Even With Smoking Law, Dodge City Bars May Benefit From Gambling

An interesting dilemma for bar owners has arisen in Dodge City, Kansas late this past week. A new smoking ban will soon go in effect, and all bars and restaurants will have to go smoke-free, while the Boot Hill Casino is exempted from the law.

The bad news for the bar owners is that local residents will have the option of going to the casino should they feel the need to light up. The good news, however, is that the casino is bringing people into Dodge City that never would have come if not for the gambling.

While many bar owners think the trade off is unfair, Broken Spoke Steakhouse owner Cliff Bone believes the casino will do more good than harm. If that means an unfair law will keep customers coming, Bone is in favor of the trade.

"I think that for us in Dodge City, we may have a chance to build our businesses because the casino can be a draw to our community," said Bone, as reported by Eyewitness News 12, "I don't think the same thing can be said for towns that don't have a casino."

Lawmakers this past week made it illegal to smoke in any public place. Casinos, as is usually the case with these type bans, were excluded from the ban, and will be allowed to continue to offer smoking indoors.

Many employees at casinos have argued that their health is not protected with the exceptions, but the tax revenue is too great and the gaming lobbyists too strong for states to not give in. Atlantic City attempted to ban smoking in the casinos, but the casino owners quickly voiced their opinion, and the ban was put on hold.

In Kansas, four state-owned casinos were approved back in 2007. In the years since, developers have bailed out of agreements, leaving Boot Hill as the only casino currently open. The other three zones are either still looking for developers, or are in the construction process.

March 1, 2010
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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