The debate on smoking while on the casino gaming floor has been ongoing for more than a decade. While since the pandemic, some casinos across the US decided to go from being smoke-free temporarily to banning smoking permanently, casinos in some states are still permitted to offer indoor smoking.

That’s the case for Iowa, a state that passed a smoke-free law nearly two decades ago, in 2008, effectively banning smoking in most public places and indoor areas. However, the smoke-free law provided an exception for the state’s commercial casinos, enabling them to permit smoking on the casino floor.

Bill Seeks to Eliminate Casino Indoor Smoking in Iowa

The smoking ban affects workplaces, including restaurants, bars and other public places and businesses. Besides casinos, exceptions are made for certain areas specifically dedicated to smoking. Usually, such areas are out in the open.

Now, a newly introduced bill seeks to eliminate the exception of casinos, effectively prohibiting smoking on the casino floor in commercial casinos. This is under House Study Bill 148, which was introduced earlier this month in the state’s House. Earlier this week, a subcommittee held a hearing on the bill and recommended it for passage.

Rep. Shannon Lundgren introduced the proposal earlier this month. “An Act relating to the elimination of the exemption of gaming floors from the prohibitions of the Smokefree Air Act,” reads House Study Bill 148. The implementation of the smoke ban in Iowa would be achieved by striking a subsection of the Smokefree Air Act. If subsection 10 of 142D.4, of the Act is removed, a smoking prohibition would apply to commercial casinos.

“This bill eliminates the exception under the smokefree air Act (Act) (Code chapter 142D), allowing smoking on the gaming floors of the premises licensed pursuant to Code chapter 99F (gambling structures, excursion gambling boats, and racetracks). The bill thereby subjects the entirety of these premises to the smoking prohibitions of the Act,“

reads House Study Bill 148

Casino Visitors and Workers Deserve a Healthy Environment, Free of Secondhand Smoke

Casino representatives, non-smokers groups and other stakeholders attended the recent subcommittee hearing on Tuesday. Traci Kennedy, a Midwest states strategist for Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, who was quoted by Sioux City Journal, said: “Casino workers in Iowa have been fighting for their right to clean air for far too long.”

She explained that approximately 86% of Iowans are nonsmokers, but at the same time, casinos continue to meet the requirements of the other 14%. “Casino workers and patrons deserve to work, dine and game without putting themselves at risk,” Kennedy added.

Speaking about the evolving gambling industry, she explained that Iowa has the opportunity to modernize its smoke-free air law. “The markets have changed. Smoking behaviors have changed. It really warrants our attention to close this loophole,” said Kennedy.

For comparison, commercial casinos in nearby states have already enforced a smoking ban. That’s the case for venues in Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, as well as North and South Dakota.

Still, it’s important to note that House Study Bill 148 would only affect commercial casinos. This means that Tribal-owned and operated casinos would not be impacted by the smoking ban that may be introduced, provided that the legislation is greenlighted.

Slot attendants at Hard Rock Casino Rockford, Forest City’s newest entertainment destination, voted by an overwhelming majority to join a local union. This week, approximately 98% of the slot attendants at the popular hotel and casino resort voted in favor of joining Teamsters Local 325, the largest union in the United States and one that represents more than 1,000 workers across northern Illinois.

Teamsters Now Represents Slot Attendants at Hard Rock Rockford

Voting in favor of union representation, the slot attendants join more than 5,000 casino and gaming industry employees represented by Teamsters across the country. Previously, warehouse workers at Hard Rock Rockford have also voted in favor of union representation. Now, their fellow slot attendant coworkers are going to benefit from being represented by Teamsters Local 325 too.

As noted, the union represents more than 1,000 workers in northern Illinois. Besides casino employees, Teamsters represents workers from the public sector, sanitation and freight drivers, clerical staff, and other vital roles.

Looking at the bigger picture, the union represents more than 1.4 million workers across the nation. The union, according to its official website, is run as a democracy, which means that its members help elect leaders. The union also sets clear priorities and goals and can reject or approve proposed contracts via a secret ballot.

The Announcement Brings Excitement to Slot Workers and Union Reps Alike

Siara Raymer, who works as a slot attendant at Hard Rock Casino Rockford, shared her excitement about the latest announcement. She said that the slot attendants are happy to be represented by Teamsters, joining their fellow warehouse and valet coworkers who are already represented. “All of us were fed up with the status quo and knew it was time to stand our ground. Now, we are ready to fight for what we deserve,” Raymer added.

“I congratulate these workers for showing resilience and voting to join our Teamsters family.“

Erick Calvert, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 325

Erick Calvert, Teamsters’ secretary-treasurer, congratulated the Hard Rock Casino Rockford workers for the recent vote that granted them union representation. “Despite an aggressive anti-union campaign, they sent a clear message to Hard Rock management that they are serious about winning the dignity, respect, and strong contract they deserve,” Calvert added.

It was last summer when Hard Rock Casino Rockford celebrated its grand opening. Coinciding with that announcement, the operator confirmed it joined forces with a local public transportation provider that agreed to serve the venue, making it easily accessible for people who don’t drive.

A gambler in Pennsylvania was lucky enough to hit a jackpot while visiting Parx Casino in Bensalem. However, the man couldn’t enjoy his win as he was denied the winnings considering that he is on the state’s gambling self-exclusion list.

Instead of Jackpot, Gambler Receives Trespassing Citation

That’s the case of a 46-year-old man, whose name was not publicly disclosed. A recent report by WHTM, citing information from the Pennsylvania State Police, reveals that the Philadelphia man was gambling at Parx Casino over the weekend on Saturday. At approximately 4 PM on February 15, 2025, the man hit a five-figure jackpot.

To be precise, the 46-year-old man won a $57,000.07 jackpot. However, the fortunate gambler wasn’t able to collect the hefty prize considering that he was on the Pennsylvania gambling self-exclusion list. Instead, the Philadelphia man received a citation for trespassing.

Parx Casino in Bensalem is a premium gaming and entertainment venue. The property offers a range of state-of-the-art gambling options, thoroughbred racing, as well as live entertainment. Visitors to Parx Casino can expect thrilling promotions and a variety of exciting events. Owned by Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, Parx Casino was formerly Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Casino.

Self-Excluded Gamblers Cannot Recover Money Lost, Claim Jackpots

Similar to other states, Pennsylvania offers options for self-exclusion from gambling. People who join the state’s gambling self-exclusion list can exclude themselves from any form of gambling, including land-based casinos, online gambling, as well as fantasy contests and video gaming terminals.

It’s important to note that self-excluded individuals, such as the one who recently won a jackpot while at Parx Casino in Bensalem, cannot collect any winnings. Such people are also not permitted to try to recover losses or accept any services, gifts or other incentives provided by a gambling company.

“Individuals who enroll in self-exclusion are prohibited from collecting any winnings, recovering any losses or accepting complimentary gifts or services or any other thing of value from a licensee or operator,“

reads the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s self-exclusion program

According to the gambling regulator, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the self-exclusion program was established to “help individuals affected by problem gambling distance themselves from the temptation of gambling.” This voluntary ban can help people affected by at-risk or problem gambling exclude from gambling temporarily or for a lifetime.

Earlier this month, we reported that an accident claimed the lives of children at the parking garage of a casino in Detroit, Michigan. That’s the case for a young boy and an infant girl who froze to death while sleeping in a van at the Hollywood Casino Hotel at Greektown parking garage.

Now, a new report confirms that a local funeral home will assist the family of the two deceased children by arranging the funeral services. At the same time, the city will be helping the family find suitable housing.

New McFall Brothers Funeral Home Will Organize the Funeral Services

Law enforcement confirmed that the kids, a 9-year-old boy, and a 2-year-old girl, froze to death after spending the night in a car parked in the casino’s parking garage. The family was reportedly homeless and the mother with five children, along with the grandmother, were using a van as shelter.

The family parked their car in the Hollywood Casino Hotel’s garage on the ninth floor to spend the night on Monday last week. While the car was initially running, at some point it ran out of gas. Then, the temperature in the van dropped significantly and around noon on Monday, the mother realized that her 9-year-old son wasn’t breathing.

The boy was transported to a hospital. After that, the grandmother noticed that the 2-year-old girl wasn’t breathing either. While the infant girl was also taken to hospital, both children had already passed away.

In light of the heartbreaking accident, the New McFall Brothers Funeral Home agreed to help the family by organizing the funeral services for the two kids for free, the Detroit Free Press reports. “As the community mourns this heartbreaking loss, the overwhelming outpouring of love and support deeply touches the family,” the Funeral Home wrote in a statement. In addition, they pointed out: “At this time, they kindly request privacy as they navigate this unimaginable grief,” according to a press release from the funeral home.”

Detroit Will Assist with Housing for the Family of the Deceased Children

After the tragic accident, the mother of the two children who passed away said that while she sought help from Detroit’s homeless response team, they ignored her. While the woman made several attempts to reach the homeless response team late last year, her request was seen as not an emergency. Trying to reach other shelters also didn’t help the woman.

Sadly, only after the tragedy, the city will now help settle the family in a new home. Deputy Mayor Melia Howard explained last week: “We are hopeful that we will have them settled into a safe and comfortable home by this weekend.” According to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, the city will look into why the woman wasn’t accommodated when she contacted the homeless response team. Ultimately, the Mayor said that Detroit anticipates preventing any such accidents from happening in the future.

R.L., also known as “Lord Lester” was convicted of fraudulent trading and concealing criminal property following a nine-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Court Convicts So-Called Lord Lester

R.L., a professional gambler from Luton, England, was recently sentenced to five years in jail for scamming nearly 200 people with fake cruise holidays. The man, who has often called himself “Lord Lester,” among a slew of other aliases, made around £400,000 (around $500,000) from his victims.

Lester lured unsuspecting customers in his Ponzi-style scheme using a company that offered sham cruise miles. The victims were vacationers from across the globe who frequently only realized they had been scammed upon arriving at ports, where cruise operators turned them away. They came from places such as France, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the USA.

Lester had allegedly deliberately used convoluted terms and conditions in his contracts. He would also apparently gaslight his victims into believing the problems customers had been their fault. According to Judge Alexander Mills, who headed the case, Lester was “living the high life” in Las Vegas, gambling and playing poker tournaments. Mills further said that this was a “well-planned and complex fraud carried out over a lengthy period of time” that was done knowingly by the defendant.

Victims have often been lured by the promise of cheap cruises to exotic destinations. Early investors shared positive reviews on online forums after taking discounted trips, persuading more people to sign up.

One of the victims, Kim Berthen from Australia, lost around $8,300 on what she thought would be a 30th anniversary trip with her husband. She said she was angry and depressed to have decided to invest in Lester’s company. Another victim, Elizabeth Erskine from New South Wales, described the “harrowing” situation of having to experience the fear and distress of her life “crashing around” her.

Lester being convicted brings an end to a multiyear investigation. Previously, The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau was approached by victims, initially handling 324 claims. According to Essex Police Constable Leanne Smith, who has been investigating Cruisemiles (Lester’s company) and him since 2014, the investigation was large and complex and officers gathered dozens of statements from victims.

She added that many of the cruise companies the victims expected to vacation with had no record of them ever being scheduled to board the ships. Lester had used the funds to support a lavish lifestyle, which he boasted about to the very victims he had defrauded.

However, despite the man trying to hide his tracks, the investigation showed he was using multiple bank accounts to move his victims’ money, all of which led back to him.

In 2020, as most of the world imposed strict lockdowns to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Belarus took a vastly different approach. 

Its authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, dismissed the virus as insignificant, famously suggesting that a few shots of vodka and a sauna were all that was needed to fend it off. 

As a result, Belarus remained open while much of the world shut down.

With global sports leagues on pause, the little-known Belarusian Premier League suddenly gained international attention, as it remained the only active soccer league available for betting. 

As expected, the league started drawing interest from gamblers worldwide. However, while bettors were flocking to Belarus, a different kind of gambling was taking place behind closed doors at H Casino in Minsk. 

A Money Laundering Haven

According to a complex investigation by the exiled independent media organization Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC), H Casino was at the center of an elaborate money laundering scheme. 

As COVID-19 restrictions made it difficult for criminals to wash illicit funds elsewhere, Belarus’ lax policies and corrupt officials made it an attractive alternative.

The casino, which opened in 2021 inside Galleria Minsk, a shopping mall owned by figures with connections to Russian and Belarusian elites, quickly became the most profitable gambling establishment in the city. 

Within the first six months, the venue earned more than the well-established casinos in the city, with profits going over the $7.5 million mark. By 2023, the casino had turned into the most profitable gambling venue in the country. 

The results came amid the number of gambling establishments in Belarus dropping by about 25% between 2015 and 2020, likely due to rising taxes, according to the Association for the Protection of the Interests of the Organisers of Games of Chance’s chairperson, Alesia Pakhomenka. 

Operated by a Criminal Mastermind 

BIC’s findings suggest H Casino’s success had little to do with legitimate gaming revenue.

Investigators uncovered ties between H Casino and the late Turkish Cypriot crime boss Halil Falyalı, who was assassinated in 2022. 

Though the casino was officially owned by Turkish businessman Mustafa Egemen Şener, reports indicate that Şener was merely a frontman, with Falyalı acting as a secret partner in the enterprise.

Falyalı was notorious for his vast, illegal online gambling network that targeted Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, generating enormous sums of illicit funds. 

The U.S. government accused him of trafficking heroin into the UK, while the Department of Justice charged him with laundering drug money within the United States.

The Money Trail

After five failed attempts to get permission to do an interview with Cemil Önal, Falyalı’s former chief financial officer between 2015 and November 2021, BIC journalists secured testimony from him.

The man, who is currently imprisoned in the Netherlands and resisting extradition to Turkey, fearing for his life, detailed how vast sums of money were funneled through H Casino, either physically, by smuggling cash via private jets, or digitally, using cryptocurrency transactions.

A complex network of bank accounts was used to mask the origin of the funds. When players lost money on Falyalı’s illegal gambling sites, the payments would be transferred to individual account holders in exchange for a commission. 

The money was then withdrawn in cash, passed to organizers, and ultimately delivered to Falyalı’s network.

Once the funds arrived at H Casino, they were falsely reported as legitimate gambling revenue. From there, they were laundered through luxury real estate purchases in Dubai.

Corruption at the Highest Levels

According to Önal, the scheme thrived under the protection of Belarusian state officials. The man alleged former KGB and military officers played key roles in safeguarding the operation. 

One of the individuals named in the report was Vitaly Matys, a former security officer for President Lukashenko, whom Önal identified as a crucial enabler of the scheme.

Falyalı met a brutal fate in February 2022 when his convoy was ambushed by gunmen wielding Kalashnikov rifles near his home in Northern Cyprus, where the Les Ambassadeur Casino owner lived with his spouse and three children.

Four individuals with ties to the Turkish underworld were convicted of his murder, yet the exact reasons behind his assassination remain a mystery.

Belarus is also one of the nations that continue to host 1xBet’s content despite the controversial operator’s blocked status there. 

Senior-level executives part of the gaming industry in Nevada require licenses that permits them to operate in the area. Usually, such license applications are reviewed by the state gambling regulator, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), and subsequently undergo approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission. Only recently, the NGCB reviewed and advanced license applications for several managers and executives, employed by Las Vegas Strip casinos.

NGCB Reviews Applications of Gaming Executives

The list of executives who saw their applications advance includes Najam Shafaat Khan, executive vice president and general manager at Treasure Island, Balamurugan Ganesan, manager of Mesquite Gaming.

Executives who also saw their applications advance include Ryan Christopher Paulos, vice president and general manager at Boyd Gaming’s Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Christopher Michael Joy, vice president and general manager for Boyd’s The Orleans Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

The latest announcement comes at a time when Las Vegas hotels and casinos do not expect mass deportations, despite the announcement about Donald Trump’s immigration plans for undocumented residents. While mass deportations are unlikely to affect the sector, considering its extensive contributions to Nevada and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports, late in January, people concerned with the new President’s plans protested near the Trump hotel in Las Vegas.

The Executives Discussed a Number of Hot Topics

During a recent hearing with the NGCB, the aforementioned executives spoke to Board members, addressing some concerns and sharing information about recent company activities. Treasure Island’s EVP and general manager, pointed to a recent redevelopment the operator completed which involved an investment of $33 million for room plumbing and other upgrades, as announced by CDC Gaming.

Khan also pointed to strategic company assets that position it well for further growth, giving 102 acres of land as an example. While Treasure Island’s owner, Phil Ruffin, has put Circus Circus up for sale, Khan admitted that so far there’s no progress made in that direction.

Similarly, Ganesan pointed to a multi-million-dollar investment by Mesquite Gaming. “We’ve invested more than $25 million in phase one, expanding the gaming floor with over 200 new machines,” he said while speaking to members of the NGCB. Similarly to Khan’s application, Ganesan also saw his licensing progress.

Joy, the general manager at Boyd’s The Orleans Hotel and Casino, pointed to the strong results the venue recorded recently. While recent financial figures were good and the property continues to be busy, the executive said that a slight decrease is observed when compared to “the peak in 2023.” Joy added: “We have a lot going on.”

After the recent meeting with the NGCB, the executives are going to seek approval for their licensing from the Nevada Gaming Commission. The regulatory body is expected to review the matter later this month.