Casino Choice UK News Archive
Smoking Ban in Atlantic City could cost $80 Million
The research, which was conducted by one of the world’s most reputable accounting and consulting firms Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC), was sponsored by the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, among others.
The loss in revenue would mean New Jersey’s seniors and disabled citizens would be deprived of $80 million in the first two years of the ban. Casino bosses warned that with the state already carrying a $5 billion defecit it could be a heavy loss.
In order to make their predictions PwC analysed the effect of the smoking ban in Delaware, where in the two years since a smoking ban was introduced the gaming market suffered revenues reduced by 20 per cent.
Audrey Oswell, President of the Casino Association of New Jersey warned that: “A ban on smoking will not deter people who enjoy casino entertainment from smoking - rather it will give them a reason to choose to play in a casino in a neighbouring state.”
He acknowledged the difficulty f the issue, but said that if the ban was passed it would cost the state millions of dollars and lost jobs. “Customers smoke of their own free will. It is their choice,” he added.
The loss in revenue would mean New Jersey’s seniors and disabled citizens would be deprived of $80 million in the first two years of the ban. Casino bosses warned that with the state already carrying a $5 billion defecit it could be a heavy loss.
In order to make their predictions PwC analysed the effect of the smoking ban in Delaware, where in the two years since a smoking ban was introduced the gaming market suffered revenues reduced by 20 per cent.
Audrey Oswell, President of the Casino Association of New Jersey warned that: “A ban on smoking will not deter people who enjoy casino entertainment from smoking - rather it will give them a reason to choose to play in a casino in a neighbouring state.”
He acknowledged the difficulty f the issue, but said that if the ban was passed it would cost the state millions of dollars and lost jobs. “Customers smoke of their own free will. It is their choice,” he added.
Submitted: 2005/11/18 at 12:35:32
