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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

A shooting broke out after a high school football game in New Jersey Friday evening, leaving two minors injured.

The gunfire erupted around 7:45 p.m. in the parking lot at Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI), sources told CBS.

Two juveniles sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to a local hospital, the sources said.

A suspect was taken into custody.

The trio’s ages and the extent of the victims’ injuries were not immediately available.

The shooting broke out following a football game between PCTI and Lenape High School, a representative for the latter school told CBS.

“All Lenape High School (LHS) students and staff are safe and unharmed. We were informed there was gunfire, and two individuals needed medical attention at the conclusion of a football game tonight in Wayne, NJ.,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

“The suspect is in custody. No LHS students or staff were involved in the disturbance. Our thoughts are with the individuals harmed and the Passaic Technical Institute Community.”

PCTI officials did not respond to messages left by The Post.

Witnesses reported hearing up to half a dozen shots ring out during the frenzy.

Police have since blocked off the entrance to PCTI, photographs of the scene show.

The investigation is ongoing.

TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI) — Two deaths have been linked to the West Nile Virus in New Jersey, state health officials announced Friday.

The deaths were among six new reported cases. The people who died lived in Cumberland and Mercer counties.

All of the cases involved people over 50 years old.

Previously, two human cases of West Nile were reported this year in Middlesex and Union counties.

In a typical year, there are 13 human West Nile infections reported in New Jersey. Last year, the state had 14 human cases of WNV and one death.

This comes after the state’s first human case of Eastern Equine encephalitis (EEE).

The New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases and to reduce mosquito populations on their properties.

Follow these simple steps recommended to keep mosquitoes at bay

Most people infected with West Nile or EEE will have no symptoms. For those who do, symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, and joint pains. Rarely, people may develop severe neurological illness, which often presents as meningitis or encephalitis.

Symptoms of severe illness include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes/confusion, limb weakness, and fatigue.

Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to confirm West Nile and EEE, so anyone with symptoms after a mosquito bite should contact their health care provider.