Air Curtains to Protect Dealers at Aria

Aria and CityCenter haven’t opened yet, but the casino is taking measures to protects it’s dealers against smokers.  Aria blackjack tables will be equipped with an “air curtain.”  An air curtain is, essentially, air shooting straight up from the table and will block most second hand smoke from the dealer.

That’s the next-to-best thing Aria could do to protect dealers’ health, aside from not allowing smoking in the casino, said Cindy Ortega, senior vice president of energy and environmental services for MGM Mirage, an owner of CityCenter.

“I can take three matches, light up the matches, blow them out, and I put the match right there and the smoke goes right straight up,” she said. “The air curtain is there to protect the dealer from the smoke. Now, it’s not 100 percent (as good) as a nonsmoker, but I think we’ve taken such giant leaps. I think it’s really great.”

Second hand smoke has long been an issue for dealers, so it’s nice to see MGM-Mirage being proactive.  I only wish that I could have an air wall around me so I didn’t stink of smoke after every night I’m in Las Vegas.  I hate the smell and now travel with fabreeze.

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Las Vegas Writer, Marketer, Consultant. I love Vegas and everything about it. When in Vegas do 3 things: eat, drink & gamble.

3 Comments

  1. Huh. Wow. Never heard of these, but I like the idea of using them more widely. How about protecting bartenders with them too? Or providing them at every seat in the casino so you can flip a switch and be surrounded by an air curtain so you don’t smell the smoke from the person next to you? Imagine the possibilities….

  2. admin

    I love the idea. If this works for Aria blackjack tables, I can see it going elsewhere. I’m guessing that this is pricey right now so I think it will start at upscale places. Like you alluded too…the possibilities are endless! 🙂

  3. jmp14

    how strong is the air? at various points in the game, cards, chips and currency are all going to be crossing the ‘threshold’.

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