Smoking Ban Lifted at Casinos to Increase Gaming Revenues

Smokers have another year to puff away at gambling tables in Atlantic City after casinos convinced local officials that a ban on lighting up would devastate revenue that has been dropping as consumers spend less.

The seaside gambling resort's city council voted 5-4 this week to lift a smoking ban that only became effective Oct. 15. The move will give casinos more time to recover from the U.S. economic crisis, supportive council members said.

"I'm trying to protect people's jobs here as well as their health," said Councilman John Schultz, who voted to suspend the new regulations. "Gaming is about smoking, drinking and gambling. It all goes together. It's all sin."

For the complete story, please see Smokers can light up again in Atlantic City casinos, Bloomberg News via inRich.com, October 30, 2008.