Smoking is back in the casino

[hurricane0226]

18 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

Considering taking up smoking, as it appears it's either that or wear the makeshift mask until common sense kicks back in.  Anyone know if the cigarette needs to be lit, or what % of the time one must be burning?  Hoping it's not an 'actively smoking'/puff-and-replace situation (prefer puff-n-pass).  I'm thinking an unlit, dangling cigarette will pass, at least for 1/2hr or so.

the candy cigarettes they used to sell had a painted red end that looked like it was lit. Maybe those would have worked.

[susan1957]

2 hours ago, famof4togo said:

I am not a smoker, but logic tells me it's simple math....do they make more money not having smokers in the casino or do they make more money allowing smokers in the casino.  CLEARLY, they make more money having the smokers in the casino.  Now sure I read here a few times "well I won't be spending my money in the casino if they allow smoking again" and while true that position clearly doesn't have the impact that not having the smokers does.  So, to all those non-smokers the only way for you to turn those tides is to spend MORE money in the casino then the smokers do which obviously currently is not the case.

Is it a proven fact that most gamblers are smokers....maybe they should open up some meetings "friends of WHOEVER"...FOR smokers and gamblers....LOLOLOL

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

10 minutes ago, susan1957 said:

Is it a proven fact that most gamblers are smokers....maybe they should open up some meetings "friends of WHOEVER"...FOR smokers and gamblers....LOLOLOL

 

Not sure how "proven" it is, though your comment got me wondering (as I assumed that was the case - but apparently it's not!):  LINK

 

An excerpt: 

 

Data were collected over a three day period  in August from  casinos in Las Vegas. We collected all of  the data and then further divided it into two  sections, casinos on the strip and casinos off-strip in order to see whether there were any real differences between the two, with the idea that the off-strip casinos might be frequented more by locals. Before dividing up the data, we counted a total of 9,628 gamblers  among whom  we observed 691 smokers for a calculated percentage of 21.5 % smokers. This percentage of smokers is nearly identical to the 20.9% of Americans who smoke. When then divided up the data between  the casinos located on the Las Vegas Strip and those not located on the strip. 

 

 

Tom

[ehyup71]

I don't know that it's necessarily that most gamblers are smokers...I think it more likely is that gamblers who are smokers spend more money in the casino.  Let's face it...smoking is an addictive behavior, as gambling can be.  Makes more sense that someone who smokes will spend more time / more money gambling than a non-smoker.

🤷‍♂️

[mz-s]

13 minutes ago, ehyup71 said:

I don't know that it's necessarily that most gamblers are smokers...I think it more likely is that gamblers who are smokers spend more money in the casino.  Let's face it...smoking is an addictive behavior, as gambling can be.  Makes more sense that someone who smokes will spend more time / more money gambling than a non-smoker.

🤷‍♂️

 

Not only do the high rollers tend to be smokers, but also - the last thing a Casino wants is gamblers leaving because when they leave they're probably not coming back. So Carnival has plenty of bar waiters roaming through the Casino, and lets them smoke, so they don't have to leave to smoke or get a drink.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

10 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Not only do the high rollers tend to be smokers, but also - the last thing a Casino wants is gamblers leaving because when they leave they're probably not coming back. So Carnival has plenty of bar waiters roaming through the Casino, and lets them smoke, so they don't have to leave to smoke or get a drink.

 

I've played at plenty of black chip tables, and I'd say that most were non-smokers. You probably have more smoking among the higher "limit" slots, but that's just a guess.

Tom

[susan1957]

45 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Not sure how "proven" it is, though your comment got me wondering (as I assumed that was the case - but apparently it's not!):  LINK

 

An excerpt: 

 

Data were collected over a three day period  in August from  casinos in Las Vegas. We collected all of  the data and then further divided it into two  sections, casinos on the strip and casinos off-strip in order to see whether there were any real differences between the two, with the idea that the off-strip casinos might be frequented more by locals. Before dividing up the data, we counted a total of 9,628 gamblers  among whom  we observed 691 smokers for a calculated percentage of 21.5 % smokers. This percentage of smokers is nearly identical to the 20.9% of Americans who smoke. When then divided up the data between  the casinos located on the Las Vegas Strip and those not located on the strip. 

 

 

Tom

Interesting....why does it always seem that the % of smokers is really high in the ships casinos....guess it doesn't take much to stink the place up...honestly, I was a full time smoker for years and I loved to have a cigarette while sitting at a slot machine but the smoke even got to me....

 

[TNcruising02]

2 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

Considering taking up smoking, as it appears it's either that or wear the makeshift mask until common sense kicks back in.  Anyone know if the cigarette needs to be lit, or what % of the time one must be burning?  Hoping it's not an 'actively smoking'/puff-and-replace situation (prefer puff-n-pass).  I'm thinking an unlit, dangling cigarette will pass, at least for 1/2hr or so.

Brilliant!  I would like to also suggest coloring the tip with a red sharpie.  

Edited to add that it looks like Hurricane0226 beat me to it!

Edited February 15, 2022 by TNcruising02

[destiny217]

7 hours ago, rwilk1129 said:

Very very disappointed in Carnival bringing back smoking in casino again. Did not see any drop in casino attendance with no smoking rules. It was so refreshing to be able to breathe while playing and not to have your clothes stink. Also had access to all slot machines. May need to find a no smoking casino line.

Sailed NCL Bliss right before Covid and they have a totally enclosed area for smokers.  Very nice not to smell like smoke.

[bucfan2]

2 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

Brilliant!  I would like to also suggest coloring the tip with a red sharpie.  

Indeed!  Gotta be less likely to spread the virus than those that are actively smoking, and if they're following the protocols, then I'd be following 'improved protocols' voluntarily 😁

[BlerkOne]

28 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Not only do the high rollers tend to be smokers, but also - the last thing a Casino wants is gamblers leaving because when they leave they're probably not coming back. So Carnival has plenty of bar waiters roaming through the Casino, and lets them smoke, so they don't have to leave to smoke or get a drink.

In my experience, it was often cheaper for me to take a break and pay for a cocktail at a bar, than to keep playing and wait for my free drink waiter to show up.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

In my experience, it was often cheaper for me to take a break and pay for a cocktail at a bar, than to keep playing and wait for my free drink waiter to show up.

 

Isn't that the truth. Some of those free drinks can cost hundreds or thousands !!

Tom

[mz-s]

40 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

I've played at plenty of black chip tables, and I'd say that most were non-smokers. You probably have more smoking among the higher "limit" slots, but that's just a guess.

Tom

 

I think it's really the slots where the casino makes it's money.

[Computer Nerd]

On 2/14/2022 at 7:39 PM, momin05 said:

Unless I just missed something, this occurred without fanfare. The Carnival website now says smoking is allowed in the casino. Previously, smoking was banned completely. I am sure many smokers are happy. Personally, I was looking forward to being able to breathe in the casino and my hair and clothes not smelling like smoke!  

Yeah!!!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

3 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

I think it's really the slots where the casino makes it's money.

Right you are (had to look this up as well - never knew it was to this degree). One-armed bandits indeed!

 

( SOURCE )

 

Slot machines remain the most important money-making part of casinos in the United States. In many states, casinos make between 65 and 80 percent of their gambling income from slots.

 

 

 

[wikoffclan]

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Right you are (had to look this up as well - never knew it was to this degree). One-armed bandits indeed!

 

Must be true. I never got a casino offer when I played Blackjack. Since I started playing the slot  machines with my $25 Platinum benefit, I've been getting Free and $25 cruise offers.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

9 hours ago, wikoffclan said:

Must be true. I never got a casino offer when I played Blackjack. Since I started playing the slot  machines with my $25 Platinum benefit, I've been getting Free and $25 cruise offers.

 

Investing about the same $'s in casino "entertainment" either way?  That's interesting!  I know a couple of slot players that get loads of offers, some better than mine - and I know how much I've played over the years, so...

 

Tom

[mz-s]

23 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Investing about the same $'s in casino "entertainment" either way?  That's interesting!  I know a couple of slot players that get loads of offers, some better than mine - and I know how much I've played over the years, so...

 

Tom

 

9 hours ago, wikoffclan said:

Must be true. I never got a casino offer when I played Blackjack. Since I started playing the slot  machines with my $25 Platinum benefit, I've been getting Free and $25 cruise offers.

 

My anecdotal experience is the same. The real offers came when I started feeding money into the slots. I was getting offers with table play, but not as nice of offers as the slot play.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

 

My anecdotal experience is the same. The real offers came when I started feeding money into the slots. I was getting offers with table play, but not as nice of offers as the slot play.

 

I'm guessing that Video Poker offers would be less? That's the only "slot" game I've played where my eyes don't start crossing within the first few minutes. Having said that, I can recall a few times where I was playing that where I was zoning out, and accidently discarded some good hands in my "auto draw" mode. 

 

So, I'll just stick to tables!

 

Tom

[Joebucks]

I hate cig smoking. I hate the smell it leaves behind in the casino. With that said, the world does not revolve around me. There's a reason why they want this. The addictive personalities sticking around in the casino are much more valuable than all of the "sensitive noses" who complain about smelling it as they walk through. It honestly has no effect on me.

 

I do wish they would find a better way to filter the air and whatnot. You can smoke in Vegas casinos and hardly ever know it if someone didn't tell you. I know there are differences between the two. Just something on the wish list for one day hopefully.

[evandbob]

After 40 or so Carnival cruises, we started spreading our sailings around and found that Celebrity has non smoking casinos all the time.  While we enjoyed the non smoking on Carnival when it lasted, and appreciate the way the smoking area on MG's casino is mainly enclosed, Celebrity's casinos are way more enjoyable for us ex smokers.

 

After a few sailings on Celebrity we started receiving some great pre COVID casino offers that were way better than Carnival's, so we continued booking Celebrity.

 

When it's a choice of similar comped sailings, we will choose the ship with the non smoking casino over a smoking one.

[dlm71464]

Has Royal Caribbean announced anything yet?  You have to remember Carnival isn't about safety, they had to pay millions in fines due to dumping waste in the ocean.  They couldn't careless about the well being of others.

[mikes]

Although I hate the smoke in the casino.....I only have to endure it for the time I spend in there.....the crew that works in the casino (bar servers, dealers, etc.).....I feel sorry for them.  They have to endure an entire shift and an entire contract.  Not fair to the casino staff to expose them like this.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

39 minutes ago, evandbob said:

After 40 or so Carnival cruises, we started spreading our sailings around and found that Celebrity has non smoking casinos all the time.  While we enjoyed the non smoking on Carnival when it lasted, and appreciate the way the smoking area on MG's casino is mainly enclosed, Celebrity's casinos are way more enjoyable for us ex smokers.

 

After a few sailings on Celebrity we started receiving some great pre COVID casino offers that were way better than Carnival's, so we continued booking Celebrity.

 

When it's a choice of similar comped sailings, we will choose the ship with the non smoking casino over a smoking one.

 

Celebrity also has the advantage of including a beverage package and WiFi with most of their bookings, unless you go bare bones (guarantee). Since I utilize both of those perks, my cruise experience is more enjoyable not having to tack that on (mentally) once onboard. Our upcoming Celebrity sailing includes: premium beverage pkg, $600 onboard credit, streaming WiFI, and tips! All of that comes with the booking, well - also unlimited specialty dining, two bottles of liquor, stocked mini-bar, etc (that's owing to the cabin category we're in). It's very close to an all inclusive from that standpoint - what could be better!

 

Tom

[Joebucks]

3 hours ago, mikes said:

Although I hate the smoke in the casino.....I only have to endure it for the time I spend in there.....the crew that works in the casino (bar servers, dealers, etc.).....I feel sorry for them.  They have to endure an entire shift and an entire contract.  Not fair to the casino staff to expose them like this.

 

The age-old debate of who needs "protection".

 

Again, I don't smoke cigs. I think it's a dumb habit for multiple reasons. I do enjoy a good cigar here and there. Unfortunately, I can no longer enjoy a cigar bar near me because indoor smoking was completely banned. Mostly for "the protection of employees". I wouldn't want to work around smoke either. However, it's pretty clear that you don't have to choose to work in such a spot. Believe it or not, some employees might not care about this or may even enjoy the atmosphere. Back in the day, you might have ever had a bartender enjoy a cig with you. I've been in enough homes to know that not everyone thinks the same way.