Harrah's Criticizes Smoking Ban

MISSOURI – As reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "After keeping a poker face for the better part of six months, Harrah's Casino is stepping up its criticism of St. Louis County's proposed indoor smoking ban.

"In a release fired off hours after the ban was first introduced to the County Council Tuesday night, casino officials said the measure would cost them, and the county, untold amounts of money.

"'We believe jobs, along with customers, revenues and tax dollars could be lost to adjacent counties and cities if this measure is enacted,' said Fred Stuckel, a Harrah's spokesman.

"…The plan would allow the casino to designate 50 percent of its gaming area for smoking. But, according to Stuckel, the casino would not be allowed to serve food in the smoking area. Stuckel said this limitation would chase smoking customers across the county line into St. Charles County, St. Louis and Illinois.

"…Jan Jones, a spokeswoman for Harrah's, said the company would rather see the entire gaming floor be made smoke-free and the restaurants maintain smoking areas…"