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Smoking ban lift doesn't help AC

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey -- As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer: "Lifting Atlantic City's full casino smoking ban last month wasn't enough to lift the town's sagging fortunes.

"The seaside resort's 11 casinos reported $345.5 million in revenue for November, down 7.8 percent from the same month a year ago.

"Figures released by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission yesterday showed that Atlantic City's casinos won $228.4 million, or 66 percent of last month's revenue, from slot machines. The rest, $117.1 million, came from table games.

"...The dismal economy and intensified regional slots competition were among reasons cited by Atlantic City casino operators to lift a full smoking ban that was put into effect Oct. 15, which required patrons who smoke to do so in specially built lounges.

"Atlantic City operators argued they would lose further business to Pennsylvania casinos, which allow smoking. Atlantic City Council held a special session Oct. 27 and voted, 5-4, to delay the ban at least a year..."

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