Publication Date: January 27, 2026, 12:45h.
Updated on: January 27, 2026, 12:56h.
- Legislation aimed at banning smoking in Iowa casinos has not succeeded
- Iowa casinos are allowed to permit smoking on their gaming floors, with some designating areas as smoke-free
Iowa casinos are expected to continue allowing smoking for at least another year following the failure of a legislative effort in Des Moines to enforce a smoke-free environment in these establishments.
On Monday, a Senate State Government Committee subcommittee proposed to indefinitely delay Senate File 2051. This bill, introduced by Sen. Dennis Guth (R-Hancock), aimed to abolish the indoor smoking exemption for gaming floors established by the Iowa Smokefree Air Act of 2008.
The 19 state-licensed commercial casinos in Iowa continue to be exempt from the clean indoor air regulations, although all non-gaming areas must remain smoke-free.
“This legislation removes the exception outlined in the Smokefree Air Act, thereby allowing smoking on gaming floors,” stated SF2051. “Consequently, all premises will be subject to the smoking restrictions imposed by the Act.”
The proposal was put on hold, with casino lobbyists arguing that a smoking ban would negatively impact business operations, jeopardize employment, and decrease state and local tax revenue. Registered lobbyists opposing the bill included representatives from Caesars Entertainment, Wild Rose Entertainment, Boyd Gaming, Penn Entertainment, the Iowa Gaming Association, and Elite Casino Resorts.
Conflicting Perspectives
Sen. Guth expressed his frustration over the shelving of his smoking ban initiative.
“The government’s role is to safeguard its citizens and uphold their freedoms; it’s not solely about economic growth,” declared an exasperated Guth.
Anti-smoking proponents like Traci Kennedy of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights and Jackie Cale of the American Cancer Society argued that Iowa’s current casino smoking regulations are outdated and cater to an increasingly limited demographic, endangering the health of nonsmokers and employees.
“In 2026, a business model based on smoking is illogical,” asserted Kennedy. “Almost 90% of the US population does not smoke, so we are appealing to a diminishing audience,” as reported by the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Cale testified to the subcommittee, stating that there are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke.
In response, casino representatives maintained that it is not the government’s role to act as guardians.
“No one is obliged to visit a casino. It’s entirely for adults,” remarked Jake Highfill of Penn Entertainment. “Adults should be free to make their own decisions.”
During prior legislative discussions last year, Highfill noted, “There is no designated area for children in casinos.”
Continuation of Smoking Policy Likely
Although two additional bills, House File 791 and House Study Bill 148, aim to revoke the smoking allowance in Iowa casinos, their chances appeared significantly diminished following the recent decisions by the Senate State Government Subcommittee.
Casino operators further argued that a smoking ban would unjustly disadvantage their businesses compared to tribal casinos, which have the autonomy to set their smoking regulations.
During the fiscal year 2025, Iowa’s commercial casinos accrued a gross gaming revenue of $1.67 billion, representing a 2.6% decrease from the previous year.