A gambler lights a cigarette at a slot machine in Harrah's casino in Atlantic City N.J. on Sept. 29, 2023. A national anti-smoking group and a Michigan health system are enlisting shareholders of major gambling companies including Boyd Gaming, Bally's, and Caesars Entertainment to push the companies to study the financial effects of eliminating smoking in their casinos. –
"Many shareholders will be surprised to learn that these casino companies still allow indoor smoking, even in the year 2024, and that the policy is harming the very workers who were instrumental in the companies generating billions of dollars in revenue in 2023,” said Cynthia Hallett, president of the non-smokers group. “If casinos will not do the right thing on their own, then we will continue to explore every avenue to protect the well-being of workers and patrons.
Historically, shareholder proposals face long odds of being approved and implemented. A study last month by the Conference Board found that 913 shareholder proposals were filed in 2023, and 71% were voted on, receiving an average support of 23%.