Smoking at casinos
Smoking at casinos

A strong polarity divides blackjack casinos in the US state of Florida when it comes to the issue of smoking. The state’s pari-mutuel casinos are all smoke-free, not by choice but because of an amendment made to Florida’s constitution in 2003 banning smoking in all gambling halls.

Casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe, however, are not bound by state laws, and many Seminole casinos allow smoking. In many gamblers’ minds, gambling, drinking, and smoking all go hand-in-hand, so when casinos still allow patrons to enjoy smoking, many gamblers are happy. In fact, numbers suggest that Seminole casinos do much better business than the state’s pari-mutuel gambling houses, and the smoking issue may well be contributing to their success.

Of course, not all casino-goers are smokers, and not all appreciate the hazy atmosphere of places like the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. The atmosphere at this casino is so smoky that some patrons sit at the tables wearing surgical masks. A recent agreement signed between the state of Florida and the Seminole tribe will eventually lead to smoke-free areas in all Seminole casinos, along with better ventilation in smoking areas – these changes should happen within the next five years.

Smoking in casinos has long been a driving factor that sends players to the internet to gamble. Online blackjack casinos are havens for smokers who can’t smoke at their local casinos, and also for non-smokers in places like Florida where the best casinos are smoke-filled. Playing at internet casinos lets gamblers enjoy their favorite online blackjack games from the comfort of their own home, where they can smoke whatever they like while sitting at the tables.