Crown Casino’s plans for a high roller gambling venue in Sydney are turning are a few heads. While they present an exciting entertainment prospect that will bring more tourism into the city, there are also plenty of drawbacks – including the casino operator’s plans to permit smoking on the casino floor. As part of James Packer’s new casino proposal, patrons will be permitted to smoke anywhere on the gaming floor.
The provision aims to appease Asian high roller gamblers who are used to being able to gamble in local casinos, but Australian residents are not thrilled with the idea. "In order to effectively compete with Macau, Singapore and the rest of Asia, Crown Sydney will need to permit smoking in VIP gaming areas,” reads a letter written by James Packer to the NSW government.
Over the course of the past decade, Australians have worked hard to ensure that public places are smoke-free. Taxi ranks, restaurants, bars and several other locations are non-smoking, and locals see Crown Casinos’ plan as a huge step backwards. Even if high roller players enjoy smoking, they are putting employees at risk of harm. Second-hand smoke is dangerous, and health organizations feel that casino staff should not be subjected it.
Packer has stated that he will install state-of-the-art technology that will improve the casino’s air quality, but health officials are not convinced that it will be effective. According to Quit Victoria, these types of ventilation systems rarely work, and the health of staff members will continue to be compromised.
"The research shows you need a tornado-like suction to be of any benefit, so the risk of harm is very high – they don't work, these curtains or ventilation devices,” says Fiona Sharkie, executive direction of Quit Victoria. The issue is still up for debate, and Crown Casinos is sticking to its guns. Health officials will continue to put up a fight to ensure that the new gambling venue is a smoke-free facility.
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