Kansas casinos to be exempted from smoking ban causes uproar

In 2007, the citizens of Kansas voted for the approval of four casinos in their state. Although only one has operated since, a new policy is being passed that causes uproar against the casinos.

There are two proposals currently being discussed among Kansas lawmakers. Both proposals refer to a smoking ban that would be implemented in restaurants, bars, and other public venues, but not on casinos.

Unlike most states, the four casinos that have already been approved by the public will all be run by the state. If the current proposals are going to be approved, private businesses are expected to cry afoul.

Private business owners see the proposals as unfair. However, in some other states, smoking ban exemption in casinos, where they are state-controlled or not, is customary.

One similar situation happened in Atlantic City when the smoking ban was implemented in the city’s casinos. The global recession, however, affected the owners’ revenue causing them to protest against the ban. The city government lifted the ban for the duration of the recession.

Despite Kansas voters agreed to have four casinos in their state, only the casino in Dodge City is in operation. Other casino developers backed out of the contract during the height of the financial crisis.