A Black Hawk casino is running afoul of a new smoking ban in Colorado casinos by allowing gamblers to light up indoors as they wager, a grassroots group charges.
But Ed Smith, owner of the Wild Card Saloon & Casino, says his business — and smokers who patronize his casino — are “in full compliance with the law.”
Smith cites a “cigar bar” exception to Colorado’s Clean Indoor Air Act, saying his casino sells more than $50,000 in tobacco products annually, which allows smokers to light up in his place.
“We are following the letter of the law,” Smith said. “We are in compliance with the law, the way the law is written.”
On Tuesday, casinos in Colorado joined bars and restaurants throughout the state in adopting a state-enacted smoking ban. Smoking has been banned in bars and restaurants since July 1, 2006.
Stephanie Steinberg, chairwoman of Smoke-Free Gaming of Colorado, said Smith and the Wild Card are out of line on the issue.
“This is the only casino that is being noncompliant,” Steinberg said. “It’s not a cigar bar, it’s a casino, and we expect them to be compliant with the law.”
The Wild Card is a small establishment — just over 3,100-square-feet with about 440 gaming machines — compared with larger, neighboring gambling houses along the mountain town’s Main Street.
Steinberg fears the Wild Card may set a precedent that other casinos will follow.
“This is very premeditated and an act of defiance,” Steinberg said. “Does this give a right of passage for other casinos to start smoking?”
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
