n/s N.O.

[notes1]

it appears that CET, NEW ORLEANS , has gone to smoke free. i DO NOT want to start a debate on the evils of smoking, over eating, too much booze, excessive gambling, drug use and so on.   i also heard that since this new policy went into effect, busiess in NO has dropped off considerably. the smokers are going to biloxi.  it will be interesting to see how the casinos react. will NO make their machines more competitive, in an effort to retain or draw players? or, will they increase the hold to make up for lost revenue. will biloxi, with the additional business,  just consider it a windfall and keep things the same or will they improve their payouts to keep the new players?   i do believe that pre-recession, AC had a law about to take force, tha would also make their casinos smoke free. when the business dropped off so much, that law was voided.

[alpax]

Never knew about that. Thanks for sharing! Harrahs NO is the go to place to earn diamond and 7* status.

[Vman96]

Wow, New Orleans going non smoking is amazing to me. Local Ordinance? State Law? Management being stupid??

[notes1]

Wow, New Orleans going non smoking is amazing to me. Local Ordinance? State Law? Management being stupid??
  i do not know the answer to you question, but i believe the decision was not that of the casino.

[Vman96]

[QUOTE=Vman96]Wow, New Orleans going non smoking is amazing to me. Local Ordinance? State Law? Management being stupid??
  i do not know the answer to you question, but i believe the decision was not that of the casino.[/QUOTE]

You're right. Local ordinance (look at the link description...lol).

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/ ... ew_or.html

Illinois casinos have suffered since they were forced to go non-smoking. Ohio casinos have added partially outdoor gaming areas so you can smoke...

[notes1]

the numbers have started to come in. first 9 days, casino revenue down 15%. first full month since smoking ban, revenue down 16%, compared to last year. and, business has increased in biloxi.  estimates are loss to LA government coffers of about $100m annual.   so, the casino has less money and the government gets less money. got to be a reaction. possible the casino lowers the payouts to make up the difference. layoffs/firings likely. possible that politicans re-think their decision or need to raise taxes on something else.   

[ko king]

the numbers have started to come in. first 9 days, casino revenue down 15%. first full month since smoking ban, revenue down 16%, compared to last year. and, business has increased in biloxi.  estimates are loss to LA government coffers of about $100m annual.   so, the casino has less money and the government gets less money. got to be a reaction. possible the casino lowers the payouts to make up the difference. layoffs/firings likely. possible that politicans re-think their decision or need to raise taxes on something else.   


"lowers the payouts"

I don't know how much lower they can get in NO. I've been there 3 times and best I can remember Harrah's has the only show in town, if business is down it has to be directly attributed to the smoking ban. Smoking is just one bad habit a person can have, I consider alcohol and gambling to be pretty bad habits also, both of which can effect others not involved in negative ways. If the politicians really care maybe they should ban drinking and gambling also.

[notes1]

 
"lowers the payouts"

I don't know how much lower they can get in NO. I've been there 3 times and best I can remember Harrah's has the only show in town, if business is down it has to be directly attributed to the smoking ban. Smoking is just one bad habit a person can have, I consider alcohol and gambling to be pretty bad habits also, both of which can effect others not involved in negative ways. If the politicians really care maybe they should ban drinking and gambling also.
  i am not predicting lower payouts or employment cuts, but a business cannot keep losing a big portion of their revenue without doing something. some folks just do not seem to understand that a casino is just like any other business, they have fixed expenses that need to be paid. unlike the government, they cannot simply 'print' more money or decide not to abide by the law. every regulation, law, burden that one imposes upon them has to be paid for. and, they are there to make a profit, if not, why put all the effort in.  

[spxChrome]

I was just there last weekend and its all smoke free couldn't believe it. They fought it at first but once they lost now they embrace it with "The souths best smoke free casino" Like it was their idea.

The play to me was not much different played about 15k hands over 3 days. Got deal 1 400 (3333) couldn't draw the kicker the rest were garbage quads.

As for the smoking I do smoke but honestly did not miss it like I thought I would. They added some VP machines to the back of the casino and a new bar so the door is just a few steps away and they let you take your drinks in and out.

[Vman96]

I'm sure Harrah's is lobbying for an exception. 16% is a significant cut. Not too surprised though.