A majority of Rhode Island voters support a smoking ban at the state’s two casinos, according to a new poll released by the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, adding momentum to an ongoing legislative push despite resistance from casino operators.
The survey, conducted by Fleming and Associates, polled 400 registered voters between Feb. 1 and Feb. 4 and found that nearly 70% of respondents backed a ban on indoor smoking at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton Casino and Hotel, compared with 26% who opposed it. The poll carries a 4.9% margin of error.
Support for the ban extended across political lines, with 78% of Democrats in favor, along with 57% of Republicans. Among non-union respondents, 70% supported the measure, slightly higher than the 60% of union members who favored a ban.
Surprisingly, even frequent casino visitors showed strong support for prohibiting smoking, with more than six in 10 respondents who had visited a Rhode Island casino in the past two years favoring the change.
“I was betting it would be 50-50 with regular attendees supporting the status quo,” said AFL-CIO President Pat Crowley. “What this shows is it’s not only good public policy for the state of Rhode Island, it’s a popular public policy even with people who attend the casinos.”
Rhode Island lawmakers have previously attempted to close the loophole that exempts casinos from the state’s indoor smoking ban, a move long supported by casino workers, public health advocates, and progressive lawmakers. However, Bally’s Corporation has opposed the measure, rejecting a May 2024 shareholder proposal to conduct a study on the impact of a smoke-free policy.
State Senators V. Susan Sosnowski and Teresa Tanzi, both South Kingstown Democrats, introduced companion bills in early February aimed at prohibiting smoking inside casinos. While House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi co-sponsored the bill—his first time backing such legislation—Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has remained noncommittal, saying he would await committee hearings.
The AFL-CIO poll also revealed public sentiment on several other key policy initiatives:
• Minimum wage increase: 70% of voters support a plan to gradually raise the minimum wage from $15 to $20 an hour by 2030.
• Assault weapons ban: Nearly two-thirds of respondents back a statewide ban on manufacturing and selling assault-style weapons.
• Offshore wind expansion: Almost 60% support increasing offshore wind power along Rhode Island’s coastline.
• Same-day voter registration: More than half of voters support allowing voter registration on Election Day, though over 40% remain opposed.
• Payday lending reform: Over 50% support capping payday loan interest rates, which can currently reach 260% under state law.
The poll found that 56% of voters had a favorable opinion of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, significantly higher than those with an unfavorable view. 80% of respondents agreed that unions are necessary to protect workers, while only 20% believed unions are no longer needed.
Public sentiment on the state’s direction remains divided. Nearly half of voters believe Rhode Island is on the wrong track, while only one-third say it is moving in the right direction. Another 23% were unsure.
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