Casinos in Cripple Creek were excluded from a state wide smoking ban that took effect a year and a half ago. But all of that changes starting January 1st 2008.

Between 5 and 10 percent. That's how much revenue some casinos in Cripple Creek think they'll lose because of the smoking ban. But they have a plan for their potential misfortune. They plan to try and cash in on the younger and smokeless crowd.

Carrie Strauss told 11 News what she likes to do during her play time at the casinos, "Play the games, have a drink and smoke a cigarette."

But those cigarettes irritate a lot of people.

Michael Fox, who is a non-smoker said, "It's just an icky feeling."

And it's most non-smokers who feel they've struck it rich with the impending casino smoking ban.

"I think it'll be really great", said Fox.

Casino owners and workers say they will wait patiently to see which side the coin will land on, the one that means profit or the one that means financial loss.

Terry Howard, Colorado Grand Casino Manager said, "Right now we're in the anticipation stage."

But casinos are ready to special serve their smoking customers. For example, if one of their patrons is having a stroke of good luck at one particular slot machine and they want to step outside to smoke a cigarette, casinos like the Colorado Grand Casino will reserve the machine until the customer gets back.

Casino workers do say, they knew it was only a matter of time before the state wide smoking ban law puffed their way.

Again, starting at 8am Tuesday morning on January 1st 2008, every single casino in Cripple Creek and the rest of the state, will be smoke free.