Kansas lawmakers may soon snuff out smoking in casinos with a proposed bill to ban it on casino floors.
House Bill 2252 (HB 2252) would amend the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act to ban smoking on casino (lottery gaming facility) and racetrack gaming floors, which are currently among the few indoor exemptions allowed in the state.
This is part of a broader national trend of efforts to make casinos smoke-free, with varying success across states. They include:
New Jersey is another state where lawmakers are trying to make casinos smoke-free. The Garden State's Governor, Mikie Sherrill, is already on record saying she wants the debate settled this year.
Current Kansas Smoking Laws
Kansas has had a statewide indoor smoking ban since 2010 under the Clean Air Act. It prohibits smoking in most enclosed public places and workplaces, including restaurants, bars, and offices.
However, exemptions remain for:
- Tobacco shops, where at least 65% of receipts come from tobacco sales
- Up to 20% of hotel/motel rooms
- Gaming floors of lottery gaming facilities (casinos) and racetrack gaming facilities
This means traditional cigarette smoking is still permitted on the main casino floors in Kansas's roughly 10 casinos (some of which are state-owned). As a result, casino workers and patrons have long faced secondhand smoke exposure.
What HB 2252 Would Change
The bill would:
- Prohibit smoking (including lighted tobacco products) on the gaming floors of lottery gaming facilities and racetrack gaming facilities.
- Expand the legal definition of "smoking" to explicitly include:
- Use of electronic cigarettes (vaping)
- Burning or smoking marijuana
This would treat e-cigarettes and marijuana smoking the same as traditional tobacco under the Clean Air Act, closing loopholes for those activities as well. The changes would specifically apply to the exempted gaming areas.
A companion bill, Senate Bill 176 (SB 176), contains nearly identical provisions.
Background and Support
The push comes primarily from casino workers' advocacy groups, such as CEASE Kansas (Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects), citing health risks from prolonged secondhand smoke exposure.
Similar efforts have appeared in prior sessions, such as HB 2622 in 2023-2024.
Health organizations like the American Lung Association have supported past versions, emphasizing protection for workers and patrons. The bill was requested on behalf of these worker advocates and has seen committee sponsorship, indicating some momentum.
HB 2252 has advanced through the House: It passed with an 82-38 vote (as a substitute/amended bill) in February. The Senate did not concur with the House amendments, leading to a conference committee, with conferees appointed from both chambers.
The bill remains active but has not yet become law. Similar past bills have faced opposition and failed to pass fully.
Potential Impacts and Opposition
Supporters argue it would protect public health by reducing secondhand smoke—and now vapor/aerosol and marijuana smoke—in workplaces, potentially aligning Kansas more closely with many other states that have gone smoke-free in casinos.
Opponents, including gambling industry lobbyists, have historically claimed that such bans could reduce customer traffic and hurt casino revenue, though some studies in other states suggest mixed or neutral long-term effects on business.
There are no immediate effective dates in the current version; if passed, it would likely take effect later in 2026 or upon signing.
Sweepstakes Casinos and Legal Online Casinos
Playing sweepstakes casino games or gambling at online casinos in states where it's legal lets you enjoy a smoke-free environment. Unlike traditional casinos, you can relax and play from your own space without dealing with cigarette smoke. Plus, if you're a smoker, you can choose to smoke if you want.
It's important to remember to gamble responsibly. Set limits to make sure your gambling stays safe and fun each time you play.
