At Lac La Ronge, the Saskatchewan reservation where the First Nation bingo hall stands, the voluntary smoking ban has been lifted for now. Initially, the band intends to lift the ban for three months, in order to better assess the effect of the smoking ban on bingo profits. Allowing smoking again during a trial period is an attempt by the tribe to raise bingo attendance and prevent the bingo hall from closing.

A representative from the Saskatchewan First Nation, Kevin Roberts, said that the reservation's social services rely heavily on bingo profits, and, as a result, the band is unwilling to let go of the bingo hall without serious attempts to get the hall back on track.

The Sakimay First Nation, operator of the Painted Hand Casino, which is located in the city of Yorkton, is currently facing a similar problem. The Painted Hand Casino has opted to cancel the smoking ban, raising objections from Yorkton officials who claim that the tribe is violating their compact by allowing smoking on the premises. The case was taken to court, but when representatives of the tribe did not appear in court on Monday, August 8, the case was deferred until August 22.