Could Iowa Casinos Ban Smoking for Good?

Iowa Lawmakers Push to Ban Smoking in Casinos

When I went to a casino for the very first time just a few years ago, I was surprised by a few things.

Number one: it’s just like an adult Chuck E. Cheese.

People were hunched over machines that looked a lot like some of the games you’d play as a kid with a giant robotic, singing mouse singing in the background. My go to game when my parents would let me go to Chuck E. Cheese was always the kiddie slots.

Number two: there is always a whole lot of cigarette smoke in the air.

As someone who is a bit sensitive to the smell of cigarettes, casinos can be a bit of a hir or a miss for me. I remember putting my drink down by the slot machine and it almost tumbled down because I placed it on an ash tray.

Now, Iowa lawmakers are attempting to ban cigarettes from casinos.

House Study Bill 148: What It Means for Iowa’s Casinos

A piece of legislation was introduced to the Iowa legislature on Tuesday, February 18th called House Study Bill 148. From the looks of things, it appears to be moving forward in the House.

This bill would prohibit smoking inside of Iowa casinos, according to reports.

Specifically, it would repeal the exemption that casinos received nearly twenty years ago.

The 2008 Smoke-Free Air Act and Its Loophole

Lawmakers enacted the Iowa Smoke Free Air Act in 2008, according to the official Iowa government website.

The goal of the act was to protect Iowans from secondhand smoke in most public places. It “prohibits smoking in almost all public places and enclosed areas within places of employment, as well as some outdoor areas.”

This includes restaurants, bars, outdoor entertainment events, amphitheaters, office buildings, health care facilities, and child care facilities.

Why Casinos Were Exempt from the 2008 Law

Exemptions for this law were made for the gaming floor of licensed casinos as well as designated hotel and motel rooms, the state website confirmed.

Additionally, outdoor patios or decks at bars where no food was being prepared also received exemption, reports confirm.

Those who oppose this law being implemented in casinos claim that it will effect revenue.

The Economic Argument: How a Smoking Ban Could Affect Revenue

In a report from the Gazette, officials from Iowa’s state-licensed commercial casinos are against the bill.

They claim that casino revenue could see a drop by about 30% if the bill were to pass.

Any gamblers that would want to light up, would head to tribal casinos. These casinos would be exempt from the new piece of legislation, according to CDC Gaming.

Some of these casinos include: WinnaVegas Resort & Casino in Sloan, Blackbird Bend Casino near Onawa.’

Smoking: A Major Public Health Concern in the U.S.

According to the Center for Disease Control, smoking is a “major public health concern.”

More than 16 million Americans live with some sort of smoking related disease, and every single year second hand smoking causes over 480,000 deaths in the U.S.

We will keep you updated as the bill progresses through the state.

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