Story Created:
May 9, 2008 at 4:16 PM EST
Story Updated:
May 9, 2008 at 5:38 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Betty Gilbert says a proposed ban on smoking that would extend to the city's casinos would keep her away, just like Atlantic City's tough new smoking law will prompt her to cut back on gambling in her home state of New Jersey.
Gilbert, smoking a cigarette Friday with members of her bowling team on a sidewalk near downtown's Greektown Casino, predicts that a ban on smoking in Michigan's bars, restaurants and workplaces would hurt casino business.
"If they cut out the smoking, they should also cut out the drinking," quipped the 69-year-old from Cape May County. She usually gambles every week in Atlantic City, and expects to visit less frequently once that city's smoking law takes effect.
But 37-year-old Yolanda Horne, who says she currently stays away from Detroit's casinos because the smoke inside is too much for her asthma, says she would reconsider if the casinos go smoke-free.
"I think it's excellent," Horne, of Detroit, said of the anti-smoking legislation that was approved Thursday by the state Senate.
If it becomes law, industry observers say the ban could hurt Detroit's three casinos. Smokers could decide to pass on the trip downtown to gamble, and American Indian casinos that wouldn't be effected by the ban might be more attractive to gamblers.
"There is an impact," said casino analyst Jake Miklojcik, president of Michigan Consultants.
The possible extent, he noted, is unclear. Miklojcik said someone who lives in Detroit might not make the 150-mile drive to Mount Pleasant to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian tribe's Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort just to smoke. But he said gamblers who live a little closer in Detroit's northern suburbs might be swayed.
James Nye, spokesman for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake tribe, said Michigan's 18 tribal casinos are far enough away from Detroit that there wouldn't be any major impact on gambling revenues. The tribe has been working for a decade to develop a casino in Allegan County near Grand Rapids.
"The Michigan Legislature would not have the jurisdiction to ban smoking on tribal lands, including Indian gaming facilities," Nye said.
MotorCity Casino spokeswoman Jacci Woods said similar smoking bans in other states have had negative impacts on casino business.
"We're not in favor of the smoking ban," Woods said. "We are very concerned it will create an unlevel playing field in regard to the tribal casinos."
MGM Grand Detroit said no one was available Friday to comment on the proposal. A telephone message seeking comment was left Friday with a Greektown Casino spokesman.
Across the Detroit River at Casino Windsor, which is being re-branded as Caesars Windsor, Ontario's 2006 smoking ban has been blamed in part for job cuts. A ban in Michigan could put Windsor's casino back on similar footing as Detroit's casinos.
"In any competitive market, it's always advantageous to have more of a level playing field, and it looks like this is what the legislation will do," Holly Ward, spokeswoman for the Windsor casino.
The anti-smoking bill goes back to the House, which has been waiting since December for the Senate to act. The House could send the bill as early as next week to Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who backs the smoking prohibition.
More than 30 states outlaw smoking in public or work places, according to supporters. Some bans don't apply to restaurants and bars, though, while others make exceptions for casinos and other buildings.
In Atlantic City, a law passed by the City Council prohibits smoking on the casino floor as of Oct. 15 and gives casinos the option to build enclosed, ventilated smoking lounges away from table games and slot machines.
The Michigan bill that passed the House five months ago would have exempted casinos, bingo halls, horse tracks, cigar bars and smoke shops from the ban. The Senate stripped those provisions in favor of banning smoking in all workplaces.
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Associated Press Writer David Eggert in Lansing contributed to this report.