A Bucks County casino is just one of many in the Philadelphia area that has made a decision on smoking options inside its building. Tracy Tully wrote about the health v. hospitality conundrum in The New York Times.

Parx Casino, located in Bensalem, worked to keep operations going during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But a current question, in an era of heightened attention on indoor air quality and HVAC filtration technologies, is whether to continue to allow gaming patrons to smoke while occupying blackjack tables or slot rows.

The casino decided against it, as they felt it would be better for the staff and the building itself.

“It’s been great for our team,” said Eric Hausler, president and chief executive of Greenwood Racing Inc., which owns Parx. “It’s less wear and tear on the building.”

The Bucks County casino brings in more revenue via slots that any other casino in the Philadelphia region.

With Valley Forge Casino Resort just a turnpike hop away and Atlantic City beckoning from over the Delaware River, that is saying something.

The recent decision on smoking indoors may become the norm, now that so many other gaming establishments have banned it.

Read more about the Bensalem casino at The New York Times.