An anti-smoking group is accusing one of Atlantic City’s top casinos of trying to “dissuade employees” from speaking to the media about efforts to ban indoor casino smoking.

Last week, employees at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City were sent a media policy – a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO, stating that workers must get prior authorization before speaking with the media in their capacity as Hard Rock employees.

“Only authorized and approved team members are permitted to represent the property in the media,” states the policy, which does not make any direct references to the casino smoking issue. “This includes radio call-ins, TV-interviews, and/or comments to newspaper and magazine writers.”