Bingos Remain Mostly Forgotten in Smoking Debate

We're concerned that bingo halls may be left out of a potential House and Senate compromise on the smoking ban. The Detroit casinos remain the major sticking point, and it's our hope that bingos aren't simply used as a bargaining chip. The worst possible scenario for nonprofit bingo halls would be a statewide smoking ban that exempts their competitors, the casinos.


Below are some excerpts from the Ann Arbor Business Review:

Debate among Michigan's top legislators about how to resolve the impasse over a proposed statewide smoking ban roared to the forefront of the Mackinac Policy Conference this afternoon.

House Speaker Andy Dillon expressed optimism that the House could reach an agreement with the Senate on the smoking ban. Both chambers have passed slightly different versions of the bill.

"I think we're pretty close and I would assume that we can reach a compromise soon," Dillon said during a panel session at the Mackinac Policy Conference. "I don't see it being that big of an issue."

But concern persists among advocates of the smoking ban after the House this week approved a different version of the Senate's bill. The Senate approved a smoking ban without exceptions, but the House's bill would exempt casinos, horse racetracks, bingo halls and cigar bars.


For the complete story, please see Nathan Bomey, Michigan legislators indicate smoking ban may move forward, Ann Arbor Business Review via Mlive, May 29, 2008.