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Tattersall Blames Smoking Ban for Downturn

AUSTRALIA – As reported by the (Australia) Age: "Gaming giant Tattersall's has blamed a $1.3 billion (US$936.13 million) revenue downturn on the Victorian Government's smoking bans and other regulations.

"Tattersall's turnover last financial year dropped from $14.6 billion to $13.3 billion, according to its annual report tabled in Victorian Parliament yesterday.

"The fall prompted Tattersall's chairman, Raymond Hornsby, to comment in the report that `the industry is at the crossroads'. A `tough regulatory environment', particularly a ban on smoking in gaming venues since September last year, had led to the downturn, he said.

"…Australian Hotels Association chief executive Alan Giles said the smoking ban was cutting deep into the margins of gaming venue operators.

"…A spokesman for Gaming Minister John Pandazopoulos said the bans were a health measure, but if they helped reduce problem gambling they were a double bonus…"

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