Employees at Atlantic City casinos who want a smoke-free workplace are hopeful that the state's new governor will put more effort on closing the gaming establishments' indoor smoking ban.

Former New Jersey Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-Hunterdon) and US Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) became victorious in their respective Democratic and Republican primaries on Tuesday.

Sherrill received 33.9% of the Democratic vote, more than any of her five opponents.  Ciattarelli received 67.9% of the GOP ballots, more than any of his four competitors.

During their primary debates and campaigns, neither candidate specifically stated that they were in favor of completely banning smoking in Atlantic City's casinos.  Once elected, CEASE — Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects — expects that those views will shift in support of a complete ban on smoking at Atlantic City casinos.

“In the leadup to the election, we were encouraged by the number of candidates who stepped up to support smoke-free casinos and committed to protecting our health. We hope that as they continue their campaigns for New Jersey governor, Rep. Sherrill and former Assemblyman Ciattarelli will join the long list of candidates who have added smoke-free casinos to their campaign platforms and pledged to close the casino smoking loophole once they enter office,” said Pete Naccarelli, co-founder of CEASE and a longtime table game dealer at Borgata.

“Voters support a smoke-free bill — and so should their elected officials,” Naccarelli added.

Governor Phil Murphy (D) has stated time and time again that he will approve legislation to ban smoking in casinos.  However, he also insisted that the Legislature was necessary before he could unilaterally alter the state's smoking ban.

Murphy, a Democrat, was accused by anti-smoking activists of not doing more to pressure the Senate and Assembly, which are controlled by Democrats, to enact a smoking ban at casinos.

Uncommitted Gubernatorial Candidates

As Garden State voters haven't chosen a Republican governor since Chris Christie in 2013, Merrill, who is expected to be the polling and betting favorite for the Nov. 5, 2025, New Jersey gubernatorial election, skirted the Atlantic City casino smoking issue in an interview with Politico.

"I know there is ongoing work being done on compromise legislation, and I want to see a proposal that prioritizes employees’ health and also keeps good-paying jobs here in Atlantic City. We need to make sure Atlantic City’s tourism industry remains competitive — and their economy more vibrant — so I am committed to finding common ground to support these workers at a time when we know everyone is struggling to get by,” Sherrill said.

Ciattarelli stated in his Politico interview that he believes the employers and unions should handle the casino smoking issue.

"At the end of the day, if there are people who don’t want to work in the smoking sections, it’s at that point in time the casinos will have to address it,” Ciattarelli said.

The Smoke-Free Air Act of 2006 in New Jersey prohibits smoking indoors in the majority of public places and workplaces.  However, the ordinance included provisions for simulcasting facilities and casino gaming regions.

Casinos in Atlantic City are allowed to set aside 25% of their gaming space for tobacco usage if they have at least 150 slot machines, 10 table games, or some combination of these.  There are no ventilation regulations under the legislation.

Concerns in Atlantic City

Executives from casinos and Unite  On the grounds that it will decrease play and result in job losses, Local 54, the union that represents thousands of nongaming resort employees in Atlantic City, is against the ban on indoor smoking.  Last year, in-person gross gaming revenue at the nine casinos decreased by 1.1%.

By year's end, New York state authorities anticipate awarding three downstate casino concessions.  In less than two years, the NYC metro might see the opening of full-scale casinos with slots, live-dealer table games, and sports betting thanks to MGM Resorts' Empire City and Genting's Resorts World New York City, which are now both video lottery racinos and the front-runners for two of the licenses.