Summary:
- Bally’s operates 15 casinos in ten states.
- Trinity Health holds a 0.001% share of the company.
- The goal is to stop the casino from allowing smoking inside its venues.
Smoking has become a hot topic of debate in casinos across the United States. While many already have some ban on the activity, there are still areas like Atlantic City where casinos allow smoking to take place.
In Michigan, a nonprofit hospital network has plans to use its shareholder status of the Bally’s Corporation to try and stop smoking from within the brand’s gaming venues.
Trinity Health has added an item on the upcoming May 16 virtual annual meeting to discuss a possible ban. During the meeting, the group wants to present the potential financial benefits to the Board of Directors.
Details of the Request
Bally’s Corporation has 15 casinos located across 10 states, with over 40 million shares issued. Trinity Health holds 440 shares, which is about a 0.001% section of the company. The nonprofit wants to use its status to try and push public health initiatives within the casino venues. The group has fought for decades to improve the health of the public, including food and nutrition, removing smoking from television and films, and reducing gun violence.
Cathy Rowan, the director of socially responsible investments for Trinity, stated that the issue is important for the group as they promote health and wellness. They have heard about the working conditions for casino employees and find it concerning.
The proposal would set a six-month deadline for the board to provide a report on the impact of going smoke-free. It is being filed in conjunction with the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, which is also working for non-smoking in Atlantic City casinos.
Bally’s Not on Board
So far, the eight-member Board of Directors for Bally’s is unanimously in agreement that the shareholders vote against the health measure. It is being called ‘unreasonable and unwarranted’ According to Diane Spiers, a corporate spokesperson, the company is committed to providing first-class entertainment experiences for smoking and non-smoking visitors.
For Rowan, she is not surprised by the stance of Bally’s but has pointed out that Trinity Health has been successful in the past regarding shareholder action. Trinity Health feels that even if the proposal does not move forward, it is a win to have it considered and put it in the minds of people moving forward. The proposal will be up for consideration in Las Vegas on May 9 during another shareholder meeting.
It will be interesting to see if the proposal is voted on or shot down before it is even considered. Smoking is a touchy subject and one that most casinos do not want to deal with.
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