New Legislation Ignites Debate Over Smoking Bans in Pennsylvania Commercial Gaming Venues

Smoke-free casinos legislation is gaining traction in Pennsylvania, aiming to reshape the gaming environment for healthier spaces. While the landscape of leisure is evolving, smoking remains a prominent feature of the atmosphere within many Pennsylvania commercial gaming venues, accounting for a notable aspect of the guest experience. This preference for indoor smoking environments defines much of the local industry, though it is not universal; remarkably, only two establishments, Parx and Parx Shippensburg, operate as commercial gaming venues without the smoking allowance.

As one of just 16 states permitting indoor tobacco use at commercial gaming venues, Pennsylvania is at the center of a growing debate on health and safety. On June 11, 2024, State Representative Dan Frankel rallied support for his upcoming bill aimed at ending indoor casino smoking, partnering with the United Auto Workers Union. Frankel is set to reintroduce legislation to establish smoke-free casinos by 2025.

The Case for Smoke-Free Casinos

Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny), a staunch advocate for clean indoor air, has long championed the need for smoke-free environments in Pennsylvania’s casinos. He asserts that such policies benefit casino employees, patrons, and the overall health of the gaming industry.

Frankel highlights Parx Casino, located just north of Philadelphia, as a leading example. This facility is unique among Pennsylvania’s 17 brick-and-mortar casinos, boasting an entirely smoke-free environment while achieving impressive in-person gross gaming revenue (GGR) of approximately $569.7 million in 2024, far surpassing Wind Creek Bethlehem’s $535 million in the same year.

• Parx GGR for 2024: $569.7 million
• Wind Creek Bethlehem GGR for 2024: $535 million
• Year-over-year decline for Parx in 2024: More than 3%
• Wind Creek’s growth from 2023: Almost 2% increase

Legislative Efforts to Address Casino Smoking

During the 2024 legislative session, Frankel’s initiative aimed to amend Pennsylvania’s 2008 Clean Indoor Air Act to eliminate the loophole that permits smoking in casinos. After passing the House Health Committee, the bill stalled in further discussions. Frankel hopes that 2025 will usher in a renewed opportunity to introduce the Protecting Workers From Secondhand Smoke Act.

In communications to his colleagues, Frankel emphasized, “Pennsylvanians should not have to make a choice between their jobs and their health.” His proposal plans to widen the definition of smoking to include e-cigarettes, enhance protections for workers, and allow local jurisdictions to institute more rigorous smoke-free policies.

Frankel’s arguments reference data supporting the premise that smoke-free environments benefit casino operations. He mentioned Parx’s Chief Marketing Officer, Marc Oppenheimer, who reported that the casino’s ban on tobacco smoking has led to decreased healthcare costs and an increase in customer satisfaction and retention.

Frankel challenges the outdated notion that smoking bans harm economic viability, stating the evidence clearly contradicts such claims.

The Influence of the Casino Lobby

While the protection of workers could be seen as a non-partisan issue, the pervasive influence of the gaming lobby in Harrisburg continues to pose challenges to legislation aimed at prohibiting smoking in casinos. Casino executives argue that Parx’s success is due, in part, to its distinctive smoke-free offering, appealing to health-conscious gamblers in the competitive Philadelphia market.

Philadelphia and its suburbs host a range of casinos, including Live! Casino & Hotel, Harrah’s, Rivers, and Valley Forge, many of which permit smoking in designated areas. Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act permits these casinos to allocate up to half of their gaming space for indoor cigarette and cigar smoking, which continues to engender debate among lawmakers and public health advocates alike.

Conclusion

As Pennsylvania gears up for the potential reintroduction of legislation aimed at abolishing smoking in casinos, the dialogue surrounding public health, workplace safety, and economic impact intensifies. The case of Parx Casino serves as a significant reference point, demonstrating that a smoke-free environment can yield considerable benefits, both for patrons and casino operators. The ongoing efforts by representatives like Dan Frankel reflect a broader push for healthier gaming spaces throughout the state.