A study commissioned by the Mohegan Sun casino shows Connecticut could lose tens of millions of dollars if gambling revenues drop, as casino officials predict, because of a proposed smoking ban.
Mohegan officials expect their business would drop 20 percent as smokers would gamble in another state, leading to lost revenue and possible layoffs.
Supporters of the ban say they're concerned about the effects of secondhand smoke on casino workers.
The study says the state's share of slot machine revenues from Mohegan Sun would drop $42 million if business fell off 20 percent, and that could double if the Foxwoods Resort Casino saw a similar business decline.
A legislative committee is considering a bill that would ban smoking throughout the casinos beginning Oct. 1, 2011.
