Pennsylvania Casinos: New Push to Ban Smoking in Started By Dan Frankel

Frankel introduced the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, which passed through the House Committee in November 2023. The bill was up for an amendments discussion last April, until it was pulled from the agenda. It had not moved for the rest of the year.

Frankel wrote a memo on Feb. 27, outlining his plan to re-introduce another bill for the 2025-26 session. His office told PlayPennsylvania on Monday that he is “currently meeting with stakeholders in an effort to smooth the path of the bill when it is introduced.” It also described Frankel as “anxious to get it out as soon as possible.”

Public health advocates and casino workers are calling on other lawmakers to co-sponsor the bill with Frankel.

‘Secondhand smoke is deadly’

The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 eliminated smoking in most indoor establishments, with the exception of casinos. Frankel is fighting to close that loophole.

Jennifer Rubolino is a table games dealer from Pittsburgh and co-leader of Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) PA. She is calling on legislators to do the right thing. She said in a statement on Monday:

“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 is clearly on the side of casino workers, and on a mission to ban smoking inside Pennsylvania casinos. CEO Cynthia Hallett also pleaded with legislators in the Keystone State:

“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 join the swaths of states that already protect their workers’ health and create safer, smokefree environments for everyone.”

ANR and CEASE are incredibly active in New Jersey, too, where smoking is still allowed inside Atlantic City casinos.

Frankel points out Parx’s success as non-smoking establishment

Pennsylvania casino employees got the short end of the stick when the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 passed. Frankel is a powerful voice for those who might have the stature to speak out. He wrote in his memo:

“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.”

Parx Casino voluntarily implemented a non-smoking policy after restrictions from the pandemic were lifted in 2022. It also kept the same philosophy at its Shippensburg location.

The Bensalem casino produced $569.8 million in slots and table game revenue in 2024, the most of any Pennsylvania casino. Frankel cited Parx’s success as a non-smoking establishment, and even referenced COO Marc Oppenheimer‘s comments to PlayPennsylvania from the opening on Parx Shippensburg in February 2023:

“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.”

Employee healthcare costs, along with turnover have decreased, while morale has skyrocketed, Oppenheimer told PlayPennsylvania.

There is no timetable on a bill to be introduced. However, banning smoking in casinos appears to be a top priority for Frankel. ANR and casino workers are hoping other key lawmakers join the fight.