My husband and I went to Harrahs Philadelphia located in Chester on Wednesday. We love to gamble and went to Harrahs because their website stated it was still following a no smoking policy and we also called the contact number and were told that there was no smoking on the casino floor. We arrived at Harrahs and were shocked to see people smoking. I approached two security guards and asked them if smoking was permitted. They said to their dismay, smoking was allowed. Secondhand smoke is substantially worse in Pennsylvania because the regulations allow 50% of the casino floor to be smoking. My husband and I find the smoking unacceptable and will not go back. Secondhand smoke could be potentially more dangerous in this casino because the surrounding area of Chester, who make up some of the casino patrons, has such a low percentage of vaccinated residents. Studies have shown that the casino ventilation systems, although highly efficient, do not take care of secondhand smoke. If this is correct, then there is a potential that unvaccinated patrons could not only be exhaling dangerous secondhand smoke from their lungs but also could be exhaling Covid aerosols. We are vaccinated but my husband is immune compromised so we aren’t willing to take that risk. We are really disappointed in Harrahs who seem to disregard the health concerns of their nonsmoking patrons and employees.
