Pennsylvania State Representative Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny County) is renewing his efforts to eliminate smoking in casinos, advocating for a law that would extend indoor smoking bans to all gaming establishments in the state.
With backing from Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) and casino employees, Frankel plans to introduce legislation for the 2025-26 session aimed at closing a loophole that has allowed smoking to persist inside casinos despite broader public smoking restrictions.
Frankel had previously introduced the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, which passed through a House Committee in November 2023 but stalled before reaching the floor for a vote.
In a February 27 memo, he expressed commitment to the issue and is currently meeting with stakeholders to ensure smoother passage when the bill is reintroduced. His office has described him as “anxious to get it out as soon as possible” in conversation with PlayPennsylvania.
Public health advocates and casino workers have called on additional lawmakers to co-sponsor the bill, arguing that Pennsylvania should align its policies with other states that have fully banned indoor smoking in gaming establishments.
The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 prohibited smoking in most indoor workplaces across Pennsylvania, but casinos received an exemption, allowing smoking in designated areas. Casino employees have since argued that 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 personal experience of working in a smoke-filled casino environment. “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,” Rubolino said.
“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,” she added.
ANR, which has been active in similar efforts in New Jersey, has also urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to take decisive action. ANR CEO Cynthia Hallett pointed to the long-term health effects of secondhand smoke and the risks faced by 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,” Hallett said.
“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.”
Frankel has pointed to the success of Parx Casino in Bensalem, which voluntarily chose to remain smoke-free after pandemic-related restrictions were lifted in 2022. The casino’s decision to ban indoor smoking did not lead to a decline in revenue, with Parx generating $569.8 million in slots and table game revenue in 2024, more than any other casino in Pennsylvania.
Frankel highlighted comments from Parx Casino COO Marc Oppenheimer to PlayPennsylvania, who previously spoke about the casino’s decision to eliminate smoking at its Shippensburg location in February 2023.
“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,” Oppenheimer said at the time.
According to Parx officials, eliminating smoking has led to lower employee healthcare costs, reduced turnover, and improved workplace morale.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/11/97836-pennsylvania-state-representative-dan-frankel-renews-push-to-ban-smoking-in-casinos
