Starting today, casinos in Pennsylvania are smoke free with the exception of up to 25 percent of their slot machine area. New Jersey casinos are not happy about this because their smoking ban makes it illegal to smoke anywhere inside the casinos.

This has caused many of New Jerseys casino patrons that smoke to drive to Pennsylvania so they can be allowed to smoke and play the slots without having to go outside.

  The ban on smoking in Pennsylvania also allows casinos to expand their smoking area if they can prove that the area that allows smoking is more profitable then the areas that are smoke free.

New Jersey casinos have complained to the state to change the laws that ban all smoking from casinos because they are losing money every month because of players choosing to patronize Pennsylvania casinos.

Their business is also hurting because the high price of gas is causing more and more people to vacation at home instead of going to the Jersey Shore for some sun and casino fun, and the Pennsylvania smoking issue is just another kick to the gut.

New Jersey lawmakers are saying that with the casinos in Pennsylvania allowing smoking there is a chance that non smokers will make their way to New Jersey casinos and that eventually things will all level out.