Statewide smoking ban said to accelerate decline in charitable gambling in Minnesota

[The Straight Story]

Statewide smoking ban said to accelerate decline in charitable gambling in Minnesota

The statewide smoking ban is doing more than clearing the air.

It’s costing charitable gambling organizations big money, indicates a new report.

According to a study by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board, the statewide smoking ban, which went into affect Oct. 1, has accelerated the rate of decline in charitable gambling in Minnesota.

Gambling Control Board Executive Director Tom Barrett spoke of “obvious patterns” existing, speaking to a Senate committee on Monday (March 31).

Although charitable gambling prior to the ban was declining at more than two percent a year over the past five years, fourth quarter gross receipts from last year were down almost 12.8 percent from the year before — about $40 million, the report notes.

Largest drop since 1985


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