Tavern owners in Iowa are upset as a statewide smoking ban has been set into place. The bans were placed in July and since then bar owners have seen a loss in revenue. To satisfy bar owners, Iowa Representative Brian Quirk has suggested that the state allow video keno machines to be placed in the bars. Quirk believes this will be a way for bar owners to recoup the revenue lost since the ban was enforced.

Critics are saying that although keno cannot hurt a person like smoking, it still is unhealthy. It is an odd move as two years ago lawmakers passed legislation to have Touch Play machines removed from businesses that included bars because the video games resembled slot machines. Legislatures stated that casino games should stay in the casinos where it is regulated.

After that decision, businesses sued the state to recoup their loss of revenue, causing the state to pass out millions of dollars to settle the lawsuits. Now although smoking is banned in nearly all public places, it is still legal in casinos. Quirk stated that the smoking ban “created an inequity between bars and casinos” which he plans to fix with his proposal.

It will be interesting to see how this situation will be handled. If bars are allowed the keno machines patrons may still opt to go to the casino since they can smoke, drink and gamble all in one place rather than just being able to drink and gamble.


- 2008-10-06