Home

The brick and mortar gambling industry apparently requires a very delicate balance for success.  It has long been known that slot machines are the real work horse at any casino.  Slot machines undeniably bring in more revenue than any other game typically found on the gaming floor.

However, it appears that smoking may be just as import to casinos as slot machines.  Casinos and slots parlors have caused government to rethink and repeal smoking bans because of its affect on the gambling industry.

Nevada is currently compromising on the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act.  The act barred smoking in public places that either served food or had children present.  A new bill would allow smoking in places that served food so long as no minors are allowed.  This is to help state bars and taverns who have lost 20 to 30 of their revenue from poker slot machines since the ban.

Although Nevada is the only state known to consider a statewide revision of a smoking ban, there are several cities that have altered smoking laws based on gambling revenues.  Over the past ten years individual cities like Friendship Heights, Maryland and both Urbana and Chapman Illinois have repealed smoking bans. 

Even Atlantic City, another town that is intricately tied to the revenue from their slot machines, enacted a smoking ban in casinos last year.  After business seemed to decrease almost immediately by 10 to 20 percent the law was suspended for a year.  However, New Jersey is considering a statewide law that bans smoking in casinos.

Casino News