No Smoking Ban Exemption For Deadwood Casinos

PIERRE, SD - A South Dakota lawmaker who drafted legislation to exempt Deadwood casinos from a state ban on smoking indoors in public places says a lack of support has changed his mind about introducing the bill.

Republican Sen. Tom Nelson of Lead believes the voter-approved ban enacted in November 2010 is cutting gambling revenue. But he says he's gotten mixed messages when talking with lawmakers about exempting Deadwood casinos.

Nelson says he'll try to help the casinos in other ways, such as pushing for increased betting limits.

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