Should casinos be exempt from smoking restrictions?

Quote: Venthus

while she hates smoking, it's a standard part of casino culture

Well, Yes.

Quote: Venthus

and eliminating it entirely would be damaging to the industry.

No, not sure about that. If only we could force a large state to try that experiment. Oh yeah, Ohio did. The casinos (4) and Racinos (I've lost count) are doing OK.

Quote: venthus

While she'd prefer it if they were non-smoking, the reality of the situation makes it such that it's not really feasible. The ideal solution would be an equitable nonsmoking area (that's actually well designed to prevent airflow) and good air scrubbers.

OR Conversely, an equitable SMOKING area, outside, with walls but just enough that it is still outside, with a roof, and with heaters in the Cool months. In fact, sitting outside on a patio and gambling is kindof a cool concept. This is in use in the Buckeye state. I'm not sure if or how they are air conditioned in the summer months.

ps:

I would trade the non-smoking in Ohio for the good Blackjack rules in PA. Deal ?

Quote:

At one point, the younger Mr Einstein recalled, his grandfather resorted to collecting cigarette butts from the streets to circumvent his doctor's effort to stop him from smoking.

Couldn't resist throwing this tidbit in, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/1502358/Einstein-eccentric-genius-smoked-butts-picked-up-off-street.html .

If you want to keep out the Einsteins, then don't allow smoking?

Thanks to everyone for the great discussion. The column resulting from my question about smoking in casinos is now online: Smoking comments

Good article. Also good to see some coverage on the "gaming" industry in general.

I don't see machine payout factoids for Ohio, like the one I saw at the Trib website:

"Statewide slot payout rate since July 1: 89.93 percent; for every $100 bet, machines' average return is $89.93"

That doesn't mean that the figures aren't available somewhere. I just don't see them in the news in the Buckeye state.

Quote: JohnnyQ

Good article. Also good to see some coverage on the "gaming" industry in general.

I don't see machine payout factoids for Ohio, like the one I saw at the Trib website:

"Statewide slot payout rate since July 1: 89.93 percent; for every $100 bet, machines' average return is $89.93"

That doesn't mean that the figures aren't available somewhere. I just don't see them in the news in the Buckeye state.

Ohio casino revenues:

http://casinocontrol.ohio.gov/Compliance/MonthlyCasinoRevenueReports.aspx

Ohio racino revenues:

https://www.ohiolottery.com/About/Financial/VLT-Revenue