Based on the assumption it would lose between 10 to 20 percent of its revenue the Mohegan Sun casino commissioned a study which shows Connecticut could lose tens of millions of dollars, economic activity and jobs if the state instituted a smoking ban.
The study by the Connecticut Economic Resource Center shows that the state’s share of slot machine revenues from Mohegan Sun would drop $21 million if business fell off 10 percent and $42 million if business fell off 20 percent. Since 1996 the casino has given $2.1 billion in slot revenues to the state of Connecticut.
The assumption that casino business would drop 10 to 20 percent is based on information from other states like Illinois which saw business drop about 17 percent and Delaware which saw business drop about 19 percent after the smoking ban was instituted.
The Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee is considering a bill that would ban smoking in casinos as early as Oct. 1, 2011.
Click here to read the report and here to read the letter to the legislature.