A proposal to prohibit smoking in Iowa casinos failed to advance in the state Senate this week, after lawmakers rejected legislation that would have removed exemptions from the Iowa Smokefree Air Act.

The bill, Senate File 2051, was voted down Monday by a Senate subcommittee. It sought to eliminate existing exemptions that allow smoking inside gambling structures, excursion gambling boats, and racetracks, bringing casinos in line with other smoke-free workplaces across the state.

Despite voting against the measure, Sen. Tony Bisignano (D–Des Moines) said a smoking ban in casinos is “coming relatively soon,” calling the current exemption an “absurdity.” Bisignano acknowledged that while he participates in casino activities and serves on the board of Prairie Meadows Casino, he believes the industry must adapt.

“Smoking is bad,” Bisignano said. “Casinos need to take responsibility, and their business plans better start to change — and change quickly.”

Health Advocates Push for Worker Protections

Public health organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association, supported the bill, arguing it would protect casino employees from prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke.

“There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure,” said Jackie Cale of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “For casino workers, this is an unavoidable occupational hazard.”

Health advocates also highlighted that Iowa continues to rank among the states with the highest cancer rates in the country. According to data from the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, 21 U.S. states had banned smoking in gambling establishments as of July 2025, including Iowa’s neighboring states Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Casino Industry Raises Competitive Concerns

Casino operators and industry lobbyists opposed the bill, warning it would place Iowa casinos at a competitive disadvantage, particularly against tribal casinos that are not subject to state smoking regulations.

Mary Earnhardt, representing the Iowa Gaming Association, argued the bill would create “uneven regulatory treatment” within regional gambling markets. Industry representatives also cited revenue declines following smoking bans in locations such as Delaware and Shreveport, Louisiana.

However, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights disputed those claims, pointing to broader economic factors and post-pandemic shifts in consumer behavior. Traci Kennedy of the organization said casinos that adopted smoke-free policies after COVID-19 did not experience sustained revenue losses.

“The business model built on smoking in 2026 does not make sense,” Kennedy said, noting that nearly 90% of the U.S. population are non-smokers.

Debate Highlights Broader Policy Divide

Representatives from Penn Entertainment and Ameristar, which is expanding operations in Council Bluffs, argued that casino gambling is an adult choice and should remain one.

Former casino employee Joe Hafley, speaking on behalf of Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, countered that workers have no such choice. “For casino workers, exposure is not optional,” he said. “Every delay increases the risk of serious illness.”

Ultimately, Bisignano said the bill lacked the support needed to move forward and that advancing it would have created “false hope.” He was joined by Sen. Dawn Driscoll (R–Williamsburg) in opposing the measure, while bill sponsor Sen. Dennis Guth (R–Klemme) expressed disappointment, stating that protecting public health should be a core role of government.

Although the legislation stalled, lawmakers and advocates agree the debate over smoking in Iowa casinos is far from over.