoke.
West Virginia allows individual counties to establish their own smoking regulations, and Kanawha County has had a smoking ban in place since 2008. However, other counties, like Ohio County, have exemptions for certain establishments such as the Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack. Mardi Gras Casino, owned by Delaware North, is seeking a similar exemption to remain competitive in the market and retain business within West Virginia. The casino points to competitors in neighboring states that allow smoking and attract customers who seek smoking accommodations.
Delaware North spokesperson Glen White stated that the proposal aims to create a comfortable and safe space for both smokers and non-smokers. The casino management believes that not allowing customers to smoke is affecting their ability to compete with other establishments in the region. They mentioned Sandy’s Racing & Gaming in Ashland, Kentucky, which opened with a smoking area for slot machines, drawing customers from Mardi Gras Casino.
If the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health approves Mardi Gras’ proposal, the final decision lies with the Kanawha County Commission. Commission President Lance Wheeler emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of non-smoking customers while considering the casino’s proposal. Commissioner Ben Salango, who has personal experience with the health risks of smoking, expressed interest in seeing detailed plans for how the smoking section would operate without interfering with other patrons.
Overall, Mardi Gras Casino and Resort’s request for a designated smoking area with slot machines highlights the ongoing debate over smoking regulations in public spaces and the balance between accommodating smokers and protecting non-smokers. The decision on whether to grant the exemption will involve careful consideration of public health, safety, and the economic competitiveness of the casino in the region.