Casino Smoking Patrons Facing Attack in Connecticut
Advocates of extending smoking bans to include casinos and gambling venues are targeting Native American casinos in Connecticut, arguing that only greed for money motivates the opponents. But money is key in the state smoking issue, as it not only keeps the casinos profitable, employing thousands and paying a hefty sum to state revenues, but indicating the preference of consumers.
Those for the smoking ban do not seem to have regard for law or economics. Federal law prevents the state from imposing the ban on Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, as they are in areas of tribal sovereignty.
But the chairwoman of Smoke-Free Gaming, Stephanie Steinberg, told TheDay.com, "We call it the 'shield of sovereignty.' It's really about the money. It's always about the money."
Actually, to tribal leaders, it's first about sovereignty. After decades of having government officials on all levels dishonor compacts and treaties, Native Americans are not about to let smoking fanatics tread on their rights.
Lori Potter, spokesman for the Pequot Tribe, said the tribe was in negotiations with the governor's office. Mohegan leaders already struck a deal with ex-Governor Rell to set aside a portion of the gaming floor for non-smoking. Both have mostly gone to smoke-free restaurants and bars.
But economics does matter, as well. Bill Eadington of the University of Nevada-Reno says, "They've (smoking bans) had a pretty dramatic effect on revenues wherever they've been imposed. It's about a 15 percent decline (in revenues) the first year and an additional 5 percent the second year. It's all fairly new data, but it's been consistent, globally.”
The difference can be the balance between healthy operating and fiscal trouble. And the drop happens because consumers use the free market system to register their desires and preferences, which clearly lean to smoking for casinos.
