Colorado Casinos Reject Un-American Smoking Ban

So, too, casinos represent freedom of choice, and the ability to make personal decisions without the infringement of government.

Some Colorado casinos are defying state law by providing smoking areas for their customers. Citing a dubious loophole concerning "cigar bars", the Cripple Creek casinos are now four in number as the Gold Rush Casino moved to create a smoking are.

The Gold Rush joined the ranks of Double Eagle, Midnight Rose, and Bronco Billy's casinos in refusing to turn their venues into smoke-free areas. Although state law requires that cigar bars do predominantly alcohol sales and are grandfathered in before the enactment of the smoking ban, the casinos use the rationale to give the service desired by their patrons.

The casinos are happy to pay daily fines for violations, as they currently remain minuscule in comparison to the business allowing smoking attracts. Each two-hundred dollar fine could be viewed as a license to disregard a ridiculous law.

Obviously, if smoking were not a key determinant of business, casinos would not protest so much. Clearly, a substantial segment of the population is being deprived of individual choice by well-intended fascists, set to order the behavior of others.

Casinos may seem not to be the shining beacon people expect to represent the American Way; yet it often falls that way in history, in which an unexpected and seedy source forces the country to remember upon what it is based. After all, this is the country that needed Larry Flynt to teach it about free speech.

So, too, casinos represent freedom of choice, and the ability to make personal decisions without the infringement of government. Gambling is certainly one such choice; smoking is another.