South Dakota: Approved smoking ban in 'casinos' by 65%

S.D. bars, restaurants, casinos go smoke-free today

Check out the Sioux City Journal video above [in the link] where smokers had one last fling at Beano and Sherry’s Casino Tuesday.

The North Sioux City video lottery hosted a party for the last legal day for public smoking, giving awy free food and door prizes.

Starting today, authorities will begin enforcing a 2009 law that extends South Dakota’s smoking ban in most public places to bars, restaurants and casino floors.

During an ensuing court fight and petition drive opponents mounted to put the issue before voters, enforcement of the ban was put on hold. Voters settled the issue on Nov. 2, upholding the smoking prohibition by a decisive 64 percent to 36 percent.

As I reported Sunday, “Will smoking ban snuff out business,” the smoke-free eddict could have serious ramifications for North Sioux City, where a string of video lottery establishments operate just across the Iowa border.

North Sioux City collects a great deal of revenue from the local sales tax on food and beverage sold at the bars and restaurants. Video lottery taxes also are the second-largest revenue source for the state.