Ho-Chunk Nation celebrates third anniversary of smoke-free casino

Monday, September 3, 2018  

The Ho-Chunk Nation celebrated another year of being smoke-free at its gaming facility in Madison, Wisconsin.

In August 2015, the Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison became the first tribal casino in the state to eliminate smoking. It remains the only one with that designation and the tribe couldn't be happier.

“We at Ho-Chunk Chunk Gaming Madison are excited to share with others in the commemoration of our third year of having gone smoke-free!" manager Dan Brown said last month. "The only smoke-free casino in the state, we are hopeful that we have started a trend in the industry. Our guests and our employees appreciate this decision, and it is paying dividends both in our business levels and in the health of all."

Thank you @HoChunkMadison for inviting us to help celebrate your 3rd anniversary of being a smoke-free facility pic.twitter.com/AyBni1oDDq

— Sustain Dane (@sustaindane) August 17, 2018

According to the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, revenues dipped in the months immediately following the decision. But they returned to pre-smoke-free levels by July 2016, and by March 2017, the casino was recording their highest levels in history, the organization said in promoting the smoke-free policy.

The Wisconsin Smoke-Free Air Law, which went into effect in July 2010, requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and other public facilities to go smoke-free. The law does not apply in Indian Country so it's up to tribes to determine their own laws and policies.

Casino Celebrates Smoke-free Anniversary (Madison365 September 3, 2018)

Ho-Chunk Nation goes smoke free at gaming facility on August 1 (June 16, 2015)