Policy Documents

No Ifs, Ands or Butts: Illinois Casinos Lost Reveue after Smoking Banned

Thomas A. Garrett and Michael R. Pakko –
December 17, 2009
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Economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis conclude that Illinois lost more than $200 million of gambling tax revenue in the first year of a ban on smoking in public places, including casinos. Neighboring states that allow smoking in casinos saw no such drop in gambling attendance or revenues.