Casinos not affected by smoking ban

KESHENA - Menominee Casino is a place to get away and try your luck.  In fact, every day, more than 2,000 people walk through the casino's doors.  That's why many of those guests are asking if a state-wide smoking ban will stop them from smoking while they play.

"We do have quite a few smokers who visit the casino," James Reiter, the general manager of Menominee Casino, said. "As it stands right now however, it would not affect us.  The only way it would affect us if the tribe passed a smoking ban ordinance," Reiter added.

The Menominee Tribe, like other Native American tribes, is a sovereign nation that can set its own rules.  Reiter said an all smoke-free casino is unlikely but that it would be considered if other state tribes agreed to do the same.

"If all the tribes agreed in a compact that the casinos would be smoke free, obviously, we would be following that," he said.

There are areas on the reservation, however, that are smoke free.  That includes the casino's administrative offices.  Tribal officials said they've been taking steps, long before the state-wide ban passed, to protect employees from second hand smoke.

"Usually, gambling, casinos, smoking -- people think they all go together but the administrative staff and supervisors can enjoy the benefits of working in a smoke free environment," Mark Hanauer, the casino's surveillance manager, said.

About 2/3 of the rooms at the tribe's hotel are also smoke free. In the casino, however, the poker room is currently the only non-smoking area.

That will likely change in coming years.  The Menominee Tribe is embarking on a $73 million casino renovation that will include more non-smoking options for guests.

"I don't know what the future brings as far as smoking, but we'll do our best to have the cleanest air here," Reiter said.

The tribe is keeping both guests and employees in mind, but in the end, it has the final say when it comes to smoking.

The smoking ban will impact almost all other non-tribal work places, including bars and restaurants.  It's still awaiting the governor's signature, but will likely go into effect July of next year.