Atlantic City’s new assemblywoman backs ‘compromise’ that would let smoking remain in casinos

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 8:15 PM
Photo: Christopher Shea / Rhode Island Current, used under CC BY 4.0
  • Wayne Parry, The Press of Atlantic City

The new assemblywoman whose district includes Atlantic City has thrown her support behind legislation that would continue to allow smoking in casinos, but with some additional restrictions.

Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan, a Democrat representing Atlantic County, this week introduced legislation that is an identical copy of a bill awaiting action in the state Senate.

That bill, sponsored by Sens. John Burzichelli, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, and Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, has been described as a compromise between those who want a full smoking ban and those who are worried about the economic impacts of such a prohibition.

His measure would keep the current 25% limit of the casino floor on which smoking can occur.