Pennsylvania casino employees call on lawmakers to close indoor smoking loophole
Pennsylvania casino workers testified before lawmakers in Harrisburg on Wednesday that the state is endangering their health by continuing to allow smoking in certain areas of casinos.
State Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) introduced another bill this week aimed at ending casino exclusions from the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act. Smoking laws allow casinos to reserve up to half of their gaming floors for indoor smoking.
The Clean Indoor Air Act also provides exemptions for bars whose primary business revenue is alcohol, cigar lounges, private clubs and fraternal organizations such as the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).
For the second year in a row, Frankel is working to eliminate tobacco smoke from casinos and other venues excluded from the Clean Indoor Air Act. He said the old industry argument that smoke-free casinos would hurt their business is outdated.
"Smoke-free environments attract more customers, not fewer," Frankel said this week.
Casino staff stress urgency
The Pennsylvania House Health Committee, which Frankel chairs, joined health officials in welcoming casino workers to testify before the committee as part of its consideration of House Bill 1657.
“Smoke-free casinos are not only a breath of fresh air for our workers, but they have also proven to be a winner in the industry,” Jen Rubolino, a table games dealer at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, said of Parx’s decision to stay banned after the COVID-19 crisis Smoking.
Last year, Parx's gross slot game revenue (GGR) was $393.8 million and table game revenue was $204.8 million. With Parx listings totaling approximately $598.6 million in 2022, GGR outperformed its closest competitor, Wind Creek Bethlehem, by nearly $83 million.
"We've seen the evidence firsthand. Parx is leading the way with smoke-free locations and industry-leading profits," Rubolino said.
Parx and its satellite property Parx Casino Shippensburg are the only two of Pennsylvania's 18 casinos to offer completely smoke-free gaming areas.
Rupolino is co-director of the Pennsylvania chapter of CEASE, Casino Employees Fighting the Impact of Smoking. The Grassroots Alliance of Casino Workers joins the Keystone State with chapters in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Kansas and Virginia.
I speak on behalf of casino employees and casino guests across Pennsylvania. I have been working as a table game dealer since 2019. When I started working, I was excited about working in a casino and dealing cards. But the smoke was terrible. "
"For thousands of casino employees, this happens every day. Eight hours a day, 40 hours a week, and they work to make a living," Rupolino testified. "That shouldn't happen."
Rupolino added that casino employees are being "discriminated against" at the state's indoor air cleaning centers.
"Casino workers are human beings and they deserve a breath of fresh air," she continued. "You should not have to choose between your health and your paycheck. I am here today on behalf of all casino employees to ask you to support House Bill 1657."
Casinos missing, VFW backs bill
No casino industry representatives testified before the House Health Committee during its consideration of Frankel’s bill.
You were invited to participate but chose not to participate," Frankel said."I thought they were going to provide a statement, but they didn't. "
John Getz, state quartermaster for the Pennsylvania VFW department, testified that there is a lot of "internal dispute" among VFW chapters about whether to allow indoor smoking.
Getz testified that the number of VFW members who choose to go smoke-free has historically declined sharply. But in recent years, in the wake of the pandemic, most VFW chapters have stopped smoking. Gates said the group supports Frankel's bill, which he hopes will resolve the internal strife surrounding smoking.
The House Health Committee did not vote on the smoking bill. Frankel said the board of health has a responsibility to "protect the health of Pennsylvanians." The next meeting of the committee will be held on September 27.
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Source: www.casino.org
