Bally’s Shareholders Vote Down Smoke-Free Policy Proposal

Bally’s Corporation recently held a brief virtual annual shareholder meeting where a proposal advocating for a smoke-free policy across all Bally’s properties, including those in Rhode Island, was turned down. This proposal, brought forth by Trinity Health and the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, aimed to conduct a comprehensive report on the financial implications of a potential smoke-free policy. By doing so, they emphasized the associated health risks and potential financial benefits such as reduced health insurance premiums and lower maintenance costs. These advocates highlighted that indoor smoking could be detrimental to not only the health of patrons and employees but also to the company’s financial health in the long run.

Cathy Rowan, director of socially responsible investments at Trinity Health, particularly stressed the disadvantages of allowing indoor smoking within Bally’s properties. She argued that there was a glaring lack of awareness among shareholders regarding the costs tied to maintaining the status quo of indoor smoking. Rowan further noted the absence of transparency concerning the social and environmental costs. Despite her arguments and reasoning, the majority of shareholders voted against the proposal, thereby maintaining the current policies on indoor smoking.