CASINOS WANT THEIR SMOKES
The gambling industry is actively lobbying lawmakers to let
casino patrons keep smoking come Jan. 1, seeking to put such an
exemption into a possible casino expansion deal the Illinois
Senate could consider this week.
Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming
Association, predicted the state would see its annual casino tax
take drop 20 percent next year, or nearly $144 million, if
patrons can't smoke.
