A survey conducted by Cygnal, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association, concluded that the majority of voters are in favor of Pennsylvania skill games regulation that is “reasonable.”
Skill games have been a controversial topic within the state over the last several years. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, one way or another, is going to determine the legality of the games in a hearing. There is no timetable on the decision.
The legality of the machines is the first domino to drop. If the Supreme Court deems the games are legal, then regulation and taxation are sure to be discussed.
Survey results favor PA skill games
Cygnal, a predictive analytics firm, conducted the survey with 600 participants between June 14-16. Those people answered questions via phone calls or text messages.
Most of the information provided by the study supports skill games legislation, first and foremost. However, the majority of voters don’t believe the games should be taxed at the same level as casinos. Pennsylvania Senator Gene Yaw’s (R-23) bill would tax skill games at a 16% rate.
Here are key results of the study:
- Nearly half of voters (49%) favor applying reasonable regulations and taxes to Pennsylvania skill games in order to further legitimize them and provide additional revenue to the state; only 30% oppose.
- A majority of voters (51%) say they are more likely to support Pennsylvania skill machines after
learning that they have helped to create good jobs and breathe new life into small businesses,
specifically helping nonprofit organizations like VFWs and American Legion halls. - Nearly half of voters (48%) believe that skill games should NOT be taxed at the same rate
as large casinos based outside of Pennsylvania while less than a third say the opposite (32%).
PA TAP President, Doug Sprankle, said in a statement:
“Polling results show that Pennsylvanians overwhelmingly support a compromise solution that would fairly tax and regulate skill games. They understand the important role supplemental revenue generated from these games plays in supporting small businesses and fraternal clubs.
“They also understand the difference between regulation and overregulation. We are hopeful the legislature will heed the advice of Pennsylvanians and fairly regulate and tax skill games and the small businesses and fraternal clubs they support.”
PA Supreme Court to rule on legality of skill machines
The fact that the highest court in the state will rule on the legality of the games is a little surprising, considering the Commonwealth Court unanimously ruled the machines as legal back in December.
Nonetheless, the Supreme Court is addressing the following two issues, according to a court order:
“Does an electronic slot machine cease to be an illegal ‘gambling device,’ governed predominantly by chance, if the machine’s manufacturers embed into its programming a so-called “skill” element that is almost entirely hidden from view and is almost impossible to complete?
“Should gambling statutes governing ‘slot machines’ be read in pari materia to supply an appropriate definition of the term?”
While that is entirely up to a legislative body, 49% of survey participants believe that skill games are not the same as slot machines, while 26% do.
Not that their voices will be heard, but there are more people that think there’s enough of a difference between the two machines.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has the entire PA gambling industry on the edge of their seats, that’s for sure.
