HARRISBURG — What happens in Atlantic City, including a ban on smoking inside casinos, might stay there.

Pennsylvania casinos that have actively opposed a statewide ban on smoking at their properties said Thursday they are not budging from their stance, regardless of a pending law in New Jersey's gambling mecca.

With lobbyists and legislators dug in on both sides of the debate in Pennsylvania, it remained unclear whether a smoking ban in Atlantic City will change minds here.

"The question comes down to whether we can do a total ban in casinos and get the votes in both houses," said Rep. Ron Miller, R-York, one of six legislators on a House-Senate committee crafting a bill.

Progress on an indoor smoking ban in Pennsylvania has been stuck since July, when the Senate rejected a tougher ban approved by the House.

Bills passed by the House and Senate would ban smoking in most public places and workplaces, including arenas, stores, restaurants and convention halls. But the Senate proposal allows full or partial exceptions for more establishments, including a quarter of casino gambling floors.