Smoking Cigars in Casinos

Casinos are one of my favorite places to smoke cigars, but due to the proliferation of indoor smoking bans in many states and provinces, smoking cigars in casinos is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Some jurisdictions have exempted the gaming floors of casinos from their ban, but those exemptions may not last much longer. For example, in Atlantic City smoking was banned on gaming floors effective October 15, 2008. However, that ban was later rescinded for one year, effective November 16, 2008. I was really surprised when the State of Nevada commenced a ban on smoking during late 2006, although gaming floors in Las Vegas casinos are still exempt (but for how much longer?). A casino can prohibit or restrict smoking as a matter of policy, even without a government ban. And since some local jurisdictions may have indoor smoking bans while others in the same state may not, always check before lighting up in any casino.

Outdoor Patios for Cigar Smokers Just Don't Cut It

The casino in Windsor, Ontario used to be a place to smoke Cuban cigars while gambling. Although technically illegal for U.S. citizens, you can still buy Cuban cigars in Windsor (check out Havana Heaven two blocks west of the casino on Chatham), but you can no longer smoke them in the casino due to Ontario's indoor smoking ban. The casino has provided an outdoor patio for smokers, but with no food or beverage service, no gambling, no entertainment, and nothing else to do other than stare at the City of Detroit from across the river. There is a sign on the patio entrance stating that food and beverages are not permitted on the patio, so you cannot even walk onto the patio with a drink purchased in the casino (that is the law, because the patio has a roof). This type of arrangement may work for some cigarette smokers, who need a quick 5-minute nicotine fix, but cigar smokers want to take their time with a 30 to 90-minute cigar while enjoying a cocktail, and also while doing some gambling. Unless staying overnight, smoking a cigar on the casino's patio during a daytrip drastically reduces precious gambling time, making this type of accommodation unacceptable for a cigar smoker. Maybe that is why Detroit's casinos are packed compared to the casino in Windsor, which seems to be in need of more than just a few good cigar-smoking customers. Other cities, states, and provinces should take note, before it's too late.