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Smoking Zealotry Costs West Virginia in Gambling Revenue
NITRO, WEST VIRGINIA --
Anti-smoking fanatics, intent on denying liberty to those who choose differently than they, have forced the Tri-State Racetrack and Casino in West Virginia to implement a complete smoking ban. As a result, casino gambling revenues are off by almost twenty percent, hurting state coffers at a time when the state budget is facing a severe deficit.
A state ban on smoking had allowed an exemption for bars and gambling venues, but laws in Kanawha County changed last July to withdraw the exception. Since then, gaming revenue at the track and casino has declined by eighteen percent, a number made more significant considering it includes a boost from the introduction of table games.
Rich Tesler, the executive director of Tri-State, says slot machine revenue will is projected to drop $11.3 million over the current fiscal year from last.
"If that's correct, the state will lose close to $6.2 million in tax dollars from slots because of the smoking ban," he said.
Track patrons interviewed by the Charleston Daily Mail expressed live-and-let-live philosophies.
We don't smoke in our own house," said Earl Propst of Clover, South Carolina. "But I think it's plain old stupid for Kanawha County to have something like this (a forced smoking ban)."
Other players said they stopped coming as frequently because they felt they were denied their right to choose to smoke by the law. Some questioned why the policy was placed by the county without a vote, and suggested popular opinion should rule.
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Recent Comments
| Posted by D Price on 09/21/2010 11:06:04 AM EST |
| We no longer go to Nitro gambling due to smoking ban. They use to have two separate floors for smoking and non. So, WV is losing revenue for no reason. |
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