BLACK HAWK, Colo. -- Although casinos are exempt from Colorado's new smoking ban, one casino is implementing a no-smoking policy of its own.

The Black Hawk gambling casino, Ameristar, said it will ban smoking in all of its restaurants, while still allowing smoking inside the casino.

“We believe the changes we will be implementing are appropriate, legally correct, and accommodating for both our guests and our team members," said general manager Michelle Shriver.

Colorado lawmakers exempted casinos from the ban after some intense lobbying. The casinos provide millions of dollars a year in state revenues and the industry said it needs legalized smoking to compete with Native-American casinos that aren't subject to state laws.

Health advocates said that is putting money ahead of health. They said casinos could prosper even with the smoking ban.

"The casinos in Delaware had to go smoke-free under their state law, and they are doing great. In fact, we heard casinos are expanding as a result," said Chris Sherwin of the Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance.

Some other casinos have advertised that they have some smoke-free rooms and some said they have sophisticated filtration systems.