You're planning a trip to Michigan City and want to hit the tables, but you can't stand the smell of stale cigarettes clinging to your clothes. Or maybe you have allergies, or you're just done with coming home from a night out smelling like an ashtray. You've heard of Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa, but the big question hanging over your plans is a simple one: is Blue Chip Casino smoke free? Let's clear the air, literally.
The Short Answer on Smoking at Blue Chip
No, Blue Chip Casino is not a completely smoke-free property. Smoking is permitted in designated areas on the gaming floor. However, it's not the cloud-filled cavern you might be picturing from decades past. The casino has made significant efforts to balance the preferences of smoking and non-smoking guests through ventilation, designated zones, and smoke-free alternatives. The hotel tower, including all guest rooms and suites, is entirely non-smoking. If you book a stay, you won't find any smoking rooms.
What the Gaming Floor is Really Like
Walking onto the main casino floor, you'll notice it's divided. Specific sections are marked for smoking, while others are dedicated as non-smoking areas. The slot machine zones are where this separation is most apparent. You can choose to play in a non-smoking slot area, which is actively enforced. The table games pit, however, is more of a mixed environment due to its open layout. The air filtration system runs constantly, and many players report that the air quality is noticeably better than at older, poorly ventilated casinos. It's not pristine mountain air, but it's a far cry from the choking haze that used to define casino floors.
Your Best Bets for a Smoke-Free Experience
If avoiding smoke is your top priority, you can still have a great time at Blue Chip. First, head straight for the designated non-smoking slot areas. These are clearly marked and offer a full selection of machines. Second, consider visiting during off-peak hours, like weekday mornings or afternoons, when there are fewer people smoking overall. Third, the casino's several restaurants and bars, such as William B's Steakhouse and The Harvest Buffet, are all non-smoking environments where you can take a break. Finally, the spa, salon, and all meeting/event spaces are completely smoke-free.
Comparing to Other Indiana Casino Policies
Understanding Blue Chip's policy is easier when you see how it stacks up against nearby competitors. Indiana state law does not mandate smoke-free casinos, so policies vary. Horseshoe Hammond allows smoking on most of its gaming floor. French Lick Resort has a non-smoking casino area but is generally more permissive. The Four Winds properties in New Buffalo and South Bend have more restrictive smoking sections. Compared to the major players, Blue Chip falls in the middle—more smoke-free options than the pure riverboat models, but not as restrictive as some newer tribal properties. It's a compromise environment.
What If You Want to Smoke?
For players who do smoke, the policy is straightforward. You must smoke in the designated areas on the casino floor. You cannot smoke in non-gaming areas, the hotel, restaurants, or near entryways. The casino provides ample ashtrays and disposal units in these zones. It's important to respect the boundaries; staff will politely ask you to move if you light up outside a smoking section. This system keeps the majority of the property's square footage, especially where people eat, sleep, and relax, free from smoke.
The Future of Smoke-Free Gaming
The trend across the country is moving toward more smoke-free spaces. Public health pressure and changing customer preferences are driving the shift. While a full, permanent ban isn't on the immediate horizon for Blue Chip, it's plausible that non-smoking areas could expand in the future, especially if guest demand increases. For now, their hybrid model represents the current industry standard for land-based casinos in regions without a strict statewide ban. Players who desire a 100% smoke-free casino environment might need to look to online options like BetMGM Casino Michigan or DraftKings Casino for a truly clean-air experience from their own home.
Making Your Visit Work for You
Plan your visit with your comfort in mind. If you're highly sensitive, stay in the clearly marked non-smoking slots area, enjoy the non-smoking dining, and retreat to your clean hotel room. Use the player's club desk—they can often give you the most current layout of non-smoking sections. Remember, a Friday night at 10 PM will have a different atmosphere than a Tuesday at 2 PM. By knowing the policy upfront and strategizing, you can enjoy the slots, table games, and entertainment at Blue Chip without letting the smoke question ruin your trip.
FAQ
Can you smoke in Blue Chip Casino hotel rooms?
No. All guest rooms and suites in the Blue Chip Hotel Tower are strictly non-smoking. If you smoke in a room, you will be charged a significant cleaning fee, typically around $250.
Are there any completely non-smoking casinos in Indiana?
As of now, there are no large, land-based casinos in Indiana that are 100% smoke-free throughout the entire gaming floor. Some, like Four Winds, have larger non-smoking sections, but all permit smoking in designated areas due to state law.
Does Blue Chip Casino have a non-smoking slot area?
Yes, Blue Chip has specifically designated non-smoking slot machine areas. These sections are physically separated and are enforced as smoke-free. Look for signage or ask a slot attendant to direct you.
Is the Blue Chip Casino poker room smoke-free?
The poker room is located within the main gaming floor. While it is not a sealed-off, dedicated non-smoking room, it generally benefits from the casino's air filtration. However, because it's adjacent to smoking-permitted areas, it may not be entirely free of smoke odor.
What's the fine for smoking in a non-smoking area at Blue Chip?
The casino does not publicly state a specific monetary fine for guests. Instead, security or staff will approach you and politely but firmly ask you to extinguish your cigarette or move to a designated smoking area. Repeated refusal could lead to being asked to leave the property.