There are more Pennsylvania lawmakers now speaking up in favor of regulating skill games, which have become a controversial topic both within the state and elsewhere in the nation. One lawmaker even says she’s heard from Governor Josh Shapiro that he would like to see the games regulated.
That means Gov. Shapiro’s position hasn’t changed from last year, when he was on board with the effort to legalize and tax the devices. However, there are now even more elected representatives backing the effort, so the chances of success appear higher this year.
A bicameral effort for skill games regulation is coming, as Pennsylvania Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) and Representative Danilo Burgos each published memos expressing desire to introduce a bill soon.
Gov. Shapiro is in favor of regulating skill games
The debate on skill games is likely to come to a head in 2025. At least that’s how Pennsylvania legislators see it.
One in particular, State Senator Patty Kim, a Democrat representing Dauphin County, is a proponent of skill games regulation. She confirmed the Governor’s stance on the games, too, as she told FOX43:
“The governor would like it, Senate Republicans are for it. I think that’s something that we can get on the negotiating table and get it done this year.”
Gov. Shapiro had a skill games tax of 42% in his FY 2024/2025 budget last February, which would have yielded $313 million in tax earnings by 2026. Shapiro held firm on his stance last August, when Ford Turner of Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau wrote:
“Mr. Shapiro, answering a question at an afternoon speaking event, said Rep. Matt Bradford, of Montgomery County — the leader of Democrats who control the state House — is ready to move forward on the general concept.”
For a third time, Gov. Shapiro’s intentions of taxing skill games have been confirmed. Yaw and Burgos are likely to propose a 16% tax on the machines when a bill is introduced. That is far off from Shapiro’s 42%.
There will need to be a middle ground of some sort that benefits the Commonwealth and business owners who offer the games.
Other lawmakers supporting skill machines oversight
Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman is also in favor of regulation, especially in regards to the well-being over others. He told FOX43:
“I think there has to be regulation of games of skill or whatever they’re called anymore. It seems to me they are so prolific, we’re having mini-casinos in places. I consider this a public safety issue.”
Representative Justin Fleming from Dauphin County offered similar thoughts as Pittman. He said:
“It can’t be the wild wild west. It’s got to be a regulated market. We have to make sure that minors can’t play for one thing.”
Skill games could generate upwards of $300 million in tax revenue for the state. That can certainly change depending on the structure that is put in place. Regardless, the money would be put to good use.
“We could pave a lot of roads, fix a lot of bridges,” Fleming added.
There is no timetable for a decision on skill games. For one, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is set to rule on the legality of the machines. Ruling the games as illegal would obviously make regulating the games moot.
However, the Commonwealth Court deemed the machines as legal in December 2023. There is hope that a resolution can be found to make lawmakers, business owners and skill games manufacturers satisfied.
