Demand isn't binary -- for most people the desire to gamble probably outweighs the desire to be in a smoke-free environment 100% of the time, so they tolerate being in a smoking environment for a while so they can otherwise enjoy themselves*. However that doesn't necessarily mean there's no demand for it.

*although I know of people who stopped gambling because they got to a point where they didn't want to deal with the smoke anymore

A better way to not gamble and win!

David

There are plenty of casinos all over the country that are non-smoking. They haven't all failed; indeed, they universally seem to do well.

Not only that, I believe poker rooms are almost universally non-smoking now, even in casinos that otherwise permit smoking in other areas.

Booked a 1 week trip for this October in hopes that things will operate albeit under a new norm. I am willing to do my part wearing a mask and practice Social DistanDistancing.

I predict there will be deals and I will monitor Groupon,TracelZoo and discounted shows

I actually like the seat next to me empty in a theater and airplane I know its lost revenue.

Well then I wonder why Vegas casinos don't go non-smoking...or even half the floor non-smoking. If they thought that is what the customers want I would imagine there would be money to be made if one of the big hotels went all non-smoking.

I suspect it's because even if it's what customers want (which, again, is not a binary thing), it ultimately doesn't make a big impact on revenue either way (arguably there is a long-term second order effect on revenue in terms of the health and longevity of their employees, health insurance premiums and payouts, etc.). And casinos seem to really like inertia and doing things the way they've always done them (though some of that I'm sure is for regulatory reasons).

So whether a casino is smoking, or non-smoking, it has little short-term financial incentive to switch over to the other side. Not because customers want it one way or the other necessarily, but because it's not a make-or-break criteria by which most customers decide whether or not they want to go to the casino.

In the absence of regulation, the Strip tends to act as a single body. Resort fees are a notorious example. So is charging for parking, although Venetian/Palazzo remain an outlier there.

I suspect the Strip casinos are secretly wishing for the country/state to ban smoking.

And yes, there a few examples of sections of a casino floor in Vegas that are non-smoking.

Heck, a possible more likely outcome of COVID: The death of buffets.

LOL.... yeah, I could see a post-Covid buffet free world. Of all the places hardest hit I think Vegas is at the top of the list. A favorite American past time is to waddle between the casinos and the buffet line throwing away your money and health.

Well, if they reopen the buffets and the smoking casinos, you could accelerate throwing away money and health in the COVID context.

David

FWIW every single casino in Macau is non smoking and they have separate "smoking lounge" areas without gambling for those who want to puff away. The only free drinks you'll get are bottles water or tea. Macau still manages to rake in much more coin than Vegas, despite these restrictions.

Personally I'd be bummed if they did away with the free drinks in Vegas but I'd be overjoyed if they stopped the smoking.

Industry analysts have actually said Macau's smoking ban has had a significant negative impact on gaming revenue, especially at the high end. Macau is a totally different animal compared to Vegas though (or perhaps it's more accurate to say that China's middle class is a different animal). That's the demo that really buoys casino income in Macau - they have far higher ratings than their American counterparts and don't care about comps, to boot.

Vegas understood that it had to diversify to become mainstream, but the transformation of Vegas into a mainstream destination for world-class entertainment (gaming or not) is nevertheless what makes it attractive to many whales, because many whales do want to do something other than gamble the entire time. It also had the side effect of attracting wealthy clientele who don't care about gambling, hence why so many casino loyalty programs moved to reward non-gambling spend. It's a completely different approach from Macau.

Hence why you can drink on the Strip.

Well, no; the city of Las Vegas doesn't prohibit open containers either. Clark County, or even the state of Nevada, could very well pass legislation banning open containers in public (or even specifically on the Strip) if they wanted to, and if Paradise / the Strip / any part of it were incorporated, the incorporated city would have the same option.

Governor will permit restaurants, hair solons and retail stores to re-open (all at 50% capacity). However, businesses that are not allowed to open include bars, nightclubs, massage parlors, spas, gyms, fitness studios, brothels, strip clubs, movie theaters (except for drive-ins), bowling alleys, live sporting events and casinos.

This is the right direction and right pace - I wish California would take a page from Nevada's playbook.