Rinnie...from the sounds of it, when we stopped the smoking, we did effectively shut down the bars and casinos...LOL
While I do make jokes about this, it is proven that smoking, gambling and heavy drinking go together for those with an addictive personality. Smokers and gamblers are VERY likely to drink.. Drinkers who smoke are VERY likely to gamble...etc. Smoking, I would think, is the most prevalent of these. (who needs a gambling or drinking break every hour?) So it really is easy for me to believe the smoking laws are having a strong effect on patronage to bars/casinos.
However, since the bars started blaming the smoking ban for their problems years ago (though enjoying the delayed enforcement for bars/casinos) it may be that something else is affecting their businesses. This was also about the same time almost every bar, who previously had, stopped offering dancing music/bands for instance. I personally have avoided bars which took/take great pleasure in ATTACKING non-smokers and spending more time blaming us for their issues than inviting us in. I only saw Nichols Casino make an actual effort at making it clear that non-smokers were not walking into a hostile environment and even are WELCOME there. They started welcoming non-smokers the day the ban took effect. As I don't gamble I do not go there but I know their business is outperforming most similar types of businesses in Helena...could it be their proactive approach to creating a welcoming environment for all of their potential customers? Conversely, I still see most locations aggressively making sure ONLY smokers know how hard they are working to attract them with smoking shelters and such, but still make NO effort at attracting non-smokers. Heck, the closest most bars/casinos have come to inviting me in is their snide and aggressively asked question: So where are those d_ _ _ non-smokers now! A question which assuredly causes more than just me to avoid places with such contempt and hostility for my lack of that particular addiction. Here is a little tip for those bars and casinos...stop attacking us for not coming in and START inviting us in. If you cannot understand and appreciate the difference, your business was living on borrowed time anyway.
I think it's great I/we non-smokers can enjoy a smoke free bar or casino. We have been smoked out forever in all places that have allowed smoking. Go cry somewhere else, us non-smokers never made smokers endure such a fate as being exposed to all that smoke. Why have they (the smokers) been in control of a public place for so long anyway. What have non-smokers ever made smokers endure ? Oh yea don't think we feel sorry about the poor smoker, that now can't hang out at the bar all day. Maybe you smokers will actually improve your lives.
Why is it the gaming places, as well as the smokers, blame the smoking ban and the people who don't smoke for the drop in revenue? Could it possibly be that the smokers are somewhat to blame for this loss in revenue - where are they now? Smoking in their cars and homes and blaming everyone else for the problem? Why aren't they supporting the bars and gaming places which they couldn't stay away from before the ban? What's wrong with this picture anyway?
The economy isn't all that good right now. I am sure the non-smoking law and non-smokers are not to blame for these problems either.
I patronized the casinos before the ban, put up with the smoke, fumagated myself when I went home and threw my clothes in the wash which, I am sure, many other non-smokers found themselves doing. I find it refreshing to go to the casinos now and have "breathing" priviliges. I also find it refreshing that I may not end up with COPD or in a cancer ward from second-hand smoke. (That is if I haven't already signed my death warrant from second-hand smoke.)
And no, I do not hang out in casinos a lot, but enjoy relaxing now and then just like the smokers do.
As a non-smoker, it is great to be in a place with no smoke. I never had a problem sitting in a smoking establishment, for it was my choice to sit there, but with the big lawsuits that are paid out to the smokers that made it their choice... welcome no smoking law! And for all the crybaby bartenders and bar owners, it might be time for a new strategy. Instead of thinking customers are suppose to come out and support you, it might be time to support the customers that come in. Change in business practices have become real popular lately! If a church can get the lost soul into the front pew to give up their money, I think it can't be that hard.
Oh no! People are spending less time in bars! Less consumption of alcohol outside the home! Less money gambled away in these tough economic times! People aren't spending hours and hours in casinos anymore! Not to mention all the other terrible consequences of not allowing smoking in crowded rooms...
I know it's hard to think about looking at the picture of the sad casino owner, but maybe this is a good thing? Does Montana really need a casino on every street corner? And before you gamblers out there start complaining, let me say that I enjoy my time at the casino. And I'm hoping that this downturn will cause a little competition that benefits the consumer. Maybe better deals on food/drinks, better players club benefits, etc.
Oh, and since they never give full statistics in the paper, lets look at that 15%-23% in lost revenue. Are those figured for the year? This month compared to last month? This month compared to the same month last year? Please give us some info before spouting numbers... In a time where all business are hurting it's not uncommon for a luxury services (such as gambling) to take the hardest hit.
I had to wait 20 minutes to get a table at Last Chance Casino for breakfast this weekend. Yeah - they are really hurting. Before the ban I never had to wait.
Hmmm... Casino patrons are no longer spending every moment of their spare time puffing cigarettes and feeding gaming machines since the smoking ban started. Perhaps they'll use some of the money they're no longer pouring down the drain to go stimulate Montana's economy in meaningful ways.
I'm all for allowing everyone the freedom to entertain themselves as they choose, but in my opinion the 20 gazillion "casinos" (mostly gas stations with a few dozen keno machines) in Montana are pure parasites. They drain wallets but contribute no useful product to our society that I can discern. I won't lose any sleep over some of them going out of business. I do feel compassion for those who will lose their jobs, but I'm sure in time they'll find other (maybe even better) employment.
Just wondering...you've been imposing your wants on non smokers for years. May we assume that you would have been visiting us in the hospital when we were dying from the cancer that you imposed on us? Give it time...people will come back. Any adjustment takes time...I'm guessing a year from now revenue at these bars will be close to what it was before the ban. Otherwise, you could say that the only reason people gambled was because they could smoke while they did it. Will these same bars contact the newspapers when everything is back the way it was and tell them that. I always hear about the bar owners saying they wouldn't make it without gambling revenue. Can somebody tell me how all the bars (and there was a lot more then) made it without gambling revenue before gambling was allowed? Maybe it was because they provided customer service instead of a bunch of machines to keep their customer's happy. Just a thought.
from the sounds of it, the smoking ban can be blaimed for all sorts of things like casinos and bars not getting enough patronage and for people becoming hermits. (really?) Hmmmm. SO....does that also mean less drunk drivers? Are less people spending their kids eating and family rent money in the casinos? Will a reduction in drinking and smoking relate to a reduction in health care costs?
My business is not a bar so it does not affect me like it does some, but come-on...should we really be all that upset that less people are drinking or gambling or smoking?
I know mine will not be a popular comment...but it is food for thought.
Well how about that. Many of us in the business predicted this 4 years ago when politicians first tried this. My wife, who is a smoker, and a co-worker who is a none smoker, both bartenders, have had their tips drop by almost 75%. So the question is: Now that the non-smokers got what they wanted and imposed those wants on everyone, where are you? Apparently not where you said you wanted to be. And as a consiquence, people and families are suffering. Thank you non-smokers and politicians alike.
I am not a heavy gambler, I do smoke, and like to have a drink now and then. Prior to the smoking ban, I would stop by a small place, and relax, smoking, having a drink, and using the keno machines. To me it was just a way to relax after a hard day. And yes, I did tip well.
Now that the ban is in effect I see no reason to stop by a bar. I was not there for socializing with others, just relaxing by myself. I am sure no establishment is going broke over me not being there, but if there are others like me, it might effect some small places.
Wow! Montana's smoking ban must be ruining business nationwide...or, maybe our gaming bars are facing the same crap economy the rest of the country is. Amazing how far a little common sense could take us.
Those who supported the ban poo poo'd the idea that those businesses would be losing money, claiming it was just a bunch of hype by those against the ban.
Soooo, why aren't those who supported the ban getting out and supporting those businesses to offset their loss of revenue?
How about letting private businesses and and consenting adults do as they wish concerning smoking... and many other choices? Why do we think the government knows best and therefore must control yet another aspect of our lives?
As a bartender, I like not having to smoke everyone else's cigarettes via second-hand smoke. I love not having to clean up cigarette butts all night. But, I am down $50 a night in tips since the smoking ban started. So, for all of you non-smokers who wanted all of your options to be smokefree, please come out and support us. Winter's here and so are our heating bills. We'd love to see you. Try some new places you've never been before, now that they're non-smoking.
While I do make jokes about this, it is proven that smoking, gambling and heavy drinking go together for those with an addictive personality. Smokers and gamblers are VERY likely to drink.. Drinkers who smoke are VERY likely to gamble...etc. Smoking, I would think, is the most prevalent of these. (who needs a gambling or drinking break every hour?) So it really is easy for me to believe the smoking laws are having a strong effect on patronage to bars/casinos.
However, since the bars started blaming the smoking ban for their problems years ago (though enjoying the delayed enforcement for bars/casinos) it may be that something else is affecting their businesses. This was also about the same time almost every bar, who previously had, stopped offering dancing music/bands for instance. I personally have avoided bars which took/take great pleasure in ATTACKING non-smokers and spending more time blaming us for their issues than inviting us in. I only saw Nichols Casino make an actual effort at making it clear that non-smokers were not walking into a hostile environment and even are WELCOME there. They started welcoming non-smokers the day the ban took effect. As I don't gamble I do not go there but I know their business is outperforming most similar types of businesses in Helena...could it be their proactive approach to creating a welcoming environment for all of their potential customers? Conversely, I still see most locations aggressively making sure ONLY smokers know how hard they are working to attract them with smoking shelters and such, but still make NO effort at attracting non-smokers. Heck, the closest most bars/casinos have come to inviting me in is their snide and aggressively asked question: So where are those d_ _ _ non-smokers now! A question which assuredly causes more than just me to avoid places with such contempt and hostility for my lack of that particular addiction. Here is a little tip for those bars and casinos...stop attacking us for not coming in and START inviting us in. If you cannot understand and appreciate the difference, your business was living on borrowed time anyway.
The economy isn't all that good right now. I am sure the non-smoking law and non-smokers are not to blame for these problems either.
I patronized the casinos before the ban, put up with the smoke, fumagated myself when I went home and threw my clothes in the wash which, I am sure, many other non-smokers found themselves doing. I find it refreshing to go to the casinos now and have "breathing" priviliges. I also find it refreshing that I may not end up with COPD or in a cancer ward from second-hand smoke. (That is if I haven't already signed my death warrant from second-hand smoke.)
And no, I do not hang out in casinos a lot, but enjoy relaxing now and then just like the smokers do.
And for all the crybaby bartenders and bar owners, it might be time for a new strategy. Instead of thinking customers are suppose to come out and support you, it might be time to support the customers that come in. Change in business practices have become real popular lately!
If a church can get the lost soul into the front pew to give up their money, I think it can't be that hard.
I know it's hard to think about looking at the picture of the sad casino owner, but maybe this is a good thing? Does Montana really need a casino on every street corner? And before you gamblers out there start complaining, let me say that I enjoy my time at the casino. And I'm hoping that this downturn will cause a little competition that benefits the consumer. Maybe better deals on food/drinks, better players club benefits, etc.
Oh, and since they never give full statistics in the paper, lets look at that 15%-23% in lost revenue. Are those figured for the year? This month compared to last month? This month compared to the same month last year? Please give us some info before spouting numbers... In a time where all business are hurting it's not uncommon for a luxury services (such as gambling) to take the hardest hit.
I'm all for allowing everyone the freedom to entertain themselves as they choose, but in my opinion the 20 gazillion "casinos" (mostly gas stations with a few dozen keno machines) in Montana are pure parasites. They drain wallets but contribute no useful product to our society that I can discern. I won't lose any sleep over some of them going out of business. I do feel compassion for those who will lose their jobs, but I'm sure in time they'll find other (maybe even better) employment.
Just wondering...you've been imposing your wants on non smokers for years. May we assume that you would have been visiting us in the hospital when we were dying from the cancer that you imposed on us? Give it time...people will come back. Any adjustment takes time...I'm guessing a year from now revenue at these bars will be close to what it was before the ban. Otherwise, you could say that the only reason people gambled was because they could smoke while they did it. Will these same bars contact the newspapers when everything is back the way it was and tell them that. I always hear about the bar owners saying they wouldn't make it without gambling revenue. Can somebody tell me how all the bars (and there was a lot more then) made it without gambling revenue before gambling was allowed? Maybe it was because they provided customer service instead of a bunch of machines to keep their customer's happy. Just a thought.
My business is not a bar so it does not affect me like it does some, but come-on...should we really be all that upset that less people are drinking or gambling or smoking?
I know mine will not be a popular comment...but it is food for thought.
Now that the ban is in effect I see no reason to stop by a bar. I was not there for socializing with others, just relaxing by myself. I am sure no establishment is going broke over me not being there, but if there are others like me, it might effect some small places.
Soooo, why aren't those who supported the ban getting out and supporting those businesses to offset their loss of revenue?
Why do we think the government knows best and therefore must control yet another aspect of our lives?