Casino Smoking Bans Loom for Two States

Publication Date: 2005-03-29

• Author:Jui Chakravorty
• Publication:Reuters

Smoking bans being considered in New Jersey and Colorado would hurt revenue at casinos, analysts and industry lobbyists say.

Legislatures in both states are weighing bills that would ban smoking in public areas.

"We believe the outcome of the bill could have a considerable impact on Atlantic City casinos," Deutsche Bank analyst Marc Falcone said, adding that an estimated one-third of casino clients are smokers.

The Casino Association of New Jersey, which represents all the major casinos in Atlantic City, opposes including casinos in the statewide ban.