The impact of a local smoke-free air law on wagering at an off-track betting facility in Indiana.

OBJECTIVE

This study measured the impact of a local smoke-free air law on wagering at an off-track betting (OTB) facility in Indiana.

METHODS

Regression analysis was used to compare the trend in per capita amount wagered at an OTB location that went smoke-free to the trend in per capita amount wagered at two comparison OTB locations that continued to permit smoking. Unemployment rate was included as a covariate.

RESULTS

During the study period, there was a decreasing trend in the per capita amount wagered at each of the three OTB locations. There was no significant change in the trend for the location that went smoke free or for the locations where smoking has continued.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no economic reason to exclude OTB facilities from smoke-free legislation.