Canadian casino gaming influencer Brian Christopher is unveiling the findings of what he claims is the most extensive research study on smoke-free casinos. He will discuss the survey at G2E in Las Vegas on Wednesday, as revealed in an exclusive interview with Casino.org. 

Christopher, the CEO of BCSlots, is a prominent social media influencer in the realm of slots and casinos globally. 

Christopher to Lead G2E Panel Discussion 

The research, carried out for Christopher and the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF), revealed that a large majority (86%) of casino visitors favor playing at smoke-free establishments. The survey also showed that 86% of casino visitors are nonsmokers, including 87% of regular players (who play several times each month) and 89% of high-income players (those earning over $150K) identifying as nonsmokers. 

During an interview with Casino.org at G2E, Christopher mentioned that some aspects of the survey caught him off guard.

"I never would have thought the number of patrons with health conditions that stop them from going to smoking casinos would be as high as 34%,” he said. “Imagine the business [casinos] would get just by removing smoking. Also, that more higher-income people prefer smoke-free casinos than lower income. Casinos often argue their higher-limit players smoke, but our survey says the opposite.”

Christopher will be leading a panel discussion on the subject at 2 p.m. Wednesday at The Venetian Convention Center. Cynthia Hallett, ANRF president and CEO, Tashina Williams, senior content marketing manager at Potawatomi Casino Hotel Milwaukee, and Bryan Hayes, senior vice president of gaming operations for Foxwoods Resort Casino, will also participate. 

One of the Top Casino Social Media Influencers in the World 

The topic of smoke-free casinos is very important to Christopher. His YouTube channel, Brian Christopher’s Slots, features a fan base via brands like BCSlots.com, the BCSlots YouTube channel, FlipTheSwitch.com, BCSlots Cruises, and Rudies Fan Club. 

Their social media platforms attract eight million distinct viewers each month, boast 1.8 million subscribers, and recently established a new record in casino gaming with 1 billion video views. 

In 2023, Brian Christopher Slots received the titles of Streamer of the Year and Slot Collaboration of the Year at the CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards hosted by SBC.

"I’m just not sure why it’s not a passion for everyone,” he told Casino.org. “It was not a financial decision for us to only promote smoke-free properties – it was for my team’s health who were all getting congested and sick after trips. And yet, we have become more in demand and more profitable ever since.”

Christopher expressed his desire for every company to prioritize the wellbeing of their employees and customers above everything, and to gather feedback from their guests to challenge any misconceptions. 

“Other countries have implemented smoke-free casinos, as have many states, and they’re all flourishing,” he said. “Bottom line, gamblers go to the casinos to gamble. Smokers aren’t going there to smoke, they can do that at home.”

Study of 2,136 Casino Visitors 

A statement from Christopher on Monday indicated that 91% of casino employees are nonsmokers, and 95% would rather work at a casino that ensures a smoke-free atmosphere. 

The internet-based survey occurred from December 2023 to January 2024, targeting 2,136 casino customers. 

Players who were surveyed indicated that a casino's smoke-free status is more important (61%) than cleanliness (49%), the distance to travel (41%), and the likelihood of payouts (31%). Ninety percent of those surveyed, including smokers, expressed that having safe indoor air is essential, with 97% of casino employees sharing this view. 

“Let’s not peg revenue challenges on smoking policies, and focus on actually improving casino properties so that all people (including staff) can enjoy them better,” Christopher said in the statement.