DENVER -- There may soon be a big push to close one of the loopholes in Colorado's smoking ban.

Two Colorado lawmakers said they'll sponsor legislation to end the exemption for casinos.

Denver Democratic Rep. Anne McGihon and Democratic Sen. Ken Gordon said they will craft a bill to end the exemption the mountain casinos have had since the statewide smoking ban went into effect in July.

Gordon said there is no principle that should allow an exemption.

"I don't think there's any justification for the exemption and I think for health reasons, we should extend the ban to casinos," said Gordon.

Smoke-Free Gaming Association of Colorado is pushing for the bill.

"We are also working with employees. 'How do you feel about the smoke that you've breathing for the last 15 years?' And the attitude is, 'We're tired of it,'" said Stephanie Steinberg, with Smoke-Free Gaming.

She said the group has collected signatures in support of the expanded ban. She said at the height of the campaign, the group was collecting one signature a minute.

A spokeswoman for the state's casino industry association said it's unclear what effect banning smoking will have on casino business.

"It does not bother me at all that people are smoking. In fact, I was in the lodge there and a gal says, 'Oooh, a cigarette. I can smoke here.' And was real thrilled that she could smoke," said non-smoking casino patron Bonnie Pemberton.

"It doesn't bother me at all and yes, I do smoke -- cigars," said another casino customer.

"I don't like the original smoking ban and so I don't like this any better. I think government should let us make our own choices," said smoker Eric McDonald.

A spokeswoman for Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk said, "We are not for or against a smoking ban. Many of our guests smoke, many do not ... Whatever the law is, of course we would follow it.

The city council in Atlantic City is also considering a ban on all 11 of the casinos in its city. Las Vegas residents voted to ban smoking in restaurants and at airports but it's still permissible in its gaming areas.