Kansas lawmakers push to ban smoking on casino floors
Kansas legislators have introduced a measure that would prohibit smoking on casino gaming floors while broadening the state’s definition of smoking to include electronic cigarettes and marijuana.
House Bill 2252 seeks to update the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act, which currently bans smoking in most enclosed public spaces but exempts lottery gaming facilities and racetracks.Sponsored in February 2025 by the House Committee on Health and Human Services, Representatives Buehler and McDonald introduced the bill on behalf of Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, an advocacy group representing casino workers.
The bill would expand the definition of smoking to cover e‑cigarette use and the burning of marijuana, placing these activities under the same restrictions as traditional tobacco products. Although smoking is generally prohibited in enclosed public venues and workplaces, casinos remain exempt, allowing patrons to smoke on gambling floors.
Advocacy for worker health
The Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act was launched in July 2010, after the passage of House Bill 2221. It did ban smoking in several enclosed public spaces, yet lawmakers included exemptions for casinos and racetracks to secure enough votes for passage. However, this created a renewed debate, as reported by several media outlets.
Worker advocates shed light on the exemption that endangers employees, citing prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke and related health issues such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The American Heart Association stresses that no level of secondhand smoke is safe, framing the issue as a matter of workplace safety.
Industry concerns
Casino operators, however, warn that a ban could reduce revenue by discouraging smoking patrons, who may instead frequent tribal casinos, exempt from state bans, or out-of-state venues. A fiscal note from the Kansas Division of the Budget cautions that reduced foot traffic could affect state tax collections tied to casino earnings.
National context
In other parts of the country, similar debates are unfolding. In New Jersey, Atlantic City casinos have pushed back on smoking bans, citing revenue concerns. Governor Mikie Sherrill has urged legislators to resolve the dispute, with pending bills ranging from a full ban to allowing smoking in tightly controlled, ventilated areas. For now, smoking is allowed on up to 25 percent of casino floors, but advocates argue that smoke drifts into non-smoking sections.
Meanwhile, Nevada provides a different perspective: Park MGM in Las Vegas went smoke-free without major financial setbacks, demonstrating that adaptation is possible.
Broader trends
Across the country, states are increasingly updating smoking laws to include vaping and marijuana, reflecting shifting consumer habits and legalisation. 17 states currently enforce 100 percent smoke-free laws for commercial casinos and gaming properties, including tribal casinos, while only seven states remain smoke-free.
CDC data from 2024 shows cigarette smoking among U.S. adults has dropped to 9.9 percent—the lowest rate ever recorded—down from 20.1 percent two decades earlier. This decline fuels momentum for smokefree legislation.
Legislative and investor pressure
Beyond Kansas, smoke-free casino efforts are active in New Jersey, Iowa, and Rhode Island. Meanwhile, shareholders of major operators such as Boyd Gaming, Caesars, Penn Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts are preparing to vote on smoking proposals, signalling growing investor pressure for change.
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