Park MGM to go smoke-free on reopening

Smoking will be banned when the casino resort reopens at the end of the month.

US.- Executives at Park MGM have announced the property will become the first non-smoking casino on the Las Vegas strip when it reopens on September 30.

The company said it has decided to operate a non-smoking policy on reopening due to requests from guests. There will be dedicated areas outside for smokers.

Smoking bans have been under debate in Nevada for some time, but casinos were exempt from the 2006 Clean Indoor Air Act.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board had avoided taking a stance despite pressure from the public. Some casinos in Las Vegas introduced temporary bans after reopening following the Covid-19 related shutdown.

Anton Nikodemus, MGM president and COO at Park MGM, said implementing the ban would not risk business.

He said: “We believe there is a high level of pent-up demand to have a non-smoking casino, especially here in Las Vegas.”

Las Vegas history professor Michael Green, of the University of Nevada, said: “The tradition has been that you go to Las Vegas to do things that are bad for you. Covid-19 is forcing us to rethink a lot of things. Maybe this is one.

“I think there might be a better reaction now, while people are asked to wear masks.”