Nevada May Broaden Smoking Law to Protect Gambling Revenue

Restaurants and bars that have seen a decided decline in slot machine take after losing smoking customers to casino floors would regain smoking privileges, as long as patrons under 21 are barred.

While many states increase their policies of telling free citizens what they cannot do in private establishments, Nevada has taken the refreshing position of responding to dropping gambling revenues by thinking of allowing greater smoking liberties. Restaurants and bars that have seen a decided decline in slot machine take after losing smoking customers to casino floors would regain smoking privileges, as long as patrons under 21 are barred.

A state law went into effect in 2007 which bans smoking in any place where food is served. But hundreds of small saloons and bars carry slot machines and video poker games, and the income on these gambling devices is dropping.

“Our members’ gaming revenues are off 20 to 30 percent since the ban, and that’s before the recession,” said the president of the Nevada Tavern Owners Association, Geno Hill.

Hill thinks players have deserted the local watering holes for the casinos, where smoking on gaming floors is a fiercely-guarded privilege. He saluted the new proposal as helping to even a playing field and keeping many of his association members in business.

The state Senate passed the liberalization of the smoking ban 16-5, sending the measure to the state Assembly for debate.