Pennsylvania Lawmaker Revives Effort to Ban Casino Smoking

prohibit smoking in casinos across the state. With backing from public health advocates and casino workers, Frankel remains committed to eliminating secondhand smoke exposure for employees.

The Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, which he initially introduced, moved through the House Committee in November 2023 but stalled in this smoking ban legislative process. A discussion on potential amendments was scheduled for April 2024, but the bill was later removed from the agenda and did not progress for the remainder of the year.

On February 27, Frankel issued a memo outlining his plan to introduce a revised version of the bill for the 2025-26 session.

Health Advocates and Casino Employees Push for Action

Casino employees and public health advocates are rallying behind Frankel’s initiative, urging other lawmakers to the proposal.

The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 banned smoking in most enclosed workplaces, yet it allowed exceptions for casinos, bars, and private clubs. Frankel aims to close this gap, ensuring that all indoor workers receive equal protection from harmful smoke exposure.

Jennifer Rubolino, a table games dealer from Pittsburgh and co-leader of Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) PA, voiced her frustration over the ongoing exposure to secondhand smoke in her workplace. She stated:

“I’ve spent years breathing in secondhand smoke at work. I love my job, but I hate the fact that it’s making me sick. The science is clear: secondhand smoke is deadly.

“Pennsylvania lawmakers have a chance to finally protect workers like me and close this deadly loophole for good. It’s time for legislators to step up to protect our health. Every day that goes by, my anxiety worsens that my good paying job is cutting my life short.”

ANR (Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights) has also voiced strong for the initiative. CEO Cynthia Hallett highlighted the ongoing health risks casino workers face, stating:

“In Pennsylvania, more than 22,000 people die each year from smoking-related illnesses, and secondhand smoke exposure remains a serious workplace hazard. Studies show that hospitality workers, including those in casinos, bars, and clubs, have some of the highest levels of secondhand smoke exposure of any occupation.

“Piecemeal fixes fall short of ensuring safety for all. This is an opportunity for Pennsylvania to the swaths of states that already protect their workers’ health and create safer, smokefree environments for everyone.”

ANR and CEASE have been active in similar efforts in New Jersey, where smoking remains permissible inside Atlantic City casinos.

Parx Casino as a Smoke-Free Success Story

Frankel emphasized that workers should not be forced to choose between their jobs and their health. He reaffirmed this position in his memo, writing:

“Pennsylvanians should not have to choose between their jobs and their health. That’s why I will be introducing legislation to close loopholes that threaten the health of Pennsylvania workers.”

He pointed to Parx Casino as a successful example of a smoke-free establishment. Following the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions in 2022, Parx voluntarily maintained its no-smoking policy at both its Bensalem and Shippensburg locations. The decision has not hindered its financial performance, as Parx generated $569.8 million in slots and table game revenue in 2024, the highest of any casino in the state.

Parx COO Marc Oppenheimer previously said that the decision has benefited both employees and business:

“We’ve seen two things from it. No. 1, it has not hurt us business and revenue wise at all and No. 2, our employees are very, very happy to not be working in an environment with secondhand smoke all the time.”

Oppenheimer further noted that employee healthcare costs and turnover rates have declined, while morale has improved significantly.

There is no clear timeline for when the bill will be introduced, but Frankel remains committed to pushing the issue forward. With strong backing from advocacy groups and casino employees in Pennsylvania, ers hope additional lawmakers will lend their voices to the cause.

Source:

‘’Pennsylvania: New push to ban smoking in casinos started by Rep. Dan Frankel’’, cdcgaming.com, March 10, 2025.