Iowa: Bill banning smoking in casinos takes step forward

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 3:11 PM
  • Tom Barton, Sioux City Journal

Just like bars and restaurants in the state, smoking would be prohibited inside Iowa casinos under legislation that took a step forward Tuesday.

House Study Bill 148 would repeal casinos’ exemption from Iowa’s smoke-free air law.

The ban would apply to two state-licensed casinos in Northwest Iowa — the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City and Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort in rural Lyon County. Two area tribal casinos that allow smoking — the WinnaVegas Resort & Casino, operated by the Winnebago Tribe near Sloan, Iowa, and the Blackbird Bend Casino, operated by the Omaha Tribe near Onawa — would be exempt from a change in state law.