Park MGM To Reopen As Only Smoke-Free Casino On The Vegas Strip

Written By Marc Meltzer on September 14, 2020 - Last Updated on September 22, 2020

This morning, MGM Resorts International announced it will open Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas on Sept. 30. Together, the property will be the first smoke-free casino resort on the Vegas Strip.

Park MGM includes the NoMad boutique hotel on the top floors, a bar and a high-limit gaming room. It also contains Las Vegas’s only Eataly and a host of restaurants.

The reopening of Park MGM will complete the reopening of all MGM Resorts properties around the world.

Properties in Nevada closed in March because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Park MGM and NoMad will be smoke-free

Upon reopening, Park MGM and NoMad hotel will be the first fully smoke-free casino resort on the Vegas Strip.

Anton Nikodemus, president of MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas properties, said the following in a statement:

“As we looked toward our reopening, we identified an opportunity to be responsive to recurring guest demand for a fully non-smoking casino resort on The Strip. With an expansive Las Vegas portfolio, MGM Resorts is able to offer an array of options for visitors, all within the MGM Resorts family.”

The smoke-free property will give visitors an entirely new option when visiting Las Vegas. If this goes over well for Park MGM, it could lay the groundwork for other properties to do the same.

Why go smoke-free?

Clean air is a major feature of MGM Resorts’ Seven Point Health and Safety Plan. The company tries to use as much outside air circulation as possible at all of its properties. Park MGM having smoke-free air should make this the cleanest air to breathe inside of a Las Vegas casino.

There seems to be a lot of patrons looking for a smoke-free casino option, as the social media response has been overwhelmingly positive. Whether it is to make breathing easier while wearing a face covering, or to ensure cleaner air when eating and drinking, people seem pleased.

Additionally, the vast majority of tourists visiting Las Vegas are driving from nearby states like California. The air quality in California and surrounding states has been very poor due to wildfires burning for weeks.

Park MGM will present an opportunity for these guests to breathe fresh air.

Some Las Vegas casinos offer non-smoking sections, but no casinos currently offer an entirely smoke-free environment.

Silver City Casino was the last Las Vegas property to attempt to ban smoking in 1991. That only lasted a few months. Silver City Casino closed its doors for good in 1999.

More Las Vegas casino openings

Park MGM isn’t the only Las Vegas casino planning to reopen in September. MGM Resorts also announced Four Seasons Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay will reopen on Sept. 25.

Tropicana will reopen on Sept. 17. Similar to other Las Vegas casinos, the property will operate at 50% of its maximum capacity. Additionally, the amenities, promotions and dining options will be limited.

William Hill will operate the sportsbook.

Oyo Las Vegas (formerly Hooters Casino) will open one day earlier than the Tropicana, on Sept. 16.

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Marc Meltzer

Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.

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