Pennsylvania State Representative Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny County) is once again pushing for a ban on smoking in casinos. With support from Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) and casino employees, he plans to introduce legislation in the 2025-26 session to remove the exemption that allows indoor smoking in gaming establishments.
Frankel previously introduced the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, which advanced through a House Committee in 2023 but did not reach a vote. He remains committed to reintroducing the bill and is engaging with stakeholders to ensure smoother passage. His office told PlayPennsylvania that he is “anxious to get it out as soon as possible.”
Public health advocates and casino workers are urging more lawmakers to co-sponsor the bill, arguing Pennsylvania should follow other states that have fully banned indoor smoking in casinos.
Casino Employees Call for Change
Pennsylvania’s 2008 Clean Indoor Air Act banned smoking in most workplaces but allowed casinos to maintain designated smoking areas. Workers say this exemption puts their health at risk.
Jennifer Rubolino, a table games dealer from Pittsburgh and co-leader of Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) PA, shared her concerns.
“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.”
She urged lawmakers to act. “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.”
ANR CEO Cynthia Hallett emphasized the health risks of secondhand smoke, particularly for casino employees.
“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.”
Frankel pointed to Parx Casino in Bensalem as proof that banning smoking does not harm business. Parx voluntarily remained smoke-free after pandemic restrictions were lifted in 2022, yet it led Pennsylvania casinos in revenue, generating $569.8 million in 2024.
Parx Casino COO Marc Oppenheimer previously told PlayPennsylvania: “We’ve seen two things from it. No. 1, it has not hurt our 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.”
Parx officials report lower healthcare costs, reduced employee turnover, and improved morale as a result of going smoke-free. Frankel and his supporters hope other casinos follow suit and that Pennsylvania lawmakers finally eliminate the smoking loophole.
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