Senate leader: smoking ban must exempt casinos

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- - Indiana Senate leaders say a proposed statewide smoking ban must include an exemption for casinos.

Casinos say the ban would hurt their business, and one nonpartisan group estimated that the state could lose more than $180 million in gambling taxes.

Smoking bans have been suggested for several years but have died in the Senate. Senate President Pro Tem David Long of Fort Wayne said Wednesday that he may consider giving the bill a hearing this year if it exempts casinos.

The House Public Health Committee takes up a bill Wednesday that would ban smoking outright, though it could be amended as it moves through the legislative process.

Supporters say there's growing momentum for a ban, and GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels says he would sign the bill into law.