Casino Workers Plan August Sick-Out Over Smoking Ban

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Casino workers and labor advocates rallied outside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Wednesday, seizing on a high-profile visit by gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill to press for a full ban on indoor smoking in the city’s casinos.

Chanting and holding signs calling for “smoke-free workplaces,” members of the advocacy group Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) gathered along the Boardwalk entrance, urging Sherrill and state lawmakers to take action on an issue that has lingered for nearly two decades.

“We just want the same protections as every other worker in New Jersey,” one casino worker said during the demonstration, echoing a central argument of the movement.

Amid the ongoing push for a smoking ban, some casino workers have floated the idea of a coordinated “sick-out” to draw attention to the issue and pressure lawmakers to act.

The protest underscores how the debate over casino smoking has entered a new phase in 2026, driven by a combination of political pressure, ongoing litigation and renewed legislative efforts in Trenton.

⚖️ A legal fight gaining momentum

At the center of the issue is a long-standing exemption in New Jersey law that allows casinos to permit smoking on up to 25% of their gaming floors, despite a statewide indoor smoking ban enacted in 2006.

That exemption is now being challenged in court.

A state appellate panel recently ordered a new hearing on whether the carve-out is constitutional, reviving a lawsuit filed by casino workers who argue the policy violates their right to a safe workplace. Attorneys representing those workers have since asked the New Jersey Supreme Court to take up the case, potentially setting the stage for a landmark ruling.

Worker advocates argue the law unfairly singles out casino employees.

“Casino workers are expected to clock in every day despite a toxic environment,” one attorney said at a recent rally covered by regional media.

🏛️ Lawmakers divided on a path forward

At the same time, lawmakers in Trenton remain split on how to address the issue.

Multiple bills have been introduced in recent years, ranging from a full repeal of the casino exemption to compromise proposals that would further restrict where smoking is allowed. Despite bipartisan acknowledgment of the health concerns, none have successfully cleared the Legislature.

That lack of consensus has frustrated workers, who say the issue has been debated for years without resolution.

Sherrill, who has expressed openness to a ban, did not directly address the protest while at the Hard Rock, but her visit drew attention from advocates hoping to elevate the issue in a crowded gubernatorial race.

Mayor Marty Small has expressed opposition to a full smoking ban, citing concerns about potential economic impacts on Atlantic City’s casino industry.