The addition of a nonsmoking slot machine area at the downtown Plaza Hotel & Casino nearly 18 months ago seemed like an afterthought.

One of four components added to the resort’s closed porte cochère driveway, which was permanently closed to vehicle traffic along Main Street, was the smoke-free gaming space. The space has fewer than 100 slot machines, is endorsed by popular slot machine influencer Brian Christopher and has proven successful.

“We found there is a customer market for having this option,” Plaza CEO Jonathan Jossel said in a phone interview Monday.