Casinos Ponder Smoking Ban Vs. Economy For Revenue Decreases

Indoor smoking laws are becoming the norm in states around the country. Legalizing casino gambling is also on the rise. With the economy slowing, casino operators are left to wonder whether it is the economy or the smoking bans that are affecting business.

The economy in the United States is putting many companies in financial difficulty. The ones that are surviving, are hanging on and cutting jobs by the day. Casinos around the country have been hurt by the economy.

Many of these casinos are also dealing with new smoking laws that have been put in effect by local and state governments. The smoking ban has hurt business in these casinos.

The difficult task for many of these casino owners is trying to decide whether it is the economy, or the smoking bans that are hurting business. The challenge has been stressful for those in charge of running these casinos.

"We've had an impact from the smoking ban, but we know it's not just the smoking......And people have been talking about the recession," said Heather Leigh, a spokeswoman from Black Hawk's Ameristar Casino.

Gas prices in the country are also hurting casinos. Many casinos are one of only a few in their states, so people have to travel to get to the casinos. While smoking may have effected these casino negatively, they are still getting customers from people who now visit the casinos because there is no smoking.

The economy is a different issue, one with much more impact on casinos. With people losing their jobs, the money is just not available to continue gambling.

April 21, 2008
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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