Two More Casinos Just Went Smoke-Free, But Will Any Casino Smoking Bills Pass In 2025?

You can add two more names to the growing list of smoke-free casinos in the U.S.

Starting March 24, both Ojibwa Casinos in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — in Baraga and Marquette — will become fully non-smoking (and vape-free, too).

“The health benefits of smoke-free facilities are well-documented, ranging from improved air quality to a significant reduction in exposure to secondhand smoke, which can cause serious health risks,” the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, which owns the casinos, said in a statement. “This initiative reflects Ojibwa Casinos’ dedication to the well-being of all who visit or work at the properties.”

Smoke-free casinos are becoming more of a norm in the U.S. as modern generations that statistically care more about smoking’s health impact make up more of the casino audience.

According to gamingdirectory.com, as of February 2025, there were 1,077 smoke-free gambling facilities in the U.S., including casinos, sportsbooks, bingo halls, off-track betting facilities, card rooms, horse racetracks, and dog racetracks.

The owners of those facilities include some of the industry’s heaviest hitters, such as The Cordish Companies, MGM Resorts International, and Caesars Entertainment.

These companies are part of “a growing list of smokefree casinos that reflects the overall public desire for clean air,” said American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation Tribal Relations Consultant Clinton Isham in a statement applauding Ojibwa Casinos.

Casino decision vs. state law mandate

Some casino owners opt to go smoke-free on their own — like MGM making Park MGM the only smoke-free casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Others are forced into the decision by the law.

Casino smoking laws are up to each state. This is the same situation as bars and restaurants. Most states ban smoking at those places of business. But many states — 17, to be exact — still allow smoking on their commercial casino gaming floors.

There are smoke-free casino bills currently being considered in four of those states.

Do any of them stand a chance to pass in 2025?

New Jersey: Well … we’re waiting

One of the hottest battlegrounds for smoke-free casinos is Atlantic City.

A little over a year ago, New Jersey Senate Bill S1493 passed out of the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

Since then … crickets.

Former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinburg, who sponsored the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act that exempted casinos, penned an op-ed in early January urging NJ lawmakers to pass a bill mandating smoke-free casinos. 

“Unfortunately, we were unable to pass the Act unless we excluded casino workers from its protections,” Weinburg wrote for NJ.com. “I never imagined that nearly two decades later, casino workers and patrons would still be subjected to poisonous secondhand smoke.”

This week, Americans For Nonsmokers’ Rights released a scathing statement addressing New Jersey legislators that have let S1493 sit for more than a year. 

“This year of inaction suggests that policymakers’ expressions of concern for working people’s health is merely empty rhetoric,” Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, said.

The American Lung Association’s 2025 State of Tobacco Control report, released in late January, demanded New Jersey lawmakers pass a smoke-free casino bill.

“New Jersey continues to see an unholy alliance of the casino industry working side by side with the tobacco industry and its front groups,” the report read.

Iowa: So far, so good

Committee-written bills often stand a better chance than lawmaker-sponsored bills.

And, so far, things are looking good for Iowa’s House Study Bill 148, which would eliminate the exemption for gaming floors (“gambling structures, excursion gambling boats, and racetracks”) from the smoke-free air act.

It was introduced by the House Commerce Committee on Feb. 11. On Feb. 18 (this Tuesday), it received a subcommittee hearing, and that subcommittee recommended its passage.

In an interview with the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Rep. Shannon Lundgren said it was 50/50 that the bill would clear the committee stage and pass the House.

The American Lung Association 2025 State of Tobacco Control report called on Iowa lawmakers to take three actions, including “(closing) the loophole for casinos in the Smokefree Air Act.”

Rhode Island: Hoping for more than political gesture

Introduced a little more than a week ago, Rhode Island’s House Bill 5464 would repeal the smoke-free workplace requirement exemption for pari-mutuel betting facilities and casinos. If passed, the repeal would take effect July 1.

The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee.

Last year’s version of this bill passed the Finance Committee via a 10-0 vote in what amounted to a political gesture, as it happened right before the legislative session adjourned.

One of the American Lung Association’s policy recommendations for Rhode Island lawmakers in its 2025 report?

“Ensure all Rhode Islanders have a smokefree workplace by establishing smokefree casinos.”

Kansas: Another committee-written bill

Over in Kansas, House Bill 2252 would amend the state’s indoor clean air act to the floors of lottery gaming and horse racetrack gaming facilities.

It was written by the Committee on Health and Human Services. Again: Committee-written bills are often bills to watch.

A similar bill was also introduced last year in Kansas, but it did not pass.

The American Lung Association is putting its political weight behind HB2252.

“When the 2025 Kansas Legislature convenes for a new session, the American Lung Association in Kansas will continue to work with partners to remove the casino exemption in the state’s Indoor Clean Air Act,” the organization wrote last month.