MGM Cotai still waiting for smoking lounge approvals

Those hoping for their nicotine fix at MGM Cotai casino resort are going to have to wait a little longer. Macau’s Health Bureau announced on April 2 that MGM China Holdings Ltd., the operator of the resort, is still waiting for approval for upgraded smoking lounges, reports GGRAsia.

The bureau has not responded to requests for comment as to why MGM Cotai is still waiting for approval. They haven’t held back for other requests, approving 588 of them for 35 other casinos.

The smoking lounges are located near the gaming areas of the resorts to serve patrons who wish to smoke. Without them, the operators are forced to ask customers to leave the building for a drag, possibly losing a customer. Not having an upgraded smoking lounge puts MGM Cotai uniquely at risk of losing their customers to the competition.

Before December 31, 2018, VIP rooms were the only locations gamblers could smoke inside a casino’s premises. Since then, new smoking laws force casinos to request approval for their lounges, a rule that had a grace period during 2018, but is now fully in effect.