SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The Sioux City Council is pondering a smoking ban at the Argosy Casino, even though a new state law exempts casinos.

The law, which goes into effect July 1, bans smoking in most public places. The main exceptions are the gaming floors of the 17 state-licensed casinos and the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

On Monday, the City Council agreed to authorize the city attorney to draft an ordinance banning smoking at the Argosy.

Councilman Brent Hoffman says he’s opposed to government mandates on smoking policies, but the point is now moot. He says "it’s indefensible" to exempt casinos, based on revenues to the government. He also says it gives casinos an unfair advantage and runs counter to an obligation to treat businesses fairly.

Source:http://www.casinonews.org/