Jefferson County, Pennsylvania is the latest jurisdiction to potentially adopt a new ordinance involving skill games. The township is holding a testimony hearing on Oct. 2 to discuss regulations surrounding the controversial machines.
Meadville became the latest city in the Keystone State to vote on a policy that limits the number of skill games throughout the town. The ordinance Jefferson County is discussing would require a license to carry devices.
Jefferson County’s ordinance does not wish to limit skill games within the town, according to Borough Manager, Dana D. Rooney, CBO. She told PlayPennsylvania on Thursday:
“We have had a significant number of games of skill enter our borough in recent months. We are looking to get the machines registered to better track their locations.”
Details of a new skill games ordinance in Jefferson County
There are multiple reasons that districts throughout the state have limited skill games. One is the similarities to slots on PA online casinos and retail properties, and the other is crime-related.
However, Rooney confirmed with PlayPennsylvania that the ordinance does not wish to limit skill games in anyway. It wants to better track the amount of games in the township, as the ordinance contains the following requirements:
- License, application, investigation, fees and for the operations of any such devices.
- Sticker to be placed on all such devices.
- Prohibits minors from playing devices.
- Identity of any gaming table or device or other amusement device owner.
- Removal of unidentified or unlicensed gaming table or device or other amusement.
- Provides for inspection for compliance
- Fee of $500 per skill machine
Nonprofit organizations are exempt from paying a fee but still require a license to offer skill games.
Status of skill games in other Keystone State counties
Jefferson County is one of multiple jurisdictions within the state that have started to set up guardrails surrounding the games. Earlier this month, Meadville City Council approved new zoning locations that limit the number of machines in the city.
Earlier this year, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, signed into a law a ban of the games in corner stores and gas stations because of crime. Only establishments that sell alcohol and have 30 or more seats can offer skill games to customers in the city.
Pace-O-Matic (POM), a Georgia-based skill games manufacturer, is in favor of tracking and monitoring machines within the state. Chief of Public Affairs, Mike Barley, told PlayPennsylvania earlier this month:
“Pace-O-Matic has always opposed mini-casinos that feature wall-to-wall machines and are a blight on our communities. This is not how we operate.
“Pennsylvania Skill games provide important supplemental revenue to small businesses, restaurants, bars, veteran organizations and volunteer fire companies. Our games are never the main source of income for these establishments.”
The potential ordinance in Jefferson County appears to line up with POM’s mission. Follow along for updates after the county’s meeting on Oct. 2.
