Pennsylvania Senate targets skill games with strict rules

Pennsylvania is one step closer to fully regulating the often controversial world of skill games. For nearly a decade, these machines have thrived in a legal gray area, popping up in bars, gas stations, and corner stores across the state. Now, Senate Bill 756 aims to bring them under tighter control with a hefty tax 

Pennsylvania is one step closer to fully regulating the often controversial world of skill games.

For nearly a decade, these machines have thrived in a legal gray area, popping up in bars, gas stations, and corner stores across the state. Now, Senate Bill 756 aims to bring them under tighter control with a hefty tax implementation.

Led by Senator Chris Gebhard, with support from Senate leaders Kim Ward, Joe Pittman, and Rosemary Brown, the bill proposes a 35% tax on the revenue from skill game terminals.

The bill has strict rules:

• Hosting restriction: Only proper license holders or Pennsylvania Lottery ticket holders can host these games.
• Machine number restriction: No more than 7 machines per location.
• Age restriction: Players would need to be at least 21 years old.

The new structure, together with licensing and site approvals, will be monitored by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. License fees would vary from $250 for small businesses to $50,000 for manufacturers, with tax revenue directed into a newly created Skill Gaming Fund to support the state’s General Fund and gambling addiction programs.

The bill faces strong opposition

Pace-O-Matic, a famous player in the skill game industry, argues that the proposed tax is too high and would hurt small businesses and community groups like American Legions, VFWs, and local fire departments that depend on this income. Instead, POM suggests a more moderate bill from Senator Gene Yaw, which suggests a 16% tax and oversight by the Department of Revenue. As the debate continues, the skill games future currently remains uncertain in Pennsylvania.