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Masachusetts Casino Smoking Bill Cripples Revenue Effort
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS --
After months of vigorous debate over the need for revenue from casino gambling, Massachusetts lawmakers are poised to acrifice a sizeable chunk of that money before gaming even begins. The state Senate voted this week to ban smoking in casinos by a margin of 24-15.
Senate leaders had fought to have a quarter of gaming floors allowed to host smoking, but an amendment barring smoking from the entire casino establishment was the approved measure when the vote was taken.
Other states have found gambling revenue has dropped by twenty percent or more when smoking bans go into effect. Massachusetts casinos would be competing with Connecticut tribal casinos which still permit smoking, and are already well-established in consumer's thoughts.
“Only in Massachusetts would we have a casino bill and try to build a politically correct casino,’’ said Richard R. Tisei, the Senate Republican leader. “Have any of you people ever been to a casino, and understand what it takes for a casino to be successful and to draw people in?’’
Estimates are that the state will lose as much as $94 million annually by denying the casinos the right to determine its own policy, and individuals the right to choose whether to smoke.
The Senate bill now must be reconciled with the House version. The Senate bil licenses three casinos, while the House allows two casinos,plus slots at certain racetrack racinos.
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