METROPOLIS, Ill. (AP) -- Officials of Harrah's Metropolis riverboat casino claim Illinois' new smoking ban has resulted in the layoff of about 30 jobs at the casino.
Casino officials claim guests are spending less on entertainment and making fewer trips because of the ban and the casino suffered a drop in visitation compared to the previous six-month average.
General manager Mike Rich says a "national economic slowdown" also bears some of the blame for the layoffs.
Rich says the casino, which employs almost 1,000 residents of Illinois and western Kentucky, has no plans for additional layoffs.
Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel pointed out Thursday that he predicted when the smoking ban went into effect January 1, that it would have negative consequences on the local economy.
