The Nevada Clean Air Act outlaws smoking indoors with the exception of tobacco stores, strip clubs, private residences, some stand-alone bars, and of course, casinos. While indoor smoking is illegal across much of the country, gamblers are still able to light up in Las Vegas casinos to the dismay of non-smokers around them.
Casinos defend the policy of allowing smoking because they think it helps their business. Per a University of Connecticut study, smoking is proven to increase gambling, even causing people to “crave” the activity.
While smoking amongst gamblers is common, the majority of visitors to Las Vegas are non-smokers, many of which prefer not to be exposed to smoke as they play.
With that in mind, I wanted to put together a guide outlining smoke-free casinos in Las Vegas and casinos I frequently visit that are “less smokey”.
I’m hopeful that over time, the list of smoke-free Las Vegas casinos continues to lengthen.
See Also: 40+ ways to save money in Vegas.
Smoke-Free Casinos in Vegas
Park MGM: Formerly known as Monte Carlo, Park MGM became Las Vegas’ first completely smoke-free casino in 2020.
Smoking is prohibited in all corners of the resort including guestrooms, dining establishments, and the gaming floor. Currently, Park MGM is the only smoke-free casino on the Strip, and in Las Vegas as a whole.
I’m hopeful that others will follow Park’s lead if the experiment proves to be a success.
You can view current hotel offers and promotions specific to Park MGM here.
Harry Reid International Airport: While not a casino per se, the airport offers a wide assortment of slot games spread across the airport in a smoke-free environment.
If smokeless gambling is important to you, carve out some time at the beginning or end of your trip to peck the slots prior to, or after your flight.
Let it be known that slots at the airport are thought to be tighter than those found in traditional casinos around Las Vegas. Gambling at the airport is a lame option, but smoke-free gaming is smoke-free gaming.
Going Smoke-Free Soon
Plaza: An exciting development, Plaza announced on June 14th, 2022 that they’re expanding their casino floor and that the expansion will be completely smoke-free – The first of its kind on Fremont Street.
Importantly, the smoke-free section of the casino will be physically divided from the section where smoking will still be allowed.
The area will carry the “Brian Christopher Slots” name. For those unfamiliar, Brian Christopher is a popular YouTuber and slot machine enthusiast that has also vocally pushed for casinos to ban smoking indoors.
Smoking inside Plaza will still be allowed outside of the designated non-smoking area.
More Las Vegas Strip Casinos Offering a Non-Smoking Section
We get it. Offering a non-smoking section in a Las Vegas casino is akin to offering a peeing section in a swimming pool. All the water, or air, in this case, gets mixed together anyway making it relatively ineffective.
If avoiding smoke is your goal, however, a non-smoking section is typically the best you can do. Las Vegas casinos now offering a non-smoking section on their casino floor include Mirage, Planet Hollywood, and MGM Grand among others.
Unfortunately, non-smokers seeking refuge in a non-smoking section are commonly unable to find the exact games they want to play.
Instead of parking in a non-smoking section, I recommend visiting Park MGM which doesn’t allow smoking, or simply navigating around smokers within the casino instead of seeking refuge in an ineffective and option-limiting non-smoking section.
They just don’t work.
“Less Smokey” Casino Options in Las Vegas
Seek Better Ventilation
Although smoking is allowed in the vast majority of Las Vegas casinos, you are able to find some “less smokey” options.
To find them, I typically look to newer structures like Circa on Fremont Street. Circa has a state-of-the-art HVAC system that pushes air up from vents scattered about the casino floor towards intakes on the ceiling.
Newer casinos on the Strip with better ventilation and a “less smokey” environment include Wynn/Encore, Venetian/Palazzo, Bellagio, and Caesars Palace.
In fact, a recent air quality study by Wynd confirmed that indoor air quality was best at Aria, Park MGM, and Wynn in that order. If you desire a less smokey environment, those are your best bets. Unfortunately, the study kept casinos with the worst air quality a secret.
Avoid the Crowds
Casinos that are less crowded are also usually “less smokey” as a result.
Tropicana on the south end of the Strip is typically deserted and is commonly pretty clear of smoke because of it. The same applies to Downtown Grand just steps from the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas.
Hopefully, I was able to help you find an acceptable casino in Las Vegas that has either banned smoking or will provide a less smokey experience.
Ultimately, unless you opt to visit Park MGM suffering through a degree of smoke while you play is a reality.
Eventually, smoking will be banned indoors at Las Vegas casinos, but until that day you’ll need to remain flexible and creative.
Related: Where to find the loosest slots in Vegas. We use data from the Nevada Gaming Commission to guide you in the right direction!
Feature Image: ©kenishirotie/123RF.COM
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
Wednesday 15th of February 2023
I'll stop going to Vegas casinos if they ban smoking altogether, I'm not even a heavy smoker & only light up if no one is playing near me or someone else is smoking...It seems to me the trend is to ban smoking or have smoking areas, we'll see
AlexM
Wednesday 4th of January 2023
The problem with allowing smoking is that viruses such as Covid and/or the flu can piggy back on smoke particles. If you can smell the smoke, you can breathe in a virus. Why was it then that smoking was banned in all casinos during the Covid outbreak? It’s because they knew the virus could be carried by the smoke particles. It remains true today, but they are willing to risk it by catering to the whales.
Sunday 16th of October 2022
Smoking has been banned in Poker Rooms for a long time. 15 years or more ?
Sarah
Thursday 15th of September 2022
I don’t even smoke anymore, been vaping for 10 years. I can fairly easily stealth vape, but I don’t like having to be sneaky to enjoy myself (which when I was a smoker, DEFINITELY included lots of cigarettes while gambling). I am not a fan of the “smoke free” movement.
Sutherland Sondra
Saturday 18th of June 2022
Thanks for warning me about Park MGM - I won’t stay or play where they discriminate against smokers. This is Vegas! This is the U.S. - about freedom and equality. Pot’s ok but cig’s aren’t? Let’s tolerate instead of hate.
Victor
Monday 14th of November 2022
@Sutherland Sondra, do restaurants discriminate against a smokers? Movie theatres? Landlords? If casinos want to project their investment and/or cater to non smokers, that’s their prerogative.
Sunday 16th of October 2022
@Former Smoker, I will go only to casinos that allow smokers!
Joe
Sunday 4th of September 2022
@Sutherland Sondra, you can’t smoke weed either. I know from experience. I was told not to smoke it as part of the clean air act.
Former Smoker
Monday 4th of July 2022
Why should we have to tolerate your smoke. Take a break every now and then and go outside to smoke. By the way, weed is legal to buy and take home to smoke- period.