The measure, sponsored by Councilman Ed Ford, would eliminate language in the city ordinance approved by voters April 8 that allows tobacco use on casino floors, which the ordinance defines as including "paths of ingress and egress immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the excursion gambling boat.
Ford’s amendment would erase that sidewalk exemption by permitting smoking only in areas "accessible by those with a valid member’s card, player’s card that allows entrance into the restricted area and within which gaming is allowed.
Ford admitted Tuesday he wasn’t aware that the November statewide vote to repeal the state’s us$ 500 loss limit would also do away with mandatory player identification cards and virtually throw open casino doors to anyone over the age of 21.