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Casino Smoking Battle Comes to Missouri Gambling Venues
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI --
Just as Missouri voters moved to allow substantial increase in state revenues from casinos by removing its loss limits law, the state's income is threatened by the rise of a movement to ban smoking in public places.
Missouri casinos had just received permission to move from a position of competitive disadvantage to the reverse. Eliminating the loss limit of $500 will stop the draw of neighboring states' casinos. Meanwhile, smoking bans in such states as Illinois are expected to push traffic across the border in the opposite direction.
But some Missouri lawmakers don't want the state to see that revenue advantage. Representative Jeannette Oxford is pushing for non-smoking laws, saying, "This isn’t about personal freedoms, it’s about public health."
Evidence has shown in Colorado, Illinois, and even a brief ban in Atlantic City that smoking bans result in double-digit drops in casino revenue. While Kansas City has a city law against smoking, it exempts casinos, and there is no current state law.
If smoking is forbidden at Missouri casinos, look for tribal casinos to benefit. Also, a smoking ban in Missouri may be enough to revive the excitement of potential Kansas casinos.
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