The casinos will then revert to the earlier arrangement under which smoking was restricted to no more than 25 percent of the casino floor.

If the council approves the new law and Mayor Scott Evans signs it immediately, gamblers could be lighting up by night's end. However, 

Since the ban took effect 12 days ago, revenues have declined at Harrah's and other casinos.

The four Atlantic City casinos operated by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. are down 10 percent, said J. Carlos Tolosa, the company's eastern division president. The take from slot machines is temporarily down 20 percent, and table games are temporarily down 10 percent. And the Asian table games, which draw the heaviest smokers, are for the moment down 22 percent. Postponing the ban is expected to rejuvenate revenues for the casinos . 

At three casinos run by Trump Entertainment Resorts, business is off 10 to 12 percent since the ban began.

"It's pretty dramatic," said Mark Juliano, the company's CEO. "The reality is it's had a negative impact on our business and would continue to do so going forward."

Some dealers dispute the casinos' figures, saying their tips are actually up since smoking was eliminated. They say they see just as many customers as before.

As part of the smoking ban law that was approved by the council in April, the casinos could set up enclosed, ventilated smoking lounges where gamblers could light up away from the slot machines and table games.

A total of eight of the 11 have done so thus far; the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has climate-controlled outdoor lounges. The Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort, and its sister property, Resorts Atlantic City, made no provision for smokers, who have to go outside to smoke.

One dealer, Elizabeth String, said she dreads going back to smoke-filled gambling tables .

"It chokes you," she said. "And if you try to wave it out of your face, that's discourtesy and cause for termination.

"You can't back away from the table because you're responsible for all those chips in front of you," she added. "There's no way to escape."


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