A New Jersey law requires casinos to make at least 75 percent of their gambling floors smoke-free, but at least five casinos have decided to ban smoking altogether in gambling areas to comply with the regulations, the Associated Press reported Sept. 12.

The Tropicana Casino and Harrah's Atlantic City, the Showboat Casino-Hotel, Bally's Atlantic City and Caesars Atlantic City said they will build enclosed smoking lounges for customers but make their gambling floors smoke-free. "We are committed to improving the work environment for our employees," said J. Carlos Tolosa, Harrah's eastern division president. "I believe this smoke-free ordinance provides our industry with a fair transitional guideline for better workplace conditions."

Resorts Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort also will create smoking lounges but will allow smoking in one slots area and one table-gaming area. "We have customers who are very vocal on both sides," said Tony Rodio, regional president for Resorts Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Hilton. "A number of customers are very frustrated, who say that if they can't smoke, they won't come here. I also have customers who tell me if it was 100 percent smoke-free, I'd come here all the time."

The city's Trump-branded casinos will build smokers' lounges but have not announced what their policy will be on smoking on the casino floor.