[upinottawa]

As found on the globeandmail.com. Interesting note: this article comes from the American wire (Associated Press) rather than the Canadian Press (the story is even listed as being from Detroit).

The new provincial smoking law should have made some exceptions for the provincially owned casinos. I mean, the province could have mandated extensive upgrades to ventilation systems, because the money to fund such systems would come from the province. Smoking and gambling are both addictive activities, will patrons who suffer from both afflications stop one to partake in another?

Could Casino Windsor provide nicorette or the patch to customers free of charge?

Windsor fears tourism disaster from smoking ban

Associated Press

Detroit — Windsor gambling operators say they fear Ontario's new ban on indoor smoking will drive away Americans who are crucial to the economy of the border city.

The law takes effect May 31 and will ban smoking in all public facilities, such as bingo halls, bars, restaurants, sporting venues, stores and office buildings, and including Casino Windsor.

Fines for businesses violating the law will be up to $10,000, while individuals face fines of $87 to $600.

“We expect to be devastated by this smoking ban,” said Mike Duval, who opened Paradise Bingo 21 years ago in what used to be a bowling alley. “At least 70 to 80 per cent of our customers are smokers. If the players can't have a cigarette while they play, they just won't come any more.”

The smoking ban adds to the challenges facing Windsor businesses because of the rising value of the Canadian dollar and tighter border controls.

Mr. Duval said about half his customers cross the border from metropolitan Detroit. Some visit two or more times a week, and Mr. Duval said many have told him they will not come if they cannot smoke.

The ban could help the three casinos across the Detroit River in Detroit.

“We do anticipate a positive effect on our business,” said Roger Martin, spokesman for Greektown Casino in Detroit. “Like always, we welcome all guests to our casino.”

To keep his smoking customers, Mr. Duval said he is building two outside smoking patios at Paradise Bingo. He said he will offer free wireless Personal Bingo Verifiers that pick up the numbers and mark players' bingo cards.

Casino Windsor also is building two outside patio areas, which will be heated in cold weather.

“We fully expect in the short run there will be an impact in our revenues,” said Teresa Roncon, spokeswoman for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., the government agency that owns Casino Windsor. “We just can't speculate on the impact.”