Illinois casinos ask for smoke-free exemption

2007-09-24 15:30:16

The casino industry in Illinois has expressed concerns about the state's decision to go smoke-free.

Casinos have asked policy-makers to make them exempt from the smoking ban until a neighboring state also passes a smoking ban.

The casinos claim they will stand to lose millions of dollars if cigarette-toting gambles are deterred from going to Illinois.

In fact, Tom Swoik, director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, has said that more than two-thirds of casino-goers smoke.

"We'll do some things to help those who want to smoke still to allow them to come to the casino," he told the Aurora Beacon News.

Earlier this month, it was reported that at least five casinos in Atlantic City are making their gambling floors smoke-free areas in order to comply with new state laws.