Missouri and Kansas Casino Smoking Bans Face Legislative Challenges

Missouri Casinos Continue to Allow Smoking Amid Legislative Efforts

Smoking remains allowed on all 13 casino floors in Missouri. Despite attempts to change this, the state legislature is once again considering House Bill 1618, which aims to mandate smoke-free environments inside casinos. However, with the legislative session nearing its end, the bill may not progress in time to be enacted this year. This situation contrasts with Kansas, where a similar smoking ban effort has recently failed.

Ongoing Debate Over Missouri’s Casino Smoking Exemption

Currently, Missouri permits indoor smoking in casinos due to an exemption embedded in the 1993 Clean Indoor Air Law. House Bill 1618 seeks to remove this exemption and establish smoke-free casinos statewide. The bill’s advancement faces hurdles as the Missouri General Assembly moves toward adjournment for 2026.

Earlier this year, House Bill 1618 gained bipartisan support. Introduced by state Representative Bruce Sassmann, a Republican from Montgomery, the bill is co-sponsored by a mix of Republican and Democratic lawmakers. While it has received initial readings on the House floor, the legislation has not yet been assigned to a committee for further consideration.

One factor contributing to the delay is the legislature’s focus on other gambling-related issues, such as regulating slot machines. Recent efforts include passing legislation to control so-called “gray market” slot games and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s crackdown on illegal video lottery terminals operating within the state.

Kansas Anti-Smoking Legislation in Casinos Fails to Advance

In contrast, Kansas has seen its attempts to ban smoking in casinos stall. Senate Bill 176, which aimed to amend the state’s Clean Air Act to remove secondhand smoke from the four casinos, has not progressed since being referred to a Senate committee in February. This bill was drafted at the request of state Senator Mike Thompson.

Alongside this, a similar measure in the Kansas House, House Bill 2252, intended to protect casino employees from the effects of smoking, has also stagnated in the House Committee on Health and Human Services. Although the Kansas Legislature will not adjourn until April 10, both bills failed to meet the critical crossover deadline on February 19, effectively ending their chances of passage this session.