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NJ judge rules smoking can continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to gaming workers

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NJ judge rules smoking can continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to gaming workers


New Jersey gaming workers were dealt a serious legal blow Friday when a state judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to ban smoking on casino floors.

The ruling in favor of Atlantic City’s nine struggling casinos was delivered by Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels.

The tobacco-wary casino workers filed a lawsuit in May, seeking a permanent ban on smoking over the health concerns posed by second-hand smoke.

Atlantic City casino workers hold signs during a rally in Trenton, N.J., on April 5. AP

When the state abolished smoking indoors nearly 20 years ago, they did so with an exception — permitting smoking on 25% of the casino floor.

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The casino workers first called on state lawmakers to prohibit smoking four years ago, but when a bill to that effect stalled, they filed their lawsuit.

Atlantic City casino workers fly an anti-smoking flag during a rally in April. AP

Opponents of the ban say it will lead to casino closures and thousands of layoffs.

They also believe putting an end to smoking in Atlantic City casinos will drive gamblers to casinos in neighboring Pennsylvania.

Casino owners also contend the state would lose millions in tax revenue under such a ban.

A gambler lights up at a slot machine in Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City on Sept. 29, 2023. AP

Atlantic City‘s nine casinos have been hurting financially since the start of the COVID pandemic, a recovery made even harder with the advent of online and app-based gambling.

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The casino industry has long opposed a smoking ban, and said it has been working to develop better ventilation systems as well as enclosed smoking rooms, staffed by employees who volunteer to work there.



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Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper

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Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper


An alleged drunk, wrong-way driver was arrested following a crash on Interstate 80 in Warren County, officials said.

Robert Felegi was driving a pickup truck west in the eastbound lanes in Knowlton when he crashed head-on into a New Jersey State Trooper’s vehicle near milepost 1.4 around midnight Tuesday, State Police said.

The trooper had emergency lights and sirens activated while trying to alert motorists of a hazard ahead, authorities said.

The trooper suffered minor injuries, while Felegi was not hurt.

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Felegi, 67, of Middleport, Pennsylvania, was charged with assault by auto and driving under the influence.

He was brought to the Warren County jail ahead of a detention hearing. An attorney for Felegi is not listed in court records.

investigation, and no additional information is available.



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NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

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NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole


TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) — New Jersey casino workers, who are pushing to permanently ban smoking in their workplaces, held a rally in Trenton on Monday.

A hearing was held to discuss a lawsuit that aims to close the smoking loophole in the Garden State.

For years, casino workers have been pursuing protections against secondhand smoke in their workplaces.

RELATED | Judge allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to workers

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New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act largely bans indoor smoking, but casinos have a long-standing exemption.

The lawsuit filed last April by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers at the Bally’s, Caesars and Tropicana casinos.

In August 2024, a judge ruled in favor of the casinos to allow smoking to continue.

“Casino workers are expected to clock in to work every day despite inevitably facing a toxic environment that could cause countless health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and asthma,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and the UAW on Monday.

“We’re asking the court to find the exemption in New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act unconstitutional and void it immediately. We hope this case will serve as a precedent for casinos across the country to close their smoking loopholes and stop poisoning their workers,” added Smith.

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The casinos have warned that thousands of jobs and millions in gambling revenue and taxes could be lost if smoking was banned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

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11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend


A teenager was shot to death in Jersey City, a woman was killed in a fiery crash with a dump truck in Ocean County, and a man is in critical condition after an SUV hit him in a Princeton crosswalk.

Here are the headlines from the weekend in New Jersey you may have missed.

Teen Shot Dead In Jersey City Apartment, Prosecutor Says

A 16-year-old boy was found shot to death in Jersey City on Friday night, prosecutors said.

Woman Killed In Fiery Head-On Dump Truck Crash In Ocean County

A woman was killed Friday when her van hit a dump truck head-on in Jackson and burst into flames, Jackson police said.

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Evelin Villanueva-Detejeda, 43, of Perth Amboy, was killed in the crash that happened about 2 p.m. on Toms River Road (Route 571) near Osprey Place, Sgt. Edward Travisano said.

Six people sustained minor injuries in the collision late Friday afternoon, according to State Police Tpr. Christopher Postorino.

Read more: 11-Vehicle Crash, Overturned Truck Shut Down Turnpike In South Jersey: Police

NJ College Student Abducted From Campus, Sexually Assaulted By Armed Man, Police Say

A Union County man is facing a slew of charges after kidnapping a woman, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Akram Elsayed, 28, of Roselle, has been arrested after an investigation found that he’d kidnapped a woman and handcuffed her to the door of a car, police said.

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